Day in the Life of a Drummer: How To GIG as a Drummer
Вставка
- Опубліковано 18 жов 2024
- This video is a complete walk through start to finish of how to play a gig as a drummer. I show you my processes and give you tips for being more efficient as a gigging drummer.
One tip if I may: Get those quick release cymbal tops and hi hat clutch. They help a ton. I learned a couple of great tips from you so Thanks. Also as you get older you may want to be careful carrying multiple drums at a time - even with the bags. You don't want to throw out your back before the gig.
Hallelujah brother! 👍
I was carrying multiple drums up a big staircase once and the strap on the bass drum case failed. It cracked the Accutune hoops on my ‘94 Artstar ES, so yeah… be careful in terms of your cases being able to hold up too.
Michael, this was great video, especially for the non gigging drummer , like me. I'm 70 YO, who resurrected playing drums in 2019 after 50 YEARS (1969). I play to My Music : CCR, Clapton, Winwood, Stones, Beatles, Mellencamp, The Band, Simon and Garfunkel, Dylan, Cars, Hollies, Talking Heads, Eagles, even linda Ronstadt and Bonnie rait and much more. I play about 1 hour a day as a retirement pleasure. Maybe a Geriatric Band gets together locally by me one day - hopefully B4 my arthritic condiotions get the best of me. I took about 8 lessons in 1966 at a local music store in Flushing Queens NY as a 15 year old - bitten by the Drumming Bug (Ringo, Watts, Dinelli, then Baker, Moon, Bonham , Gaad and many others became favs). I played by ear for the most part with HS Buddies in an garage band where we learned Together. Watching this video has been eye opening in that it shows what is involved to play Gigs !! even in relatively simple venues. In the old days, therev were no Micing Drums, no electronics or Amps for drums. i really enjoyed this and will watch your other videos for sure. Hate to sound like some Old Guy.....but my advice to you fellow Drummers is to take care of yourself . Drums are a Physical Instrument as you know. Keep your posture correct (48 years of commuter drives of 3 hours a day ruined mine!), drink water / hydrate (I didn't , just coffee and alcohol), and do proper exrcises / stretches for your limbs. Having Arthritis SUX Big Time.
Roc N Roller cart. Best drum related thing I've ever bought. Your back will thank you.
Best investment for a drummer
I was going to comment this. My cart is essential. Especially when playing gigs where my car is far away from the stage, like downtown hotels. The cart will get you in and out in one trip.
Great tips, Michael!
I work exactly the same way as you do. Saves a lot of time. And prevents from forgetting things. One more simple tip from me. Once you have your car loaded up with all the stuff you need for the gig your heading for, COUNT the number of items in the car. And after the gig make sure you count the same amount before the ride home.
Compliments and kind regards from a Dutch drummer.
Rock and Roller cart changed my load-in/load-out life! Also, consider putting your heavy trap on the passenger side. (1.) it offsets the weight on the tires/vehicle. In the event of a car accident, it is better to not have that directly behind your seat. Good Stuff!
"Let's have the one and only musician who uses EVERY appendage run the board. While we're at it have him run the lights and smoke machine as well."
I've thought about doing a video just like this. It's so cool to see a fellow musician doing almost the exact same things I do when gigging. Before Covid, I did 100+ shows a year. All of your tips are spot on.
These are all such GREAT ideas... I never thought of these time-savers!
Great video! Excellent explanation for what is a gigging drummer. Am taking a tip to mark my carpet for the next one. Yes, it will reduce time to get things into place. Thank you very much Michael!
This is great! A day in the life of most of us gigging drummers, thanks for putting it together. 👌🥁
All good tips. And familiar. I would add : Tighten any lugs, screws, etc. when packing up.
Great video..shows people that it ain't that glamours for sure. I would mention to get hard cases if you are touring as it makes it easier to be able to load junk on it in the van...but for weekend warrior type stuff, soft cases are just fine. I have also started to leave junk in my car and unload in the morning.
Cool video! I highly recommend instead of a paper set list using an IPad. I play in extremely dark clubs and it's a life saver every time. The IPad stand clip is really cheap as well. Rock On
Thanks for putting this together! I’m playing in a band for the first time now and we are planning on playing out early next year. I’m excited and terrified at the same time.
