When the drum beat is wrong?

[Quieter]

I've only been taking drum lessons for 7 months, been taught by a veteran, keyboardist, bass player of 20 years.  I have been fortunate enough to play with some of the best musicians in town.  Thank God.  I'm 47 and been singing since I was 10 and playing keyboard for a while.  Just want someones opinion.  How do you handle it when the organist/piano player/keyboard player is instructing for a certain drum beat that no where fits the song he/she is playing.  It was throwing the choir off and me.  I just stopped playing and smiled.  I don't think it was appreciated. 

[teflonminds88]

I TOATALLY DISAGREE with how you handled the situation. Not playing is just not an option.(It's also nothing to smile about )

I'm assuming this "organist/piano player/keyboard player" that was "instructing" you is your MOM. If so, you should've been humble and played what they asked for, even if it didn't "fit". On the other hand, if you knew the correct beat that needed to be played, then you should've played that. I'm sure the MOM would've noticed his/her error, and thanked you afterward.

[cas10a]

I'm terrible with drum rhythms...so I'm probably not the best person to instruct someone on what exact drum beat should be played with a song, but usually as long as the rhythm being played is steady...I will adjust my playing to try to fit the rhythm regardless if it is the correct rhythm or not.  I have played with some drummers where I could tell that the rhythm was totally off, but once again most times than not, if they just keep it steady, I'll try to work with whatever they play.   

[j_kay]

I'm terrible with drum rhythms...

I thought that rhythm was rhythm.  The only difference is melody (if you're only referring to the non-definite pitched drum - yeah, that's a whole different topic, though). 

[cas10a]

I thought that rhythm was rhythm.  The only difference is melody (if you're only referring to the non-definite pitched drum - yeah, that's a whole different topic, though). 

Rhythm is rhythm, so maybe I'm wasn't making myself clear on what I was trying to relay...

I think you got what I was referring too though.

[j_kay]

I don't think that you understood what I was referring to (gotta love those homonyms- "to" and "too" are different things, lol). 

Here is my point: If you are able to play (and maybe articulate with your mouth) a specific pattern on the piano/organ/keyboard/bass guitar/lead guitar, etc., you should be able to do better than stating that you're terrible with drum rhythms.  I'm pretty sure that you don't play all willy nilly on your instrument, you know, playing sloppy patterns - even then, that sloppy pattern is still a rhythm. 

I'll restate it: The only difference is melody (if you're only referring to the non-definite pitched drum - yeah, that's a whole different topic, though).

It's as easy as that - rhythm is rhythm.  Bottom line. 

[Quieter]

Teflonminds88 I TOTALLY DISAGREE with your statement.  I am the MOM at the church where I play and being humble is one thing and totally throwing off the choir and the lead is another thing.  Been in that situation before where you are leading a song and the drummer and other instruments are not on one accord makes bad.  However, I did adjust and that was not what the MOM wanted.  Sometimes COMMON SENSE has to fall before humble when there is more involved than just a MOM.     Just because I am the MOM it is not a position that I hold on anyone's head if we don't work together it don't work.

[cas10a]

I don't think that you understood what I was referring to (gotta love those homonyms- "to" and "too" are different things, lol). 

Here is my point: If you are able to play (and maybe articulate with your mouth) a specific pattern on the piano/organ/keyboard/bass guitar/lead guitar, etc., you should be able to do better than stating that you're terrible with drum rhythms.  I'm pretty sure that you don't play all willy nilly on your instrument, you know, playing sloppy patterns - even then, that sloppy pattern is still a rhythm. 

I'll restate it: The only difference is melody (if you're only referring to the non-definite pitched drum - yeah, that's a whole different topic, though).

It's as easy as that - rhythm is rhythm.  Bottom line. 

O.K...you can be GW today...lol

I think I'm referring to the same thing you already stated (the pitch of the drum rhythm), but I don't think Quieter was referencing an entirely different topic.  I think that is what Quieter was referring, not necessarily the timing being off, but the pitch of the drum rhythms not being what the song required.

And yes I am terrible at creating drum tracks...I tried, but I can never match what I want to hear (I can tell you...If it is not what I want to hear or it doesn't match the song...lol) 

Excuse my terminology when discussing drums...I guess I better quietly exit and return to the piano forum if I'm still way off base with what you're talking about...LOL 

[drummin4JC]

There goes Jkay scaring everyone off again! lol 

[BEATBOXERZ]

Excuse my terminology when discussing drums...I guess I better quietly exit and return to the piano forum if I'm still way off base with what you're talking about...LOL 

Don't let anyone scare you away from the drum forum. Your welcomed in the mansion any time .

[JFunky]

Don't let anyone scare you away from the drum forum!!! Your welcomed in the mansion any time

[j_kay]

There goes Jkay scaring everyone off again! lol 

Whatever, man.

[j_kay]

Don't let anyone scare you away from the drum forum. Your welcomed in the mansion any time .

Exactly. 

[BEATBOXERZ]

You kill with all the images you post J. .!!! I got to figure out how to post stuff like that.

[JFunky]

You kill with all the images you post J. .!!! I got to figure out how to post stuff like that.

...yeah, that's pretty funny.   I actually borrowed that one from the Lounge. LOL 

...it sounded like you were preaching over there. LOL






...as far as the thread goes, sometimes you have to play what the M.O.M. wants even if you don't like it.  I know I have to at times.  You can't always have it your way like Burger King. 

...I guess if the Choir was also being led to be or sound "off" then there's obviously something wrong with the Music or Pattern or Fill or whatever....just try to make suggestions to see what can be fixed.  If the M.O.M. is too hard headed to listen, just pray for him aloud right there on the spot in front of err-one. LOL

[drummin4JC]

Whatever, man. 

I appologize if i offended you it was just a joke...

[j_kay]

...and, I was joking with you!

[JFunky]

I appologize if i offended you it was just a joke...

[fretai03]

[bigblackdrummer]

I TOATALLY DISAGREE with how you handled the situation. Not playing is just not an option.(It's also nothing to smile about )

I'm assuming this "organist/piano player/keyboard player" that was "instructing" you is your MOM. If so, you shouldve been humble and played what they asked for, even if it didn't "fit". On the other hand, if you knew the correct beat that needed to be played, then you should ve played that. I'm sure the MOM would've noticed his/her error, and thanked you afterward.

teflonminds88's wrong! You did the right thing by stopping! Why further pull a derailed train even more off the tracks!! !!
Lots of non drummers could hear in their heads what they are looking for but can not vocalise it. It was your job to take what is being said and translate into playable drum language.... Steve Gadd wrote about dealing with this very situation.