Performance Placebo: Deception as a Tool | Season Five, Episode 18

Too often the psychological aspect of drumming and performance overall is ignored, yet it’s one of the most powerful elements for musicians to harness. It starts with an awareness and can graduate into a tool that you use to improve your playing and the experience of your audience. This episode will be the first in a series of several videos addressing the topic of placebo.
PATREON:
This season is made possible by our Patreon supporters. Join us on Patreon for access to exclusive content such as Cymbal Sounds, our long awaited cymbal series, and MUCH more: sladl.ink/Patreon
PRODUCTION PARTNERS:
GIK Acoustics (sonic treatment): sladl.ink/GIK
AKG Audio (microphones): sladl.ink/AKG
Evans Drumheads: sladl.ink/Evan...
ProMark Drumsticks: sladl.ink/ProM...
Signal chain:
Mics - Focusrite Clarett 8Pre USB & OctoPre - MacPro w/Pro Tools 2022.5
Recorded at 48kHz / 24bit
Overheads: (Matched Pair in Glyn Johns - Cardioid) AKG C314 sladl.ink/C314...
Snare, Toms: AKG C518M sladl.ink/C518M
Kick Drum: AKG D12vr sladl.ink/AKGD...
No EQ or compression in use with drum demos unless otherwise noted
Acoustic Treatment:
GIK 242 Acoustic Panels: sladl.ink/GIK242
GIK 4A Alpha Pro Series Diffusor/Absorber: sladl.ink/GIK4...
GIK Evolution PolyFusor Combination Sound Diffuser/Absorber: sladl.ink/GIKE...
GIK Tri-Trap Corner Bass Trap: sladl.ink/GIKT...
Drums:
Pearl Masters Maple Custom Extra
Cymbals:
22” Jesse Simpson clone of old Zildjian A, 14” Jesse Simpson clone of old Zildjian K over top cymbal from a pair of Zildjian New Beat Hihats
👂🏼👉🏼🥁
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*NOTE: Troll comments will be deleted. You're welcome to disagree with whatever you like but let's keep the conversation civilized and focused on drums.
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[@benr4165]

Playing mostly in a worship band or pit orchestras, you try to walk the fine line between not drawing too much attention to yourself, but playing with an energy and attitude that engages people who are watching and actively participating. This is an important aspect to consider that is going to change depending on the gig. Thanks for addressing the issue. Great stuff, as always.

[@PatrickWitherow]

Great comment! And yes, it is a fine line.

[@kirjian]

Ayyy worship drummer team let's goo

[@renz-ey707]

I had a practice with my band last week that didn't go well at all. I had a terrible day leading up to the rehearsal; I lost my mom's dog, my son had gotten hurt, and my sister was mad at me for something. Going into the practice I did what I could to shake it off, but it didn't work out that way. I was playing the parts and getting the songs down, but everybody's energy was sooo low - and it all stemmed from my bad vibe. We're all good friends and they were understanding; it didn't kill the rehearsal. By no means, however, was anybody having fun while doing it. We hugged it out afterwards and got together again at a later date and that went a thousand times better. Vibes, energy, lighting, nourishment: they all have a huge affect on our playing, the playing of our band mates, and the perception of the audience. Thank you so much for making this video. Y'all have a tendency to say what everybody's thinking, but what we may not have the vocabulary or insight to put it into words. Keep up the amazing work guys! I always look forward to a new video from you. 🖤 One Love

[@jmfs3497]

Thanks for sharing your story. I have been playing A LOT of gigs this year after being on lock down, and I am definitely ready for a break of simply rehearsing with the crew without any gigs or recordings. I am losing steam and really had to center myself at a gig on Wednesday just to give people a full experience. I have another gig tonight, another on Friday, and then one more on December 16th. I'm looking forward to the break before the 16th, and hopefully two or three months of no gigs over winter. We have to take care of ourselves, while at the same time know how to give people a good experience.

