Last week we looked at the conundrum of sorting out rhythmic structures in a song. If you want the team to sound like one cohesive group, then this is essential. Hopefully, as you put this into practice, your team will listen more intently to each other, and begin to find their place and play as one.
One of the key ways to look at it, is to do rhythm “by design”. In other words, be intentional about how you do it, giving each member of the team a specific role to play.
Here are some specific ways to help your musicians work together.
- Lock in the bass player with the drummer’s kick pedal. What do I mean by that? The bass player has a huge role to play in keeping the groove. Many church players I’ve heard can play their instrument well, but treat bass as a solo instrument … not a part of a band. Bass players need to lock in with what the drummer is playing on the kick drum (bass drum) in particular. If they follow that rhythm closely, the difference to the groove will be dramatic!! Even the novice players can do this and sound like pros. If possible, position the bass player where he can see the drummers foot. NOTE: You don’t have to follow every kick hit… just the key ones!
- Rhythm guitarist: lock in with the drummer’s snare hit. This is true mostly for electric rhythm players. Avoid the “scrubby” technique of playing, and stick mostly to down strokes on the guitar to keep the sound uncluttered and on rhythm. “Up-stroke” should be rare or at best, light. This can vary if you are playing a “power chord” [lower pitched 2-3 strings] but make sure these are all down strokes.
- Keyboard Players: avoid any sort of rhythm playing. Don’t try to generate a rhythm with the interplay of your hands. This is a rule of thumb, because sometimes songs begin with a piano part that creates momentum and keeps a rhythm. But for the large part, keep out the way of clogging up rhythm. Think differently – play ideas, very short counter melodies, octaves, “brass” like stabs – but don’t be a drummer on the keyboard,
- Acoustic guitarists: play in such a way that doesn’t clog. Try not playing all the notes of a chord, but leave space for others. You can pick up the rhythm of the kick drum and ride cymbal – of sorts, but be careful not to clog the sound. If playing an “up-stroke” make it light and only hit the bottom 2-3 strings (highest pitch – E-B-G) and not the entire chord.
Of course, these are just basic and proven ideas to get you started, based on the roles of each musician. But there are endless ways of designing rhythmic structures. Be creative. Be adventurous (especially during rehearsals). Don’t be precious about an idea – listen to others, and be willing to quickly dump any rhythmic design that doesn’t work.
This is really all about musicianship, not being an amazing player. I would vote for musicianship every day, over a technically brilliant player. As I’ve said before, if everyone learned to listen to each other, and to what they are playing, the music world would be a better place !
I would love to hear how you are going with your band and try to answer any questions you may have.
Post your questions below and pass this onto your band members.
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