How to Audition a Drummer
The drummer will be the backbone of your band. If your musicians know they can rely on the drummer and the bass player for a solid rhythmic structure, you've already laid the groundwork for a successful group. Here's what to look for in a drummer.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Bass Guitars
- Drum Sets
- Drumsticks
- Electronic Keyboards
- Guitar Amplifiers
- Guitars
- Music Stands
- Sheet Music
- Microphones
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1
Invite your prospective drummer to an audition. Make sure the other members of your band are present.
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2
Choose an appropriate location for your audition, preferably the place where your combo meets for rehearsals. (Be sure the place is soundproof.)
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3
Make sure a complete drum set is available at the location. Include a snare drum, high hat, bass drum, tom-tom, cymbals, drumsticks, pedals and possibly other percussion instruments like congas.
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4
Give your drummer time to relax, warm up and try out the drum set if he is not familiar with it.
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5
Have your band play a few songs from your repertoire and have the drummer join in from the beginning.
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6
If you are the person who is hiring, quit playing for a while, take a back seat and just listen to what the drummer is doing.
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7
Listen to whether the drummer is able to keep time on a steady 4/4 (1-2-3-4) rhythm. This is a basic requirement.
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8
Listen to determine if he or she comes down exactly on the "1" beat of each measure.
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9
Listen whether he can keep up with the tempo and doesn't drag or speed.
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10
Determine if the drummer can change the dynamics of his playing appropriately and can show a wide range between very loud and very soft.
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11
Find out whether the drummer pays attention to what the other musicians are doing and can adapt to every subtle change in tempo, rhythm and feel of a song.
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12
Listen to whether the drummer knows how to add dramatic elements that fit in well with the music.
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13
Rehearse a variety of songs in different tempos and moods and see how the drummer adapts to different styles.
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14
Watch if he knows all the instruments at his disposal and uses them at exactly the right time.
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15
Try more complex rhythms like 5/4 or 7/8 if your music requires it, and see if the drummer knows how to play them right.
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16
Make sure the drummer does more than just bang on his drums. Find out if he has the right feel for the different "voices" in his percussion set.
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17
Watch and listen to how well the drummer interacts with the bassist. If those two hit it off together musically, you'll have a good, solid rhythmic foundation for your music - something the rest of the band can rely upon.
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Comments
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Nice page.
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Aug 08, 2006
When the New Yardbirds (aka Led Zeppelin!) first met they chose to start off with the song Train Kept A Rollin'. As future/history later prevailed, they picked the best song they could think of at the time to jam along with... Why? Because: 1. They all knew it! 2. It was a hard rocking song that allowed all to demonstrate their unique skills. 3. It fit perfectly with the style Jimmy Page wanted Zeppelin to follow. 4. It's a good song to start off with. So, picking the right song to start off with is perhaps a good tip when auditioning. That way you eliminate a lot of nervousness, tension, hesitation, etc. from everyone involved, not just from the person auditioning for the position. A cover song that everyone knows, but a known tune of the auditioning group, could also be considered. -
Aug 08, 2006
When the New Yardbirds (aka Led Zeppelin!) first met they chose to start off with the song Train Kept A Rollin'. As future/history later prevailed, they picked the best song they could think of at the time to jam along with... Why? Because: 1. They all knew it! 2. It was a hard rocking song that allowed all to demonstrate their unique skills. 3. It fit perfectly with the style Jimmy Page wanted Zeppelin to follow. 4. It's a good song to start off with. So, picking the right song to start off with is perhaps a good tip when auditioning. That way you eliminate a lot of nervousness, tension, hesitation, etc. from everyone involved, not just from the person auditioning for the position. A cover song that everyone knows, but a known tune of the auditioning group, could also be considered.
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Nov 22, 2005
Make sure that the drummer can play a good rock beat (or what ever style music) that can be improvised by other instruments. Be sure they can do more than a crazy signature solo he or she has come up with (make sure that they can do that to).
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Nov 22, 2005
If your drummer can't play an easy rock beat, then you are lost if you are a rock band. The same goes for jazz, fusion, hip hop, and all other styles. If the drummer can change beats many times in a song and include continuity and repetition at the right moments, it ought to work out well.
