Being tight in a band?

[Kaye]

Hello fellow softies! I have been googling on how to be tight in a band, doesn't seem to have much results.

For example, setting the fundemental groove for the bass and drum, how do you do that? What are some of the practices that will help improve the coordination of the bass and drums?

I thought of something, but I have yet to put it in practical, tell me what you think
- stripping down the song to just the bass drum and get the bass to fix their groove to the beat.

Please contribute your awesome practicing tips/articles/videos. Thank you!

 

[Stan_Kumar]

It is true that the bass and drums contribute to the overall groove and swing to the tune. And this is speaking from a guitarist's POV.

One way to improve on the bass and drums coordination would be the one you mentioned. Another one would be practicing.

Good old fashioned elbow grease and sharp ears go a long way

 

[1mband]

Tightness is also displayed in hits.
Get everyone to practice subdivisions: 1ena, 2ena, 3ena, 4ena.
Pick one 16th note: e.g. the "e" in the 3ena, get all to "hit" this beat.
Pick two linked 16th notes: e.g. the "na" in the 2ena, get all to hit this two beats.
Pick three: e.g. the "a4e".
Use a metronome.

In songs, you will come across such hits, if the whole band land their hits at the right places, you will sound tight.
If you master the 16th, you should have no problem with the 8th and 4th.

 

[Kaye]

wow! very useful tips! Thanks guys!

 

[naomi watts]

step one: lots of practice. you will develop a mental metronome automatically without you realizing. no jamming session is a waste of time.
step two: know your drummer playing style. a mental metronome is just a guide, but the drummer controls everything. keep playing with him, get used to HIS mental metronome. expect what your drummer is going to play, but if you cant, then repeat step one.

cheers kaye!

 

[dodgethis]

Stand very close to each other. Instant tightness.

 

[christoh]

I don't think there is any rule of thumb, although all the suggestions mentioned are helpful - especially the practice like mad one. It took a while for the band I was in to be really, really tight, but once we got there, we stayed there. It also helps having the right people in the band - not just musically but people who can be friends. It's like why you can be BFF with someone but not with another. There's that certain something that just clicks.
This unfortunately can't be taught.

 

[Kaye]

dodgethis: hahaha! I have tried that once and my bandmate got very irritated by me! :twisted:

christoh: chemistry! I definitely agree on that.

 

[faizal_rocks]

Practice and practice...I agree with christoh on having the right people in the band. If can click well, everything will be smooth

Monitor ur bandmates' playing, don't just concentrate on ur own. That way, u can see what's wrong and make improvements.

 

[glblues]

get everyone in the band to learn some drumming.

seriously. it helped my guitar playing to no end.

it also helps that my band leader, harmonica and vocals, plays all the instruments in the band (bass, guitar drums) he gels everyone together

 

[shinobi]

when training by yourself, train with a metronome. especially the bassist and drummer. don't underestimate how difficult it is to execute the simplest of things.

when playing with the band, get the drummer to listen to the metronome and make him keep that tempo. everyone else must force themselves to follow the drummer.

can your band play an entire song at a perfectly constant tempo? if not, there is always room for improvement

 

[Kaye]

metronome! Noted!

Should it be that the whole band listens to the click to the metronome

OR

Leave it to the drummer and the rest of us follow him/her?

 

[bf0502tr]

i think the best is follow the drummer...his mistakes are the most obvious, but if he's good with the tempo, then ur band has a solid wall to lean on to ride the song

 

[naomi watts]

its about getting into the groove of things. and usually you'll play a liiiittle quicker than the normal tempo. then again, if its not for recording purpose, a little quicker doesnt really matter does it.