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

1. Invite your prospective drummer to an audition. Make sure the other members of your band are present.

2. Choose an appropriate location for your audition, preferably the place where your combo meets for rehearsals. (Be sure the place is soundproof.)

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.

4. Give your drummer time to relax, warm up and try out the drum set if he is not familiar with it.

5. Have your band play a few songs from your repertoire and have the drummer join in from the beginning.

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.

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.

8. Listen to determine if he or she comes down exactly on the "1" beat of each measure.

9. Listen whether he can keep up with the tempo and doesn't drag or speed.

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.

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.

12. Listen to whether the drummer knows how to add dramatic elements that fit in well with the music.

13. Rehearse a variety of songs in different tempos and moods and see how the drummer adapts to different styles.

14. Watch if he knows all the instruments at his disposal and uses them at exactly the right time.

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.

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.

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.

[erniemink]

on 12/23/2008 I have learned a drummer is best when he plays by ear versus reading sheet music. This is often the "prodigy" melodic player who plays the drums as if it was mor ethan just drums, but an expression and passionate. He doesnt have to be the fastest, most technical, but he should have the feeling and compassion in his or her playing. That is what I Have learned. I always practice to a lot of music CD's to match and add to what is being presented. I grew up with Billy Joel, Elton John, and Jazz CD's that really helped me a lot. if anyone wants to contact me, they can at [e-mail]

on 8/8/2006 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.

on 11/22/2005 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).

on 11/22/2005 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.

on 11/22/2005 Make sure that the drummer is as skilled a musician as the rest of the group. If someone is musically better than everyone else, he will get bored or frustrated in the long run. However, you always learn from the people who are better.