After listening to the video you posted, my opinion is you play with too much bass drum overall. The beat is cluttered with the bass drum.

Thanks again for all responses- I realize it was hard to evaluate a shaky distorted cell video on our 3rd song in a dive bar before people arrived!

In my first post I mentioned my trying short sticks as it was stated to me to move hands higher on the stick- result was quieter volume but less rebound, no fulcrum thus not worth it to me.-( I wouldn't suggest it to anyone)

I will try the other suggestions and also plan to meet with bass player alone to 'clean up' some things- I do play a heavier 'busy' bass drum as I've had to make up for lack of bottom end/ will work on that! Thanks for new things to consider and now I feel I have more options to work with!

BTW--- OddBall- thanks and UNDERSTOOD! I appreciate you replying again- helps me see (and hear!) things more objectively!!

I know what I said sounded harsh. My apologies.

I took the time to listen to the Eddie Money recording and

also a live version. The groove I hear is not all chopped up with

bass drum. It's a very solid groove laying down the 2 and 4 hits

on the snare. I think the band is basically saying they don't like

what your lying down. Instead they ask you to turn it down.

I think if you simplify your groove to start with and concentrate on

the 2 and 4, for a while, they will appreciate it.

The best advice I ever got in regards to improving is not to

collect new abilities, but to shed bad ones...

:)

nick- not harsh at all- I appreciate that you listened and critiqued/ point taken and will apply what you said! As I stated earlier I've been in hard rock (3-piece) bands in the past playing quite aggressively (and somewhat busy with double bass and fills) Your comment makes me realize this is a Classic Rock and Blues band not needing to have 'all that'. Add to that we are a few years older....(and it will make my job easier also!) thanks!

Not bad, really. Everybody is mixed pretty good. I don't think that people like loud music any longer. (maybe I'm projecting here) Sounds like you've got "rock" cymbals. They need to be hit like you hit them to make them sound good. Switch to lighter cymbals. My K cons aren't loud, sound beautiful played softly. Get some earthtone heads, they seem quieter.

I agree 2 and 4 is the best way to go

I love cymbals, but since you asked: Consider using fewer. Lower them, move them in closer, and angle them. Less effort to reach them could help lower your volume.

From watching the video, it seems like you're sitting low. Think about raising your throne a bit.

The showmanship is cool, but the extra motion might be contributing to your volume woes.

In short, do what you can reduce how much work you need to do to play. Good luck!

Al

Nice playing overall. I like what Nick mentioned about concentrating more on the 2 & 4. I know the video quality is less than ideal, but the only thing I noticed really is the dynamic level stayed the same throughout the song, not just you.. but the whole band. We're all guilty of it at times.

One thing that I may have missed being mentioned, but consider what size stick you're playing with. Something heavy like 2B or about will project much f-a-r-ther... maybe try a lighter stick if you aren't already.. maybe a 5A.

One thing that might contribute to -perceived- loudness is having cymbal crashes, even if they're not really loud, at the end of every 2 or 4 bar phrase. Sometimes it's hard to resist putting one in because it becomes more or less a habit when you're playing a song that's very familiar to you. Also, when you listen to studio recordings of familiar rock songs, the cymbal crashes are often pretty low in the mix.