How I Learn Music For A Gig

[@rowanferguson]

Thanks Darryn, very useful information. I've been experimenting with charts, trying to find a balance between giving myself enough information, single page, and a process that doesn't take too long. I'd love to see a deeper dive video on your charting process if that's something you'd consider?

[@simonatkinson6762]

Everything in this video is about ‘being prepared’. To think your technical ability alone will always enable you to ‘wing it’ and get by is …. Unhelpful. For me, the ability to read is essential. I’ve encountered a few drummers who would argue that Buddy Rich and Dennis Chambers didn’t read so why should I? This idea massively inhibits your adaptability and versatility. UK drummer and educator Dave Hassle gave me the best advice ever. Learn tunes. In my case, Jazz standards. That is, be familiar with anything/everything you might reasonably be expected to play. This then coupled with the ability to read charts (and perhaps interpret an alternative arrangement), gives you the ability to hit the ground running on every occasion. Whilst more modern playing situations (and perhaps unfamiliar music) might require you to play from memory, being asked to dep for a band will always test you, especially when it’s at short notice. The skills Darryn describes, particularly being able to draw up your own charts, gives you a massive advantage……. And explains why we’re watching his KZbin videos.

[@henryrdesouza]

I am drummer from southern Brazil, now living in Germany. I never really did many gigs in the Jazz/Instrumental Music idiom. Most gigs were in the Rock/Pop style. I aways make a chart and try to play-along to it till I can memorize it. I also try to tell myself the sequence of the song as an exercise before playing along to it, in order to memorize it faster. I do agree, Familiarity does help, mainly with the music/artists that are not your cup of tea, so to speak. Actual reading, I did only in projects related to "pop-classical" idiom, usually related to my time at the University. But I usually have time to prepare myself at home before rehearsals. Very rarely I did a gig without rehearsals and that could be from 1 to many weeks of weekly rehearsals. I love your channel and your insights and this video is no different. Well done! Cheers!!!

[@Aussibob1]

Hi Darryn, very interesting to hear about your approach to this topic. When it comes to drumming gigs I generally take a very similar approach. I had a situation a few years ago when I was approached to play with a band who have been around as long as I've been alive and had to learn a 90 minute set in 3 days for a rehearsal and then a gig 3 days after that. I used a method in which I put the setlist MP3's on repeat while I slept and found this method allowed me to learn all the songs in the allotted timeframe. It was a very demanding gig but somehow I pulled it off and went on to do a dozen more gigs with this band. These days I am playing bass guitar in a Chinese Pop covers band and for 2.5 years we held a residency in which we were playing the latest hits every week/fortnight so over the course of the 2.5yrs I had to learn nearly 500 songs. Suffice to say I spent an awful lot of time sitting in front of the computer, bass in hand and KZbin on the screen. I can read and write charts but for these kind of gigs I commit everything to memory. There has been a few times in which a new song has come out and in the morning of the gig I'm told to learn it. Stressful but after doing it so many times somehow my memory has served me well so far. Thanks for sharing your experiences, I always enjoy your videos. - Andrew

[@jimbarclay1659]

great topic and great job outlining your approach. Most of my gigs these days involve learning tunes to be played without a chart or with a minimal cheat sheet so I'm always keen to hear other peoples methods. I find that simply writing out a chart for a tune is often enough for me to memorize it. It's almost like an exam on how well I know the tune. I also gorge myself on ambient listening (while driving, walking the dog, etc.) but doing something physical--playing along with the recording at the kit or just writing out a chart--really locks it in for me.

[@lorisf3882]

Hi Darryn , playing in a covers band I find KZbin sooooo helpful - I just type in ‘ how to drum (name of song)’ and someone has done a video on it (without joining a paid subscription drumming site) . I find that about 80% include sheet music. I then watch and listen to the guy/girl playing and count along how many bars intro,verse ,chorus etc . I find I really only need to do this for the intro and outro of the song. Then I play the video and use the pause , rewind and slow mo features and note any different parts added compared to original version and I pick up some interesting interpretations or I might ad my own take on some fills noting when to come in and out of fills.Eventually it becomes muscle memory. Cheers 😎

[@paullynch4076]

A big time saver and accuracy of where you are in musical theatre charts is grabbing the vocal charts providing you basically know the music you can follow the lyrics like a cover song

[@GRMS_Ian]

Thank you for sharing this very clear video Darryn. I’m a home drummer without gigging experience yet so your insight is highly appreciated. Your chart is so detailed and clear! I pretty much have to immerse myself in the song for a day or three to get it memorised and learn any “new to me“ techniques at the same time, those take long sometimes. It blows my mind how drummers can learn and play a set list in a week or even days. I have found that if a song fits my skills toolbox then it does come together quickly. My toolbox is a bit limited right now but all in good time. Thanks again!

