Hear my playing

[XNavyDrummer]

Here's a tune from a recent casual. One of those gigs where they want you to "keep it down". So, with that restraint here's a sample of what we did. Your opinions, pros and cons, are appreciated.

Andy


Here it is

<font color="#a62a2a"><font size="1">[ September 15, 2005 04:11 PM: Message edited by: Andy Vermiglio ]</font></font>

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ September 16, 2005 02:24 AM: Message edited by: Andy Vermiglio ]</font>

[Klemme]

I can't download! [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img]

You sure it's the Correct link?

[GrooovePig]

Nice playing. Tasty and musical. BTW what's the setup on your snare?

[XNavyDrummer]

Thanks GP!

For my snare I'm using a coated ambassador on an old (pre-Texas) Fibes snare. I remember Buddy at one time using the same type of snare on the Rich in London album. This drum was given to me years ago in really bad shape. It had been in a fire. I replaced all of the hardware and have used it as my main snare for several years.

Klemme, let me see what's up with my host server. Thanks!

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ September 15, 2005 06:50 PM: Message edited by: Andy Vermiglio ]</font>

[XNavyDrummer]

Okay the link should be working now. I shortened the file so it should be easier (faster) to download.

Thanks!

Here it is again

[cjbdrm]

Okay, you asked for it.

You're fired!

This is a perfect example of how NOT to play a 'casual'.

Maybe I don't know what a 'casual' is...but if you were hired to do a 'club date'(U.S) or private party for the purposes of background music, I wouldn't hire you again.

I feel the playing by most of the musicians in this group was highly inappropriate for a 'casual'...

If you're at the local Jazz club trying to break new ground, being creative, etc. that's cool, but not here.

What kind of 'atmosphere' or 'vibe' is the group trying to create? The music wasn't relaxing, or soothing...wasn't that the intention? I've heard other groups go into a double-time(samba) while playing this tune during a solo and still keep a chilled-out vibe(think end of 'We Dance Alone' by Sting) ...but whatever you guys are doing here ain't working, IMO.

You're a good drummer with great facility- we all know that by now...but how well you play 'for the music' or 'for the gig' also determines your greatness...

On the other hand, if my definition of a 'casual' is completely wrong, disregard my comments...and instead put "great job"! in its place...

[XNavyDrummer]

cjbdrm,

Thanks for taking the time to listen to that! You bring up a good point. What IS appropriate for a casual? The recording may be misleading in that you don't hear how relatively quiet we were actually playing (at times you can hear conversation in the backgroud). The folks at this casual actually seemed to appreciate the music and the ones not focused on the music seemed to be fine with carrying on their socializing without yelling over the sound of the band. As far as I know we didn't get the "too many notes" complaint.

Thanks again,
Andy

[Manos]

I hate to be negative at all, but it does seem over-the-top for something that I'm assuming is supposed to be background music. Not just from you, but from everyone.

I really liked all of the playing, though, so at least you guys don't suck [img]wink.gif[/img]

[XNavyDrummer]

Thanks Manos! Wow, I thought it all sounded restrained...(must be my punk background).

Thanks for checking it out!

[Manos]

And instead of leaving you to wondering why I thought that (I should have said this to begin with), it's not the song necessarily, I don't think...

If you had kept on the crosstick more, with just a fairly simple beat, instead of all the "accented" parts like the cymbal crescendos w/ kick drum, I don't think there'd be anything more that YOU could have done.

The other guys seemed to be playing to much "lead" -- obviously they have to play melody, but it was like hearing a more laid back version of a solo before really diving into it. I guess it just creates too much tension, IMO.

It may be entirely different when hearing it live, but that's just how I hear it from the mp3.