[@elliotpietri98]

As a drummer who plays in a tourist-y area, this is my bread and butter...

[@ManoBey12]

Dudes, you guys have such a down to earth approach to this. Thank you for making this wholesome videos!

[@jonashellborg8320]

When playing live, I try to come across like i’m really listening to the song, including dancing, bobbing my head if the song suits it. And I try to indeed be into the song, even if i’ve heard it a hundred times in the past rehearsals. That makes me perform better, and when the band is having fun playing the songs it’s infectious on the crowd, that’s for sure.

[@chrisroberts68]

Great topic. 👌👌👌

[@kirjian]

Here's an idea: we should practice in the exact way we're gonna perform. This includes everything, throne height, drum positioning, how high you raise your arms, etc. If you're scowling while playing, chances are you're practicing with a scowl too! Practice with a mirror from time to time (not daily, as that can be distracting) to see how you look to the viewer when you play. May sound silly but we have to develop the independence to play drums with a smile! :)

[@johnreardon4944]

My blues venue in Japan is very clean and classy, but visually the focus is the stage. The walls are painted matte black with only four large black and white custom paintings of famous guitarists on the wall. If one would look closely around the venue, one would find details in the simplicity. Hard to explain without pics, but the general comments from customers is that they feel comfortable. I personally notice that customers are constantly glued to the stage. Even the stage is simple. All cables and extension cords are hidden. Visually, the house gear is prominently displayed. Positive placebo. I have a six piece Pearl Reference Pure kit in Brooklyn Burst albeit with matching 1970s hollow logo Zildjians. And I have a 1969 Fender Super Reverb and a Fender Hotrod Deluxe. Bass amp is a Fender Rumble 150 with an Aguilar Tone Hammer DI box. My QSC K12.2s are mounted on the side walls. No tripods. So the PAs seem to disappear. Also there is a huge 18-inch QSC KS118 subwoofer just next to the stage that NOBODY EVER NOTICES! We blend the subwoofer so tastefully that it appears to come from the crossed over PAs! Simple is best, but it's not simple to do. As far as drummers that come through, I see some interesting setups and height adjustments. I sometimes talk about it with the drummers but only in a positive way. I like to try playing their setups and I'm often surprised how my initial visual judgement goes completely out the window. I'm always learning something new through positivety, respect, and having an open mind. But yeah, I do get happy when people notice the little things I do. The ladies always compliment me about having an extra clean restroom. As a former Marine I'd better have a clean toilet! Haha! The Virgin Mary herself would be proud to come and take a dump on it. Toilets, like music, is all about having a good experience.

[@jamesmurff193]

I just started this year, at 44 playing drums, and most of the pieces besides my hand drums were given to me or found abandoned, like my snare was collecting major dust and mildew in an abandoned storage unit. It took a lot of cleanup, but so far the sound is actually my favorite. Someone gave me a Pearl snare, but I don’t know enough about the setup to get a good sound out of it. But I have my eyes on a Mapex Black Panther snare, and I believe it’s all placebo, so there you go. I do like a specific one though, because of the deeper sound. Don’t know if it has a lot to do with the shell or the hardware. But that’s why I love watching your channel, to learn about if it’s really going to be a worthwhile purchase or not. As far as cymbals are concerned yeah mine are all the same sizes, but each one sounds different, and I know it’s because of the heavier gauge of material of each one.

[@NK-ov6kd]

I think: Most important for snare drum Sound ist the drumhead and the Tuning..i cannot hear the difference between the Same drum in 5" and 6.5".

[@jhardy0786]

You guys do a great job keeping it focused on the drums

[@sterlingpratt4901]

I know this channel really likes to emphasize function over form, and this whole topic is about how our perception can be screwy at times, but DAMN those hi hats are nice to look at, and I'd be surprised if I didn't feel like they sound better, too, as a result.

