First we had the electronic rhythm box. Then the more sophisticated programmable drum machines. These mechanical devices help wipe out half the jobs for drummers in the lounge and pub scene as pop bands replaced their drummers with such machines. Anything with a regular backbeat and simple 4/4 rhythm patterns can be programmed...no hassle with drummer's egos and bad time keeping.
But they cannot program the more complex stuff so easily - so for a while the jazz and fusion drummers could still get gigs. And just as we thought audiences want to hear real drums again instead of machines....along comes the Cajon. Notice I do not call it a drum...it's just a wooden box played with hands. Even a bongo got more soul. But is has allowed a lot of non-drummers with no 4-limb coordination to sit in and beat out a rhythm. Never mind it still sounds like a wooden box - no cymbal rides or crashes...no pitched toms or thumping bass - but cheap and good lah.
A Cajon in the hands of a good percussionist sounds OK...but it is still not the drumset it seeks to replace. In genres such as jazz, the subtle nuances are just not available. It cannot even replicate a decent ensemble of Latin percussion. It's just a bloody box.
Can the Cajon replicate a brush sweep... a press roll.... a cymbal or HH ride.... or the various combinations one can play between the snare toms and bass on a regular set ? Obviously not. There is not even a rim click or cowbell sound.
While convenient for house parties or backyard jamming it has no place in professional musical performances .
Bring back the real drummer....and will real drummers please refrain from farting around with this stupid box that could rob you of the next decent gig because the pub owner wants to save money and space.
But they cannot program the more complex stuff so easily - so for a while the jazz and fusion drummers could still get gigs. And just as we thought audiences want to hear real drums again instead of machines....along comes the Cajon. Notice I do not call it a drum...it's just a wooden box played with hands. Even a bongo got more soul. But is has allowed a lot of non-drummers with no 4-limb coordination to sit in and beat out a rhythm. Never mind it still sounds like a wooden box - no cymbal rides or crashes...no pitched toms or thumping bass - but cheap and good lah.
A Cajon in the hands of a good percussionist sounds OK...but it is still not the drumset it seeks to replace. In genres such as jazz, the subtle nuances are just not available. It cannot even replicate a decent ensemble of Latin percussion. It's just a bloody box.
Can the Cajon replicate a brush sweep... a press roll.... a cymbal or HH ride.... or the various combinations one can play between the snare toms and bass on a regular set ? Obviously not. There is not even a rim click or cowbell sound.
While convenient for house parties or backyard jamming it has no place in professional musical performances .
Bring back the real drummer....and will real drummers please refrain from farting around with this stupid box that could rob you of the next decent gig because the pub owner wants to save money and space.
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