Keys and Drums

Berks Jazz Fest at Cousin’s Pub last Friday (April 3, 2009) was a blast. I play so many solo gigs so it is always a lot of fun to have a drummer with me. I have worked with many drummers in the past and to avoid leaving anyone out, I won't mention names. No matter who it is, the percussion adds an extra element to any performance. Each drummer has a different style which keeps the music fresh.

I am not a fan of pre-recorded tracks, using a sequencer, or other pre-arranged accompaniment. I feel that music is about the emotions and excitement of real human beings. I don’t mind if the sounds are synthesized. I use an electronic piano and I add bass, strings, sax, or guitar, but I play each instrument live. The closest I have gotten to pre-recorded drums is using an arpeggiator, which automatically plays notes in one of many orders – by notes held, by pre-determined interval, or likewise. This is different from pre-recorded drums in that there is no specific drum pattern or track. I set the arpeggiator on an auxiliary percussion set so the sounds are seemingly random, but they follow my playing, not the other way around. The advantage is I don’t need to stick to the same arrangement; I am free to improvise. I can extend the song or shorten it if desired.

A live drummer gives me a similar ability to change the performance in the middle of a song. There are several advantages. First, the drummer is a real person with whom to interact. This cannot be underestimated. It is much more fun to have an ally on the stage. Unlike a guitarist or bass player, we don’t need to worry about what key the song is in, or the chord progression. Much of my music is too difficult for many local musicians to play unless an enormous amount of time is spent in rehearsal. The song list becomes very limited. Even if they know the song, there’s a good chance it is not in the same key that I use; I drop a lot of songs down a whole step. One of the biggest reasons to use a live drummer is just the sound. It is amazing how full the sound can be with two people. The fact that I have learned to play intricate bass lines while chording and adding solos certainly is key. There have been so many instances where guests/customers have commented that they never would have believed two guys could sound like a band.

I remember a groom’s parents being very upset at the bride’s parents when they saw only two people as “the band” in an outdoor reception tent. After the festivities, the groom’s parents could hardly apologize enough for underestimating us. That was one of the biggest compliments we could have received.

So…Jazz Fest with a drummer was a blast. The benefit of having a full sound with the ultimate in flexibility with limited rehearsal time makes the Keys and Drums combination a very desirable combo. I’m sure you would agree if you heard it live.

Jim Meck
www.jimmeck.com
Facebook group: "Jim Meck - official group"

Jim will be appearing at Market Café on Saturday, April 11th at 11am; Bear Creek Mountain Resort on Thursday, April 16th at 7pm; Inn at Moselem Springs on April 17th at 7pm; Conway’s Pub @ Conway’s BBQ on April 18th at 8pm. See website for more info.