[ttrevorccobb]

Im just curious what people here suggest, ive been given advice both ways so i wanna see how this turns out

[butter]

You don't have to play it exactly like the original, although thats great if you do, but if you do a version different than the original, then you shouldn't depart too far from what the recording sounds like. If I watch a cover I like to see creativity, but I also want to see it done with the actual part in mind.

[xxvenom13xx]

I believe that if you cover a song you should play it like the original...

I mean, you can add your own elements of style into it, but not so much that it seems like you adopt it as your own, know what I'm sayin'?

Otherwise, it wouldn't be a cover of a song, now would it?

[deanc54]

Hey ttrevorccobb,

I play in a cover band, and while we try to cover a song exactly, when it comes to playing it live it just seems to come out a little bit different every time. I try to play them as close to the original as I can, and I share xxvenom13xx's sentiments about them being 'cover' songs but hey, anyone who says they can cover them exactly every single time is stretching it a bit in my humble opinion. Just play them like you feel them man. Get into the groove with the rest of your band (or yourself) and try to do the cover, but don't kick yourself if it isn't EXACTLY like the original. Practice, practice, practice then practice it some more. It will come.

[Bo Eder]

I play it completely different with an entirely different feel. In fact, if there's a chart of it that we're playing, I'll let the band play it from top to bottom, and I'll flip the chart upside down and play it all backwards....really, if people wanted to hear the original, they can go home and listen to the recording!

I kid, I kid. But it's rare when I play a song note-for-note. Something will happen that makes it mine. In a client-artist relationship, if I stay true to the original groove, then we're good.

[HXCBencore]

I feel that it's important to have your own feel in it.
You can't just sit down with somebody elses portrait and re paint it.
You need to add your own feel to it, bring out your emotions, your ideas.
If you do exactly what somebody else has written, I don't think that's as cool as adding your own little fills or extra cymbal hits or offbeat snare or bass or whatever.

Take a song, stick to the guidelines, and a special somethin' in there somewhere (:

[xxvenom13xx]

But, think about it, if you add too much of your own feel to it and adapt it as your own it isn't the same song anymore...there's no point in calling that a cover, but more of a remix.

Like I said a few up, add your own elements to it, but don't adopt it.

If you want to make a remix of it, have fun with your bad self.

However, we're talking "covers"...

[ttrevorccobb]

everything here seems debateable, yes if they wanted to hear the same thing they could go home and listen to it. But doesnt saying that defeat the purpose of a cover song in itself? Im really curious to see some more responses on this subject

[butter]

I watch covers to see the drumming, not to hear the song.

[Drumpaper]

I think it is important to first cover the song as written. Then make the song you're own - add the flare, make the change. However, don't forget that as drummers our number one task is good time, then have a good time!

My 2 cents.