I have always been of this train of thought when covering a song…’play the song - not the performance’. As Bob said, make it feel good and place your own stamp on it. Capture the essence of the song YOUR WAY! That’s what makes it unique! However, when I’m learning a cover for the first time, I listen to learn the song as closely to the original as possible in hopes that I’ll pick up something up or learn something new which is usually the case . But I almost always change a couple small things that feel more natural to me once I get with the band to hash out the music. 😄

@Juan Thanks ... I found a YouTube video of a drum cover for the song. The woman playing the cover did a fabulous job. She was very powerful and energetic. I watched her video numerous times, and I used it for inspiration. It is a fun song to play to.

Just listened to the song and I could see what you mean. That transition must be really tricky. Good for you! The main groove reminds me a lot to one of the first ones I learned on my own, found in a Spanish song "Allí Donde Solíamos Gritar" by Love of Lesbian, but at a slower tempo. That one made me work long to learn it and even more to endure enough to play it through the hole song. I'll take the chance and add your song to my play along list.

UPDATE: So I had my gig this past Saturday night. I went into it with the encouragement from the response here that I need not worry about playing "note for note". I really felt more relaxed this time than the last time I played live. There was really only one part in one song that I was worried about, that I wanted to get right. That part was a transition between two different grooves in the song "Malibu" by Hole (Courtney Love's band). And you know what? I got it!! Thanks Everyone, Bill

@Hercules That in fact is basically my approach too. Like I said in my original post, it's more of a mental thing, being comfortable with playing the arrangement I come up with (which by all means is faithful to the song even if it's not "exactly note for note".) The confirmation and encouragement from your post and the others, is really helpful. Thanks Bill

For me It really depends on lots of factors, like what kind of music do you play or how much time do you have to practice. In a Blues/Swing/Jazz scenario I would just keep the basic grooves and fills and I would just play whatever I feel like in between (that actually fits the song). Or If I have a gig in 7 days and I have to learn I like 15 songs or something I will just play a groove that fits the song focusing on the music rather than the actual details. And only pay extra attention to specific nuances that the song needs. Now If I just want to learn the song to record a cover or play with a band that I have a lot of time to practice I will learn it note for note ( as long as I can actually play it)

It is pretty cool when you look up and see that people are singing and dancing to what we're playing!!

So true ... And that's the mental part that I'm struggling with. I know this, and I believe with more live playing, that will be reinforced. Thanks @Richard L !!!

We've all heard the "is Ringo a great drummer" debates. I have to shake my head when I come across such a debate. As we've been alluding to, his drum arrangements are as much a part of the songs as the guitar melodies. So unless you are covering Beatles songs in a completely different style, like you said, "you need to get that right". (BTW: There is a local band called "Yellow Dubmarine" that covers Beatles songs in a reggae style. I've not heard them, but I hear they're pretty cool.)

One thing you can do is to recognize the drumming "Hook" of a particular song then put that in so people recognize the song after that focus on keeping time and making people dance!!

Hi everyone! I feel what you say @Otis. I will add though, that in my case not having ever played a live gig, I want to establish a benchmark of my playing and understanding of sheet/notation, and will shoot to play note per note as possible during my practice sessions. And after establishing that benchmark, in my case, it allows me to recognize my ability level for the techniques, sticking, dynamics of the song, etc. that might need work or study. That also gives me the security level I need since I already know I am capable of playing "x" song note for note (or almost!). In a live gig, whenever it happens, I think I would rely more on the feel of the moment (unless it's a hardcore tribute), because anyhow, as you say in your post (quoted above), "no one in the audience would know..." and whatever you play will be your feel, your version of it, and it will sound unique. Happy 🥁 all!! Thanks for sharing your post.

Ringo wrote fantastic hooks and his drum parts were very recognisable, Ticket to ride, I feel fine, Help, In my life... the list is long and you need to get that right, specially in a tribute band.

Now that's funny I don't care who you are!!! Ringo's drumming, especially on songs like Revolution and Come Together, is an example of what you should try copy as closely as possible.

