As the Darbuka player of the band is it our job to keep the tempo steady?
We all like to think that our timing is spot on the money and we never faulter, but what is the difference in reality? This difference can sometimes be a huge blow to the darbuka players/musicians ego!
I am currently recording darbuka with the folk group ‘Yggdrasil‘ and have really come to notice how the tempo shifts more in dynamic music. I am the only drummer in the group which is why i have noticed it more of late.
There is the old rule of tempo that is when the volume comes down the tempo pulls back, play louder and the tempo gets pushed faster. It’s only natural. So how do we get lost in the music yet keep an eye fixed on the tempo?
The first step is to know that it happens. After this we can do something about it. Knowing the trouble spots is the fastest way to fix the issue. It may be in the bridge section, mandolin solo, bouzouki solo, violin solo etc. Is there a section where everything comes right down in volume to almost nothing? Finding the trouble spots will help you be aware when entering into them and keep the tempo steady.
Adding to this i have found that leaning forward over my darbuka helps to keep the intensity there even though im playng a quiet section or part. Try it for yourself the next time you move through the quiet sections. Holding the tempo steady and playing the correct tempo (bpm) is like playing in the right key signiture or scale. Setting the tempo to the perfect speed for that particlular composition will make, break or shake the song! Too slow and it drags, too fast and it loses its feel and becomes sloppy.
Think of finding and holding the perfect tempo as playing in tune.
I know what i am saying may seem very obvious to some but its also an issue that i have seen many professional level darbuka players and musicians in generel have to deal with. It’s not really until we get in the studio to record and everything is exposed that we see how our tempo is shifting.
Have a look at your own timing and see how steady it is….or is’nt!
Enjoy your drumming and take care, Matt from Fingers of Fury
Fingers of Fury Darbuka community
Tags: Darbuka
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