Practicing and Performing with a Click Track

Here is a long-requested video about practicing and performing with a click track/metronome. I show you how I practice with a click as well as my reasons and techniques for doing so.
Equipment
Metronome Yamaha Clickstation
The cymbals are old 1960's A Zildjians.
15" Hi hats, 22" ride, 18" crash/ride and 18" crash
The drums are Peavy RSB1's (Radial 1000's)
22" BD, 10", 12",14",16" toms
The microphones I am using are two Neumann U89 overheads and a Shure Beta 52 on the Bass Drum.

[@trunzbox5264]

Anyone else just here for when Rick just plays out and shows the world really simply just what love of drumming and curiosity of life is all about? Such a great teacher.

[@o0junglist0o93]

The down side is the better your time gets the more you notice fluctuations from other players. Its so nice when you do find someone who feels the quarter in the same place as you. Great video as always Rick 👌

[@cristianmolina8148]

oh man..this dude is an absolutely insane drummer...Jazz, rock, funk, percussion, etc...extremely creative, musical and those chops man...oh my...well that´s why he what we call a real pro percussionist... long time fan of this channel

[@paulwilliamsoniii7224]

Very important to practice to a click, I get a decent amount of session work, recording at home for people as it is now in some cases. One of the main things that is mentioned as to why I get the work is because "We hear you can work with a click without problems." It has really payed off.

[@samstevens2108]

Thanks, Rick! I’m just getting ready to perform at my church with a click track for the very first time this Wednesday. There couldn’t have been a better time for you to upload this video!

[@johnsoos6907]

You're going to do great!!! 👍

[@dennisstgermain4187]

I have to perform with a click this Saturday. Thanks Rick. This will be a much needed aid.

[@timgawertdrums]

Yes!! Thank you

[@rickdior]

Yes Tim, this is for you. You owe me a beer....or dinner...or both.

[@timgawertdrums]

@@rickdior haha sounds good

[@70tamburo]

se tutti suonassero cosi' la batteria il mondo sarebbe un posto migliore.

[@darry_lavis]

Great video, your playing is so smooth!

[@dennisstgermain442]

Another GREAT video

[@jppavon9504]

Beautiful! Thanks Rick!🥁

[@christophed8515]

Very impressive

[@TomSmithDrums]

Thank you so much for this!

[@StraightNoChaser86]

Great playing man!

[@marceloguirado3517]

Hi Rick, I love your channel, it has helped me in so many ways. I would love to see a video talking about how to play in an "anticipated way" in the orchestra, due to the big distances between musicians, and the way in which the sound travels in the concert hall from the moment we attack the instrument (specially big ones) to the moment the sound reaches the ear of the conductor (or the audience). And since this does not happen in the practice room, how can we develop this skill. Greetings!!

[@Elboy522]

This is such a fantastic topic for a video! Its always such a shame when i meet a fellow who simply cannot play along to anything quantized.

[@bromasi]

THANKS

[@michaelryce1200]

thank you

[@josephg.bradetich3064]

Thanks mistro

[@Elboy522]

0:40 Sounds like Island Magic!

[@davidhester9897]

Steely Dan should have got you Rick to play on some of their albums, play the Purdie shuffle some time in your videos, I bet it would sound so good with you playing it.

[@pedropittagroz8747]

Thanks for the video. Another great one and amazing drumming. I have to get back to this kind of practice. This displacement of the metronome is a great exercise. I've seen some drummers do this with the metronome at any of four sixteens! I've been recording some songs with metronome, piano and bass already recorded. I'm having a really hard time, timing is all over the place and I can't make it groove. Don't know what to follow, if Im right on the click it also sounds off. Any advise? Cheers

[@rickdior]

Like I said in the video, some folks are a little bit time challenged. Usually, the problem is feeling the space between the beats. You didn't say whether you had also played the other parts yourself. If you are recording the instruments by yourself, it's best to start with a click and drums and then bass. Get a solid track that will act as your foundation for everything else.

[@pedropittagroz8747]

@@rickdior Thanks on the quick response. I was given piano, bass and a guide vocal already recorded. I've to come up with parts and record drums. I also think this is being done backwards but doesn't feel like I can change that.

[@ralphkolarik4115]

As always thanks for all the great tips!. Is the Yamaha click station metronome still for sale, i would love to have a vibrating metronome for live use. If not do you know anything about vibrating metronomes that actually work as well las this one?

[@rickdior]

Hi Ralph It is not sold in stores, but you can find them used online. Just make sure everything works as they are prone to malfunction.

[@MrLoo24]

my best metronome app is rick dior in fact !!!!

[@johngo4636]

What would be the difference of using the metronome OR playing along to complete songs. In terms of real practising, from a teachers point of view. I understand the use of the Space you can create with the metronome. Just curious about getting tight with the time, mostly using songs instead of a metronome.

[@rickdior]

Playing with recordings of songs is great....I did lots of that growing up. The danger is if it's a track without solid time you can pick up some bad habits. Most modern tracks have great time. Back in the day, there were some issues, but as far as developing a good feel, that's the way to do it.

[@cammcgregor3598]

What would you recommend if you play very well to a metronome, but when you play live your time still fluctuates? Maybe it’s the band that is influencing my time? I’m not sure

[@rickdior]

Time and tempo is a cooperative effort with all of the performers in the band. It's not just the drummers' responsibility. The other players can definitely be pulling you into their time realm. The time will always move a little, but the important thing is that it feels good and that it does not speed up or slow down too much. When I play Broadway shows the click is used about 75% of the time (depending on the show) and this is because the show might contain some tricky choreography that has to be the same tempo every night. This may not be important for live band shows, so don't worry about it too much. If the singer is having a hard time getting all the lyrics in, it might be time for a band meeting.

[@cammcgregor3598]

@@rickdior Wow, this a great response, thank you!

[@brunolsvieira]

Wow. That was 116 bpm

[@jerrysgotapewpew]

Practice? yes. Performance? Absolutely never. It's live music. Do not play with a click live. You ARE the click live...

[@rickdior]

Well, I guess you have never played a professional Broadway show, live concert tour, done extensive studio work, and performed live movie soundtracks with an orchestra. You are really missing out on some great experiences as well as lots of income.