Mentally freezing up while recording drums

[Nikbeat]

Hey great thread... all drummers know this feeling not being able to perform well when we get under the microscope when recording. And we become our own worst enemy. I do a lot session work and this passes the more you record it becomes second nature. It can creep back when I have breaks from playing.
Anyways I think the main problem is that when you analyze your self when playing you stop playing the Music. Try and focus on the music in general as a whole and not just your part. It sounds simple but I know it aint allways easy. Your drum part will start to sound great as you are playing the song and not a drum part. Another thing I do sometimes is focus on my wrists try and do a take where you are focused on feeling extremly relaxed in your wrists hands and your body.
Any kind of exercise and meditation is very powerfull tools as you will have tools ready to switch your analytical side off while you perform.
Plus remember music is fun don't take it to serious...

[surfspank]

Originally Posted by MandyC

well aren't you just a peach...well no they actually aren't friends there chuckles. They are a couple of players from two other acts that I've worked with in the past. They just happen to be very good at what they do and understand that bed tracks is high pressure time for drummy. Now ...what is it that you are suggesting again...that I'm garbage and the people that ask me to work with them do it out of pity?



The OP is just gettng some stories shared...it happens to all of us

For some reason I really like this post. It made my morning Dook. Thanks.
I wouldn't worry too much about what Jax has to say. He's just putting himself in your shoes.

[Jax]

Originally Posted by MandyC

well aren't you just a peach...well no they actually aren't friends there chuckles. They are a couple of players from two other acts that I've worked with in the past. They just happen to be very good at what they do and understand that bed tracks is high pressure time for drummy. Now ...what is it that you are suggesting again...that I'm garbage and the people that ask me to work with them do it out of pity?

I was pointing out a generalized situation, obviously. I guess I can see how you thought it was aimed at you, but it wasn't.

It seems I struck a nerve without even trying, and I wouldn't have tried to in the first place. Maybe you should think about why it bugged you so much. I realize I risk opening the flood gates with that invitation, but if so you can take this opportunity to cry me river.

[biggator6]

Originally Posted by MandyC

well aren't you just a peach...well no they actually aren't friends there chuckles. They are a couple of players from two other acts that I've worked with in the past. They just happen to be very good at what they do and understand that bed tracks is high pressure time for drummy. Now ...what is it that you are suggesting again...that I'm garbage and the people that ask me to work with them do it out of pity?



The OP is just gettng some stories shared...it happens to all of us

A wee bit touchy?

I suspect he was responding to THIS

Another question, are you always using backing tracks? I am not, just a click and running through the song in my mind. I would like to use a backing track, but honestly my guitar/bass player friend has bad timing and the backing track would be littered with errors that could throw me off. He relies on me to get his time straight.

What was that Carly Simon song...?

[Vapour Trails]

Originally Posted by biggator6

What was that Carly Simon song...?

I don't know, but that day after my last post I had my friend come over and attempt to record the bass line to my pre-recorded drums.

Two hours later, didn't have a single useable bass track. At least I had beer to make me feel better.

Basically the only time my friend picks up his instruments is when he comes over to jam and/or record, so he's just terrible, tons of rust.

He's just one of those guys who has lots of enthusiasm, lots of gear, but never actually practices.

Time to get some more drumless tracks and do my own thing.

[Beat Poet]

When I'm in the studio I'm so keyed up and concentrate so hard that I don't usually mess up. Nailing the first song is the toughest part, you can take alot of confidence from getting it out of the way. At home, time is too much of a luxury and I find it harder to get in the zone without the pressure of a band and producer sitting in the next room looking at their watches.