Playing to a click

by Rob Gordon http://www.learn-to-play-drums.com

First thing is don't play to a click track Rob, what do you mean don't play to a click I thought this article was all about playing to a click ?

Well it is but I want you to change the time keeping sound if possible to something else. If possible change it to a voice calling out the beat, a tambourine, claves, anything but not an actual click sound.

I find the click sound one of the most annoying sounds in the world. If you can't do that download my "click" track MP3's at various tempos and use them if you have a CD player with a loop function I am fortunate in that I have a electronic kit a Roland TD6-K that enables me to change the time keeping sound.

I tend to use the voice calling out the beat, but I also use the tambourine sound a lot to. Anyhow, what is the secret to playing to a click:

First I think you need to have a positive attuide to a click and I try to do this by thinking of the sound as another band member that I know is in time and that I can use as reference point.

That is mainly why I hate playing to an actual dead/dry click sound. So try to see the click track as a help and not a hiddenrance, like a friend that you can rely onto to give you perfect time. I think that way you stop fighting against it and remove some of the negative feelings you have.

Secondly, well surprise surprise it is something you need to practice to get comfortable with!

These are the some of the ways I have practised to help develop my click playing

1) First just play along with yourself and the click. Start slowly say 60 beats per minute to get the feel for playing with the sound.

2) If you download my MP3' click sounds play them either after burning to CD or directly from your computer

3) If you have access to a CD player, get the CD that comes on the cover of Rhythm magazine (sorry if you can't get a copy) and play along to the material there as it is all in time and some of the track have a click in the mix or right side of the balance.

4) Play/jam along to "pop" music why ? because the drums will be in time as they are created either electronically or by drummers playing along to a click track!!!

What are the benefits of feeling comfortable playing with a "click" track

1) More confidence that you are playing in time and having confidence is a great thing in all things!!!

2) A click track gives you a reference point (that is the beat) to play fills within and against, so again you know that you are playing your fills in time and you come back to the beat in time. A common problem is to rush fills, Dave Weckl advises "to give every note its full value" which I take to mean in this context to not to rush through your fills.

3) In recording situations you will not be intimidated if you are asked to play along with a click

4) If you are recording your drums as part of your bands recording processes being comfortable will greatly help the post production processing and mixing if you have recorded you part with a click.

5) You can offer yourself up as a drummer who is comfortable playing with a click, thus increasing your employability!!

As always if you have any comments pls email me rob@learn-to-play-drums.com but please put the text "Not spam:" in your subject line first to help me sort the spam from your mail

Take Care and happy drumming

Regards

Rob