Different Venue | Different Band | Different Day | Different Gig — something for everyone!
I have written before in this space stressing the importance for drummers to play the gig you’re currently on at any given moment. I hope to reach out beyond drummers, and reach other musicians with this idea. Please share.
Your amp may have sounded perfect in that other venue, but today we’re at a different place. Please make adjustments. The band on your gig a few nights ago is not the same band as tonight. Please make adjustments. Today is a different day — even if it happens to be the same band. Please make adjustments. Tonight’s gig is a different gig. Please make adjustments.
Please make requests, as well. If you think that I’m playing too loud for the gig, let me know. Hey — drummer! Could you play softer? Sure. Let’s also get the guitar amp that’s two feet away from me to go down, as well. I’m all for it. My goal is to make music. Along those lines, I have no preconceived notion about “loud” and/or “soft” or anything in-between. Dynamics are relative — relative to the space; the type of band; the type of gig; the number of people in the room at any given time; etc. I need to hear the space before I can start to get a sense of it, sonically. I’ll usually clap my hands while setting up to start to get a sense of what the venue sounds like, and go from there. After the band sets up and plays a bit, I’ll have an even better idea.
I will make adjustments — from the beginning of the night all the way through to the last note. One last thing — please show up early. Everyone.
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