Drumming to Music Without Music

[MusicPebbles]

Is it possible?

Meaning u play whole song without playing along to the music? becuz drumming most parts are repeated its hard to memorize how many bars to each fill...

I noe that guitar is easy to play without song becuz of the melody and chord progression.

How many of u guys can play without music??

i definately can't T.T
what happens if u can't hear ur band in a gig???

 

[kimura]

Is it possible?

Meaning u play whole song without playing along to the music? becuz drumming most parts are repeated its hard to memorize how many bars to each fill...

I noe that guitar is easy to play without song becuz of the melody and chord progression.

How many of u guys can play without music??

i definately can't T.T
what happens if u can't hear ur band in a gig???

Yes it possible.Memorize your parts including accents & dynamics.
You definitely can, never say you can't.

If you're worried about keeping time, use a click track, you can find an online version & practise.

 

[MusicPebbles]

wa lydat very stress man. must keep counting the bars and how many has passed...

then if its super uber long song?

 

[ZachDrummer]

Hi there MusicPebbles,

You can try writing down the notations & do sight reading to guide you. It will take some time if you are a beginner. It does help

I do have the same problem in trying to drum w/o music. If I'm to do recording, I will need the bass & guitar signals to my ear for the guide. Provided if the bassist & the guitarist are able to keep solid time. If not, they will need the click to guide them in order to guide you.

Or the other way is like what kimura had said. Memorize yr parts. Constant practise with the music till you get the hang of it, then try playing w/o music with the melodies in yr head.

Hope this helps

 

[MusicPebbles]

in gigs if we don't have our In ear monitors does that mean i'll have to memorise??

 

[ZachDrummer]

My experience in a gig is by using the main monitor speaker to face you OR place the guitar & bass amp on yr left & right sides of yr drum throne. The speakers will slant a lil bit towards you.

In that way, you will be able to drum with the music.

Hope this helps.

 

[MusicPebbles]

all gig venues will have monitors eh? wa if dun have jia lat

 

[ZachDrummer]

Like I said earlier, the other alternatives is to have the both guitar & bass amp by yr side slanting it a lil bit towards you so that you will be able to hear them.

 

[MusicPebbles]

ok thx bro =)

ok now back now back to the memorising drum part...
if its a long and hard song maybe some heavy or speed metal how to memorise sia.
i play usually listening to the vocalist...

 

[Jonathan]

Er I think if you the drummer can't hear the music, like really totally cant hear.

Then the gig is over before it starts. You can't even play at all.

I dont think i'll start playing until i can hear something, at least the vocals, a guitar or keyboard.

Cos you are playing in a band. Which is making music with other musicians. It's like a soccer player that can't see his team mates, how is the game going to go on?

 

[MusicPebbles]

Er I think if you the drummer can't hear the music, like really totally cant hear.

Then the gig is over before it starts. You can't even play at all.

I dont think i'll start playing until i can hear something, at least the vocals, a guitar or keyboard.

Cos you are playing in a band. Which is making music with other musicians. It's like a soccer player that can't see his team mates, how is the game going to go on?

I love ur answer bro haha.

 

[RudimentalDrummer]

MusicPebble: -

What I do is – I always try to print out Lyrics Of The Songs I’m Playng with my Band and Sing Along with it in my practice - (and this is very very helpful to myself) if we encounter a gig that (the Monitor Speaker) is not working properly which is not uncommon – At least with the Melody in my head- I will roughly know – where we are…thus I will be able to play along from here.

So much so – Some Musician who saw me play ask me “You can sing the Song” ? – I said ¾ of it – cause I’m not a good Singer and I cant sing –but yes I can remember and sing along here and there – in all the songs I am playing with my band…It helps me to have better confidence really.

PS:- The 1st time I saw a Singing Drummer is at DXS where Audrey sung/humm a Melody and just play the Drum....and it was nice....The 2nd - Alfe was singing and Drumming .....hahahaha....nice...eeee really.