Small seems to be in...

[Gary Linieres]

Has anyone else noticed the trend by band leaders and others to sneer at drummers that use more than a 4 piece kit and a couple of cymbals?

Why has this come about?

I like to change my kit around based on feeling and to keep things interesting. I get the feeling I am making some monumental fashion error like wearing flares or a sequined shirt.

Any views on that?

[FuseU1]

I think a lot of it has to do with the snobbery issue we were discusting elsewhere.

I equate it with:

The 80s were loaded with all those hair band drummers w the humongous kits, many of whom could not really play outside of pop-metal-rock...

Also, Grunge came along & forcefully implied that that whole thing was OUT [I'm obviously talking outside of jazz here - popular music].

It's a trendy, faddy thing. Snobs implore that you should be able to make music on as little as possible [& you SHOULD].

But I like the tonal colors of more then 2 toms [I'm not talking about 8 either], & special-FX cymbals [but not TBoz Blacksmith/Metal-Shop, either].

Nothing wrong w a slightly larger kit to me, esp if you're playing multi-stylistically. As long as I don't have to lug around or set up an SS TBoz or 80s SS BobbyRock-topus ["It Came form Beneath the Sea" - rem that flick?!].

For casuals, tho, it seems the smaller may be the more logical for time & effort.

The 80s Weckl or the SS Beauford is fine with me, if that's your bag.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ March 22, 2005 04:10 PM: Message edited by: fuseU1 ]</font>

[cjbdrm]

I think this depends entirely on the situation...

Some bandleaders may be worried you'll draw too much attention/spotlight(away from them)...or maybe the stage is too small for a big kit...maybe they had a bad experience with a previous drummer who had a big kit...or maybe they're afraid you'll lose focus on keeping time...also depends on the style of music. I would say that yes- lately a lot of drummers are playing smaller sets and doing a great job and in some bandleader's minds it sets a precedent...

[matricks]

Depends on what type of bandleader we are talking about here... big band? quartet?

I am not a bandleader but if i saw someone show up at a gig with three rack toms, i would give them 'the look' too.

Two racks, Two floors: ok. Three racks: umm... can't dig it, looks too silly for me.

Unless you are Marco, then i ain't a fan. Oh, hold up, well, you'd have to go: 10", 12", 8"... with 15" and 16" floors...that's 'hip' [img]wink.gif[/img]

P.S. Don't forget the remote hi-hats, too [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[hanayalator]

I think it depends on the music. I'm pretty sure no one is going to say anything if you're playing some prog rock. But for jazz stuff the 4 piece kit is standard. Also I think that a lot of it is space and stage sound as well.

[Riddim]

I try to avoid folks who hear with their eyes, so by and large I've not had that problem.

I believe it?s all about respect. I don?t tell a plumber what to bring to the job, or a surgeon what knives to bring. My respect for the music (and my back) leads me to select what I believe will be the right tools for the gig. Those who hire me respect what I do such they don?t question what I bring, which may or may not be a small kit. If someone hires me, they hire me for what I hear and bring to the table. If they don't respect that, they are free to hire someone else.

There have been maybe 3 instances in 40 years where a bandleader arched his eyes because I brought more than he was used to seeing -- but all those guys called me back repeatedly.

Having said that, more often than not, I'm using a smaller, easy to schlep kit. It depends on the situation - the music (always #1), the venue (small stages?) and how willing I am to schlep more gear (3d gig today? No elevator? Kick, snare, hats?.).