Every set I have has been gigged, so nothing just sits around. I rotate sets depending on my mood. The DW set gets used with the Clapton tribute band, for instance, as it has a painted bass drum head. The vintage sets are used as I see fit, depending on the room.
That's great! I'm just the opposite, even when I had several kits, I'd tend to gig the one I liked the most. I'd usally keep that kit in it's cases ready for gigging and leave the others in the rehearsal room for practice.
That's great! I'm just the opposite, even when I had several kits, I'd tend to gig the one I liked the most. I'd usually keep that kit in it's cases ready for gigging and leave the others in the rehearsal room for practice.
When I have a gig coming, I think ahead; which set would work best? If it's a small room and volume is an issue, the leader usually tells me to bring the 12/14/20 Leedy set. I know I always have to keep a jazz-sized set for those gigs. When we have more space, it could be the Ludwigs, Rogers, or Slingerland sets. A lot depends on the acoustics of the venue. If I know the Ludwigs sound good in that room, I'll bring them. Same with the others.
Sometimes, it's just, what set do I feel like playing tonight? Then sometimes, it's whatever set is closest to the back door!
When I have a gig coming, I think ahead; which set would work best? If it's a small room and volume is an issue, the leader usually tells me to bring the 12/14/20 Leedy set. I know I always have to keep a jazz-sized set for those gigs. When we have more space, it could be the Ludwigs, Rogers, or Slingerland sets. A lot depends on the acoustics of the venue. If I know the Ludwigs sound good in that room, I'll bring them. Same with the others. Sometimes, it's just, what set do I feel like playing tonight? Then sometimes, it's whatever set is closest to the back door!
There's your problem, you said " The Leader", unless this is your only source of income, I'd had told the guy to shuve it, I'll bring what I want and make it work. I've been playing in bands a long time, have booked many gigs, but I never told a guitarist or any musician what they should bring to a certain gig. Most of the guys were professional enough to know how to make their equipment work in any environment. What if you only had one kit, say a Ludwig 13,16,22, would you go buy a smaller kit to accommodate the "Leader"? I'm not trying to be a smart ass, but there's ways of making any kit work for any gig.
When I have a gig coming, I think ahead; which set would work best? If it's a small room and volume is an issue, the leader usually tells me to bring the 12/14/20 Leedy set. I know I always have to keep a jazz-sized set for those gigs. When we have more space, it could be the Ludwigs, Rogers, or Slingerland sets. A lot depends on the acoustics of the venue. If I know the Ludwigs sound good in that room, I'll bring them. Same with the others. Sometimes, it's just, what set do I feel like playing tonight? Then sometimes, it's whatever set is closest to the back door!
Ya, it can be nice to have different kits to choose from. I'm actually on the hunt for a smaller kit to use besides my Ludwig. Maybe an MIJ, but I'd need to find a cheap one because my budget is tight at the moment.
Well, I think you have to understand the politics and reality of the band with "the leader." I have been in this band for twenty years and have known the leader since 1972. He's a very talented guy, owns and operates a state of the art recording studio, and he's the final word, period. He's a good-hearted, honest man inside and he has never screwed us over financially, but he runs the show and he is the boss. I can complain and argue all I want, and we have had some heated arguments over the years, but the bottom line is, it's his band and he runs the show. If he asks me to bring a small kit due to space restrictions, I'll be a good soldier and do it. Another thing you don't know is, this band has multiple members, meaning there are three other drummers he can choose to cover gigs. I'm the longest-surviving drummer, so I have a some seniority, but if any one member becomes difficult or a PITA to work with, he can easily get someone else to cover the gigs. I like to play on most weekends, and while I'm in two other bands, this particular band is still my main source of musical work and money. I have a lot more freedom in my other two bands, but in this particular band, I'm a paid sideman. I accept that reality and deal with it. He puts a lot of money in my pocket and has done so over the course of the last twenty years, between $120-130K if my estimates are correct.
I hope that explains things.
There's your problem, you said " The Leader", unless this is your only source of income, I'd had told the guy to shuve it, I'll bring what I want and make it work. I've been playing in bands a long time, have booked many gigs, but I never told a guitarist or any musician what they should bring to a certain gig. Most of the guys were professional enough to know how to make their equipment work in any environment. What if you only had one kit, say a Ludwig 13,16,22, would you go buy a smaller kit to accommodate the "Leader"? I'm not trying to be a smart ass, but there's ways of making any kit work for any gig.
Keeping a band together is one of the hardest things I've ever participated in. I've lost friends over it. Everybody had an opinion and everybody wanted to go in different directions. Ego's get in the way. Without a leader, it's pretty much impossible to keep anything bigger than a garage band together. And honestly, not since the big band days have drummers been the band leader.
I'm with DrumBob with this, being a good soldier is the right way to stay employed.
Just my 2 cents...:)
If I was the leader of a band, and the only available experienced drummer was you-know-who, we'd play the gig with a rookie. A few rhythmic screw-ups are very much preferred over playing a gig with the toxic personality of he who must not be named.
If I was the leader of a band, and the only available experienced drummer was you-know-who, we'd play the gig with a rookie. A few rhythmic screw-ups are very much preferred over playing a gig with the toxic personality of he who must not be named.
Now, now, no need to get nasty.... again. Go practice those odd time signatures and think happy thoughts.Kiss
You think that i'm referring to you? Hmmmm. I wonder why.
Keeping a band together is one of the hardest things I've ever participated in. I've lost friends over it. Everybody had an opinion and everybody wanted to go in different directions. Ego's get in the way. Without a leader, it's pretty much impossible to keep anything bigger than a garage band together. And honestly, not since the big band days have drummers been the band leader. I'm with DrumBob with this, being a good soldier is the right way to stay employed.Just my 2 cents...:)
I agree with this. Based on my experience, part-time musicians can be flakey and might not look at playing as anything but a hobby, so having a leader is a must in order to achieve goals and keep moving forward.
