4th Tip: DON‘T OVERPLAY!!! How many times have I seen beginner or intermediate drummers SLAUGHTER AC/DC songs, because they wanted to show the audience how good they are, inserting ghost notes, unnecessary fills and crashes, with no groove or feel at all. All the while just demonstrating what terrible musicians they are and that they don‘t know what it‘s really all about.
Another side of that coin could be, play to the room. I've too many times seen an otherwise great band ruined by a drummer who absolutely thrashes their drums in a small bar with reflective surfaces all around. You have to understand that you are playing the only instrument with no volume control. YOU are the volume control, so unless you're playing literal stadiums, you must consider the room!
I had a monumentous realization when I was playing in a cover band - Crystal Image - in northern California some years ago. The band leader when I joined the group, told me I would probably end up like all the other drummers that he had worked with. Once they had played "Proud Mary" for the "zillionth" time, they would start to get bored and they would start over-playing, ruining the song and making the band sound amateurish. He also told me to go home and listen to my top ten songs to hear exactly what the drummer WAS playing on these songs, so I did, not expecting to hear what I did hear. The drummer, despite a few fills here and there, was mainly holding down the groove and staying out of the way of the vocalist and the lead player. Now this and one other point may seem very basic or simple to you. BUT it has made the all the difference in the quality of my playing. I was determined NOT to be just like "every other" drummer he had worked with. But how to avoid getting bored upon playing one cover or another over and over and over? So along with the realization that as a proper drummer, I was very much like ONE of the dancers in a dance troupe. Every time they perform a dance number, there are of course a million moves they COULD make, but the are all dancing in unison and THAT is what they memorize and they don't get bored, because the challenge becomes hitting all the "marks" every time they do any particular dance routine! So, I transferred this concept to my drumming. What if I made the "game" to avoid boredom upon playing any particular song over and over - hitting all the marks on any given song, while staying out of the way of the vocalist and lead player? So I wrote up my own "charts" for every cover we played, used it for a few weeks until I memorized my "routines" and then settled in to see if in a 2 - 3 hour performance I could hit ALL my marks on EVERY song we played. Any boredom disappeared! And I was given the nicest two compliments after using this method. The band leader said, "Brian, come on you are not the best drummer in the world - BUT you are the best drummer for this band, as we play for people that want to dance to our music and always want to hear the beat clearly." AND a drummer upon speaking with me on a break said: "Well you are not really playing all that much.....but you ARE playing what you are supposed to!" Finally drummers, because they have so much in front of them either fall prey to playing all of it too much or are overly concerned that if they don't play a lot of stuff that another drummer watching them will think they are no good. Well, being a good drummer takes the control to NOT play too much. For example, imagine a top Chef. Would he or she bring out all the courses at once, just because they are back there in the kitchen? NO! The Chef would lay out the courses in their proper order, at the proper time and professionally. Think of this the next time you sit down to play any song with a band...good luck to you...wishing you control and that YOU are a team player, NOT the center of attention all through the song! Brian - Manzanita Acoustic Band on Facebook
I just commented essentially "focus on the PERFORMANCE" and what you've described with the dancer analogy is doing just that. Like being a racecar driver or something, also focusing on marks, you try to hit each mark as perfect as you can, (which is impossible) but you can get REALLY close to perfection! Focus on not just playing the right part at the right time, but playing it the right way with the right feel, and in a predictable way to your bandmates, because that also instills confidence in them, ESPECIALLY the singer. Being a singer myself, it's awful when a drummer does something I wasn't expecting, or worse, NOT doing something I WAS expecting, and then you lose confidence, tighten up, and your vocal performance suffers, you lose even more confidence, and then you get in your own head and there's a bunch of cascading negative consequences that you are doing to your singer, that I would bet tons of drummers had no idea about.
How does one miss the point this badly? If you're in a cover band you're probably pretty bored of playing all of the band's biggest hits - so don't show it, you have to show the crowd a positive energy.
High school basketball games have pep bands that for the last 40 years have played Wipeout, which has a great drum piece. When I was in school, the drummer had very exaggerated arm movement, and the crowd was wild. When my daughter was in school, the drummer had no arm movement, and the crowd had no energy. An animated drummer will impart more energy into the crowd, while a vacant drummer will sap the energy right out of the crowd. Stick tricks and flair provide more entertainment and energy to the crowd. It's called showmanship, and is necessary for any live bands that want to develop any kind of following.
That 2nd tip is killer, I'd like to add to it. Once you have done it so many times that you couldn't stand to listen to it for pleasure, THEN you really know it! And then you also can focus on the PERFORMING aspect of your musical performance. That's when the real fun starts, because then you're playing and interacting with the crowd rather than just playing the song.
There are way more than 3, but here are a few to have. This comes from a working drummer doing 125-140 per year...and im just about 50 years old Tip 1 dont take out a top of the line kit as it will get destroyed by everyone other than yourself. People on stage/sound guys/your own band mates. Tip 2 no matter the gig its all about the lead singer put them in the best position to entertain the crowd so focus on them. if they want to “break down” parts of songs to talk or have the crowd sing you’ll be right there. Think of them as the CEO of a company Tip 3 practice grooves from different styles of music when you are not playing with the band it will help what you normally play as it will loosen you up and let you flow better. Non musicians feel music and dont care about over the top drum fills. Tip 4 talk to, and thank as many people as you can when you are in between sets for coming out. This includes thanking staff and bar/club mgmt at the end of the night when you are walking out after packing up. I have a ton of tips if anyone has any questions......which happens to be another tip.....Give Back to your drum community!!
I would add a 4th tip. Have fun! Folks came to see you to have fun! If you are having fun they will be more likely to have fun too. It is definitely work but drumming can be the most fun work ever! :D
I agree about do your homework & honor the song. I want to emphasize I am not disagreeing. But Rosanna is kind of a funny example. If you have the technique to play it the “right way,” then ... you were probably already playing it that way. When I decided I wanted to learn the “companion piece,” Fool in the Rain, it took a LONG TIME to get the Purdie shuffle sounding like not total crap, and it’s still an ongoing process. When I have been in the spot where a song was beyond my current prowess and the easy way left the song sounding limp, I would tell my bandmates that if you guys are set on this song, I’ll work hard on the technique to play it the right way, but it won’t be ready next week.
