Hi everyone - this is my first post after months of just reading and taking in all the great input - I only hope I can offer something useful.
Drummers who 'overplay' really get me. I just wonder if they're listening.
I've been playing over 20 years now.
I know some younger players may not get what I'm about to try to say here, but here it is. I did a gig with a blues band - no rehearsal, never played with the bass player before. This could have been a disaster, however it worked (and people were dancing all night) due to me and the bassist keeping it simple. I see it as a challange to play simply and effectively. We were playing shuffles and swing grooves - these are feels I really saw as a challenge years ago. However, after listening to lots of early rock and roll and Frank Sinatra, I've begun to really accept that it is a true test of your musicianship to be true to those rhythms and say to yourself 'I'm going to make people dance just by playing the ride cymbal' . I also sing along to the songs or hum the basslines as I go (i'm a bassist too). Because the blues is honest and simpler music, you play that way - you want it to CONNECT with people.
I feel you will not work with a good band for long or will work with bands that aren't as good (that is, they will accept less) if you don't care about what you play. A lot of this is unspoken among musicans - you may never hear that people aren't happy - you will wonder why the phone doesn't ring for work though.
I have some limited chops, but I know when they're not required !
I hope I added something here.
Keep playing , keep listening , keep working..........