In time and on time

I’m a drum lecturer in BIMM University and this week a student asked me a couple of questions about preparing for recording studio sessions and gigs.

Q1. Is there any specific mentality you try and achieve when tracking drums?  

Yes. Think of a car journey. If it’s a studio session I try to think of the arrangement like a road map, travelling along , trying to signpost the changes, pre-empting twists and turns, and activating changes in gear. And not crash into any musical lampposts!

If I know the track really well, I focus more on feeling the music, and also the time ‘push and pull’. It reminds me of learning how to drive. Once the mechanical side is automatic, you can focus on the pleasures of the experience.

Q2. Is there any type of ritual you usually do before doing a gig?

Before a gig I like peace and quiet for an hour. A very short warm up and stretch. Eat half of a hot meal 2 hours before the gig, preferably sushi. Something that gives energy and not take it away. I don’t want to be in a food coma ( that happened before a gig in Whelans in Dublin, where a full Burdocks takeaway fish and chips sent my bandmate out for the count on the floor and it was 3 songs before he woke and ran down from the dressing room to the stage, swollen with food, puffy faced and apologetic!).

Q.3 Is there any type of ritual you usually do going into a studio?

Before a studio session, it is a different preparation. Get references from the songwriter. Get Producers notes. Make notes about arrangements and BPM’s. Record ideas on the phone. I try to set up the drums the night before if the studio will allow it. On the day, I have learnt to switch on as soon as I get in the door. Be on time! I don’t want to miss any chats or run throughs of arrangements. Listen. Record the casual acoustic ‘run through’ if it happens.

Maybe even play to the rough phone recording (before tracking) when checking/tuning kit. Stay alert to changes as they ( if they) occur to the arrangement. 

*You be the judge as to whether your performance in the studio is a good one, the one that will be THE take! You can do ‘The Shaker Test’, as I call it. Go in and play along to your drum track with a shaker or tambourine and see if its feels good and is smooth in its timing. See what its like playing to You!

*Try to ensure there is good energy in the music. Some of the best and most exciting music has been done in very few takes. I think Miles Davis' ‘Kind Of Blue’ was done in 2 days. Ditto Led Zeppelin One. They famously had the ‘Four Take Rule’ where they had to pick the best of 4 takes of a song and didn’t allow themselves to do more. Keep it fresh! I am a bit paranoid about a drum track being a bit sluggish after I perceiving that to be questioned at a Steve Albini session once. It’s a bit of a scar. I want that scar to be a positive motivation and reminder to do better. And so it is!