Great tips, although most musicians I know, most of whom can read and write music properly, prefer to write it out in their own way. I know I do. It's way faster and easier and gets to the most important parts I need to remember. Point well taken though that if you have a traditional way of writing out music ingrained in your mind a quick glance is instantly recognizable. Every genre has its own vocabulary.
Well, yeah. Clearly a solid rule to follow unless you enjoy getting booed off the stage :-P Obviously stick to playing songs you can perform an acceptably mediocre rendition of, rather than a hideously terrible abortion of.
Don't worry, that triplet feel needs a while to get the hang of it. Focus on counting the triplets: 1 HH, 2 Snare (ghost note) and 3 HH again. That's the main spice of the groove, the rest is filling with snares and kicks. Another song with this feel is John Bonham's fool in the rain. It might be better for practice because is slower and groovier :)
Nahh , I always like to add my feeling in the song . I don't have to play it the exact same way . It's a cover , it's not meant to be exactly like the original . Always with respect to the song of course.
The last piece of understanding about written music being a language of some sort, which in fact is, I found genius articulated. I realized I had the idea but it just crystalized when he said the words "in paper it doesn't ever look any other way than one way" thank you!
And let me add the following.... playing covers is good and bad. We all love great songs played by great bands with monster drummers. I’ve been in basement bands where the song selections are well over all of our skills. We play for fun and often that means dumbing down the song. I can’t duplicate Bohnham, so I’m forced to play a simple beat. Same with the rest of the band. But ya know what, people like the way we play it. No it’s not the Zeppelin song, just our version. My advice is to record yourself and your band and listen to the cover. I’m not a professional drummer and don’t have the time to spend hours trying to learn Roseanna. I can only play the simple version. Maybe one day I will be able to play it correctly. So my band mates and I have decided to play great but difficult songs and play the best we can. We’re not boasting that we’re a traveling cover band. We’ll slowly improve each song over time. The other alternative is to simply play very easy tunes.
Yeah, we were not a cover band but we often did 4 or 5 covers per set. We only loosely approximated the originals. It was fun and the people had fun. Fun yeah.
Excellent advice! Simple tips, yet very useful and super beneficial. Great video Brandon, thanks! I don't know why people had issues with your stick tricks, I thought they were really slick and in my opinion you've got mad skills! Personally, I enjoyed the video, the advice is excellent, your skills are crazy impressive, your beats are super tight, and I really dug your enthusiasm. Cheers from Canada my man!
A wise man once said, “If you have a great band with a good drummer, you’ll have a good band , but , if you have a good band with a great drummer you’ll have a great band. “. I play bass in a classic hard rock hobby band.
Tomi Igo I’m aware, please understand that none of anyone’s time or attentions span needs to be wasted on pretending that they’re not doing any of this for Money. I’ve played in too many Cover bands on the Jersey shore to not share this caveat.
But every single track is copyrighted so you can't monetize it on TH-cam or anywhere for that matter, it will get claimed by their owners. Unless you upload drums only
So what? People love a singer and they understand he will never make a performance in their city. So, why can I not help them to have fun with their favorite music and why should I do it for free? Why is it so ugly for a cover band (or what a word will you choose to describe it?) to be paid for their performances? By the way, Bach and Morzart are already dead but so many orchestras play their music and not for free. I am not going to become a legend like The Beatles but I don't understand why I can not be paid for one of my favorite activities - playing drums.
i cant stand playing the beatles, but i play them because the crowds like it, same for the majority of tunes i play, ive played them to death over the last 20 years, but i play them with th same energy and focus i would for a new tune. my tip would be: also make the show visually entertaining (if you can/want). look like youre having a fun time, even if you're bored to tears. i do stick spins, stick flips, headbang, stand up while playing, and look like im about to explode and it keeps getting my bands re-booked at the various venues. of course its all subjective, you wouldnt do most of that at a jazz gig, read the crowd as well!
crymzynplague Yeah thats true! More people will notice a drummer like you than someone just sitting still and looking bored. This will make the audience way more hyped.
+Nils Hedstrom most drummers in my area look bored playing, thats one reason why i stand out (in a way), ive even been recognised by people when ive just been out and about in the street, they came up to me saying theyve seen me at a show and wanted to meet me, and im actually happy they got enjoyment from it :)
If you enjoy playing covers or being a cover band musician, I highly recommend finding work as a cruise ship musician. I've done it for years and have even started vlogging about it recently. Steady pay, free travel, and a whole lot of fun! DO IT!
This is a HUGE debate with both musicians and people...Talent is the easy part...all the talent in the world can't teach you the song..most songs are not that hard... some people say they like the "JAM" way of playing songs.. Others want the nostalgia of note for note...for musicians...its way easier to "JAM" the songs as they don't need to learn, practice, or worry about stops, solos, fills, timing,, then just use their "Talent" to play "their" version of the songs,, and we have other musicians who learn the song through and through...the problem is most bands label themselves as "Cover" Bands and are basically a jam band with a singer...yet they get paid just as much as a Real Band who knows their music...you don't have to be very talented to learn a song either...sorta easy...just takes your TIME.. like a JOB...
i totally agree with your second tip, but with your first tip, you may have 3 weeks to learn 50 songs, and while a dude, who has had 3 months to practice rosanna will obviously do a better job at that one song, the first show with that 50 songs, some compromises will have to be made, to get the gig done. you will have plenty of time to work on those songs individually, as you play them, weekend after weekend but don't let that discourage you on a time crunch.
Best advice/tip from Brandon: Learn how to chart songs! Your talents as a drummer/musician will improve tenfold if you learn song structure, when to groove, when to fill, Intro's, outro's, verses, chorus, etc. Once you get the hang of it, you will learn songs quicker and play them better.
all fine play have fun do ur best the sound is what were after u b surprised how many original artist doesnt play the song time after time excactly the same impossible unles ur reading charts this is helpful i try to get close as i can but not can b done unless u got music charts in front of u
Or..... Play what you like and what you think the audience will like and make sure you keep reasonably within your ability. We don't all have hours to spend trying to be a pro when we just want to play and watch the crowd enjoy themselves. It's not about money for many... its just something we enjoy.
While I agree w his comments on knowing the original, I think it’s more impressive when an artist covering a song interprets it in his/her own way. Only if it’s unique and interesting... a fine line.
