No matter how much fun it might seem to be a cover-band drummer, there are a few things that every drummer should always take in consideration before fully committing. With many years of experience as a cover-band drummer, Brandon Khoo is the best man to give you three tips that will allow you to be as successful as possible as a cover-band musician.
1) Do Your Homework
Performing an accurate rendition of the original song is a very important quality of being a capable cover-band drummer. Do the song justice! Take the time to break down exactly what the original drummer is doing and try and recreate that same emotion. This doesn’t mean you can’t add your own flavor, but don’t drift too far away from the track.
2) Put Your Ego Aside
Even if you’ve played a song 10,000 times and don’t exactly dig it anymore, always play as if it was your first time performing it live. If you find yourself bored with particular songs, try incorporating your practice into what you’re playing. Play open-handed or switch up your kick drum foot if you have a double pedal, for example. Never let the energy fade.
3) Chart The Song
A song chart is essentially a small cheat sheet that helps you remember broad details of the song such as the time signature, how long each section of a song is, and the rough grooves you should be playing. Come up with your own keywords and symbols that will help you quickly remember what’s going on in the song. This skill is extremely helpful to have as a cover-band drummer, especially if your setlist includes a high number of tracks.
Drumeo Team - We're professional, award-winning drummers and drum teachers, coaches, recording artists, and content specialists who are passionate about drums and helping drummers around the world. This post was written and/or edited by Sam Landa, Brandon Toews, Jared Falk, Dave Atkinson, or another pro on our team (which has a combined 1000+ years of drumming experience). Are you looking for inspiration, education, and support to take your playing to the next level? Join the Drumeo community today!
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