How do YOU deal with a loud drummer?

Jim Hoke · Post by **Jim Hoke** » 8 Dec 2008 7:13 am

Fire the #$%^&*(*&^%$!!!

Les Green · Post by **Les Green** » 8 Dec 2008 8:34 am

How 'bout a shock collar as in training wayward hounds?

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 9 Dec 2008 9:44 am

Drop him like third period French?
Drop him like a transmission?

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 9 Dec 2008 9:56 am

Thorazine cupcakes.

Attach the drum sticks to his ear rings with rubber bands.

Electronic foot controled Insta-Wedgie drum thrown; set at 87 dbm.
Increasing V shape with each hit over threshold

Get a 120w Marshal Major amp with 2, 412 cabs
and aim it RIGHT AT HIS STOOL
and show him the 'Guitarists Solo Now 'speaker switching pedal.
'Get's too loud up here dude,
it gets to loud back there soon after.'

Taser integrated drum thrown also comes to mind.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 9 Dec 2008 12:04 pm

David,I like the way you think!Are you the same guy who had the Cobra problem?Stu

admin · Post by **b0b** » 9 Dec 2008 1:55 pm

Chris Schlotzhauer wrote:Have you tried firing him?

I tried that, and the bandleader fired me instead! $:\$ I should have known that might happen.

For the record, I am no longer a member of Open Hearts.

The drummer kept getting louder and busier, until I just couldn't take it anymore. I guess you could say we had "artistic differences".

Twayn Williams · Post by **Twayn Williams** » 9 Dec 2008 2:33 pm

If you hand a drummer a pair of brushes they usually take it as an insult. Some drums need to be hit with a certain amount of force to sound right, it's the same reason guitar players turn up their tube amps to a certain volume.

- It might be that the kit itself is too loud for the situation, ex: playing a rock kit in a cocktail jazz combo. The solution is to use the right kit for the job.

- Heavy handed drummers can sometimes be tamed with lighter sticks.

- If all sticks are too loud, Hot Rods might be called for instead.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 9 Dec 2008 6:06 pm

Stu Schulman wrote:David,I like the way you think! Are you the same guy who had the Cobra problem?Stu

That would be me!

'Open Hearts' with closed minds attached.
Shriveled ears to follow.
Sorry to hear of the lost gig.

admin · Post by **b0b** » 10 Dec 2008 6:59 am

David L. Donald wrote:'Open Hearts' with closed minds attached.
Shriveled ears to follow.
Sorry to hear of the lost gig.

No, I won't hear of it. I hold no grudge. Change is a natural artifact of music making. Sometimes we just have to go in different directions.

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 10 Dec 2008 7:12 am

So b0b, does this mean you are available for gigs?

String order coming soon!
Dz

admin · Post by **b0b** » 10 Dec 2008 10:19 am

I'm available for gigs that don't feel like work to me, Dave. I don't like to drive very far (30 mile radius), and I don't like playing in loud, disorganized or otherwise bad sounding bands. Other than that, yeah, I'm available.

Prefer original folk-rock, blues, etc.

Tracy Sheehan · Post by **Tracy Sheehan** » 10 Dec 2008 10:47 am

b0b wrote:I'm available for gigs that don't feel like work to me, Dave. I don't like to drive very far (30 mile radius), and I don't like playing in loud, disorganized or otherwise bad sounding bands. Other than that, yeah, I'm available.

Prefer original folk-rock, blues, etc.

Good for you Bob.Like you i know things change,but the loud screeching boom boom what ever most play now is uncalled for.I have always said music doesn't have to be loud to be good.Opps.I was talking about music.

Tracy Sheehan · Post by **Tracy Sheehan** » 10 Dec 2008 10:57 am

I forgot to add.For the ones who want to play pro and be a lead player but do not have the ear can always take up drums,
I am only half joking because back in my day i worked with some great drummers.But back then you either played it or packed it.lol.but true.

John DeBoalt · Post by **John DeBoalt** » 10 Dec 2008 1:37 pm

In one band I was in, we played a club with a 2 tiered stage. The drum kit was set up on the 2nd tier right behind my steel. I think it was the first gig I'd played with this drum banger. He was so loud I couldn't hear my own instrument. On one song,the set list I had said Ab, and the singer moved it up to A. The lead player, and bass caught the change, but I couldn't hear S#%* with the drum kit throbing in my ear. I played the whole song a fret down with the singer flashing me an occasional dirty look. I left the band a short time later. John

Carl Morris · Post by **Carl Morris** » 10 Dec 2008 4:04 pm

There are a few people in this world that should be fired, but I've found that mostly it's because the band isn't set up in a manner conducive to playing softly. People (and drummers) need to be able to hear a certain mix to be able to play well, and "loud" drummers are usually playing that way because they're hearing a lot of something that they're trying to match.

