Some of the best drummers have a problem with simplicity. It sometimes seems that it is much easier to play fast and complex. Then along comes the lifeless boring ballad that will tend to drive any drummer up the wall.

Most drummers are alike on this issue! We love songs that cook and we hate dull boring music that lacks exciting rhythms. If we are jamming alone at home with the stereo, it is easy to simply ignore the draggy stuff and play only the fun music.

Unfortunately, we are usually offered no choice in the matter on most professional gigs. If the band decides to do a rhythmically boring tune, we must endure! The boring songs usually end up by far, the toughest to play! Boring songs are a part of the job, so we need to learn to play them well. Ideally we should strive to play every song the best it can be played! There are many secrets to simplicity but the most important is tempo!

SECRET #1: TEMPO

TEMPO is everything! Foremost and always! If the other musicians can hear and feel the tempo we are laying down . . . everything will sound good and they will love their drummer. But we drummers must always execute 'near perfect' tempo, no matter how simple the song or rhythm may be! If we rush or drag (speed up or slow down) . . . the effect will be felt throughout the entire band. We become tantamount to a 'Dirty ole egg sucking dog'. Oooooh that is a bad place to be! ;-)

The problems arise when we are unsure of the tempo. This tends to happen more frequently on the very simple songs. As we drummers pull-back and play softer, using less energy . . . the other musicians may lose the 'feel' of the rhythm . . . starting a chain reaction that sends us tumbling flat on our face. Ouch! It hurts every time! We get the blame anytime another band member screws up. The answer to this dilemma comes back to several factors:

SECRET #2: CONFIDENCE

CONFIDENCE: We drummers must maintain 'near perfect' tempo at all costs.

Now, it is common for any open-minded drummer to be over-influenced by another player onstage. In other words . . . if the bass player or piano player inaccurately tugs on the tempo . . . and we follow . . . we must shoulder the blame if they are wrong.

It seems that the offending member never gets blamed! It is our fault if we follow them into the pit of doom! We must have the confidence to hold the tempo and know instinctivly, when the others are wrong! This is the thing that drives all drummers crazy . . . and trust me . . . most professional drummers have dealt with this more than they would like. It goes with the job!

SECRET #3: DYNAMIC FINESSE:

DYNAMIC FINESSE: This is largely 'acquired' wisdom. We drummers must know instinctively, 'When NOT to play'. There will be many places in the music where little or no drums are required. This happens more frequently in Hymns, Country Ballads and softer music styles.

Sometimes it takes real guts to stop playing and layout completely. As you do this, at just the right moments in the music, something cool will happen! New (low end) dynamics will be added to the overall sound of the group/band. You will be missed and appreciated at the same time. Your contribution to the overall sound will then become even more obvious as you reenter the music with thunderous rhythmic confidence.

Try this with your own band! If it is done correctly, you will begin to get the respect you deserve. Try doing this at every appropriate opportunity! I think you will notice a few more appreciative nods coming from the other band members.

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NOTE: If you notice that the band tends to fall apart when you drop out, try keeping a very soft backbeat with the hi-hat . . . only a very soft 'chick' sound and that is all. Just enough to help the group stay together but not enough to be heard by the audience. Then, when you come back in . . . do it with gusto!

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This sort of DYNAMIC FINESSE tends to make a point. That point is this: 'Most of the tempo problems occur when you AREN'T playing'! The other players will then be forced to concentrate on maintaining their own 'near perfect' tempo. It is good for the group as a whole and it will make your job easier!

SECRET #4: GO EASY ON YOURSELF!

The odds are very much in your favor that you are being TOO HARD ON YOURSELF! Taking the blame for the inadequacies of the other band members is a common occurrence with good drummers.

We automatically shoulder the blame when the other guy gets out of time! But, this is self defeating! I recommend against it! Make each player responsible for playing in time!

That is the best we can do as drummers . . . the rest is up to them! If they insist on playing out of time, simply pull back and let them fall on their face a time or two. Before long they will get the message and become a little more tempo conscious.

SECRET #5: LISTEN TO THE BEST!

As a final thought towards playing eloquent and simplistic. Listen and imitate those who do it best. I am referring to the great session drummers right there on your recordings. Listen closely to the tricks and techniques they are using on the simple songs. As you acquire and adapt those licks, the boring songs will take on a whole new feeling. They will become fun to play!