[slingerland59]

I couldn't agree more. Drummers are musicians. We should be using the full potential of our kits. It's like we have the command of 20 instruments -- a whole orchestra in and of itself -- when you explore the melodic and percussive natures of our drums, cymbals, stands, sticks and accessories.

Why do some drummers settle for mimicking a metronome, even when the music would benefit from more than that? I'd guess it's because they want to get paid. I know band leaders who insist on the simplest of drum parts and they'll hire someone different if you don't tow the line. I know guitarists who want to play the difficult rhythms and hate it when drummers "interfere." I played in the pit band for musicals when I was younger and any kind of dynamic playing was strictly frowned upon. I played vibes in a jazz ensemble and when a fantastic kit player was hired for a concert the other musicians freaked at how loud he was (he wasn't -- he nailed down the groove unapologetically and pulled the tone from the drums).

I read an article by a blues drummer who said the less notes he plays, the more gigs he gets. It's because many other musicians hate "busy" drummers. I have a different career to earn money, so I have the luxury to take this stance, but I say "f#ck them, buy a metronome if you want one, let the drummers drum!"

[BrassMonkey]

Originally Posted by slingerland59

"f#ck them, buy a metronome if you want one, let the drummers drum!"

Queue the dramatic fighter jet fly by and roar from the crowds!

Like the post Slingerland, makes me proud to call myself a drummer.

[Tainojim]

That reminds me of the drumming to "If Six Was Nine".

If it wasn't for Mitch's drumming, that song would have been a flop.

So, play on drummer.

[KyleNelson]

It really depends on the type of music. If I feel the song needs to be light and simple then be it. Sometimes I do that and then do a complex pattern or fills on the heavy side and say "Surprise!!!!" Its all in the moment and feel of a song. I have been in many bands where they hated when I got technical. But they were talented.