How to slow down a drummer?

[mr_big_trouble]

We've got a friendly, somewhat casual band that does bar gigs, etc. None of us are professionals by any measure, but we're decent musicians. Here's my problem: at practice the drummer tends to get moving too fast. I think part of the problem is because he loses some time on fills, etc. and then rushes to catch up (but I'm not sure about that). Part of the problem might just be that he can't keep time well... It's a little annoying, but tolerable at practice.

During our third set last weekend, though, the drummer was really racing through the songs. They were way too fast, even though he uses a metronome to start with a correct beat. I really notice the speed as a singer, because the words get really rushed, and all subtlety is lost. And, going that fast just doesn't sound very good.

I suppose that we all get going too fast at times, and I occasionally feel the bass or lead guitar pulling the song ahead (not me - I'm perfect ). Do you have any suggestions for how we can work to lock in that groove and KEEP it there?

Thanks for your wisdom and experience!

[dugums]

Other than practice, I don't know. I'm always depending on the drummer to be able to keep time, so if I didn't have that, I'd be screwed.

If you think it's his fills, tell him the issue and see if he can strip his part down a bit to see if that rectifies the problem.

[TeleTim911]

Metronome? They have various types, but a plain click track and an earphone would do the trick.

[Guit-jitsu]

Put sheet music in front of him??

*BA DUM BUM*

No wait, that's guitarists ...

[Tim Armstrong]

Have you tried glaring at him and mouthing the words "SLOW DOWN"? That always seems to work with drummers I've known...

Seriously, have you told him he's playing too fast? We had a substitute drummer play with us last summer who had a bad habit of speeding up during the song, and I had to keep eye contact with him and shake my head no whenever he would start to go. A pain, but he got us through a bunch of gigs when our drummer was out sick...

Tim

[mr_big_trouble]

Thanks, fella's. Yes, I've tried glaring, and we've stopped songs in practice to try it over and get the beat right. One problem is that the harder he tries, the more he struggles. He hits too hard, and fights it a little too much. Maybe we should put a little somethin' in his Pepsi to make him relax.

[sax4blues]

There will be a lot of suggestions, all of them correct and helpful. But ultimately each musician needs to be self conscious of their abilities and weaknesses. My experience is musicians (including myself) don't really improve because their bandmates tell them to play better. For years I've played with musicians who are great, intermediate, and not very good. And none, not one, person has moved groups.

I'm just saying this to help mellow your frustration when six months from now he's still rushing and amped up at gigs.

[Agitator]

Sometimes the bassist can get him to slow down, if he's aware of what's going on and very assertive (musically).

Otherwise, you can try talking to him about it.

Otherwise, you may need to find a new drummer.

Also: Sheet music! Ha!

[Daddydex]

Ask for no pickles.

Dan

[BigDaddyLH]

Originally Posted by Daddydex

Ask for no pickles.

Dan

*BA DUM BUM*

How do you get a bass player off your front porch?

Pay for the pizza.

[Colt W. Knight]

Take his sticks away, and make him do a couple 2 hour sets on a hand drum. Thatll slow him down.

[Agitator]

Originally Posted by Daddydex

Ask for no pickles.

Dan

LOL(IRL).

[mr_big_trouble]

He's been pissed off at me since I asked if he knew what the drummer got on the SAT test.

Drool.

Just kiddin' of course.

[mtjo62]

Out of curiosity, how many toms does he use? My last drummer had four mounted and two floors and he made sure that he hit everyone of them on his rolls. It worked sometimes but usually he was late on the new measure. Same drummer would play syncopated beats in songs that needed a straight beat and it always sped things up. Funny that he ended up firing all of us because we couldn't keep up with him and the songs were too boring.

[String Tree]

Does he get "CRANKY"?

[middy]

Let him know, in the nicest possible way, that if he can't keep time he might as well sell his drum kit and buy a pan flute.

Seriously. Nothing worse than "musicians" who won't master the rudiments before trying to be "awesome."

[JeradP]

Break his hands like Joe Pesci did in Casino.... ;)

[Agitator]

Originally Posted by middy

Let him know, in the nicest possible way, that if he can't keep time he might as well sell his drum kit and buy a pan flute.

Which probably means not actually mentioning the pan flute.

[Baaford]

Chloraform

[TeleTim911]

One other suggestion: set up some type recorder, a couple mics, and record your music during rehearsals. You aren't going for a CD quality here, just an old cassette player would work. Play it back for everyone through the PA or something, and let the drummer hear what's happening. See if they pick up on it.