I used to play with amps on the floor behind my legs (doesn't everyone?), and the drummer was probably hearing it a lot louder than I was. Now I try to play with my speakers aimed straight at my head, either through lifting the amp or putting speakers in wedge monitor cabinets, and encourage everyone else to do the same. When the drummer can't hear anyone else blasting in their ears, they magically play softer (or should be fired). The people I'm playing with now seem to get it, and I'm really enjoying the lack of ear fatigue and ringing.

W. C. Edgar · Post by **W. C. Edgar** » 10 Dec 2008 6:18 pm

Being a Pro Steel Player as well as a new hard-core honky tonk Country music artist I like a heavy hitting driving drummer with one hell of a heavy back beat on the 4/4 shuffles. It's not all about the steel guitar on stage any more than it's about the fiddle player or guitar player. It's all about dynamics and having an even mix. If any of you have ever listened to a session produced by a person that was also a steel player that had not been a producer very long you'll notice that the steel in the mix is most of the time louder than any other lead instruments. I've hired steel players to play in my band before I got my artist deal and some of them were very loud and they just wouldn't stop playing, like they assumed they were getting paid by the note and we all know that the beauty of the steel guitar is not knowing when to play but "when not to play". In the case of this post, is everyone in the band complaining or just the steel player? If it's just the steel player you may try moving to another spot on stage and maybe puting your amp in another position between you and the drummer. If the whole band doesn't like the drummers playing volume, as an artist I would ask him to tone it down and if he didn't I'd fire his ass. WC Edgar

Late Edit!
Unless the steel player was Emmons and then I'd say "play as loud as ya want Buddy, to hell with hearing my vocals, "it's all about the steel guitar".!

www.wcedgar.com

www.myspace.com/wcedgar

Jim Hartley · Post by **Jim Hartley** » 11 Dec 2008 10:35 am

Hey W.C.

Like you, I'm a firm believer in solid backbeats. In fact, I play so simple most of the time that I joke and say that my job is just making sure that everybody knows where the backbeat is. I think that most of the complaints here are about drummers who just continually play everything too loud and don't feel when it's time to soften up. Years ago, I played more bass than drums, and I certainly had to explain that idea to a drummer or two.

By the way W.C., I really enjoyed working with you for a few songs in St. Louis. That set in the Peavey room with the Johnsons, you, and Leona was a bunch of fun. Any time you're in the SE part of the country, give me a call.

See ya soon,
Jim

W. C. Edgar · Post by **W. C. Edgar** » 11 Dec 2008 10:49 am

Right back at ya! Thanks, WC

Dale Bessant · Post by **Dale Bessant** » 11 Dec 2008 11:25 am

Perhaps drummers should take note of long time Opry drummer John Gardner.. the "King"

of feel and quiet! Now there's a man with knowledge and taste!

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 11 Dec 2008 1:15 pm

I like a heavy hitting driving drummer with one hell of a heavy back beat on the 4/4 shuffles.

But simple fact is a really good drummer can DO that without excessive volume. I had a rehearsal last night and when harmonies were being worked on he played quieter but still with a strong backbeat, what *sounds* like an incredibly hard-hitting snare - but he was playing exactly the same stuff he plays at full-bore.

It's a matter of touch...NOT volume. You DO NOT have to hit the drums hard for emphasis or accents. If he/she is playing too loud constantly its from a a decided lack of skill or judgement - so you talk to them, and if you reach a level of agreement you may find a good drummer whose perception was tilted. If the drummer gets defensive, or makes any excuses - it's time for a new drummer.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 11 Dec 2008 7:27 pm

Feel is not volume, it's rhythm.

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 11 Dec 2008 8:48 pm

I like an assertive drummer!

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 11 Dec 2008 11:29 pm

Vaseline or KY on the drum thrown,
if he plays to hard he slides off!

c c johnson · Post by **c c johnson** » 12 Dec 2008 2:05 am

Here in Tx we shoot the SOBs {sweet old boys} cc

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 12 Dec 2008 2:15 am

Both Pat and myself prefer NOT to work with a drummer, in fact we won't. Just lately we find that any musician (Unless TOTALLY tuned in) is a hindrance.
Much prefer to work as a duo, as I also do with Bob Brolly MBE..

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