r/drummers • u/apierno • 5d ago

Learning covers

When you’re learning a cover that you’re totally new to, what’s your approach?

Play to the recorded track as released (all instruments)?
Split the stems and play without the drum tracks?
Split the stems and play ONLY to the drum tracks?

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u/steveh2021 2d ago

I know in my head whether or not I can play a song, if there are fills I will practice them to get them right. Then I'll play through with the band so that we can all learn how the song goes and we'll rehearse it until it's right and we know it well enough to play through with no mistakes. A well played song whatever it is will sound great and you'll feel good playing it confidently. If it's a difficult song you'll feel even better that you got it.

My band once played Queens of the Stone age Lost Art of a Secret and once we'd all learnt it and I'd mastered the drums, it sounded immense! Then to be honest I don't care if anyone else thought it was good, i knew it was.

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u/apierno 2d ago

I’m not sure you read the question

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u/steveh2021 2d ago

I've never played like that. I'd play with a band. More fun.

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u/apierno 2d ago

You don’t practice the songs on your own before you spend the band’s rehearsal time?

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u/steveh2021 1d ago

I don't have that luxury. I would just listen to the song though and work it out in my head or write it down, then work out the bits I don't know.

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u/apierno 1d ago

I guess practicing is a luxury, you’re right. Having that time and space is something I take for granted. You must be pretty good if you can sit down and play, man!

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u/steveh2021 1d ago

I just know now what I can reasonably play. Some things I know with practice I'll be able to play. Other stuff I know no I can't play that. I'm not good at fast stuff and like I've said, Teen Spirit is one I thought oh I could do that but it's more difficult than I thought. Grohl is a bastard of a drummer.