Ask Me Anything! Playing too loud.
A great question from one of the listeners of the BD101 Podcast
“Hi Clayton, thanks for the great insight in your work and thank you for the great podcast! I‘m a Drummer from Germany playing a lot of musical Shows, at the moment we‘re playing Kinky Boots. Seeing your latest [Instagram] story there was a question coming to my mind: do you ever get into issues or discussions about being too loud? I saw the cello player right next to you… And a lot of dancers in front. Thanks for your time, all the best, Kristof.”
During a rehearsal for our performance at Good Morning America, I took some video footage and posted it onto my Broadway Drumming 101 Instagram feed. Kristoff must have seen it and wondered how I could play so close to the cellist. His question came in quite a timely manner because that very day, Caryl, the cellist in our orchestra, told me a story about her earplugs and why she always uses them when playing near musicians who play instruments that can be pretty loud. Caryl renamed her earplug "Earl Plugs" because of a musician who played with such overwhelming volume.
There are moments when drummers have to play loud, and others where the volume must be adjusted accordingly. In most instances, the person who controls the sound in the house makes the proper adjustments, but you must always be aware of dynamics. A drummer should be able to read the room and figure out what is appropriate in each musical setting. On broadway shows and just about any other musical environment, dynamics are fundamental, especially for drummers. You don't want to be known as a basher on a show. It can be a turn-off because sound people can only do so much. Plus, you do not have to play loud on most shows.
Other musicians appreciate a softer, lighter touch when 17-25 other musicians are playing together. You don't want to be overbearing and pound the drums. It's not only annoying but unnecessary. It's better to have the music director, supervisor, or orchestrator tell you to "dig in" than play softer. In rehearsals, there is little amplification of the acoustic instruments, so it makes perfect sense to play with a lighter touch to match the ensemble's overall sound.
There is a band reveal at the end of Ain't Too Proud - the Life And Times Of The Temptations. During that part of the show, all of the musicians are on stage and playing with each other. I have to watch my volume so I don't overplay and annoy my fellow musicians on stage. I generally am not a heavy hitter, so that's not an issue, but there are times where I've had subs in, and there have been complaints.
My advice? Start out playing at a volume that is slightly under what others may be looking for, especially in a setting where there are instruments that aren't amplified, then increase your volume and intensity as needed.
Thanks for asking!
Any other questions, shoot me an email at: broadwaydrumming101@substack.com
Become a regular listener of the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast HERE
Clayton Craddock, the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He hosts the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast and has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.
You can follow Clayton on the following social media platforms:
For more: claytoncraddock.com
GREAT! FEEDBACK !