[@darrynfarrugia9904]

Thanks for your comment. I guess we all travel at our own pace based on experience and abilities. Just keep doing what you do if it works for you.

[@shamusenright5387]

Listening to songs in the car has never really worked for me. I think because it’s passive listening - I have to concentrate on driving enough not to have a prang! One thing I found beneficial is to memorise and be able to speak out loud the form of the song (like studying for an exam). E.g. eight bar guitar intro, one bar rest end of second chorus etc. This also makes you popular at rehearsal when there’s confusion about how the song goes and you can immediately set the record straight.

[@gravitydrums1391]

Darryn, This is actually something so many drummers need to know... I should have done one of these myself.. Great Job.

[@deanconstable4778]

Brilliant Farruge!. Is this the best video you've ever done whilst not picking up a stick? After a gentle prod from your good self I (re)-learnt top read. Started with 'The Cat in The Hat' type stuff and moved on quickly. I stumbled into a Big Band gig as a result. Reading improves again and all of a sudden I'm asked to sub on a couple of rehearsals/gigs for other big bands. Step in on the night and read. It opens up doors. I've picked up rock/funk gigs being able to quickly chart out a 'map' as you've shown. It can be as simple as a prompt on the set list. Tempo. written beat; form and some phrases. Some great stuff you've included here. Look forward to you expanding on it if you get the time. Congrats on the great gigs you picked up too! Thanks

[@UncleWalter1]

Great video. I actually was recently faced with this problem. I too found myself lacking in confidence with my memory. I needed to prepare to audition for a band but I couldn't practice the songs at all because I live in a apartment was working full time. So I took all the songs from their Google Drive link and put them in a note on my phone. That way I could have all the songs together and if I needed to write any broad notes by them, I could. Then I just set about listening to all the songs on the bus ride to work and whenever I could at work. I found listening in passes really helped. Like first pass or two would be just passively absorbing it, maybe taking some mental notes about the general feel and if there are any grooves I might need to transcribe and pick apart. Then I would do a form pass specifically listening to where sections land, if there are any important ensemble figures and stops. Then every subsequent listen I'm mentally playing the song, being really specific about how I'd physically do it. If I found I missed something in a particular section, I might loop that bit until it's right. A week of this leading into the audition, I could roll up, not having even sat behind a drumset in a while, and play the songs. It was the first time I'd tried doing it this way and it turned out to be a success. I pleasantly surprised. I even decided learn some a couple of extra back catalogue songs on the way to the audition this way and it worked great. In the end, I got the gig.

[@darrynfarrugia9904]

I think our listening processes are very much the same and well done on getting the gig. Congrats.

[@UncleWalter1]

@@darrynfarrugia9904 I can thank our lessons and you teaching me structured practice for getting me the gig

[@darrynfarrugia9904]

@@UncleWalter1 Thanks mate but you did the actual practise!

[@frankgardner7533]

Darryn, very helpful, thanks! I usually write out a brief chart similar to what you do but I try to write "sectionally" (i.e. Verse /6, Chorus/8, Break/4, etc.) to shorten the overall chart length while fully notating any specifics hits, patterns or figures within the sections as needed.

[@petemurry7863]

Hi Darryn. Thanks again for another really interesting vid. I have been playing in a covers band for about a year now after about 25 years of not playing. I do quite a bit of vocals in this band too. We have about 30 songs on our list now. For songs I sing in I make notes in the lyrics (tempo, who starts, important fills, groove notes (like hats or ride, important accents, patterns), the ending etc. For most songs I don't sing in, I note the tempo, start, finish and reminders if needed beside the title on the set list. Like you, I listen to the songs a lot and try and commit everything to memory so I shouldn't need much while I'm playing, but its there if I have a brain fart (especially lyrics). I'm looking into getting a tablet so I don't need paper!

[@simonnathan2065]

Great video!! Thanks 👍

[@PatrickJCamilleri]

Thank you for this 😊

[@Warpedsmac]

Hello Darryn....are you the same Darryn Farrugia from Channel 9 studio band?

[@darrynfarrugia9904]

I am.

[@Warpedsmac]

You're a terrific player Darryn....I've been hearing and watching you for years!!! You probably know Gordon Rytmeister...I was lucky enough to have lessons from him some years ago at Eastwood in Sydney. The stuff on your channel is easy to watch...you're so relaxed and confident. Cheers and thank you!@@darrynfarrugia9904

[@KB-os6lh]

Thankyou.

[@MELONenSURPRISE]

Good morning Columbus