| When your band plays a song, do you play that | | | | slack, sloppy, or impulsive. |
| song the same way every time? If not, you | | | | An outstanding drummer is also prepared and |
| should. Here's why... | | | | organized, ready to bring his or her goods to the |
| It can all be summed up into one word called | | | | table. |
| "predictability." So many drummers will never play | | | | Now, what does being prepared and organized |
| a song the same way twice. This, many times, | | | | entail? |
| throws the other musicians off, potentially causing | | | | When you go to your regular band practice |
| a drag in timing or increasing the chances of a | | | | sessions, are you ready? Did you do your |
| mislead cue. | | | | homework from the previous band practice? If |
| As the drummer in a band it is your responsibility | | | | so, do you have it nailed? Do you know exactly |
| to provide the foundation for the music. This | | | | what you want to accomplish this time around? |
| meaning that everything you do behind the drum | | | | Now, what does being prepared and organized for |
| kit is vital. Anything you do out of the ordinary, or | | | | your next band practice session include? Do you |
| something the other musicians are not used to | | | | have your tape recorder, note pad, pen, questions |
| hearing you play in a particular song really has the | | | | for the other band members written down, and |
| potential to screw things up. | | | | did you bring everything you were supposed to |
| Experimenting is definitely a good thing, and that's | | | | bring? |
| why we practice, but there just comes a time | | | | It has always bugged me terribly when a band |
| when experimenting is over. You must decide | | | | mate would come to play and he or she would |
| what you're gonna do and then stick to it. Never | | | | just not be prepared. Situations like that are just |
| throw in something that the other musicians are | | | | not fair to everyone else who is prepared. |
| not expecting or you can end up with some | | | | It's been said that when preparedness and |
| serious chaos. | | | | opportunity meet, success occurs. I don't know |
| Predictability is a must! The other musicians must | | | | what kind of "success" your hoping for, but one |
| know what you're going to do before you do it. | | | | thing is for sure, you will more likely meet with it |
| An outstanding drummer is predictable! Never | | | | by being organized when opportunity knocks. |