Dude. Dude. Your first Rosanna sounded way better than when you were trying to do it “correctly”- with all those sloppy ghost notes. Trust me, the first version you played was totally solid. Nothing is worse than hearing a drummer struggle to make a cover sound perfect. Simplifying is a lost art.
I want to buy a DD400 e-drums kit…but I am confused…I don’t know how it works…is it a good kit?can you suggest me the best electric drums kit around 230 pounds?
well, that's messed me up...... I have only been playing about 4 or 5 yrs (part time, I have a day job and life), I am in a cover band who play 'Rosanna'. I couldn't play that sort of complexity (Jeff Porcaro wasn't a famous drummer for playing simple stuff) , then a drummer I know (who is a respected touring drummer playing for chart topping bands) suggested the same groove as the beginning of this video as a way of getting through it, as it has a similar feel. Now, do I leave the band because my skills aren't good enough (probably not for some time yet)? The band I am playing with have been around about 20 yrs and very respected in the area I am from... they are very happy to have me as their drummer playing what I play. I find this video a bit broad ranging.... He talks about playing more complex grooves like Rosanna on one hand, yet later referring to if you haven't learned to read drum music yet. Maybe videos like this should be more focused on a particular level of drummer and bear that in mind with regards the tips. That said, I really do get a lot from watching and learning from Drumeo videos.
Now if you take a job with an up & coming artist or established one - then you are going to have to up your game level ! Your going to be working very close with the vocalist / accenting the lyrics in intro's / verses / chorus. The other musicians will be relying on your timing & tempo tightness , so their parts don't suck! Remember YOU are the BASE of the band... the leader - without you , no one will listen to just strings/piano/ brass for very long !
Hey man, don't let this get to you. I think tip one is a really good tip but with an awful example. You should absolutely do your homework and learn every song you're playing to the best of your ability BUT the music comes first. People in the audience are not going to care if those ghost notes and shuffle hihat pattern are there, the song just has to groove. Keep working on the Jeff Porcaro version in your practice but you should absolutely keep playing in your band, do not leave it for this reason. I feel as though a better example would be the groove for Don't Stop Believing. Placing the bell and tom hits in the right places for each version of the groove will make the song sound so much better but it's not technically more difficult to play than a normal rock beat. It just takes some homework to learn each variation.
close, but not right. the shuffle pacing isn't right and he's overplaying the snare (he's adding extra ghost notes and drags). Also I could argue he's missing the hihat modulations (opening/closing) but since that isn't played all over the song you could leave it out in this demonstration.
Not exactly playing better, just learning the drum part to get the right feel, whilst it doesn't need to be exactly, it can't be a completely different beat in my opinion.
So the first beat... has unnecessary fills and ghost notes? The first tip... is "Play the beat from the song". The first example... is a very simplified beat from the song. If you are learning to play drums... play what you can play and don't overstretch. I'd 1000000x rather hear someone play a straight beat, keeping time and playing no ghost notes while nailing it than "getting the TRUE feeling of the song" and playing like ass because it's beyond their skill level. First rule of playing a cover should be "play your best version of the song that fits within your skill level". If you hear some kids at a talent show playing a basic version of "Crazy Train" and trying their best, are they "disrespecting" the song by not nailing every note? There are different "rules" for people who are "playing a cover" vs. playing in a paying, touring tribute band... How many covers are better than the original and played totally differently?
Basically play your part exactly like the original, not close enough to: because I guarantee at least 70% of the drunk people in the venue who are desperately trying to get laid while dancing to "that song which is on the Radio, like, 5 times a day" will notice :P (P.S. my autocorrect keeps changing the number "zero" into the number "seventy" for some weird reason).
If you can play a Beatles song (or from any other band) from memory (and so well that you can meet tip 1 from this video) so you can remember what you should be playing, you're covering the wrong band.
Honestly ,the people in the bar are drinking ,dancing having a good time ,trying to get laid ,who knows what else .Most people in that bar won't notice,close enough ,really is good enough .
You guys should always list the equipment in use in these videos. Someone might like the sound of something and maybe interested in buying it. For example, I like the sound of the snare here but I have no idea what the hell he's playing. oh well...
Tip 1: Don't. Tip 2: Why god why would you get good at an instrument only to waste that talent playing covers in a band full of people with zero ambition? Tip 3: Try writing and performing your own music. It's a tough slog and obviously you don't get that instant but oh-so mediocre gratification from people recognising and possibly singing along to the song you are playing a mediocre version of which was written by someone who is actually successful, but you've got to start somewhere! If you want to both play in a band and also earn money, why not get a day job then rehearse/write/play in your original band in which you write your own songs on weekends. I understand playing covers when you are learning to get better at playing your instrument along with other people, but "professional cover bands" is just something I'll never be able to wrap my head around. Anyway, my 2-cents. Feel free to leave butthurt replies below. Also feel free to leave intelligent replies containing explainations as to what exactly it is that people get out of playing in a covers band (besides mediocre gratification and possibly money - something I'll admit original bands in their first couple of years won't see a lot of)
You're definitely right when you say that playing covers helps you get better. When it comes to your points about people playing in cover bands having zero ambition, getting mediocre gratification out of it, and are wasting their talent.. I wholeheartedly disagree. No matter what level of playing you are at, you will find people playing covers even if they're not necessarily running/in a cover band. The most dedicated and professional musicians I know are constantly transcribing and learning new (to them) music (covers, if you will). If you find no joy in playing a cover right (emphasis on "right" because there is nothing good about playing a cover and not doing it justice) then you're doing it for the wrong reasons. As a gigging musician myself, covers are most of what I play no matter how serious the people I play with are about music. There are very very few local bands playing original music and actually getting consistent (and good paying) gigs. Even my friends who tour regularly play a mix of covers and originals. When you dig into a certain type of music, reach a certain level of investment, and develop a passion for it, you find immense satisfaction in doing that certain music justice. Any good musician can tell a hack when they see it (anyone who hasn't done their homework). Playing covers, and ,more specifically, playing in a "cover band," is both lucrative and very enjoyable. Like you mentioned (and hopefully), if you're playing a cover/playing in a cover band, you are playing that song/that set of songs to cater to a certain audience. It is MUCH easier for someone to walk into a bar/club/venue and relate to a song they know/maybe have heard a few times on the radio than to relate to an original UNLESS (big unless) the original music being played fits very well into a certain popular genre. So, a bar/club/corporate event organizer is more likely to hire (in my opinion) a cover band or a band that mostly plays covers because it is less of a risk for them, ESPECIALLY for corporate events.. All of the corporate events/weddings/any sort of formal event I've done has been strictly covers. To add to that, all of the successful people I know (people doing it for a living or as a majority of their income) are making most of their money playing covers and MAYBE doing something on the side with original music. Professional cover bands, like you mentioned, are extremely convenient for event planners and very easy for pro musicians to put together. It is much easier to get a group of people together and give each person a list of songs and say "the gig is on [date] at [time]," and have everyone have their shit on lock with either no rehearsals or very few rehearsals. I dread the gigs that people have original music that they want to rehearse for hours (unpaid) just for one gig or a run of gigs. Don't get me wrong, though, I love playing original music. It is just far easier and much better use of my time to be able to learn songs and just show up for a gig. The exception is if their originals are very standard for a certain genre (ex: a 12 bar blues, an easy rock song that just goes verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus type of thing, or maybe an AABA 32-bar jazz tune) or if they don't have a lot of things that have to be accounted for (ex: weird breaks in the middle of a section, metric modulations, and drastic changes in the groove) and are easily chart-able. So, having said all that, that is why I think playing covers or being in a cover band is worth your time. Your progression on your instrument is drastically different when you are learning new music all the time vs just working on your own music/basic exercises. Also, when you learn new music, you see it come out in your playing elsewhere. The more new music I learn, the more I see my overall playing excel. Once again, if you find no gratification from learning a song and playing it right, you're doing it for the wrong reasons. All of the top tier musicians are constantly transcribing/learning new music. Let me be clear, though, that simply learning a song or a certain groove from a song/riff/whatever is NOT the end goal, though it is a big part in your progression. It is also what you do with it after that (bringing your own personal flair to it aka how you voice it/change the subdivision/etc.) that can take you to the next level. I hope you realize I mean no ill will towards you. It's just that I have found the reality to be the complete opposite of what you said. The least driven people are the ones only playing originals/too elitist for covers/are waiting for their big break/to gain a following. The most successful and driven working musicians I know are CONSTANTLY transcribing and learning new music, whether it be for their own personal progression, or for a gig they've been hired for.. Even up to the best of the best. Your own creativity can only take you so far and you constantly need to be learning new music in order to progress on your instrument. Cheers.
I'm in a cover band and this comment I wished my bandmembers would come across.....why do many musicians dont understand your job is to please the venue.....
Firstly, I can't even believe that this is something that had to be made like it should be obvious what you should do when in a cover's band. Secondly, here's a tip to put your ego aside: DON'T do a fuck ton of stick tricks.
People in bars will never hear all those grace notes. #1) It wouldn't matter to them if they did. #2) The "PA guy" is going to gate the heck out of your snare so folks will never hear it in the first place.
Tip #1 : It's a cover band & a cover tune ... you are not going to get a Grammy award - " Less is more " ! The first track will suffice for the song as long has you keep the timing & beat Tight ! Tip #2 : Your a Professional when you are getting paid to play... { Well maybe you might get paid, collect your money 1st before hand from club/bar mang./ owner } ! Tip #3 : Learn the songs in your head... it's your on board computer cache memory!
There's a difference in you first example. that's called a bar band and a tribute band. No drunk person is going to give a shit if you are playing ghost notes and every exact lick. all they care about is if the song is in time and the band is tight. Tribute bands should have the song down to the very last detail. Why? Bc they are paying that band a tribute to their songs and emulating them audibly and visually.
Tip number 2 is brilliant, specifically the part about incorporating your practice into familiar songs. Great idea.
Tip #4: Pretend everyone in the audience is a drummer-with high expectations.
0:43 "WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY ROOM, STEP BRO?!"
And the award for coolest bass drum beaters goes too...
4th Tip: DON‘T OVERPLAY!!! How many times have I seen beginner or intermediate drummers SLAUGHTER AC/DC songs, because they wanted to show the audience how good they are, inserting ghost notes, unnecessary fills and crashes, with no groove or feel at all. All the while just demonstrating what terrible musicians they are and that they don‘t know what it‘s really all about.
th-cam.com/video/d6Y3PCYgjkg/w-d-xo.html
Another side of that coin could be, play to the room. I've too many times seen an otherwise great band ruined by a drummer who absolutely thrashes their drums in a small bar with reflective surfaces all around. You have to understand that you are playing the only instrument with no volume control. YOU are the volume control, so unless you're playing literal stadiums, you must consider the room!
I had a monumentous realization when I was playing in a cover band - Crystal Image - in northern California some years ago. The band leader when I joined the group, told me I would probably end up like all the other drummers that he had worked with. Once they had played "Proud Mary" for the "zillionth" time, they would start to get bored and they would start over-playing, ruining the song and making the band sound amateurish. He also told me to go home and listen to my top ten songs to hear exactly what the drummer WAS playing on these songs, so I did, not expecting to hear what I did hear. The drummer, despite a few fills here and there, was mainly holding down the groove and staying out of the way of the vocalist and the lead player. Now this and one other point may seem very basic or simple to you. BUT it has made the all the difference in the quality of my playing. I was determined NOT to be just like "every other" drummer he had worked with. But how to avoid getting bored upon playing one cover or another over and over and over? So along with the realization that as a proper drummer, I was very much like ONE of the dancers in a dance troupe. Every time they perform a dance number, there are of course a million moves they COULD make, but the are all dancing in unison and THAT is what they memorize and they don't get bored, because the challenge becomes hitting all the "marks" every time they do any particular dance routine! So, I transferred this concept to my drumming. What if I made the "game" to avoid boredom upon playing any particular song over and over - hitting all the marks on any given song, while staying out of the way of the vocalist and lead player? So I wrote up my own "charts" for every cover we played, used it for a few weeks until I memorized my "routines" and then settled in to see if in a 2 - 3 hour performance I could hit ALL my marks on EVERY song we played. Any boredom disappeared! And I was given the nicest two compliments after using this method. The band leader said, "Brian, come on you are not the best drummer in the world - BUT you are the best drummer for this band, as we play for people that want to dance to our music and always want to hear the beat clearly." AND a drummer upon speaking with me on a break said: "Well you are not really playing all that much.....but you ARE playing what you are supposed to!" Finally drummers, because they have so much in front of them either fall prey to playing all of it too much or are overly concerned that if they don't play a lot of stuff that another drummer watching them will think they are no good. Well, being a good drummer takes the control to NOT play too much. For example, imagine a top Chef. Would he or she bring out all the courses at once, just because they are back there in the kitchen? NO! The Chef would lay out the courses in their proper order, at the proper time and professionally. Think of this the next time you sit down to play any song with a band...good luck to you...wishing you control and that YOU are a team player, NOT the center of attention all through the song! Brian - Manzanita Acoustic Band on Facebook
I just commented essentially "focus on the PERFORMANCE" and what you've described with the dancer analogy is doing just that. Like being a racecar driver or something, also focusing on marks, you try to hit each mark as perfect as you can, (which is impossible) but you can get REALLY close to perfection! Focus on not just playing the right part at the right time, but playing it the right way with the right feel, and in a predictable way to your bandmates, because that also instills confidence in them, ESPECIALLY the singer. Being a singer myself, it's awful when a drummer does something I wasn't expecting, or worse, NOT doing something I WAS expecting, and then you lose confidence, tighten up, and your vocal performance suffers, you lose even more confidence, and then you get in your own head and there's a bunch of cascading negative consequences that you are doing to your singer, that I would bet tons of drummers had no idea about.
