Post by Radrook Admin on Aug 15, 2019 9:23:47 GMT -5
The Tao of the Fanatical Drummer.
A drummer can be a great asset to a band. He can provide a great rhythmic background around which intricate patterns of music can be woven or a smooth singer can be heard such as in the song Fever, where the singer's words are punctuated at critical moments with a sudden brief drum roll followed once more by a sensual use of brush sticks swished around creating a sensual mood, and thereby adding emphasis to a singer's words.
Or a drummer 's steady beat can go along nicely with songs such as Johnny Cash's I got Stripes, giving the song a certain dynamic drive that would otherwise be missing. In all such cases, the drums provide support and do not draw unnecessary attention to themselves as the prime performance. The the singer, rhythm guitar and lead are clearly heard, all in a beautiful balance that makes for pleasant listening experience.
Fortunately, most professional band drummers fall into this pleasant-sounding category. But unfortunately, there is this rare breed of drummer who seems to feel that he constitutes the entire show, and must be heard above the rest of the band because , in their, delusional world, the rest of the band is the drum's background. I have often wondered why some drummers feel that the audience appreciates that kind of unbalanced display. After all, during a parade, perhaps that can be understood. People are marching, and the drummer keeps them in a steady stride. Furthermore, during a march, there are usually many trumpets, trombones, and other wind instruments that can be heard above the incessant pounding. But in a small band of four, within the confines of an enclosed place, trying to be heard above a fanatically deliriously-pounding drummer might shatter ear drums. So the place would soon be empty.
What usually happens seems to be, that the rest of the players just decide go along with it. Why? Well, maybe because they are afraid of losing the drummer? Maybe because they think that they are sounding cool? Maybe because they are now half-deaf from all the drumming and can no longer hear the bedlam that he unleashes every time they cut him loose at a gig? Beats me. I was recently tempted to approach a band and tell them that their drummer was too loud. But considering how humans can react in all kinds of unpredictable ways when they feel they are right, I decided not to risk it. Our drummer seemed ready to physically attack this lady who complained about his drumming late at night because she called it noise. So extreme caution is definitely advised.