[Drums]Playing loudly

I jammed with a couple guys yesterday who are looking to start a side project. I know I'm a heavy hitter which relates to a lack of technique and just getting really into it when I play...I get excited.

Anyway, they stated that I play pretty loud and they had to turn up. Is this really a big issue? I know it could become a problem when playing small venues. My current band has never complained about the volume.

Any advice for playing a bit softer?

Try not playing as loud.

Try playing as loud as you can.

But really...whats wrong with them turning up? My drummer plays pretty loud...but its not usually that much of a problem.

But really...whats wrong with them turning up? My drummer plays pretty loud...but its not usually that much of a problem.
Yeah I don't think its that big of a deal either. The guy I played with was kinda an airhead but he does have some pretty nice gear. I was also talking with a drummer friend of mine and he said that venues have been complaining about the volume of the drums.

Yeah, our drummer plays real loud. I like it.

In a proffesional situation, a drummer that plays loud will usually be confined within something to block all sound except for mic'd volume... Se Garth Brooks drummer, he is aloud hitter so they have him wrapped up in plexiglass. His kicks complete ass as a musician though, so that is not an issue. I have played with a drummer for the last 15 years that plays so loud, we hav an incomprehensible stage volume... Fortunately our bass player was willing to spend $$$$$$ on limiters and compressors to make the live sound kick ass. We still play really loud, and we have him talked into playing in a plexiglass shell, but none are willing to set it up for the 100$ each we made per night.

Dynamics - learn to play softly as well as loudly.

Thx Stilgar. I just get really into it when I play. I sweat like a mother fucker everytime I play.

Believe me I understand the conundrum.
As a kid I used to think loud == good.
After all I really wanted to be Hendrix - but he understood dynamics very well.

Our drummer hits hard when he plays our music and I don't think anyone would say he has bad technique. It's great cause when we play places with shit sound systems you can still hear his whole kit.

I am a guitarist who plays someone elses drums and I also do not hit like a gay gay.

However, as said, dynamics are important and hitting hard has it's place.

tool's drummer is dynamics-aware i say, as listening to tool

So stuff the drums with sheets.
It'll take some POUNDING to get the same volume.

Try not playing as loud.

You know, this is a smartass answer. You asshole.

That said, this is also sound advice HAW HAW PUN.

I used to do the same thing on drums - play super super loud, for lack of technique. If you force yourself to play at a lower volume, you'll be surprised how much technique it forces you to learn. It's always fun to cut loose, but playing at a lower volume is a great thing to be able to do.

Imagine this. If you play at a particular volume (lower) for 95% of a song - and then turn it loose for that last chorus - the rest of the band is going to fucking go nuts. If you can do that every song - control the dynamics - you are one step closer to being the MASTER of the band. It makes a huge difference.

That's my favorite part about playing the drums...you control the dynamics of the whole song. I'm not a very good drummer, but I love jamming with people and just throwing random changes and stuff at them and seeing how they react.

I really need to work on playing drums better :\

It's good for you. You'll improve every instrument you play by playing drums and learning to hold a tempo.

I used to really speed up during fills...it took about 5 years to train myself out of that.