[@danyvet1]

This is soooo important, you can’t stress that enough. Not long ago I was only a consumer in the audience and I really love(d) it when the band looked like they had fun. Thats more important than playing every note exactly. Now that I am both sides, on stage and audience, I try to do my best to be the musician I‘d like to watch as a spectator. BUT: I bite my lips when I am concentrated and that almost looks evil 😂 I try to work on that and when I look up from my drums and into the audience and see a familiar face there I can make a happy energetic smiling face without faking

[@jps_musics]

That’s an unfortunate curse. Godspeed, brother 🫡

[@MrGabino8000]

Love your drum setup brother!!! A high hi hat set up and a sharp angled ride! And a clean and simple tom. Love it bro!

[@williamkeating1410]

Really interesting stuff! I have had people literally come up to me on a break and tell me “you look mad” or “you look like you don’t want to be here”. Usually I think it’s just because I’m concentrating, although sometimes I’m really just not feeling the gig. My problem, though, is I just can’t fake the smile and energy. I feel like I’m being inauthentic, even if it is changing the audience’s perception. I don’t know how to get around that personally. Also in the future, I hope you do something about the extremely contrived performances that people put on social media to get likes. Logically, I understand what they’re doing but subconsciously I can’t help but feel like there’s something wrong with me if that’s not how I feel when I play. That kind of psychology runs through social media in general, not just music, and I think it’s dangerous.

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Thanks! Try not to let your past experiences and challenges serve as permission to stop working on something. Just because it doesn’t come naturally to you doesn’t mean you’re incapable of it. If you’re feeling that energy when you play, that’s where it starts. As for social media performance and all of that, we’ll absolutely be addressing aspects of this in the future! Cheers!

[@williamkeating1410]

@@SoundsLikeADrum good point - thanks! Keep up the good work with this channel - lots of great topics that nobody else is covering, and philosophies that often can cross over into other aspects of life 👍🏿

[@westbrad6808]

Looking at the back of the room, at no one, helps me. Also, practicing meditation and the ability to get out of your head in that moment

[@gafandahalf]

I’m a new viewer and this was a very interesting video. Kudos

[@UPdan]

I was actually watching the Beatles on Ed Sullivan KZbin video yesterday and studying what made them such a success right off. They darkened the stage and each one would introduce a song with the spotlight on him, they looked happy and having a great time with the girls screaming, except Ringo, they dressed in suits which had an odd feeling of professional. Then I watched others bands to compare and what you just said is right there to study on KZbin. Songs on love win. They like male voices in harmony. Louder with dynamics creates stimulation. Great topic.

[@quintessenceSL]

I think you should make perception work for you. Everyone plays a a kit that would make Vulcan Death Grip envious (complete with bloodied stuff animals); so massive in fact the drummer isn't visible. Anything from light jazz to the Big Beat is sure to come as a surprise.

[@jmfs3497]

As a drummer I kind of think of the visuals as telegraphing the feel to my fellow musicians as well. There are times when I'm not playing at all, but I tap my foot or hands and bob my head. It helps me stay in the feel, and I hope helps my bandmates, and the audience as well. It is less of an act, and more of a mind-body connection.

[@user-li6ug9sz4j]

such a great channel. Digging deep, very cool :)

[@G60syncro]

We attack this on both fronts... We have the rehearsal space setup like we play on stage ant we record every rehearsal like it's a studio session!! So it gets rid of both red light syndrome and stagefright in one go! We've gotten so used to recording that on some occasions when I don't bring the rig and we can't chill out afterwards to listen to a playback, the evening feels empty!! The other facet of us threating our space like a stage means that whenever we gig, there's no difference for us, going to the extent that we as a band have figured out how loud everything should be to hear eachother without the PA... It means that in the end, the sound guy i gonna take care of FOH sound on his side and for our our side he only needs to broil the vocals in the monitors and that's pretty much it!!

[@DavidWerre]

This is awesome! I’ve never really considered lighting to be a big factor in my practicing, but that’s something to be mindful of and experiment with. I really liked this episode! My placebo is I sometimes take a dark chocolate espresso bean to get into the zone before practice.