"Put your ego aside"... Plays stick tricks galore... Okay then 😂
"Put your pride aside" would have been a more apt phrase.
Matt Butzen exactly
Translation: "Bet most of you cunts can't play it like this. If you need me I'll be out back gagging/choking on my own choad."
How does one miss the point this badly?
If you're in a cover band you're probably pretty bored of playing all of the band's biggest hits - so don't show it, you have to show the crowd a positive energy.
High school basketball games have pep bands that for the last 40 years have played Wipeout, which has a great drum piece. When I was in school, the drummer had very exaggerated arm movement, and the crowd was wild. When my daughter was in school, the drummer had no arm movement, and the crowd had no energy. An animated drummer will impart more energy into the crowd, while a vacant drummer will sap the energy right out of the crowd. Stick tricks and flair provide more entertainment and energy to the crowd. It's called showmanship, and is necessary for any live bands that want to develop any kind of following.
That 2nd tip is killer, I'd like to add to it. Once you have done it so many times that you couldn't stand to listen to it for pleasure, THEN you really know it! And then you also can focus on the PERFORMING aspect of your musical performance. That's when the real fun starts, because then you're playing and interacting with the crowd rather than just playing the song.
Jeff Porcaro , Mike Porcaro and Carlos Vega in my heart !!!
I agree with this guy 100%
There are way more than 3, but here are a few to have. This comes from a working drummer doing 125-140 per year...and im just about 50 years old
Tip 1 dont take out a top of the line kit as it will get destroyed by everyone other than yourself. People on stage/sound guys/your own band mates.
Tip 2 no matter the gig its all about the lead singer put them in the best position to entertain the crowd so focus on them. if they want to “break down” parts of songs to talk or have the crowd sing you’ll be right there. Think of them as the CEO of a company
Tip 3 practice grooves from different styles of music when you are not playing with the band it will help what you normally play as it will loosen you up and let you flow better. Non musicians feel music and dont care about over the top drum fills.
Tip 4 talk to, and thank as many people as you can when you are in between sets for coming out. This includes thanking staff and bar/club mgmt at the end of the night when you are walking out after packing up.
I have a ton of tips if anyone has any questions......which happens to be another tip.....Give Back to your drum community!!
I would add a 4th tip. Have fun! Folks came to see you to have fun! If you are having fun they will be more likely to have fun too. It is definitely work but drumming can be the most fun work ever! :D
You could say that it's included in the 2nd tip.
I agree about do your homework & honor the song. I want to emphasize I am not disagreeing. But Rosanna is kind of a funny example. If you have the technique to play it the “right way,” then ... you were probably already playing it that way. When I decided I wanted to learn the “companion piece,” Fool in the Rain, it took a LONG TIME to get the Purdie shuffle sounding like not total crap, and it’s still an ongoing process. When I have been in the spot where a song was beyond my current prowess and the easy way left the song sounding limp, I would tell my bandmates that if you guys are set on this song, I’ll work hard on the technique to play it the right way, but it won’t be ready next week.
Great tips, although most musicians I know, most of whom can read and write music properly, prefer to write it out in their own way. I know I do. It's way faster and easier and gets to the most important parts I need to remember. Point well taken though that if you have a traditional way of writing out music ingrained in your mind a quick glance is instantly recognizable. Every genre has its own vocabulary.
For tip number one....don’t play covers you can’t play! I’m an amateur drummer and can’t play the first example.
Well, yeah. Clearly a solid rule to follow unless you enjoy getting booed off the stage :-P Obviously stick to playing songs you can perform an acceptably mediocre rendition of, rather than a hideously terrible abortion of.
Don't worry, that triplet feel needs a while to get the hang of it. Focus on counting the triplets: 1 HH, 2 Snare (ghost note) and 3 HH again. That's the main spice of the groove, the rest is filling with snares and kicks. Another song with this feel is John Bonham's fool in the rain. It might be better for practice because is slower and groovier :)
To be honest, most people in the audience wouldn't recognize the differences.
Ha me neither lol
Nahh , I always like to add my feeling in the song . I don't have to play it the exact same way . It's a cover , it's not meant to be exactly like the original . Always with respect to the song of course.
The last piece of understanding about written music being a language of some sort, which in fact is, I found genius articulated. I realized I had the idea but it just crystalized when he said the words "in paper it doesn't ever look any other way than one way" thank you!
Awesome video! 🤟
You go Brandon! 🇸🇬 Singaporean pride
Pure and simple, 1st rule, like you said, a musician must do their homework. Brandon you are smooth with the sticks (w/o tricks)!
And let me add the following.... playing covers is good and bad. We all love great songs played by great bands with monster drummers. I’ve been in basement bands where the song selections are well over all of our skills. We play for fun and often that means dumbing down the song. I can’t duplicate Bohnham, so I’m forced to play a simple beat. Same with the rest of the band. But ya know what, people like the way we play it. No it’s not the Zeppelin song, just our version. My advice is to record yourself and your band and listen to the cover. I’m not a professional drummer and don’t have the time to spend hours trying to learn Roseanna. I can only play the simple version. Maybe one day I will be able to play it correctly. So my band mates and I have decided to play great but difficult songs and play the best we can. We’re not boasting that we’re a traveling cover band. We’ll slowly improve each song over time. The other alternative is to simply play very easy tunes.
