< back | continue > | contents
» Do the fundamental things well
» Number 12: The Arrangement
1. Putting each instrument in its place:
» Keyboards
» Rhythm guitars
» Bass
[Drums]
» Melody instruments
» 2. Putting the parts of the song together well
Drums – the conductor
In an orchestra, the conductor is in charge of keeping everyone together. He sets the tempo, he reminds people when to come in, and has a lot of control over what the piece will sound like. When you hear the same orchestral work from two conductors, the results can sound very different.
1. Setting the tempo
The drums are the conductor of the band (not the keyboard). All the members of the band must follow the drums. Keyboard players trained in classical piano will find this very hard because they’re not used to group playing – so feel free to remind them!
2. Section markers
Just as the conductor lets people know when to come in, the drums can use fills to mark sections. For example, a fill that helps everyone feel the chorus is about to start.
3. Setting the mood
All instruments contribute to the “mood” (the emotional feel of a song). But the drum part plays a significant role in developing the mood from song to song, or within a song from verse to verse, and verse to chorus. The drum part can change the mood from sombre in the first verse to triumphant in the final verse.
What the drummer needs to do
The conductor has to know the song better than anyone. This is hard because drummers don’t usually work from music. (The classic “How many verses? Four? OK, cool.”) So in rehearsal, compensate by providing them with a copy of the complete lyrics, and encourage them to make notes about what is going on through the song - how it starts, how many bars between verses, how the mood of the song will change, how many repeats, etc.
Drummers: work with the bass guitarist to develop the groove of a song.