Good Luck on your first GIG next year!!. i'm a 70 YO, retired guy, who resurrected Playing Drums after 50 YEARS (1969). I don't play Gigs, but play my drums about 1 hour a day to My Music (music of my Era - no metal, only Rock, blues rock, country rock). I started playing drums in 1966 as a 15 year old. Took maybeb 8 lessons and teamed up with a couple of HS buddies - we learned out instruments as we went along as a Garage band who never got out of the garage. Watching this video has educated me as to the equipment necessary (the electronics) needed to perform today. It's just not setting up your drums and playing!! Take care of yourself, drinks lost os water (i didn't didn't), keep good posture (I didn't - 48 years of commutting by car about 3 hours a day created lots of Spinal issues), and most importantly Enjoy Yourself doing what I presume you Love. Who knows......if the arthritis doesmn't shut me down, (it is encroaching into my writs and thumbs - SUX Big Time), a geriatric band may be created locally that I may be able to join or jamb with. :):)
Thank you for the tips! I like using a cart to minimize trips. It helps the back. Rock N Roller or Gruv Gear carts are awesome! Gloves too; I've hurt my hands unloading my stuff or a band member's stuff. I also use an app that has a checklist on it to help me check off things when loading up.
Very informative, thank you for making this video. Have my first gig next month and this answered a lot of my questions about hauling all the gear!
Dude I learn so much! Great video
Thank you so much for this pure and honest showing. And by the way, lovely music you guys play =)
Cool video! I liked the Emmanuelle Caplette's warm up combining 16th & 32nds too. I recognized that one pretty quick. Hell, she probably borrowed it from someone else too haha. Thanks for the video...I'm thinking of getting back into the gig scene again....
Those circles are great!
Great video. Thanks!
Man. Crazy to see what my drum tech does.... :P Kidding man. That is spot on.
I love the flat finish on the kit. Is that the Design series?
Good video man. I do almost everything the same way and I am even left handed. Those velcro circles are awesome. I just started using them a few months ago. One thing that I invested in a couple of years ago and it has really helped with getting in and out of the venues is a Rockin' Roller cart. What used to take 4 to 5 trips, by myself, has now been cut down to no more than two trips in and out. Some of the best money that I have spent. Nice kit too. I use the soft cases also because they don't beat up my car and I am the only person who handles my drums. Good job!
DrumDoug Great recommendation!
Where did you find the velcro circles? I can't find them anywhere.
This is very much appreciated. You rock.
I learned a ton thank you!
Excellent video
Really helpful stuff, played a gig with my band just last week and I was regretting not having a carpet because the bass drum kept sliding (it was a polished marble floor).
That makes it damn near impossible to play.
Im a lefty as well im just getting back into playing after 12 years
Spot on Bro! And I know the routine well...
AWESOME VIDEO!!! tons of very useful information and always great to see a fellow leftie
I like the protec multi tom bag you can stack your toms and hardware it has wheels its a soft case
That was totally awesome, please do more videos about the gig itself playlist etc. A little more about running sound and how much you do as a drummer very interesting
Cool, I use that Stick Control book too
Never mind…you answered it on the video right when I posted the question lol
I’ve been doing this over 20 years, you make it look and sound a lot harder than what it is, haha
def not hard. you just need to be organized. :)
Great video! I use a lot of the same tricks and I use that same mixer and in-ear monitors.
Great tips and use a very systematic approach just like this.
A little story about forgetting things; one time I forgot my carpet luckely the club stage was old plank flooring i had played there lots so when I played without the carpet, my drums sounded much better, great definition from the sound reflecting off the floor.
Do not use the carpet there any more
PS its a small club and dont need to mic anything
Got halfway through the video and I realized you're a left-handed drummer! Can you make another video for right-handed drummers cause I can't use this information
Gracias por tu tiempo en preparar este video....saludos desde Atlanta. GA.
Best thing to use is a checklist. Make one and don't forget to use it.
I always wanted to know what it's like for a professional drummer what they go thru I play the drums myself not professionally love your videos
Tape on the stands is an idea I may have to try. The carpet markings I don't think would really help me much. The trap case is just too bulky for most vehicles for me besides concentrating all that weight in one place is insane from my point of view, I use several canvas army bags to break up the weight if I need to. What is crucial for me is using a flatform cart that folds up like a rock and roller cart or some other lightweight cart. I may have to cart things a VERY LONG WAY where there is no nearby parking.
Cool video :) it was a bit of a spin out hearing …And justice for all playing while you were setting up. I play mostly metal shows, and usually it’s the opposite way around. Non-metal in between. Good to mix things up, for sure :)
Excellent! Say hi from Costa Rica!
nice tip on tape for angles. thanks!