Yeah, we were not a cover band but we often did 4 or 5 covers per set. We only loosely approximated the originals. It was fun and the people had fun. Fun yeah.
Rosanna without doing homework still sounds groovy Brandon!! You nailed the part when the kick and the snare land on 4! ;)
Excellent advice! Simple tips, yet very useful and super beneficial. Great video Brandon, thanks! I don't know why people had issues with your stick tricks, I thought they were really slick and in my opinion you've got mad skills! Personally, I enjoyed the video, the advice is excellent, your skills are crazy impressive, your beats are super tight, and I really dug your enthusiasm. Cheers from Canada my man!
Great tips... I especially liked your suggestions for attempting to read music.
The d guy a deer try uhyyyyui xcyhuyygtk
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR
I hope you're making more vids coz I'm trying to find more now!
Nice tips!
They left side crash literially sounds so amazing
Really great tips thanks!
So awesome and helpful!
His stick tricks 😍
A wise man once said, “If you have a great band with a good drummer, you’ll have a good band , but , if you have a good band with a great drummer you’ll have a great band. “.
I play bass in a classic hard rock hobby band.
Beautiful kit! Is it the Mapex Saturn V?
Awesome advice!
Tip 1, it’s always about Money. Never forget that. No one plays covers if they could make money playing originals.
Tomi Igo I’m aware, please understand that none of anyone’s time or attentions span needs to be wasted on pretending that they’re not doing any of this for Money.
I’ve played in too many Cover bands on the Jersey shore to not share this caveat.
It’s the reason people on you tube make drum covers. They want to make 💰
EvilAlbear You’re right, It is more nuanced than just making money. In the context of challenging ones self.
But every single track is copyrighted so you can't monetize it on TH-cam or anywhere for that matter, it will get claimed by their owners. Unless you upload drums only
So what? People love a singer and they understand he will never make a performance in their city. So, why can I not help them to have fun with their favorite music and why should I do it for free? Why is it so ugly for a cover band (or what a word will you choose to describe it?) to be paid for their performances? By the way, Bach and Morzart are already dead but so many orchestras play their music and not for free. I am not going to become a legend like The Beatles but I don't understand why I can not be paid for one of my favorite activities - playing drums.
Excellent! Thanks Brandon - are you teaching in Metro Vancouver?
Nice, great tips!
Amazing!
love these tips. thanks!
i cant stand playing the beatles, but i play them because the crowds like it, same for the majority of tunes i play, ive played them to death over the last 20 years, but i play them with th same energy and focus i would for a new tune.
my tip would be:
also make the show visually entertaining (if you can/want). look like youre having a fun time, even if you're bored to tears. i do stick spins, stick flips, headbang, stand up while playing, and look like im about to explode and it keeps getting my bands re-booked at the various venues.
of course its all subjective, you wouldnt do most of that at a jazz gig, read the crowd as well!
crymzynplague Yeah thats true! More people will notice a drummer like you than someone just sitting still and looking bored. This will make the audience way more hyped.
Yet another reason I can't wrap my head around why people play in cover bands: you actually choose to perform music you don't enjoy playing? WHY?!!
Captain Pantaloons Why does anyone do anything they don't like to do? Money.
Why not then go into a new band and play nothing but original tunes where you can develop your own style?
+Nils Hedstrom most drummers in my area look bored playing, thats one reason why i stand out (in a way), ive even been recognised by people when ive just been out and about in the street, they came up to me saying theyve seen me at a show and wanted to meet me, and im actually happy they got enjoyment from it :)
If you enjoy playing covers or being a cover band musician, I highly recommend finding work as a cruise ship musician. I've done it for years and have even started vlogging about it recently. Steady pay, free travel, and a whole lot of fun! DO IT!
I tried but you gotta be 21 (I'm only 18)
This is a HUGE debate with both musicians and people...Talent is the easy part...all the talent in the world can't teach you the song..most songs are not that hard... some people say they like the "JAM" way of playing songs.. Others want the nostalgia of note for note...for musicians...its way easier to "JAM" the songs as they don't need to learn, practice, or worry about stops, solos, fills, timing,, then just use their "Talent" to play "their" version of the songs,, and we have other musicians who learn the song through and through...the problem is most bands label themselves as "Cover" Bands and are basically a jam band with a singer...yet they get paid just as much as a Real Band who knows their music...you don't have to be very talented to learn a song either...sorta easy...just takes your TIME.. like a JOB...
What is the tom clamp you are using??
i totally agree with your second tip, but with your first tip, you may have 3 weeks to learn 50 songs, and while a dude, who has had 3 months to practice rosanna will obviously do a better job at that one song, the first show with that 50 songs, some compromises will have to be made, to get the gig done. you will have plenty of time to work on those songs individually, as you play them, weekend after weekend but don't let that discourage you on a time crunch.
bloody hell those TRX cymbals sound great.
Awesome brow
Best advice/tip from Brandon: Learn how to chart songs! Your talents as a drummer/musician will improve tenfold if you learn song structure, when to groove, when to fill, Intro's, outro's, verses, chorus, etc. Once you get the hang of it, you will learn songs quicker and play them better.
Very good, thanks mate
all fine play have fun do ur best the sound is what were after u b surprised how many original artist doesnt play the song time after time excactly the same impossible unles ur reading charts this is helpful i try to get close as i can but not can b done unless u got music charts in front of u
Or..... Play what you like and what you think the audience will like and make sure you keep reasonably within your ability. We don't all have hours to spend trying to be a pro when we just want to play and watch the crowd enjoy themselves. It's not about money for many... its just something we enjoy.
thanks for that!
Be good to add the cover track in to further emphasize your point
Im sending this to my drumer rn
While I agree w his comments on knowing the original, I think it’s more impressive when an artist covering a song interprets it in his/her own way. Only if it’s unique and interesting... a fine line.
Good tips... body language makes a big difference.
Dude. Dude. Your first Rosanna sounded way better than when you were trying to do it “correctly”- with all those sloppy ghost notes. Trust me, the first version you played was totally solid. Nothing is worse than hearing a drummer struggle to make a cover sound perfect. Simplifying is a lost art.
