Help working out a drum part

BrentD

Joined: Apr 07, 2009
Posts: 149
Michigan
United States

Posted on Aug 17 2020 09:50 PM

I'm working on a new song and I am seeking some opinions on a drum part.

What do you think of the half-time drums that come in at the climax of the linked song (about 1:35)? Distinctly not surf but I think the change adds to the "size" of the song and it coincides with a key change to relative major.

It's just a rough mix, so no promises on fidelity!

Link with lousy title.

—

Neptune Trojans

Last edited: Aug 17, 2020 21:50:39

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simoncoil

Joined: Sep 28, 2012
Posts: 916
Berlin, Germany
1 News Pin

Posted on Aug 18 2020 04:34 AM

Interesting question!

First of all, I like the song and the overal sound, and it's good that there is a change in the song at this moment, but I'm not too keen on the half time thing. To me that sounds a little bit too much like stadium rock, a litte cheesy maybe.

I (with my very narrow taste and limited experience) would either go back to the surf beat and built up tension with some more rolls or continue with the toms and get a bit more busy with them.

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Los Apollos - cinematic surf music trio (Berlin)
"Postcards from the Scrapyard" Vol. 1, 2 & 3 NOW available on various platforms!
"Chaos at the Lobster Lounge" available as LP and download on Surf Cookie Records!

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BrentD

Joined: Apr 07, 2009
Posts: 149
Michigan
United States

Posted on Aug 18 2020 09:04 AM

Simon, I appreciate your input (and tact!). It's an idea I have kicked around myself. Just for reference, I did a quick edit. Is that more like what you're thinking, at least in terms of the surf beat?

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Neptune Trojans

Last edited: Aug 18, 2020 09:05:36

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Joelman

Joined: Sep 07, 2006
Posts: 1493
Redlands, CA
United States

Posted on Aug 18 2020 02:38 PM

Actually I like the drums in the finish. It gives a feeling of 'uncertainty' to the ending.
But it doesn't follow the normal surf drum pattern.
But a lot of modern surf music falls outside the mold these days.
JMO YMMV

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drumsdick

Joined: May 29, 2007
Posts: 224
Central CT, USA
United States

Posted on Aug 18 2020 09:54 PM

Hey, Brent! Cool tune you have cooking there! I remember that I owe you, so here’s a couple of ideas that may support the feel you seek:
Try a straight “4-on-the-floor” kick drum pattern throughout, in place of the 1&3. And keep it thumping during the muted guitar-only part.
Build those muted sections with a building volume straight eighth note ride pattern, - on your floor tom. Add the accents simultaneously with the high tom.
Maybe replace the eighth note high hat with either a drier (“clicky” jazz ride, or perhaps one with a bit of a “ping”.
You may find these elements add a bit of “drive” to your drums, - for better or maybe for worse! But have fun experimenting.
- Dick B.

—

*Dick B.
The Aquatudes
http://www.aquatudes.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Aquatudes/107419619521

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BrentD

Joined: Apr 07, 2009
Posts: 149
Michigan
United States

Posted on Aug 19 2020 05:33 PM

Thanks, Joelman!

And Dick, thanks too. You don't owe me anything. But I might try some of those ideas and I might adjust the mix for something more "trad." We'll see how that goes.

—

Neptune Trojans

Last edited: Aug 19, 2020 17:33:30

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synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4463
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on Aug 20 2020 08:19 PM

I liked it. Yes, there’s a Stadium Rock vibe, but IMO, it works. I was wishing I had a lighter to hold up in the air.

—

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

Last edited: Aug 20, 2020 21:09:30

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BrentD

Joined: Apr 07, 2009
Posts: 149
Michigan
United States

Posted on Aug 20 2020 08:57 PM

Is that capital D a sign you don't like the change? Ha!

Right now I'm kind of working with some of Dick's suggestions regarding ride vs hats, but keeping the stadium rock. I wonder if adding that second eighth on the two (like a half-time surf beat) would work. Next time I get a chance I'll see how it goes.

—

Neptune Trojans

Last edited: Aug 20, 2020 20:58:19

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synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4463
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on Aug 20 2020 09:12 PM

BrentD wrote:

Is that capital D a sign you don't like the change? Ha!

Right now I'm kind of working with some of Dick's suggestions regarding ride vs hats, but keeping the stadium rock. I wonder if adding that second eighth on the two (like a half-time surf beat) would work. Next time I get a chance I'll see how it goes.

No, but it is a sign.

A couple of updates back, my iPad started to place a capital letter anyplace that I went back end edited a line of text. In this case, I wanted to change “like” to “liked”. So it’s a sign that Apple is using less talented programmers than they used to.

