Drummer as Sideman: The Good, Bad and The Brutal Truth!😁

[@bradchoi9679]

Just retired after 51 years of playing drums. I would like to add a few things that I have learned about being an effective sideman: - Get used to playing everything you can do at ANY volume level from super soft to quite loud. You never know what situation you will find yourself in come gig time. Be aware of your volume level in relation to everyone else and try not to overpower the stage... unless that's what the gig calls for. (you know.... large concert venue where the sound guys WANT you to play loud to avoid feedback from drum mics) - Learn how to play using dynamics. Bring the volume down a bit when playing verses. The singer will love you for that. - Watch the bandleader like a hawk to catch any cues. Be "conductable". - Keep an eye on the audience too. If you see Aunt Mae covering her ears, come down because it's ALWAYS the drummer's fault no matter who is too loud. Don't take it personally. lol. For what it's worth. Happy drumming!

[@BradAllenDrumsKansasCity]

@@bradchoi9679 Great advice! Thank you. 😄

[@lucleduc2986]

Volume , so true … I would add be always present on the situation that occurs when you gig or practice . Thanks for your good advices !

[@antonioramiflorido]

total razón..dar lo que pide el que te contrata..ni más ni menos¡¡¡👍👍👍

[@lucleduc2986]

It’s absolutely right Brad , been a sideman means you are been hired for doing the job that the band leader wants . Of course if you are a big name and gig very much the band leader will be more open minded for your creativity . But this doesn’t happen very frequently . So shutting your mouth and be well prepared may put you in a position of being asked what YOU think about this or that . If this happens be cleaver enough to go with the flow of the band leader . Good luck to all of you !

[@BradAllenDrumsKansasCity]

@@lucleduc2986 yes. You have to pick your battles. Not every situation is right for every drummer either. I think much depends on your personality as well as your goals as a drummer

[@lucleduc2986]

@@BradAllenDrumsKansasCity Good morning M Brad , again I agree 100% of your reply . The saddest part of being a professional musician and do it for a living is the situation that you endure a band leader that doesn’t really knows what he’s talking about . I pretty sure that a lot of us had to live this and had to remind ourselves that this leader is the one who gives you the money .. Personally I decided to be a dry cleaner buisness owner and assured my three kids and wife a stable materials life . Despite my personal choice I played a lot of gigs with various talented musicians and I always had the choice of going foward on a projects or not .

[@scottlowell493]

Carmine Appice found that out the hard way. He didn't follow what Rod Stewart wanted , and got canned for it.

[@BradAllenDrumsKansasCity]

@@scottlowell493 I hadn't heard that story. Steve Smith got fired from Journey which was ridiculous

[@BradAllenDrumsKansasCity]

@@lucleduc2986 that's the advantage of not relying on music for your living. It can be much more rewarding sometimes because you have More choices. As you said, then you are free to only play gigs you want to play.

[@bruceyork6405]

Brad, excellent! Just stepping ahead a bit, being a band leader or any kind of leader is like herding cats…..59 years of playing experience. Thanks for the video!

[@BradAllenDrumsKansasCity]

@@bruceyork6405 thanks for your feedback 😃 I agree. Leading a band is no picnic. This may be why many of the swing era band leaders had reputations of being such jerks. Just a theory. But I'm not condoning their behavior or making excuses for them.

[@downbeat78]

Very well presented. I personally prefer to be a sideman. Way less headaches. But, I’m not a sideman to just one band but to a couple of bands. Knowing that my only role is to do a good job when they call me, I don’t feel obligated to them either.

[@BradAllenDrumsKansasCity]

It definitely has its advantages if you're in the right situation. I agree that it's great to be able to just focus on the drums.

[@jadedillon5201]

Drummer in the Denver area, looking to start a band… damn hard to find a decent bass player.

[@BradAllenDrumsKansasCity]

If you need to do it to get started, work with multiple bass players - whoever is available. You can eventually settle into a regular bass player once you really get the band off the ground.