How to NEVER Be Told You’re Too Loud: 3 Strategies for Playing a Rock Gig in a Small Room

[@sarojaband4664]

A very mature, sobering lesson.

[@AndrewlovesBeatles14]

One of the things that works for me is literally lower all my cymbal stands (especially my hi hat), because it forces me to not raise my arms as much.

[@darrylpaul4178]

Very informative and helpful video to help drummers find quieter ways to play. Most drummers think that they always have to play loud.

[@martinjgriffiths]

Stephen, you're such a great teacher. I would go as far as to say I've suffered this, but thankfully not too often and it very much does require a change in attitude and style. Without this not only does your playing utterly suck but you end up hating every minute and wish you weren't there.

[@Pasdechevredreamer]

Thanks for the tips, any are gratefully accepted. Looking forward to either a band, small or large stage, but that is a long way off.

[@黃獻莛]

Your channel deserve more subscribers, really help me a lot thanks buddy

[@johnrobinson8323]

Thanks Stephen! Great information. I have to think about this quite often. My band plays at a rib restaurant once a month and yes we have to keep the volume down. Choking up on the sticks definitely helps. Sometimes I even put a drum dot on the edge of my ride cymbal. And I use a remo ring on my snare drum.

[@Chiroman527]

Stepen C. Nice informative Instruction. I'm NOT a GIG drummer, playing solely as a Hobby in retirement at 70 years old. I resurrected playing in 2019, after a 50 Year Hiatus. I play drums to My Muisc , about 1 hour a day in my finished basment where I created a Mancave in 2020 -2021. I have subscribed to your Channel, and those of Other great folks like you, to try to Teach an Old Dog some New tricks. Who knows, maybe I find a Geriatric Band being created here locally?? I have a PDP Concept Maple 6 Drum kit which replaced the Gammon Base Kit that was given to me by my Wifey of 45 years in 2018. I watched your drum tuning tips and tghose of others, but I just can't get that nice Doooo, Doooo sound (Jared form Drumeo describes it Best). I still get a little too much Overtone /ringing unless I attach a Moongel with Gatt Tape to the Batter heads. I like the sound I'm hearing form your Toms in this video. How do I achieve that ?? THX and be well

[@brad3628]

I watched 5 minutes in and yes I subscribe. Tried it. It totally works as long as you have decent control. But, a person can also play a radio recorded theater show with sticks against the sound guy's insistence for no sticks. I did. Went well. Thank you control.

[@drumming4p]

Useful advice

[@mikejames-drummerreginacan1386]

Thanks for another great video.

[@DaleLyons31]

I think back to all of the times I've been in a little pub or bar where the musicians had to play quietly to not bother the customers (and owner) with too much volume. If you ever want to see a group of musicians that are generally miserable, disinterested and just there for a paycheck, those types of gigs are it. I honestly feel bad for them. Well, not THAT bad, as they are getting paid. But sacrificing the fun of playing loud has got to be soul-crushing. As a Metal/Hard Rock guy, volume is part of the deal. Volume makes the heart pound faster and gets the blood pumping. The thought of having to reduce volume to not disturb people sucks the fun out of it.

[@juanpaez3382]

I love your content! I really appreciate how much effort you put into your videos

[@SAHBfan]

So much drum instruction centres around being LOUD. Techniques such as Moeller is how to be heard across a battlefield with minimal effort - minimal damping, loud skins, big shells, maximum resonance… drum stores seem to be full of heavy metalesque kits with huge heavy cymbals. When I got into jazz - I had about ten years of people telling me I was too loud. Still do 😳

[@matthewcortes3786]

I'm a rock drummer been playing hard and heavy my whole life. I just joined this pop cover band and I'm constantly being told to play quieter during practice and it drives me insane. We are playing some funky stuff and I just can't get into the groove when I'm constantly fighting being loud. I just want to lay into it and feel it but can't!

[@noahli7158]

Wish this video came out years ago!

[@drew_on_drums]

So this is great for jazz, but what about for us rock/ punk/ metal dudes?

[@markomarkovic5729]

Don't mic the kit, and if that doesn't help, try to play lighter and avoid rimshots

[@paulshaum3421]

As someone who’s in a very loud (at least during practices) rock/metal band, the consensus is “you’re fucked”

[@jakeklossing4352]

If you're in a metal or punk band, you most likely will not be asked to play in a quieter environment. Rock is a exception because it's simply a more popular genre that the audience/customers are familiar with. This lesson also could apply to church or gymnasium type settings, or any other place that has wacky acoustics.

[@kennethjimenez4445]

That Gretsch Renown kit sounds amazing! It's such a pro spec kit.

[@toddleach1108]

I run sound. I deal with loud drummers. I was hopeful to share this video with them. However, you never really play any rock and roll quietly in your video. (I hear smooth jazz groves.) Proof is in the pudding, they say. Go ahead. Cover some Blink, AC/DC, Alice in Chains using your quiet techniques. That would be more convincing. Loud drummers always say, "but that's how the song was intended to be played... LOUD!" Prove them wrong by example. That would be a video worth sharing. 90% of loud drummers don't want to know how. Rather, they need to be convinced that it is possible to demonstrate rock energy quietly. Convince them...

[@joseramontejada2349]

I have a question gear related: I see in the video Stephen is using 14" hi-hats if I am not wrong. Would smaller cymbals size help with the volume. E.g. 12" hi-hats? or is it "better" to use regular 14" inches hi-hats and play them quieter?

[@garycordle5295]

I myself always change to a lighter stick 👍 and blend with the band, I use all of my drums and cymbals, just play lighter.

[@keijzer190]

If you have to play so quietly, maybe you shouldn't play a rock concert at that place?😅 Im not getting this video, can someone explain this to me?

[@suburbanindie]

Use thunder rods and/or brushes; play acoustic guitars; use a djembe, percussion or cajon

[@NothusDeusVagus]

What are you doing up so late?

[@massivecumshot]

Hit with the tip instead of the shoulder of the stick, especially cymbals. Use Hot Rods. Lower your seat so your bass drum stroke comes more from the ankle and less from the thigh/knee Always keep your shoulders relaxed and spread your elbows out more so you're not WHIPPING your stick tips.. Get an electronic kit