Finding the Right Drums Style for a Song

[grey]

I've recorded two albums in the last few years composed mostly of acoustic guitar parts, vocals, and the occasional saxophone and harmonica. I've always stayed with the instruments that I play and never added drum tracks, bass parts or anything else until now.I use Reaper and I recently bought Jamstix2 and I'm getting a pretty solid handle on how it works.But here's my question:I just don't know where to start in finding a drum template or style that fits each song. I have no experience with this. For some my stuff, I have a good idea of what I'd like to hear in my head, others I do not. I'm going through and playing around with a lot of the styles that seem appropriate, but does anyone have a suggestion you would like to share on how you approach this?Enjoy the day.Grey

[Mark Kaufman]

I'm with you, Grey. I know what I want to hear, but when I search through a kabillion drum samples I never find what I'm looking for, so I end up having to build it from scratch, trial and error.Hope someone has some good advice for the both of us...-mk

[davekershaw]

Jul 18, 2008, 8:46am, grey wrote:I just don't know where to start in finding a drum template or style that fits each song. I have no experience with this. For some my stuff, I have a good idea of what I'd like to hear in my head, others I do not. Enjoy the day.GreyHey Grey, I'm finding drumming one of the hardest things to program.I know the sound I want in my head, but can't get it down that way in a program.There'll be plenty of people that can help you here, but at least you know others are having the same problem.Sorry I'm not much help.Dave.

[davekershaw]

Hey, that's three of us needing help!

[devin]

Nice to meet you Grey!Make that four of us. I'll share my entry-level process here, and I sincerly look forward to hearing what other minds have to say.Sometimes I only record a song to a click track, then find the drums later. And the times I didn't have any clue to what I wanted...I find this totally conflicting drum style, and things just click. Amazing what a good drum rythm can do (*tips hat to real players out there...especially the ones I've played live with*). In using EZDrummer, there's alot of pre-programmed loops to get started with. Here's the process that's been working most often for me:#1. When building the structure of the song (chords, bridge, verse, etc), I try to identify the tempo that is most effective for the message.#2. I put in a click track to see if the tempo works for the song elements.#3. I find the feel I want the drums to have (basic rock, 3/4 time, sidestick, etc). I'll copy in and loop the most basic variation of this feel.#4. I'll record the scratch song with the basic drum feel playing front to back#5. After, I'll selectively loop the section of the song I'm working on (chorus #2 into the solo, for example)#6. I'll surf through the loops of the software while the music is playing. Sometimes I surf through ALL OF THEM . Seems like a bit of a waste, but it's pretty quick, and gets faster each time as I learn what the loops can do. Sometimes I have to take the closest match and tweak it.#7. I then move on to another section#8. When all the basic sections are done, I will listen to the song front to back, then take a break. #9. Last, I'll look at the transistions between the sections, to make sure there's some flow. To do this, I'll either preview the fills available in the software, or start making my own. I'll find a fill that's close to what I want, copy it in, learn how they are doing it, and then tweak it later. Important point: Color code this section of the drum track, so you know it's been modified...you don't want to inadvertantly copy/move/delete this section!It's worked for me...and I hope it's some value for you too. It can be tedious, that is for sure.Good thing it's fun!

[mazz]

Devin's method is very good and well presented. I use that method a lot in constructing pieces that need conventional drum parts.One thing I suggest is to spend some time listening to really good drummers and zoom in on how they handle transitions, fills and the different sections of the songs. There are quite a few standard drum moves that cut through all styles of music, for instance, going to the ride on the chorus (big generalization but hopefully you get the point). The loops included in software like EZ drummer are played by drummers so you get a more realistic feel and avoid the 3 armed drummer syndrome (i.e.: avoid the hi hat that keeps going through the fills, etc.).Focussed listening to the drum parts of your favorite artists (if you find yourself singing along, you're probably not focussed on the drums, close your eyes and start again) will give you a real education in drum parts. Also, if you can access a drum kit and have someone show you a basic beat using all four limbs, you'll get a much better understanding of drumming (even a 30 minute session would help) and then you can close your eyes and imagine what the drummer would do there and what's physically possible.Always more to learn!! Have fun!Mazz

[frodo]

Jul 18, 2008, 10:10am, mazz wrote:... and avoid the 3 armed drummer syndrome ...- that is, unless you're going for that Motown sound, - they always used two drummers! - until next timefrodo

[grey]

Jul 18, 2008, 9:48am, devin wrote:#3. I find the feel I want the drums to have (basic rock, 3/4 time, sidestick, etc). I'll copy in and loop the most basic variation of this feel.Hey all, thanks for the replies so far. Basically, though, I'm stuck on Devin's #3, and that is my question. I don't know which styles to start looking through.I have a fairly decent handle on messing around with the rest and getting it to fit a song. I just need to find a starting point.For Example:I have a song that could really use a similar drum part as Ray Lamontagne's song, "Empty." Yes, it's very subtle. But I don't know which template/style in Jamstix I might find that under.Enjoy the day.Grey

[Mark Kaufman]

Jul 18, 2008, 10:21am, frodo wrote:Jul 18, 2008, 10:10am, mazz wrote:... and avoid the 3 armed drummer syndrome ...- that is, unless you're going for that Motown sound, - they always used two drummers! - until next timefrodoSo Motown used Rick Allen as a second drummer...?

[mazz]

Jul 18, 2008, 10:52am, grey wrote:Jul 18, 2008, 9:48am, devin wrote:#3. I find the feel I want the drums to have (basic rock, 3/4 time, sidestick, etc). I'll copy in and loop the most basic variation of this feel.Hey all, thanks for the replies so far. Basically, though, I'm stuck on Devin's #3, and that is my question. I don't know which styles to start looking through.I have a fairly decent handle on messing around with the rest and getting it to fit a song. I just need to find a starting point.For Example:I have a song that could really use a similar drum part as Ray Lamontagne's song, "Empty." Yes, it's very subtle. But I don't know which template/style in Jamstix I might find that under.Enjoy the day.Grey Yes, that's the dilemma, isn't it?I think you'll need to spend some time getting familiar with your drum library and equating that with the larger world of styles. I suggest you sit down with your computer and systematically familiarize yourself with Jamsitx, just like you did when you first started learning your main instrument.It will be a great learning experience!Mazz