I used to use a sharpie on my stands instead of tape in the '90s for my markers. cool vid I had to fit my set in a 2 door Camaro back in the day with a tiny trunk lots of fun actually those were great times. I don't really play the drums anymore since all the covid stuff I put all my energy into my songwriting and guitar...the band I was in on the drums folded after all this covid stuff and practicing drums is not very easy and affordable renting a space to play....another drawback on the drums...I sure miss them though
My favorite is when the rest of the band packs slowly enough to not help the drummer and then say they have the same amount of work to do......😮
that kick sounds huge, great idea on bringing your own mics + cables instead of making the sound guy deal with all of it
Awesome video
Do you know how many times I've set up before everyone got there that I've been told I have to set up in a different spot?!!!
Great video, thank you!!!
Glad it helped!
Very Good vid cheers 🥁
Great Video,my question is how heavy is your hardcase Bag ? This is my problem now because I need to decide which one to buy.many thanks
If you’re referring to the trap case for the hardware. It’s pretty heavy, but I haven’t found a better way to keep everything in one spot. I can load it in and out myself but it’s definitely easier with someone to help!
Great Video man.. I really like those maker things.. gonna get some. I do almost everything same way. I have hard cases, because of bus travel but got myself a dolly cart to help out.
Bus?
@@NEALBABBITT Ya.. Did a tour with a guy who had a bus.
@@kevystead Ok, it sounded like you meant a pubic bus. lol
Ditto on the fan and playing in Tx.
Luckily Austin is not so cold in winter... where I live you need to unload before you go to bed or you can ruin your drums.
Go to the nearest truck stop and hire a drum lumper. I bought my first electronic kit. No more acoustic drum moving and storage. Plus I hate tuning drums so that's behind me as well.
This is so great. Thank you!
Thanks for watching
Great vid but I don’t understand the point of warming up 2 or more hours before you play your first note at the gig; you’ll just be cold again by then 🤷♂️
What are those circles? Where can I buy them???
Listening to your warm up, it sounds like you were in drum line. Sometimes the problem with getting there first is finding out you’re in the wrong position and have to move everything.
Yes sir!
Cool video I forgot what a pain in the ass the teardown is. Makes me want to buy a bar and be the house band, where I can just leave everything set up. Like Cabo Wabo LoL
good video. Do you play with the same guy when you gig or do you play with other bands? I`m wanting to start gigging and making money and I would like to know how to get myself out there and get seen? I play live on FB sometimes but i want to start traveling or something. anyway let me know what you advice is. thanks
I play with different artists mostly. Sometimes I'll have a consistent gig with the same artist but that is really dependent on how much they are booking. My advice is to start building a musician network of other players that can recommend you for a gig.
Thanks for watching!
@@michaelbedardmusician2838 i live in alaama ad there are not many options. do they have a wesite or a place I can go to look? thanks for the reply.
Is that an m3 or 335? Either way, good video !
Haha.. it’s an M4..
I have an update on trying the drum carpet markers. I like the idea these offer, but they don't stay on the carpet well when rolled up.. thus kind of defeating the purpose 😪 Did anyone else try them, have problems, What did you do?
mine stay on. it could be the type of carpet you are using
Nice video man!
Thanks!
Can you send a link for those velcro circles. I can't find them. Thanks man.
Sure. Here’s the Amazon link but you might be able to get these cheaper somewhere online
Protection Racket Numbered Drum Rug Markers www.amazon.com/dp/B005ZPZL3Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_QNa8Fb1NCDD9F?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I said it before and I’ll say it again. A drummer can never have too many drum keys. You wouldn’t think it considering how small they are, but those little guys love to grow little feet and run away. And if you only bring 1, no matter what you’re doing whether it’s recording or playing a gig, may God have mercy on your soul.
Yup. I don’t miss any of that crap. It’s no longer worth it for me. Glad you are still loving it.
And always have a second snare and bassdrum head with you! When your snare or bassdrum head gets broken and you haven't a new one u are fuc... 😉
Yeah...Power to the lefties!!!!!!!
You rember me chad Smith ☺
What in ears are you using?
I use the shure 425's
hey drumming bro's, trying to piece together a small 4 piece on a ex budget or free would be best or donation , looking for anything extra perhaps , i can trade possibly ? , i am a oldschool 80's drummer here , thanks > tom !
Enjoy the ride……. Cymbal.
at like 19 minutes when the dinging happened my hands and legs just started moving as a reaction... thanks clickers... you've ruined single notes for me
I just keep thinking that his a lefty?! Cuz the snare is on the right side.
Nailed it! :)
That’s a lot of work for very little pay not worth it in my opinion.
Man get a cart…. carrying that stuff is backbreaking!