Playing for the song/melody

[fixitinthemix]

How do you drummers approach your drumming in regards to the melody? Is the key to lock on to the rythmical movement of the melody while still trying to maintain a steady pattern? I think it is by the way.

[chrisso]

No.
Generally drums will keep steady time. This allows the vocal and melody to float above a steady base.
Playing for the melody means listening to the melody as much as listening to yourself and the bass guitar. You are focusing on the big picture, not just on the rhythm section.
The drums can tell a story by playing less full in the beginning of a song and gradually expanding on that for choruses, solos and climaxes in the vocal performance.
In listening to the melody, you will help to build the feeling of the song by being sympathetic to the ebb and flow of the vocal or melody.
The biggest mistake drummers make is to play through key moments in the song arrangement, and by playing big drum fills over key moments in the vocal performance.
When you first learn drums you think in terms of 8 and 16 bar passages, but when you learn to play for the song you put aside those boxes and phrase your parts over the song as a whole.

[fixitinthemix]

Okay. I'm not a drummer more of a songwriter. Have you listened to The tracks of my tears - smokey robinson & the miracles? What I really like about that song is how the drummer uses toms and fills to emphasize the melody. He is there. With the melody

[chrisso]

Yeah, Ringo does that a lot too.
It's less common these days as fashion has moved from a free flowing almost jazzy drum style to a more repetitive style.
But supporting the melody is great. The least you can do is not step all over it.

[ArnieInTheSky]

Hey I like this question cause it's more instinctive for me but now that I think about it...

You have two choices when writing a drum beat for melody. With it, or against it. Music is all about tension and release so playing with the melody emphasizes the melody (least amount of tension) and opposing it distracts the melody, (lots of tension.) I always look at the song as a whole as opposed to a melody at one point is the only thing. Perhaps you want to create tension over the melody to confuse the audience in the beginning and then make sense of it all at the end. It's all an art right, how do you perceive the song?

The other option which I think highlights the melody the most is to leave a foundation and become wallpaper and allow the melody to shine and move wherever it's wants unencumbered.

I think that's how I do it.

[fixitinthemix]

Yes when I'm arranging drums I focus on how the melody moves throughout the whole song and i'm trying to find a drum pattern that fits that movement. Listen to "it must have been love" by Roxette. The kick has a figure when the verse melody rests that is not explained until the refrain. Typical example of good drum arrangement. Steady beat but still emphazises the melody. anyone have more examples? I'd love to hear them.

[HeavyG]

When a drummer mirrors the song, melody, etc..instead of playing a steady pulse, it changes the vibe of the tune. Instead of a solid groove...it is more of a texture...interwoven and more fluid. Players like Charlie Watts, Ringo, Keith Moon all played off the melody, riff or vocal...it is almost like telling a story. Many different moods...pauses...accents. Both schools are wonderful , if done correctly...and provide a different take on the song. Imagine "Going Mobile" with someone like Vinnie Colaiuta...or "Honky Tonk Woman" with Dave Weckl.