Tip1: git gud
Tip 2: twirl stick
Tip 3: have experience
I want to buy a DD400 e-drums kit…but I am confused…I don’t know how it works…is it a good kit?can you suggest me the best electric drums kit around 230 pounds?
I completely like lost focus when I saw that his double pedal literally has skull beaters. SERIOUSLY, WHERE CAN I GET THAT PEDAL?!
greengizmo.com/collections/drum-gear/products/grim-skull-power-beater
mrsayang thank you sir
welcome Sir ;-)
well, that's messed me up...... I have only been playing about 4 or 5 yrs (part time, I have a day job and life), I am in a cover band who play 'Rosanna'. I couldn't play that sort of complexity (Jeff Porcaro wasn't a famous drummer for playing simple stuff) , then a drummer I know (who is a respected touring drummer playing for chart topping bands) suggested the same groove as the beginning of this video as a way of getting through it, as it has a similar feel. Now, do I leave the band because my skills aren't good enough (probably not for some time yet)? The band I am playing with have been around about 20 yrs and very respected in the area I am from... they are very happy to have me as their drummer playing what I play. I find this video a bit broad ranging.... He talks about playing more complex grooves like Rosanna on one hand, yet later referring to if you haven't learned to read drum music yet. Maybe videos like this should be more focused on a particular level of drummer and bear that in mind with regards the tips. That said, I really do get a lot from watching and learning from Drumeo videos.
Now if you take a job with an up & coming artist or established one - then you are going to have to up your game level ! Your going to be working very close with the vocalist / accenting the lyrics in intro's / verses / chorus. The other musicians will be relying on your timing & tempo tightness , so their parts don't suck! Remember YOU are the BASE of the band... the leader - without you , no one will listen to just strings/piano/ brass for very long !
Hey man, don't let this get to you. I think tip one is a really good tip but with an awful example. You should absolutely do your homework and learn every song you're playing to the best of your ability BUT the music comes first. People in the audience are not going to care if those ghost notes and shuffle hihat pattern are there, the song just has to groove. Keep working on the Jeff Porcaro version in your practice but you should absolutely keep playing in your band, do not leave it for this reason.
I feel as though a better example would be the groove for Don't Stop Believing. Placing the bell and tom hits in the right places for each version of the groove will make the song sound so much better but it's not technically more difficult to play than a normal rock beat. It just takes some homework to learn each variation.
Tom Lawton well said.
It's just advice. You can take it or leave it.
The beauty is that many people don't really give a crap what we play, as long as it isn't super bad.
Thank you
Great tips, but can't help noticing BOTH renditions of rossana are wrong XD
But the second time it’s completely correct
close, but not right. the shuffle pacing isn't right and he's overplaying the snare (he's adding extra ghost notes and drags). Also I could argue he's missing the hihat modulations (opening/closing) but since that isn't played all over the song you could leave it out in this demonstration.
Daebak 😍
So the first tip is... play better?
gretchman the song that he plays in the first song is supposed to be played as a half time shuffle not a 8 note beat
Not exactly playing better, just learning the drum part to get the right feel, whilst it doesn't need to be exactly, it can't be a completely different beat in my opinion.
So the first beat... has unnecessary fills and ghost notes? The first tip... is "Play the beat from the song". The first example... is a very simplified beat from the song. If you are learning to play drums... play what you can play and don't overstretch. I'd 1000000x rather hear someone play a straight beat, keeping time and playing no ghost notes while nailing it than "getting the TRUE feeling of the song" and playing like ass because it's beyond their skill level. First rule of playing a cover should be "play your best version of the song that fits within your skill level".
If you hear some kids at a talent show playing a basic version of "Crazy Train" and trying their best, are they "disrespecting" the song by not nailing every note?
There are different "rules" for people who are "playing a cover" vs. playing in a paying, touring tribute band...
How many covers are better than the original and played totally differently?
Basically play your part exactly like the original, not close enough to: because I guarantee at least 70% of the drunk people in the venue who are desperately trying to get laid while dancing to "that song which is on the Radio, like, 5 times a day" will notice :P (P.S. my autocorrect keeps changing the number "zero" into the number "seventy" for some weird reason).
In my experience people don't give a shit what the song sounds like as long as the vocal melody is there for people to sing along to.
Never heard anybody play Rosanna spot on.
Could you show us how to do those stick flips?
Hum the symphony of destruction to the drum beat at 3:48 lol
Riff 'Em All not really
Tip #1 - Learn the song. Tip #2 - Don't be lazy. Tip #3 - See Tip #1.
Drumeo, please bring to us Tomas Haake please!!!! You are the best
#4: Sing. Even if its just ooohs and aahs, you.ll stand a better chance of landing a cover band gig. If you can sing harmony, even better.
Thankyou dracula
"Stick tricks are so dumb and useless!" - The guy not giving a drum lesson on Drumeo
If you can play a Beatles song (or from any other band) from memory (and so well that you can meet tip 1 from this video) so you can remember what you should be playing, you're covering the wrong band.
please ask Bonzoleum on the show! I'm really curious what he would come up with to teach if he went for it
Ruben Spoolder I second that. And he plays great.
1. Avoid being in a cover band
2. If you can't avoid being in a cover band then learn the song as it is and play it for money
what shoe is that?
Honestly ,the people in the bar are drinking ,dancing having a good time ,trying to get laid ,who knows what else .Most people in that bar won't notice,close enough ,really is good enough .
You guys should always list the equipment in use in these videos. Someone might like the sound of something and maybe interested in buying it. For example, I like the sound of the snare here but I have no idea what the hell he's playing. oh well...
