Playing with Drummers - What should they play?

[Diceman]

CT,

Bad luck about the drummer.

I guess that all you need a drummer for in a percussion dominated setup, is to keep time. I am about to get hold of an old hi hat set up to put under my (always tapping) left foot, it seems a shame not to!

I'll let you know how it works out.

suave

[dannydrumperc]

I am about to get hold of an old hi hat set up to put under my (always tapping) left foot, it seems a shame not to!

Why not a pedal-mounted cowbell or block? It would be much more appropriate (and audible)...

[OLSONGO]

What I recommend for starters, first of all to feel the one and I am not even gone go into the clave yet, just feel the one within the rhythm. Play on the hi-hat a shaker part and the one on the rim of the snare to keep the dynamics down, and the bass drum can do the tumbao. As he hears the conga within the context of the music, than he can start adding accents, and moving the bass drum. Remember simplicity at most times is best, the idea is to concentrate on the total swing of the band as a whole. Also remind him that the drums bleed into everyones mikes. Sometimes is not how much you play, but when not to play.. that makes the difference. Remember space gives presence to the fill.

Paz Olsongo

[Diceman]

DannyD,

Got one but in acoustic settings a bell can be too loud.
I got a real bargin Hi Hat set up and it sould just right in practice, I just gotta see how it goes down in a gig setting.

Olsongo,

I like the build up approach, a cool way to get the drummer 'in tune'.

suave

[congamyk]

Dice, et al,
Didn't find him last night. unfortunately. Couldn't keep time! Drove us nuts. So for now, have decded to keep it a tight trio (bass, guitar, congas) and plow the fusion furrow withou a trap set to fight.

CT this is a nice set-up.
You could stick with that and keep everything musical.

If you are convinced to add another you should add a timbalero/bongocero/percussionist before seeking a drummer. Most timbaleros use a bass drum and snare now.

If that doesn't work a DJ that mixes backing tracks and adds live organics effects would be an option. At least the DJ could mix background grooves for each song that you all could collaborate in and it would never miss, never be too loud and never take up half the stage like a drummer does.



Edited By congamyk on 1191106857

[bongosnotbombs]

Congamyk has a good suggestion, two of my favorite bands use a similar technique, one is Sleepwalker a Japanese Jazz group, they use electronics sounds behind the quartet, another is Tussle a band that has 2 drummers (one normal kit, one kit made from 'stuff') a bass player and the guy doing electronic sounds on the computer.
Its a pretty effective combo if done right, but your trio sounds pretty chill too as it is.

[OLSONGO]

I agree that some electronic sounds are impressive, but I rather have a drummer play them with triggers, those sequenced machines remind me of us percussionist who at times get replaced by those samples on those drum programs with some real cheesy sounds. I can name many drummers who I can take my hat off to... and why kill their traditon. Enough desensetising of the music.

Paz Olsongo

[Diceman]

Right with you Olsongo, percussionists get replaced all the time by electronics and I always prefer working with living, breathing musicians.

But on the other hand, there is some sweet revenge in replacing a drummer with a box.

Suave

[CongaTick]

Dice, I really like the hi-hat suggestion. My foot tapping would work well with that. Also thought a small splash cymbal would be an asset. I know that's been threaded here b4 but now seriously considering. Yep, I'm very jazzed about our core trio. Once we're solid, we'lll add. You guys always have been a great source of encouragement and invalubale info. Love this place.

[OLSONGO]

Dice, sweet revenge? there is no place for that as a professional, and can't imagine me going down to that level;
because when all is done... the music is what suffers.

Paz Olsongo

[Diceman]

Just joshing Olsongo, just joshing.

The music would suffer if a musician was replaced with a box.

suave

[OLSONGO]

Also , someone here mentioned a DJ mixing tracks, another form of desensitizing.
As we all know Miami is a city port,where you may find nationalities from all over; but mostly from South America and the Caribbean, areas where the rhythms from Africa took an evolution, and you would think that a city with such a melting pot of nations would offer killer live entertainment with a lot of percussion, but guess what ? DJs have taken over with their robotic, sampled boom boom disco crap and all due to economics and the cheap club owners. But people are getting tired of it, because they have realized that its killing their identity.

Paz Olsongo

[windhorse]

This has been a great thread!
I haven't done much with kit players, though I did some playing in my formative years on conga. The drummer and the band leader made it pretty clear they weren't interested in my conga playing, just the didjeridu. So, we split up shortly thereafter.

But, the reason I'm posting here is that two weekends ago I played with an airey fairy white hippy singing duo. She can actually sing like a bird, but here songs are mostly all structured around the hippy beat go-do-pa, go-do-pa.... Which I just happen to despise as about as much as anything.
So, I played the basic tumbao - which fit somewhat. But, I'm a perfectionist, and can't just do something to "fit somewhat". I'm looking for the "thing". Whatever it is that makes me really fit, and a necessary part of the music. Otherwise, I shouldn't be there!
So, I ended up playing other instruments - like bell, shaker, clave, cata... I was psyched because it was sounding really good..
However, she kept looking over at me and telling me to play the drum. She said that since their songs were slow and gentle that they needed drumming to get the crowd psyched to dance. So, I would sit back down and be just flabbergasted in these really non-Latin cross-over songs.. And I'm on Conga mind you. :p
So, her friend the bass player started coming over and playing my congas with the light finger touching hippy drumming style, and lo-and-behold! She loved it!
So, for about half the night the guy was flailing away, and occasionally I would play a quinto lead, or bell, shaker, or something else since they had the sound the wanted..

Interesting night, and I learned a good lesson. Though I'm really not sure what that lesson is..

[OLSONGO]

Windhorse, I think somethings just have their place and if you want to play aery fairy hippy ti du dah conga there it is,
but don't brake a nail it may sound to loud and get slapped in the hand. Also be careful not to drop the tunning wrench... :p with the bass player behind you.

Paz Olsongo

[JohnnyConga]

Hey guys have you thought of picking up a tamborine or another instrument if you cant find a pattern on congas?...don't limit yourself to just the conga drum pick up bongos/tamborines/triangle/shakers...for those that want to become "multi-percussionists' like myself....I learned early that congas do not fit into everything and you have to learn to be creative WITH SOUND!....and sometimes it's ok to play NOTHING....Johnny Conga...