Playing too fast

[FatherO5]

I had a rehearsal that went well, I thought we were all on the same page. When it was time to play for real, it felt like everyone else drank a gallon of coffee and chased it with a two liter of Jolt (I don't even know if they still make/sell Jolt, lol). I had to revert to just playing root notes in the middle of the song, it was fine but I had been practicing the groove I played when we last rehearsed for days.

Do most of you practice a lot faster than you would normally play? I can see how this would have help me, I just didn't know what to expect. Is it a good idea to have a safe, back pocket, heartbeat type groove for those "just-in-case I can't keep up and sound good" momments? Hope this makes sense.

[ddwilkins]

No, I practice at the speed that we are going to do the song. I'm a drummer as well as play the keys, so I can't stand to not be playing at the correct tempo.

[ssab]

Thats one of my biggest gripes we rehearse the song at the right tempo, then on sunday we FLY thourgh the song with lighting speed. i'd worked all week on a nice groove and it's all gone on sunday.

[floaded27]

i listen to the song constantly and practice along with the song (well thats when i get a song in advance) so i know when the song is flying by too fast or when its dragging, because i notice a timing difference in my playing.

to avoid this, some people have the drummer play along with click tracks that are set to the pace of the song. that way the drummer is at the right tempo and thus everyone else should be too. that doesnt mean that nobody else should try to internalize the timing, because  that doesnt work with songs where the song starts out with just the keys or a singer soloing. (and definitely doesnt work when u dont get songs enough in advance to make click tracks.)

[FatherO5]

Thats one of my biggest gripes we rehearse the song at the right tempo, then on sunday we FLY thourgh the song with lighting speed. i'd worked all week on a nice groove and it's all gone on sunday.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one to experience this. Not every song was like that. I'm guessing it was because it was the first song and it was the first time a few of us played to together. I'm quickly learning that there is a lot more than just knowing what, when, and how to play (i.e., strap starts to dig into shoulders, watching out for the extra cord from headphones, watching what the leader does next, etc.) It's exciting but at the same you have to be prepared for anything.

[karlmhoon]

Its all up to the drumer. when they get to fast I cant get my step right. cant enjoy the praise

[jeremyr]

this is when you look at the drummer and say "Slow down".

I've done it before and I've had to done to me before..lol.


He'll realize it once you've said it.

[dhagler]

this is when you look at the drummer and say "Slow down".

I've done it before and I've had to done to me before..lol.


He'll realize it once you've said it.

Our lead musician sets the tempo.  It doesn't matter what the rest of us want to do, including the m.o.m.

[jeremyr]

i guarantee you if you slow down and don't follow suit they'll follow..lol

[phbrown]

I tend to practice it a little faster than what we practiced. But if it starts going to fast I tell the drummer to slow it down

[under13]

Yall need to get an MPC to keep the time

[ddwilkins]

Yall need to get an MPC to keep the time

The best thing, IMO, is to establish an internatl metronome. Everyone can't afford an MPC, nor can play to a click track. Plus, everywhere you go, doesn't have this setup or means to play an MPC.

[ssab]

What's a MPC?

[MrSteve]

Yeah, I usually just look at the drummer and he'll pick up on it. I'm blessed to have a team that all have pretty good time but even so, we still rush here and there. If you can get the drummer to pull back with you, everyone else will fall in.