When I play a song with a covers band I try to play musically and in the spirit of the song, not beat for beat. A good example for me at the moment is Rock me baby, I've leaned 3 versions... BB King (Shuffle), Eric Clapton/BB King (Straight 8s with an implied shuffle) and Johnny Winter (Straight 8s R&B) and I've taken from all of them, without learning a specific fill. I'm also going to be playing Superstition which has an iconic feel which I will emulate but not copy. We might be doing 50 ways to leave your lover which I will attempt to play almost identically, as much because t's iconic and because of the challenge in this case (I'll be happy if I get it to sound like 46 ways to leave your lover.. 🙂 ) In the Beatle tribute band I would play as much like Ringo as I could and sometimes improvise in his kind of style, I even tried to impersonate his voice, but not always note perfect.

That is the just the attitude that I want and need to enforce. Thanks @Bob

Hey @Otis! I saw the Allman Brothers several times. Each time they played a song called Whipping Post. They never played it as recorded and each performance of it was different. This applies to many bands and musicians. Make it feel good and that will be your version!

I figured I'd start a post here, as my question relates to playing drums live, at a gig, in front of real humans 😆. I'm not a pro by any means, and I don't play a lot of gigs. However I am in a cover band, and we do play live every once in a while. (In fact, I have a gig this Saturday.) I firmly believe that one does not have to cover a song note-for-note as it is on a recording. (The only exceptions being if you are a tribute band or if the song has an iconic drum fill or beat, then you would want to play as closely as humanly possible). Even though I believe that, I still find myself trying to get as close as I can. And that causes frustration because, well it's impossible. For me at least. I am in my 60's, still working, and I just don't have the time to memorize everything. And there is the skill factor too, some parts can be beyond my current skill level. I do know that I am the only one who is going to know if I don't play a fill just right, or use the HH instead of the ride, or use a simpler groove than the actual. Not only no one in the audience will know, not even the band members would know. So I need to work on the mental side of not worrying that I don't play a song exactly like the record. I was wondering how the SDS gigging community deals with this. Bill

Gonna go there today !

Thanks a lot, @Jason. If you're interested, go check out our new video, and our BC page :-) https://stormtroopersoflove.bandcamp.com/releases

Totally dig horror punk and psycho billy !

Our debut-gig with Stormtroopers of Love was an absolute blast, and it ranks very high on my favorite gig-list. And it is some of my best live-drumming, I think. Here's a little video:

Oh boy...hmmmm. I've played a LOT of weird gigs. I would need to think on this one a while. Some highlights of one of my more "memorable" gigs: 1. Our rider requested that any venue provide 4 "able boded strong people" to help the crew load in the trailer. We were playing a church and whoever read the rider took that to mean "a class full of 4-8 year old children" 2. It had been POURING rain the entire weekend and the stage was at the bottom of a grassy hill. So the longer we were on stage the more the stage sunk into the mud 3. Since the hill was a ways from the church there was no "power" to the stage (which is a big deal when you have a PA with line array speakers and 4 subs, back line, and an entire light show). So they provided power from TERRIBLE mobile power generators (which cause one of our guitar amps to blow several tubes) 4. During load out, the bus/trailer got stuck in the mud and we had to have a few people with lifted trucks from the church pull us out 5. Randomly one of me great friends from Nashville happened to be at this show in Indiana so I was able to share this weird gig with, not only my band mates and crew, but also my buddy from Nashville haha

Red Blazer gig, man I feel your pain. Thanks for sharing your story! Rock on brotha!

I got called from musician union sub drumming for old standard four piece band. Stand up bass sax accordion me on drums. Most leaders want to make you can play brushes, Cha Cha waltzes swing etc, this guy want to make sure I wore a Red Blazer (has to borrow from my dad). Pick us in the van. And first thing he ask “ hey kid you got your Red Blazer. I know standards but these songs wait before my time. If u ever saw the three stooges where the guy says know that song I wrote it. That happen to me, paid my dues

What is your story of Weird gigs? Playing tractor pulls in the rain, nude beach gigs yikes! Lose a bet to band mates? Tell us your story...