So, you’re on the bandstand and the guitar player starts every tune without any sort of a count off and you’re doing the gig for the very first time. Yikes!!! This happens more frequently than you might imagine. What to do? Listen and listen intently. Make friends with the bass player before the gig. Find out who will be cueing breaks, endings, etc. It will be go smoothly if those few things can happen. Read on to find out how to play well with others!
Here’s one big thing that I’ve heard many drummers struggle with on the bandstand: playing at the right tempo. (In this case, the “right” tempo means what has already been established without the drums.) I have found that when another player (quite often the guitarist) starts the tune by simply playing, then it’s up to me to find their groove and fit into that when I start playing. I cannot stress how important it is to get good at this. As soon as I hear where the time is and how it’s being phrased, I do a few things that help me:
First, I tap my hi-hat foot and/or my entire leg without making any sound. (This actually takes some practice.) This is done with the pulse (usually the quarter note) or, in some cases, the eighth note. The style of the tune and the tempo help determine this. I find that the sooner I do this, the better. I want to have something physical in motion before I make my entrance. This motion continues once I start playing, although now it’s usually heard.
Secondly, I’ll probably start moving my hands/arms to supplement the physical motion of my leg. I’ll tap my sticks on my pant legs — again without making much sound. My hands are already playing and syncing with the guitarist’s rhythms. By the time I start playing the drums, I’m at the right feel and tempo. I’m actually playing what I’m going to be playing (or at least something very close). My tempo and feel should be matching what’s happening, even before I play. It’s made a big difference and I’ve gotten nice comments about this very thing. Try it and let me know!
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