Session/function drummer "checklist"

[electrizer]

Hi all!

What would you say are the necessary elements/conditions for one to consider himself a well-rounded drummer for hire? I know it's a very broad spectrum and I'm not asking about the absolute minimum. Basically, what does one have to be able to play in terms of beats, fills or what one's vocabulary should consist to create a good session/function drummer?

Right now I'm covering Jim Chapin's book and latin rhythms (samba, tumbao, etc.) and various licks/beats that I pick up on the way and happen to like (like the hihat sticking by Vinnie from the Bridge's video or some gospel licks.) What would you think is the proper path to take?

Thanks in advance for any answers!

Best
Przemek

[Odd-Arne Oseberg]

If you can do the stuff in the first Groove Essentials book, read charts in each of those styles and you comfortably lead and set up a band, then it's all about refinement of those things. Offcourse good sound and groove in all sorts of tempos is the BIG challenge in most musicians development and it is never ending. A lot of the work is just being comfortable enough to find something that just works on very short notice or even just in the moment. That only comes with experience in the situations you are most likely to run into.

A lot of "basic" stuff gets quite challenging when one gets deep into it. Basic swing and shuffle beats or just playing fast train beats all night takes it's toll on anyone who's not used to it. In my area being solid at different blues styles, small group jazz and being able to play a big band chart is what would give one the most work right now. Break beats are offcourse the thing in the clubs right now.

Another thing is being able to play simple shaker, tambourine parts and so on with your hands when that's more desired. For accoustic, small group and ethnic stuff you offcourse need a big assortment of tools in your stickbag and don't forget to work on the all important standard brushes.

[Juan Expósito]

Good comments Odd.
Between all the good advices that can be helpful, I will put this (relationated with the recording/session aspect), and that any serious drummer should work on:

Do in your home studio the first thing that the soundman/producer/band will do in the "real" studio, listen to your tracks alone.

If you pass the test at home, recording yourself all the beats (standard grooves/fills and others gradually more complex) and listening them, looking for weak points and with a high standard criterion on precission, timming, groove, dynamics, consistency...you are in the right path.

The drums must groove by theirselfs.

Of course this thing takes years, but sooner we are aware of it, the better.

Cheers.

[electrizer]

Thanks very much guys! This is what Im after. It's one thing watching videos and practicing licks but what you need is the appropriate mindframe and attitude to your development and the instrument. Keep them coming!

[electrizer]

A lot of the work is just being comfortable enough to find something that just works on very short notice or even just in the moment.

Could you elaborate?

[Julián Fernández]

The book that made a big difference to me was Gary´s New Breed...
In these days of drumagog and shit like that the thing that you can not fake is a strong backbeat...
If you have a strong beat you can start working right away and develop your style along the way.
I believe that may be a good thing to work of different foot ostinatos and other fancy stuff just ´cause it will help of your overall rhythm perception...

Like Juan said: RECORD RECORD RECORD. If you can groove to a cold click, you´ll work pretty much non stop.