[@pablogugliotta]

Great video! It´s something I´ve struggling with for all my life. Its sometimes hard to make a "concentration" face not to look like a "this is boring" face XD

[@drummercarson896]

Awesome video.

[@stevendierkes6028]

One of the best ideas for a video I’ve ever seen

[@JoshParkerDrums]

Interesting topic, great stuff 🤙

[@kirjian]

My most common judgement is to assume that whoever is onstage, especially in a band, is playing perfectly on time and not making timing mistakes.

[@kevinturvey8213]

what an interesting angle to explore! nice one...

[@robygamboa8479]

While I was listening to this episode, I kept thinking of that line that every disc jockey has probably heard "you sound taller on this track". 🙂

[@brent3760]

Graham crackers! The Mr Rogers of KZbin drumming strikes again! I love it! For real though, your content is fantastic amd spot on! Cody is the voice of reason! Would be a great teacher!!! Great job on this and ALL of your videos!!! 🤙❤🥁

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Thanks so much! We really appreciate it!

[@JJPercussion1]

I really appreciate this episode 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@kick.standard]

Great video! The visuals are just as important as the sound when it comes to performing. I feel that many people (me included) find fully illuminated rooms distracting. Can’t remember the last time I went to a performance where the whole room was lit up

[@eliksc]

I had a direct experience with this recently.. I had a broken double bass pedal on my band rehearsal set for long time (left pedal and drive had way excessive play..). I had every intention of taking it home and fixing it but I was kind of getting along just fine with just right footing it for a long time and no one seemed to care or notice in the sound of the music. One day I just removed the LH pedal just to get it out of the way and our bassist shows up and sees a single pedal on the set and has a fit and basically quits the band, lol. He didn't seem to care in the sound the whole time I was playing just all right foot. People are so weird.

[@remygaron8311]

Totally agree with you i played drunk and high and out of shape i will never do that again you play better when you feel like cat and happy doing it sober then you can achived real performance stay out of false things that can ruin a drumming carrer🤟🏼🤟🏼🥁🇨🇦

[@adammono1839]

Let's get Cody in a hawaiian shirt and see how he plays!

[@geoffcowan2384]

100 percent. I try to be in the moment and I always think there is not much I would rather do than play drums. I try to communicate that to my bandmates and the audience. Plus if you look like you are having fun, people will be more forgiving/unaware of mistakes. :)

[@stoongi8909]

Cody is the best !

[@Joethedrummer]

Brilliant. Bring it on 😁

[@DroctorKloebner]

This also very much applies to looks and clothing at a gig. People will have a different experience when you look like the thing you want to convey. If you look like an average Joe people will treat you like an average Joe and the ausdience will have a different experience.

[@joshuabpolys]

👍🏼!

[@BrandonMobley614]

Are those Carter Mclean drum sticks?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Yes, they are.

[@BadChizzle]

Nice job, Cody. My last gig in a band was with me looking very bored, I’m sure. Had enough back then. Maybe not now…

[@The_Other_Ghost]

Did your Yamaha Kick pedal come with a strap or did you modify that?

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

That was a stock strap version- no mod.

[@timm1139]

My favorite placebo? Playing barefoot! If it’s good enough for Rick Allen, well who’s to argue?

[@Ja2ger]

Looking like you don't fit. It took me a year to convince whole regular jam session artists that a big guy with long hair, wearing black, could not break your blues with metal blast and in fact can funk :D

[@vipermad358]

All good points, but this is REALLY stretching the definition of "placebo." If I have a beer on a gig, I am ACTUALLY FEELING different from the effects of alcohol. But yeah, so tired of seeing musicians looking bored or "too cool for school" on stage. Get another job!

[@SoundsLikeADrum]

Some people don't even take a sip. Some people have to have a second amp with them on stage but never plug in. Some people will intentionally bring more cymbals than they plan to use simply for the appearance. Not all of these are literal placebos...but we addressed that up front in the video 😉