Music Player Network Home Guitar Player Magazine Keyboard Magazine Bass Player Magazine EQ Magazine
Page 1 of 1 1
Topic Options
#779857 - 03/02/05 12:06 AM Incorporating drum machine into live performance
Basshappi
MP Hall of Fame Member


Registered: 06/16/03
Posts: 2685
Loc: Tucson,AZ

Offline
I was watching Bela Fleck and the Flecktones "Live at the Quick" last night (I went to see them in concert last year as well. )and I must say I am very interested in what Futureman is doing.

I understand how his "drumtar" works and that it is not a drum machine per se. But it got me to thinking about using a drum machine in conjunction with live drums. Do any of you use a drum machine/sequencer (as opposed to pads) to play the basic rhythm while you play counter-rhythms or visa-versa? I'm interested in situations in which you would control the machine on the fly as opposed to someone else doing so.

And no, I am not a drummer. But I have always been rather curious about this subject. I have often wondered if drummers have,in general, over come thinking of drum machines as a "threat" (in much the same way that bass players have viewed synths) and started looking at various ways to incorporate this technology into live performance.

Discuss?

P.S. I am also posting these topics because I am sad to see this forum become so inactive. I thought that maybe some dumb non-drummer questions might spark some discourse.
_________________________
Nothing is as it seems but everything is exactly what it is - B. Banzai

Life is what happens while you are busy playing in bands.

Top
#779858 - 03/28/05 11:21 PM Re: Incorporating drum machine into live performance
Jazzman
Platinum Member


Registered: 08/15/01
Posts: 1409
Loc: ,,Hartland MI,USA

Offline
basshappi, I use drum machines a lot of the time, real drums, and sometimes both together. I've programmed them, used the original loops to develop other drum beats, or played along with them. I've tracked them on my DA88's in the studio. I haven't played out doing this though. I have several machines that I've used from time to time. I also played them on the fly, but is hard to do unless the machine is close to me to trigger them with my foot. I hardly do this now. Being in a studio environment it is easy to do several things but not at the same time. Actually my good friend who is a bass player has triggered my drum machines while he was playing the bass for me.

Oh, no question is dumb. Glad you posted.

Jazzman

Top
#779859 - 03/29/05 10:50 PM Re: Incorporating drum machine into live performance
Basshappi
MP Hall of Fame Member


Registered: 06/16/03
Posts: 2685
Loc: Tucson,AZ

Offline
Thank you very much for the reply Jazzman.

I think that it will be facinating to see how the various barriers between instruments (and their traditional "roles") break down as technology advances and musicians lose their reluctance to utilize it.
_________________________
Nothing is as it seems but everything is exactly what it is - B. Banzai

Life is what happens while you are busy playing in bands.

Top
#779860 - 03/30/05 09:32 PM Re: Incorporating drum machine into live performance
DrummerCafe
Gold Member


Registered: 04/30/01
Posts: 836
Loc: Nashville, TN

Offline
Check out Akira Jimbo ... he's one of the best I've ever seen/heard ... incorporating acoustic drums with electronic pads.

He grooves on the acoustics, and uses the electronics to play melodies, bass lines, etc., whilst playing the acoustics.

Amazing stuff.
_________________________
Drummer Cafe - community drum & percussion forum

Top
#779861 - 03/30/05 10:02 PM Re: Incorporating drum machine into live performance
Basshappi
MP Hall of Fame Member


Registered: 06/16/03
Posts: 2685
Loc: Tucson,AZ

Offline
I have heard of Akira Jimbo. Didn't Neil Peart work with him for awhile? I wasn't aware of his incorporation of technology (though I am aware of Peart's)

I will check him out. Thanks for the FYI!
_________________________
Nothing is as it seems but everything is exactly what it is - B. Banzai

Life is what happens while you are busy playing in bands.

Top
Page 1 of 1 1


Hop to:
Support Your Forums