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once the song starts, the click should NOT be needed


Sorry to disagree, but if there are other tracked parts in the song, DEFINITELY have a click the whole time! I don't even know pro players that go without it IF there are tracks to be played to.

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so stop the click at the beginning of the song. If you have other instruments playing simple be sure the drummer can hear them cleanly. Even if it's just a piano or strumming acoustic guitar in parts of the song, the live players should be able to easily follow the beat.


Especially with them being younger players, be SURE that the click and the backing tracks are the loudest thing he hears BY FAR. He will want live instruments in there barely for reference.

The last thing you want him/her to do is start following the non-tracked instruments! Recipe for disaster.

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The drummer should be able to follow along easily without having to fret over the click and staying with it.


With tracks, a click is saving grace!

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Drummers notoriously hate a click. So just give them the starting count in.


Most pro drummers do not hate a click at all. Clicks have come a long way, and are a necessary part of live playing on a bigger level.

I do understand we are talking about a young player here. IF you are going to use tracks, PLEASE give the kids a great way to stick with the tracks. Don't set them up for failure.

Here is my advice, and take it for what it's worth.

Do NOT complicate this. The more technology you have to use live the great chance of something going wrong.

The simplest version of what you are talking about that I have used and see used fairly often for small shows is an ipod/mp3 player.

The downside is you would be limited to mono backing tracks. Typically not a big deal in a smaller setting anyway.

Pan all of the instrument tracks about 70% right. This gives you a small amount in the left ear as well.

Next pan the click sounds (yes soundS) 100 % right. This means that NON of it will be coming into the tracks (right) channel.

*please be sure there is NO reverb/effects on the click as it may bleed into the right side as a result. If you hear the click in the right side at all, this may be the culprit!

One last thing with this. What's nice about an mp3 file is the other kids can also have copies to practice with as much as they would like on there own!

Make sure you have a backup player with all of the files you will need "just in case"

Also, make sure you leave enough space (extra blank bars) at the end of the song so it doesn't go instantly into the next, unless that is what you are going for!

THE CLICK ITSELF

The old stick click..1,2,3,4...is still somewhat used but there are MUCH better options!

You can still have that, but ADD IN shaker or bongos, or tambourine...or all of them...anything to help establish a sense of groove! It helps people get the feel.

Some other considerations are vocally adding the name of the song before the countin, so they KNOW what song it is. You can give little vocal references like "Intro", "Verse", "Chorus" "Guitar solo". This helps A TON! You never wonder where you are. YOU KNOW!

On that subject, I would also add "End song, Press stop" This prevents the next song from starting unexpectedly!

That's a start. Use it, don't use it. It's all good by me. I just wanted to let you know more how things are done. Of course the pros are using laptops and redundancy systems but this is the starting out version that is just as effective for now smile

I hope that helps. Ask if you have any questions. I have played/toured live and am a studio drummer. I love to help smile

Chad (Hope that makes it easier)

TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.