Tip 1: Don't. Tip 2: Why god why would you get good at an instrument only to waste that talent playing covers in a band full of people with zero ambition? Tip 3: Try writing and performing your own music. It's a tough slog and obviously you don't get that instant but oh-so mediocre gratification from people recognising and possibly singing along to the song you are playing a mediocre version of which was written by someone who is actually successful, but you've got to start somewhere! If you want to both play in a band and also earn money, why not get a day job then rehearse/write/play in your original band in which you write your own songs on weekends. I understand playing covers when you are learning to get better at playing your instrument along with other people, but "professional cover bands" is just something I'll never be able to wrap my head around. Anyway, my 2-cents. Feel free to leave butthurt replies below. Also feel free to leave intelligent replies containing explainations as to what exactly it is that people get out of playing in a covers band (besides mediocre gratification and possibly money - something I'll admit original bands in their first couple of years won't see a lot of)
You're definitely right when you say that playing covers helps you get better. When it comes to your points about people playing in cover bands having zero ambition, getting mediocre gratification out of it, and are wasting their talent.. I wholeheartedly disagree. No matter what level of playing you are at, you will find people playing covers even if they're not necessarily running/in a cover band. The most dedicated and professional musicians I know are constantly transcribing and learning new (to them) music (covers, if you will). If you find no joy in playing a cover right (emphasis on "right" because there is nothing good about playing a cover and not doing it justice) then you're doing it for the wrong reasons. As a gigging musician myself, covers are most of what I play no matter how serious the people I play with are about music. There are very very few local bands playing original music and actually getting consistent (and good paying) gigs. Even my friends who tour regularly play a mix of covers and originals. When you dig into a certain type of music, reach a certain level of investment, and develop a passion for it, you find immense satisfaction in doing that certain music justice. Any good musician can tell a hack when they see it (anyone who hasn't done their homework). Playing covers, and ,more specifically, playing in a "cover band," is both lucrative and very enjoyable. Like you mentioned (and hopefully), if you're playing a cover/playing in a cover band, you are playing that song/that set of songs to cater to a certain audience. It is MUCH easier for someone to walk into a bar/club/venue and relate to a song they know/maybe have heard a few times on the radio than to relate to an original UNLESS (big unless) the original music being played fits very well into a certain popular genre. So, a bar/club/corporate event organizer is more likely to hire (in my opinion) a cover band or a band that mostly plays covers because it is less of a risk for them, ESPECIALLY for corporate events.. All of the corporate events/weddings/any sort of formal event I've done has been strictly covers. To add to that, all of the successful people I know (people doing it for a living or as a majority of their income) are making most of their money playing covers and MAYBE doing something on the side with original music. Professional cover bands, like you mentioned, are extremely convenient for event planners and very easy for pro musicians to put together. It is much easier to get a group of people together and give each person a list of songs and say "the gig is on [date] at [time]," and have everyone have their shit on lock with either no rehearsals or very few rehearsals. I dread the gigs that people have original music that they want to rehearse for hours (unpaid) just for one gig or a run of gigs. Don't get me wrong, though, I love playing original music. It is just far easier and much better use of my time to be able to learn songs and just show up for a gig. The exception is if their originals are very standard for a certain genre (ex: a 12 bar blues, an easy rock song that just goes verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus type of thing, or maybe an AABA 32-bar jazz tune) or if they don't have a lot of things that have to be accounted for (ex: weird breaks in the middle of a section, metric modulations, and drastic changes in the groove) and are easily chart-able. So, having said all that, that is why I think playing covers or being in a cover band is worth your time. Your progression on your instrument is drastically different when you are learning new music all the time vs just working on your own music/basic exercises. Also, when you learn new music, you see it come out in your playing elsewhere. The more new music I learn, the more I see my overall playing excel. Once again, if you find no gratification from learning a song and playing it right, you're doing it for the wrong reasons. All of the top tier musicians are constantly transcribing/learning new music. Let me be clear, though, that simply learning a song or a certain groove from a song/riff/whatever is NOT the end goal, though it is a big part in your progression. It is also what you do with it after that (bringing your own personal flair to it aka how you voice it/change the subdivision/etc.) that can take you to the next level. I hope you realize I mean no ill will towards you. It's just that I have found the reality to be the complete opposite of what you said. The least driven people are the ones only playing originals/too elitist for covers/are waiting for their big break/to gain a following. The most successful and driven working musicians I know are CONSTANTLY transcribing and learning new music, whether it be for their own personal progression, or for a gig they've been hired for.. Even up to the best of the best. Your own creativity can only take you so far and you constantly need to be learning new music in order to progress on your instrument. Cheers.
Those skull beaters tho
Avery wants those beaters... really bad ! { th-cam.com/video/bG3HT0tSM5U/w-d-xo.html }
He is good.
I like your skull beaters!
JUSTICEEE
I play all song like it's my first time playing it. Full of mistakes and instable tempo
WHAT SNARE HEAD IS THAT ? SOUNDS GREAT
johnny rocks probably an Aquarian reflector I think its called?
Colm Geraghty thank you
johnny rocks Aquarian texture coated
triple threat i think.
doesnt sound like their single ply head. bit too controlled. but i coul be wrong :)
Neat shirt.
Tip 4 .. play songs people want to hear and not just what you want to play ...
I'm in a cover band and this comment I wished my bandmembers would come across.....why do many musicians dont understand your job is to please the venue.....
Number 1. Play the song the right way in the right key. I don't care if you've been playing it for 40 years brother.... Play it right.
FFS WHERE DID YOU GET THAT CLOWN..
Firstly, I can't even believe that this is something that had to be made like it should be obvious what you should do when in a cover's band.
Secondly, here's a tip to put your ego aside: DON'T do a fuck ton of stick tricks.
Hello
People in bars will never hear all those grace notes. #1) It wouldn't matter to them if they did. #2) The "PA guy" is going to gate the heck out of your snare so folks will never hear it in the first place.
Pro tip #3 'Remember the song.'
Very interesting 🤔 💕🔥🔥🔥
Dat crash dohe..
Not gonna lie. You still looked bored playing Sweet Child O’ Mine :P you must have really played that a lot XD
Tip #1 : It's a cover band & a cover tune ... you are not going to get a Grammy award - " Less is more " ! The first track will suffice for the song as long has you keep the timing & beat Tight !
Tip #2 : Your a Professional when you are getting paid to play... { Well maybe you might get paid, collect your money 1st before hand from club/bar mang./ owner } !
Tip #3 : Learn the songs in your head... it's your on board computer cache memory!
There's a difference in you first example. that's called a bar band and a tribute band. No drunk person is going to give a shit if you are playing ghost notes and every exact lick. all they care about is if the song is in time and the band is tight. Tribute bands should have the song down to the very last detail. Why? Bc they are paying that band a tribute to their songs and emulating them audibly and visually.
But, I ain't got no double pedals man...
3 tips to playing original please