DYNAMICS - DYNAMICS - DYNAMICS

You play everything all-out. You don't take it down a notch for the vocals and you have no place to go volume-wise when you need it, you're already at '11' the entire time. I'm 69 I've been playing for 53 years so we're peers. Spend time working on your dynamics, going from soft and low (almost ghost notes,) to hard and loud (long/big strokes). The more practice time you put in working on your dynamics the more control you will have over volume and... you'll still be able to use the sticks that you're used to.

Johnny Ringo is correct, you match your playing style and dynamics to fit the music and the room. I'm still learning... you too! Woodshed your dynamic control... your 'problem' will disappear.

John

Not to be a pain in the arse... for vocals - always - take it down a notch volume-wise. You can hit the drums a little harder when you go to the chorus, or the bridge, but for vocals think 'accompanist.'

Since you mentioned "snare drums" - to tone mine down, I put a 3" wide (about 6" long) strip of paper between the snares and bottom head, out toward the edge. The more you move the strip to the center of the head the more it dampens snare response. This really takes the harsh out of the snare, especially in venues with hard walls/harsh acoustics. I've become so used to the pleasantly-muted sound I generally leave the strip of paper in there all the time.

Mitch

Boy, do I feel your pain...

Also been playing for almost 50 years & I've had to tone it down, switched from 5Bs to 7As (still nylon tip though) & I've just had to learn to play quieter. It's damned hard, I've always had a reputation as a loud drummer & while some people liked it, others didn't.

One of the problems I've run into & have it now with the guitar player in one band, is when they think that you should be just loud enough to hear on stage, but don't realize the audience can't hear you.

The venue can be a problem too, bad acoustics (I'm sure we can all count on one hand the bars we've played in that have good acoustics :D) & I will never understand why a bar wants rock music, but wants people to be able to sit 6 feet away from the band & have a quiet conversation. I told one place we play that we weren't going to do any more Saturday or Sunday afternoons, they have families in there eating lunch, let them hire a solo or duo for that (the guy's nice enough, but he's kinda dumb that way).

Like I said, I've just learned to pay quieter over the last couple of years, it ain't been easy.

Thanks again guys- Purdie/ the video was not a good one to show how I CAN take it down more during quieter tunes/ but I appreciate your evaluation and WILL work on better dynamics- on this song I do take it down during lead entrance to show off the guitar player- but again- something I need to work for -so thanks! I'm used to playing my Bonzo amber vistalites so this makes me work that finesse. I THINK I am so much quieter than the past but sure wish I could get evaluations from drummers in the audience- wives help but they sometimes say whatever they think you want to hear! I have many snares to try also- again THANKS! (I guess it would be better to hear 'play louder' if I become 'too quiet'!)

You have a cool "rock" approach on your playing and that's your individual "voice". And that's pretty hard to "tame"If you ask me. I used to have the same problem at the church I play. One day the director asked me if I would play an electronic set. I wasn't too keen to the idea but it solved the problem. You regulate the volume pretty easily. You can find a pretty decent one for like $500...The band should help you buy one if they want you to cater for their requirements, Don't you think?

I don`t want this to sound bad, but, you and the bass player are far beyond concentration. Your Lead guitar wouldn't see the building burning, he does not look away from the fret board. he`s concentrating. The lead vocals is doing what I call the statue concentrate.. The bass and you are bouncing around looking around heck you could play that kit from the stairs and not miss a beat.

It`s not you, but is you, your breaking their concentration because you are beyond that phase.. Not trying to be right or wrong, just telling you what I see.

My money is on this. I'm in the same boat. I play with control, I play for the room, and I've been doing this long enough to know the problem isn't me. Some musicians just don't listen or think critically and in your case and my case they're taking it out on the drummer.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'breaking their concentration'... could you elaborate? BTW- the lead player is legally blind/ thus he sits to see his fretboard on the stool next to him. He only looks away to signal endings. I have had a hard time connecting to this bass player- he likes 'jamming' and not playing exactly as what was written- not a bad thing just that he doesn't seem to 'care' what I play....I'm looking around cause I'm having fun!-- and checking what others are playing...... I'd like this to gel better so please comment as to what you think I need to do to make it better. I feel I concentrate on my playing trying to fit with (especially) the guitarist/ guiding him through and supporting him/ as I've said the bass player kinda does his own thing. Again thanks- but please explain being 'beyond concentration' and 'bouncing around'- just want to understand! Thanks again- all comments are appreciated and not resented- just seeing if this 'old dog' can still learn!!

My garage band never had vocals. A singer that concentrates more on what he`s singing than what he's doing, is concentrating too much. He don`t appear to be at home standing there singing. You look well relaxed and totally at home playing. I had no clue the axe was blind, it all makes sense to me now, like stevie swinging his head.

What I mean when I say you are beyond concentration is,

When I started drumming I had to look at what I was playing, meaning that bottle that I didn`t see coming, will hit. After a few years, you could put a blindfold on me and I could still play my kit. I no longer have to concentrate on what I'm playing so I don`t screw up as much and take in what`s around me more. If they say you are too loud, it's because they can't concentrate in loud noises.

I would have loved to have a frontman bouncing around and moving all over the place, like Roth, but we had a couple vocal tryouts that stood there like a statue and concentrated too much on one thing. I went through that phase, maybe some people don't.

You should be in the center, that way when they get out of their cars,, they hear beat, when they come in, they hear music, when they sit, they enjoy a band.

I live in the city, so many places rely on that music hit`n the sidewalk and drawing in people. Functions are different.