Came over from D&P...

[Kayne815]

Hey I'm a drummer from the D&P area of these forums and I was wondering what traits/abilities you look for in a drummer because I've been looking to start a band but I would like to be able to have an idea of what things I should look for in bassists when forming a band (and vise-versa).

[Drum Monkey]

I can help you with bassist. A great bassist feels with the drummer. They play rhythm as one. A bassist and a drummer should be best friends :)

-DM

[BenJammin]

Ahh! Drummers!



I've only jammed with drummers a few times, being a mostly solo musician, but the things I really like is a tight solid groove and the ability to play melodically (if that makes any sense).

[Kayne815]

yeah i does. its just if i form a band it will be the first one that ive ever been a part of so i just don't wanna form a group where im like a moose at a firing range.

[Akira]

Look for bassists with good groove, and who have no ego issues.

As I bassist, I like a drummer who knows how to play simply when it fits the music, and a drummer who has the ability to play softly. I hate it when a drumm has one dynamic level: nuclear explosion.

[Pluperfect_Arson]

Ahh! Drummers!



I've only jammed with drummers a few times, being a mostly solo musician, but the things I really like is a tight solid groove and the ability to play melodically (if that makes any sense).

Amen to that.

A drummer and a bassist that can keep a tight, solid groove dominate.

Threadstarter, if you find a good bassist that you like, you two shouldn't have any problem regarding with playing with each other. It might be rough at the beginning, but, once you find what you are looking for, it indestroyable.

[Radiobass81]

Most bassists look for WAY too much in a drummer.

I'm really just happy playing with any drummer that knows what he's doing and stays in time.

[Kayne815]

yeah i guess i know how u feel. i just wanna start to jam with some other people because A) its fun B) i find that my creativity is higher when im with other people and you can bounce ideas off one another.

[Radiobass81]

Jamming is something that should happen AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Even if you are crap, jamming is the fastest way to get better.

[Kayne815]

amen. i've just found that its been a ride to find some people to jam with, so ive been checking bulleting boards and stuff around music shops around town so something should catch my eye sooner or later.

[Son of Magni]

When I think about my drumming and my bass playing (in the context of threadstarter's question), I think one thing I should really work on is keeping it simple. So I'd say for either instrument, the ability to groove without getting too complicated is very importent.

Jamming is something that should happen AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Even if you are crap, jamming is the fastest way to get better.
About jamming... I'll start a thread...

[DNAsWhiteShadow]

One of my friends is a really tight drummer who loves to play funk, so we jam occasionally. I love it when I can bring up some funk or just random bassline to him, start playing it, and he can easily jump in and add to what I'm playing. A drummer being able to fit with the groove to make the bass sound better, thereby making itself sound better, is what I like in a drummer. Hitting those accents and what not.

[Rawb]

What's most important for me in a drummer is a really tight and clear kick.


But just jam with your bass player get the feel for each other...

[Moon Flavor]

Make sure you can stay in time with a band. Drumming to a metrenome is a surprising amount different from another instrument.


Oh, and if you wanna be in a band that doesn't suck, use/learn to use syncopation, ghost notes, odd rhythms, etc...it's surprising how much more catchy it can make the rhythm section.

[funkyhoney]

i like a drummer who can stay in time, and play what is suited to the music.

as for bassists, i dunno, someone who can lock in and hold a groove

[blizzard]

When I play with drummers I prefer ones who can play in time, have some variety in their beats and can play instinctively... often the jazz band I play breaks into double time part way through a song without warning and it can be very interesting to see what the drummer does.

[Efrim]

Organic. A beat is boring, if I wanted one, I'd loop one. They need to have the ability to add subtle changes that will keep their section interesting, whilst maintaining the overall feel.

And I like snarework. Gets me hard.

[Kayne815]

thanks for the advice guys THe search begins!

[Efrim]

Good luck.

[lais817]

And I like snarework. Gets me hard.
stay. away. from. me. :p i prefer tom work with a tight kick. a drummer who can play soft when the occassion calls for it, but one who can pull off 210bpm at 3 million decibells when he/she has to. and please, stay in time

[Pluperfect_Arson]

and please, stay in time

I played with a drummer who couldn't stay in time, and I had the biggest headaches ever from it. :upset:

It is a good thing that he has become so much better now.

[bassistuvdoom731]

I like drummers to be generally amazing, which bassically means versatility to the max, and that they can play in time. The problem is that I cant expect that from every drummer, but no drummer I have played with so far in life has really sucked, so I havent had to del with it.

When it comes down to it, as long as you have originality, a little bit of chops, and can keep time, you'll be fine finding people to play with.

[Kayne815]

ok sounds good.