Keeping it Interesting

[MaltBuddow3]

Hey. I'm kinda new to the forum, but so far I've been able to get a lot of good info from the discussions, unlike some other drummer forums I've been on. Anyways, I'm 17 and I'm currently preparing for an audition at the University of North Texas. If you didn't know, they have an unreal drum program so you have to make a really good impression at the audition. At the audition I'll be asked to trade 4's with myself. Sometimes my brain is on fire with ideas and sometimes the same 3 licks keep coming out. Do you guys have any interesting ideas for trading 4's??? Thanks.

[quitou]

I've worked a lot on this with my teacher....try to think in terms of themes instead of chops....think to yourself these 4 bars I'm gonna throw absolutely everything into, the next four bars are gonna be less busy, the next four are gonna start really quietly and then build to a loud crunching finish.....also, the fours bars don't necessarily have to be littered with a bunch of notes, some space is good....leave space sometimes, it's very effective....also try to think of jazz songs....sometimes I'll think of a jazz tune (the melody from one) in my head and try to play it on the drums over the four bars....or, you can pick one of three licks that you always play, and explore it over the four bars (take some notes away, add some, move the lick around the drums, play it loudly, play it quietly)....a cool thing to do is change themes in the middle....for example play the first 2 bars loud and busy as hell, then in the third bar get really quite and build to a dramtic ending by the end of the fourth bar....

You just have to be creative, basically those four bars are your solo time and you can do whatever you want with them, but to keep it interesting for the listeners you have to vary up what you play in the four bars breaks...

Hope this helps

[quitou]

Another thing you can do (it might be hard to do at your audition because you're trading fours with yourself) is listen to the solo that the guy you're trading with plays, and then play his solo (the four bars he just played) right back at him on the drums....throw back in his face so to speak....you shoudn't do that too often, but once in a while it sounds pretty cool....

[MaltBuddow3]

Thanks man, I definitely know about trading with other guys, and not filling everything up with chops. A lot of what you said is what I'm thinkin when I'm really in the zone, but it's almost like I forget all that when my creativity is down. I work on it lots with my teacher as well, but seeing some thoughts in writing will really help me. Thanks a million!

[peter]

Start simple and build.

Rather than filling, change
the rhythmic pattern, which
can act like a fill but emphas-
sizing the groove.

Welcome aboard. Whatever
we can do to help... :)

[MaltBuddow3]

Quitou and Peter, thanks a million. The fours are sounding really musical now, and they flow and change up really nicely! Thanks!

[quitou]

no worries....that's what we're all here for:)