We have no drums. Use metronome during rehearsal, yes or no?

[micguy]

Good timing is everyone's responsibility. One of the bands I was in lost our drummer, and we rehearsed without one for a couple months. When we got the next drummer, we were a much better band, as we had learned to listen to each other for timing.

Good musicians have good timing - it's the MOST important skill for any and every musician. Very few bands, however, have all good musicians.

The first real band I was ever in, the drummer was rock solid - the only reason he'd ever need to play with a metronome was if the metronome needed calibration. Other bands I've been in, not quite as solid, but nowadays I get to work with a lot of really good drummers. Really good musicians can work with out without a click - if someone is upset by a click being used, they probably have poor timing. Clicks help folks with marginal (good but not great) timing play a little better. Musicians with poor timing....won't play well with or without a click.

 

[micguy]

I insisted that, while time is the drummer's *only* job, time is actually *everyone's* job.

You are absolutely correct. You do have to be careful where you say that, though, as that truth isn't always helpful in every situation.

 

[Passinwind]

In my experience, it's better to have the wrong instrumentation with the right musicians, than the other way around. The right musicians can figure out how to make it work and sound good. I once played an entire set of just bass and vocals, because the pianist was late, and it worked out just fine. I'd do it again.

"Music" is just bass plus jingle-jangle anyway, right?

Yep, I gigged with just a drummer and myself for years because there were no guitarists willing and able to do what I needed. I got around that by having lots of drum solos and swapping to and from guitar myself when the bottle of bees thing was needed. I was also using a guitar synth and could do bass parts at the same time if I felt like it, but rarely did.

 

[pepj]

Definitely use a click..or better still, program some drums if possible.
The people that tend to need it most don't really get why they need it at all.

 

[Michedelic]

The thread title says it all. I'm the one who usually counts the beat when we start a song. Do you think a simple metronome click would be insulting to the others?

What’s the nature of your music? i can only guess that it’s not dance oriented.
You could get creatively quirky and make simplistic beats a part of your sound…this Welsh trio of the late 70’s/early 80’s did just that, probably inspired by Eno’s use of cheesy organ beatbox rhythms as an effect…