Play Along CD’s: How Top Drummers Are Rehearsing Without a Band
When you first were taught how to play the drums, you probably learned the basic beats, and perhaps a fill or two. But to become a real pro, you need something else.
Whether you’re a beginning student just starting with drum lessons, or even an experienced drummer already working the circuit, the one thing you can never get enough of is practice.
Practice typically requires playing with other band members. But maybe their schedule doesn’t work with yours. Or, maybe the musicians you can find to work with aren’t good enough to push you and you’re no longer challenged.
Perhaps you get labeled as playing a certain style, and are unable to get a gig in another genre. Maybe you’re a Funk drummer who wants to play country. Or a Jazz player who wants to rock. Once you’re associated with a particular form of music, it can be quite difficult to be seen as anything else. Take Garth Brooks, for example. He was the biggest name in country music, but when he tried to put out a rock album his fans turned on him.
But what choice do you have? Well, the only other real option until now was to practice playing drums on your own. And as you know, this can be tedious or even downright boring. (Think about it… how many times can you play Wipeout or Zeppelin’s Rock & Roll without finally wanting to stick a drumstick in your eye?)
Were talking about using a play along CD. This is a fairly new tool; so let me explain what it is and how you can get the best use from it.
A play along CD is simply a recording of a song with one or more of the instruments removed from the track. You can think of it like a Karaoke track for musicians. Just like Karaoke removes the vocals so you can sing along, play along CD’s remove certain music lines, which allows you to play your part of the song.
Here’s an example: You’re a drummer, so you grab a drum play along CD. All you have to do is throw the CD on, jump behind your kit, and play away. Its like having the whole band in the room with you. And, best of all, you can get creative with the part. You may even come up with something better than the original.
Every drummer has to practice. Sure, you could get some in with a metronome and a set of sticks, but whats the fun in that? To be a great drummer, you have to be able to do more than just keep the beat. Professionals are masters of timing, meter, and feel. And to master these things, you have to play with a band, either live or with a play along CD. Do that, and you’ll be the one getting all the calls for the next gig.
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