Jamming on the Drumset

There is much to be said for 'spontaeneous improvisation', better known as jamming. What we are talking about here is the 'creativity factor', using your 'individual imagination' and how to improve behind the kit while playing with a recording or a band.

While taking creative liberties, always remember: "there is no such thing as a mistake if you remain 'in-time". That is a very BIG statement but it is completely true!

Theoretically you may do anything (that sounds good) when you are behind the drumkit. Anything goes, most of the time! That is . . . anything goes, that does not throw you out of sync with the timing of the music OR result in making you the target of smelly objects like rotten eggs and tomatoes.

Sometimes, you may not be playing exactly the intended (classic) patterns. Maybe you will miss a lick, here and there. That's OK! Just stay in time, focus on the feel of the beat. Occasionally the missed licks may sound better than the intended licks anyway.

So . . . that aweful 'mistake' may become a new trick . . .that's all. Just try to remember all the, 'good mistakes' when you make them, and add them to your list of best ideas . . .then do them again and again on purpose. This is a fun way to GROW as a drummer.

JAMMING WITH RECORDINGS

PLAY ALONG TIPS

1. Alter the beat patterns slightly, in ways that make the song sound better.

2. Add fills in places where the original drummer didn't play a fill. Often it may be difficult to mimick a recorded fill exactly anyway! Don't worry about imitating to perfection while you are at home and learning. Just do your own fill, your own way but make it fit with the timing of the song. You will have more fun and it will add to your own arsenal of tricks.

3. Play around with dynamics. Drive hard in places where the recorded drummer is playing with little or no feeling. More on dynamics in a minute!

JAMMING WITH A BAND

When jamming with a band . . . listen very, very closely to each individual member of the group. . . memorize their 'best' ideas and rhythm patterns . . . anticipate where/when they are going to use those ideas and be there . . . with them. Try to compliment their ideas (in your own way). You will usually get a nod of approval as soon as they realize you are focusing on their musical statement of improvisational creativity .

Not all musicians appreciate this kind of stuff . . .some jerks dispise it. We (lowly drummers) aim to please . . . (even the jerks) . . . so, we play according to each players' individual wish. If the 'nods' are approving then continue to compliment the other players' ideas. But, if what you see is a scowl, then back off and let that player 'suffer' on his own. He deserves to be alone, heheheh.

play drums in a band

Sometimes it is best to just 'ask' at a convenient time off-stage. The individual band members will usually be very quick to let you know what they like and do not like. A GOOD drummer will always try to please each individual band member, if possible. However, you should never compromise tempo or taste at someone eleses whim.

OK! With that understood . . .keep feeding off the other band members as much as possible within the music. THEIR ideas can be YOUR BEST ideas!

TEMPO

REMEMBER ALWAYS: Tempo is of paramount importance! This is the major thing that will cause audience pandamonium and excitement!

SOLID TEMPO IS HYPNOTIC! It is a fact . . .just think about this . . .How does a Hypnotist induce a trance? Tic . . .toc . . .tic . . . toc . . .Whoops, I didn't mean to hypnotize ya! (ha ha) WAKE UP!!!!

You get the idea right? Steady tempo can have a very engaging effect on a mass of people. Rather than put them to sleep, it will bring them to life! Perfect tempo is the thing that will make a crowd clap their hands, stomp their feet and scream at the top of their lungs. When a crowd begins to respond like that, it can be the drummers (secret) crowning moment of glory! It takes time (perfect time) to make all this happen, so be patient and keep driving home that SOLID beat!

DYNAMICS

Now, with all that under your belt . . .there is another very important factor that will set 'crowd pandamonium' or 'excitement' into action when playing with any band. Get ready for another big word . . .'DYNAMICS', the sizzling-hot-drummers' second most valuable creative tool . . .

DYNAMICS, in a band MUST be a group effort! It takes a whole band . . . thinking on the same 'wave length' to play dynamically. By dynamic, I mean 'volume flux' and 'energy flux'.

Guess who SHOULD be in charge of band dynamics? If you guessed 'the drummer', you are right! The drummer can initiate 'dynamics' into the band much easier than anyone else. Look for places in the music where you can 'drop out' completely! You may only need to play a very light 'chic' on the hi-hat in many arrangements.

Also, learn to build 'excitement' with gradual increases in volume and 'thundering roll techniques' (watch that tempo!) . . . Go from 'soft rain' to a 'thundering hurricane' at every opportunity. Watch for a 'positive' reaction from the band members . . . and the crowd. They will usually LOVE you for being so 'sensitive' to the kind of emotion this normally evokes.

A FEW WORDS OF OPPOSITION

There are instances where jamming on stage just isn't cool. Many 'cover bands' are forced by their crowds to imitate popular recordings. It is a bread & butter thing! If you are in a band playing cover tunes for a living, (as many drummers are) . . . and if you want to eat on a regular basis, (as many of us do) . . . Jam at home but be a copy-freak at work! It's tough pill to swollow but it's REALITY!!!!

Spontaeneous Improvisation (a.k.a Jamming)

Spontaeneous Improvisation
(a.k.a Jamming)