are there any studio drummers on here?

[Da Matrix]

Are there any studio drummers on here??????????? If there is any,I would like some more info on how to become one, what exactly do u do, and basicly anything helpful about it!!!!!!!!!!!! I would appreciate it,thanx!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mikeh]

I did a lot of session work in the late 60's and through the 70's. In the 80's I lost a lot of work to drum machines - so I bought the various current machines and learned to program. Then electonic kits can out - so a session drummer needed to keep up (I bought Simmons, etc - right up to the Roland Vdrums).

I don't do a lot of session work any more - in part cause I'm old (newer younger players are more "in the loop" (which is how it should be) and in part cause most of the "real" studios have given way to home studios and things like Acid and other drum loops.

So - to be a studio drummer, be prepared to accept that it rarely provides the level of income it did many years ago.

1st - Understand every musical style - and do them all very authentic - have good tempo and know how to play to a click

2nd - Know how to read, although there are sessions that don't require monster reading skills you at least have to be able to read a basic chart.

3rd - Have very good gear - while some studios have kits, you will be required to bring gear more often than not

4th - Know how to tune your drums for quality tone in many styles (ie rock tuning, vs. jazz tuning, etc) - this often requires more than one kit

5th - Be a very nice person who is dependable and does not cause waves - and be prepared to work under stress and tension without getting upset

Naturally there's more - but that's a start.

How to break in?

1. Have a demo - play several grooves in various styles - no solo's - this is all about the groove

2. Hang around some studios - offer to be a gofer or do whatever you can to hang around and be helpful - maybe after so due paying, you'll get a chance - don't expect to get paid, for a while

3. Offer to play for free. Maybe you know some people with home studios who can use some free drum tracks

4. Gig out. The more musicians you work with - the more your name gets out there - a lot of my studio gigs came from going in the studio to do recordigs with bands I was in, and the engineer or producer asked for a card

5. Hang out at clubs and other music venues - meet people - network

6. Hang out at music stores - post cards, etc.

7. Network, network, network

 

[tmix]

What Mikeh said!

Being a session drummer is so much more than being just a good drummer. But by all means you HAVE to be able to keep good time.
Just being able to play blinding fast wont cut it. I have played a lot of studio gigs although I don't consider myself a session player. I have gotten most of my gigs because of networking and recording a lot of demos in my own studio, but also from playing out with other bands as a fill in player.

Your best bet is to develope a tasteful, simple style of playing, hopefully that you can adapt to sound as authentic as possible to different genres of music and really get your timing down rock solid. Then offer up your services for free or cheap for songwriters or studios that do radio spots. Most studio owners need for you to be as painfree a person as possible. You HAVE to be helpful and yet be in the shadows at the same time.

Oh yeah! Learn to play on as simple a kit as possible. No one wants a 4 hour set up because you brought a 15 piece kit.

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Matrix:

Some very sound advice given to you.

My 33 cents:

Go to college; become a music major; get into the college jazz band; get into any group that will take you; take some piano and study arranging.

In otherwords, make yourself a "valuable talent" by being able to do more than the guy/gal waiting in line for the gig.

Green Hornet

 

[Sonic Misfit]

Everthing said is good advice. I am not a session drummer, but take it from someone who has had to deal with "Session Drummers."

1. Show up sober.
2. Show up on time.
3. Don't overplay any session. Producers are trying to showcase their baby, not a drummer.
4. Dress like a professional.
5. Have a phone number that works and that will actually be answered and put it on a real business card.
6. Always ask ahead of time to look at the charts and don't do it on studio time.
7. If you don't, won't, or can't play something or make an egagement, let the right people know in plenty of time.

Always remember a great drummer with a lousy reputation is going to get less calls that a decent drummer with a great reputation.

If you do a session and you feel that things went well, ask the studio and producer if you can use them as a reference. If they say "No." don't take it personally, they just may be the type who don't want to be bothered, however, by asking for a reference, it lets them know that you also respected working with them and that you would like to be considered again in the future.

 

[Da Matrix]

I appreciate all the info. that ya'll supplied me with, although i have one more question. I live in VA, so where could i go to get some studio time?

 

[mikeh]

I know nothing about VA, but if I was in a new state, I would check the phone book, look on the internet, call the music stores and ask what studios are around, check out the local live music clubs and ask the bands where they record, go to any used CD stores and look for a bin of "local releases".

I'm sure I could come up with a dozen more - the point is, you need to think on your feet. If you want to start a business (a contract musician) you need to figure out who your clients will be.

If you can't figure out this stuff on your own, you are simply not ready. Maybe you should keep working on your chops, try to fnd people to play with and see where that takes you.

 

[Da Matrix]

Thanx mike i understand