—

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

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BrentD Joined: Apr 07, 2009 Posts: 149 Michigan	Posted on Aug 17 2020 09:50 PM I'm working on a new song and I am seeking some opinions on a drum part. What do you think of the half-time drums that come in at the climax of the linked song (about 1:35)? Distinctly not surf but I think the change adds to the "size" of the song and it coincides with a key change to relative major. It's just a rough mix, so no promises on fidelity! Link with lousy title. — Neptune Trojans Last edited: Aug 17, 2020 21:50:39 Top
simoncoil Joined: Sep 28, 2012 Posts: 916 Berlin, Germany	Posted on Aug 18 2020 04:34 AM Interesting question! First of all, I like the song and the overal sound, and it's good that there is a change in the song at this moment, but I'm not too keen on the half time thing. To me that sounds a little bit too much like stadium rock, a litte cheesy maybe. I (with my very narrow taste and limited experience) would either go back to the surf beat and built up tension with some more rolls or continue with the toms and get a bit more busy with them. — Los Apollos - cinematic surf music trio (Berlin) "Postcards from the Scrapyard" Vol. 1, 2 & 3 NOW available on various platforms! "Chaos at the Lobster Lounge" available as LP and download on Surf Cookie Records! Top
BrentD Joined: Apr 07, 2009 Posts: 149 Michigan	Posted on Aug 18 2020 09:04 AM Simon, I appreciate your input (and tact!). It's an idea I have kicked around myself. Just for reference, I did a quick edit. Is that more like what you're thinking, at least in terms of the surf beat? — Neptune Trojans Last edited: Aug 18, 2020 09:05:36 Top
Joelman Joined: Sep 07, 2006 Posts: 1493 Redlands, CA	Posted on Aug 18 2020 02:38 PM Actually I like the drums in the finish. It gives a feeling of 'uncertainty' to the ending. But it doesn't follow the normal surf drum pattern. But a lot of modern surf music falls outside the mold these days. JMO YMMV Top
drumsdick Joined: May 29, 2007 Posts: 224 Central CT, USA	Posted on Aug 18 2020 09:54 PM Hey, Brent! Cool tune you have cooking there! I remember that I owe you, so here’s a couple of ideas that may support the feel you seek: Try a straight “4-on-the-floor” kick drum pattern throughout, in place of the 1&3. And keep it thumping during the muted guitar-only part. Build those muted sections with a building volume straight eighth note ride pattern, - on your floor tom. Add the accents simultaneously with the high tom. Maybe replace the eighth note high hat with either a drier (“clicky” jazz ride, or perhaps one with a bit of a “ping”. You may find these elements add a bit of “drive” to your drums, - for better or maybe for worse! But have fun experimenting. - Dick B. — *Dick B. The Aquatudes http://www.aquatudes.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Aquatudes/107419619521 Top
BrentD Joined: Apr 07, 2009 Posts: 149 Michigan	Posted on Aug 19 2020 05:33 PM Thanks, Joelman! And Dick, thanks too. You don't owe me anything. But I might try some of those ideas and I might adjust the mix for something more "trad." We'll see how that goes. — Neptune Trojans Last edited: Aug 19, 2020 17:33:30 Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4463 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Aug 20 2020 08:19 PM I liked it. Yes, there’s a Stadium Rock vibe, but IMO, it works. I was wishing I had a lighter to hold up in the air. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Last edited: Aug 20, 2020 21:09:30 Top
BrentD Joined: Apr 07, 2009 Posts: 149 Michigan	Posted on Aug 20 2020 08:57 PM Is that capital D a sign you don't like the change? Ha! Right now I'm kind of working with some of Dick's suggestions regarding ride vs hats, but keeping the stadium rock. I wonder if adding that second eighth on the two (like a half-time surf beat) would work. Next time I get a chance I'll see how it goes. — Neptune Trojans Last edited: Aug 20, 2020 20:58:19 Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4463 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Aug 20 2020 09:12 PM BrentD wrote: Is that capital D a sign you don't like the change? Ha! Right now I'm kind of working with some of Dick's suggestions regarding ride vs hats, but keeping the stadium rock. I wonder if adding that second eighth on the two (like a half-time surf beat) would work. Next time I get a chance I'll see how it goes. No, but it is a sign. A couple of updates back, my iPad started to place a capital letter anyplace that I went back end edited a line of text. In this case, I wanted to change “like” to “liked”. So it’s a sign that Apple is using less talented programmers than they used to. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top

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Help working out a drum part