How many of you also play percussion?

[Ostie]

A couple of years ago I branched out into percussion. I play cajon, congas, djembe, etc. I discovered I have a knack for it. I really enjoy it and it adds a lot to both of the acoustic trios I play in. Luckily, in each trio there is another guy who can pick up the bass when I put it down for the skins.

This got me wondering, how many of you out there also enjoy playing percussion?

 

[dalkowski]

Sure I like to beat on it.

Srsly yes, and I don't get to do it enough—it's a treat when Latin Larry, my drummer, tosses me a shaker or some such for a break.

When I was just starting out (ca '78/9) I learned that Stanley Banks, George Benson's bassist, kept a tambourine rhythm with his foot while he played. Always thought that was pretty dope.

I think it's a good practice for bass to double on percussion -- it definitely betters one's rhythmic chops.

 

[arbiterusa]

I don't mind playing percussion; timbales, bells, xylophone/marimba. But more than those, I just plain like playing drums, and my most expensive and vintage instrument is not a bass, it's a 1965 Slingerland drumset with (mostly) Zildjian As and several different snares.

 

[bholder]

I enjoy trying to play percussion. I have several different kinds of hand drums and other percussion pieces. However, I suck at it.

 

[bholder]

 

[growlypants]

My wife bought me a cajon 3 years ago, but I've never played it out. I do, however, play it IN quite a bit!!

 

[garp]

Primarily drums, but I do have a Ray Cooper-ish kit that I haul out on occasion.

I still remember watching this Pete Townshend video on MTV back in the day. Tony Butler and Jody Linscott seemed to be having the most fun, and for some reason, that really stuck with me.

 

[TheCapt]

I've been playing drums for about 50 years. Play a rig that includes a Slingerland bass and snare that my dad bought used in the early 40's. I was a guest drummer on my way to Sturgis one year at the Silver Bullet bar in Chamberlain, SD, and the bass player took me aside and told me how good a clock I had. I never was a fancy drummer, just the guy in the engine room keeping things going. I remember what he said, so when the pandemic started I bought my first bass. Now I'm on my third and have come to appreciate the relationship between the drummer and bass man.

 

[micguy]

On many of the gigs I play, they put the drummer in a cage. I intend to stay a free range musician, so I don't play drums. Percussion is close enough that I avoid that as well.

 

[scuzzy]

I've been filling in on drums for years at church. I like it quite a bit for a change up.

 

[Eli_Kyiv]

I used to play drums in high school. Was pretty bad at it, but still fun to remember.

 

[mongo2]

I've shaken shakers.

 

[bolophonic]

I was a percussionist in this band for about ten years.

 

[vvvmmm]

Not me - I get fired enuff just playing bass.

 

[Groove Doctor]

I play a pretty mean tambourine.

I usually have to give the singer a lesson with a “play it in time or don’t play it” ultimatum if their timing is crap. Someone’s gotta tell them to stop publicly butchering the groove.

 

[Medicine Man]

Good enough to sit in. Aint no one banging down my door with paid percussion gigs, but im better than the average drum circle hippy.

 

[LowActionHero]

I played drums for years. Had to pack em up awhile back to give the kids their own bedrooms. I have an electric set out, but it's not the same.
One day. . .

 

[Standalone]

Aw yeah. Not that I’m that good, but I love these. Picked up a set of Matador bongos too. All Covid-time acquisitions

 

[Killing Floor]

I play around with bongos, etc. and a few handheld noisemakers. Lack the coordination to play kit.

 

[Esteban Garcia]

Nothing is more cathartic than hitting the skins. Timbales, congas, bongos, traps. Most music I play bass on, the bass part is essentially a drum part (tumbao) that links the drums to the piano and rest of the band.