Rayzoon Technologies LLC

[jam_fan]

I've had great luck with jamstix for rock, but I have a hard time using the patterns for country. When I do a keyword jam, the country rhythms that show up are very busy at around 120 bpm. I start hunting through the patterns, but usually end up with patterns that fit the song fine but give it less of a country fill. I try to set up a basic 2+4 snare pattern but it just doesn't sound right.

Here's a sample song that isn't pure country but I'd like to give it a bit of a country edge: Time

Suggestions on better ideas for the drums welcomed.

[Ralph [RZ]]

I actually like the drums in the verse of that song (maybe with less or even zero accentuation). I would suggest to just use a 'straighter' half-time rhythm in the chorus and set it to 'Always Ride'. Examples rhythms: "Balladesque","Eat Half".

By the way: the 'country' keyword gives you classic country rhythms, like the train beat, which are very busy and fast rhythms. Modern 'country' music uses rock/pop rhythms, which means mainly '8th Rock'.

Hope this helps! And once again: really like your music!
_________________
Ralph Zeuner
Rayzoon Technologies LLC
http://www.rayzoon.com

[ProfRhino]

As a longtime country musician I can't resist to comment - just some random thoughts, not pretending to be clever ...
1. Sorry, but as you said, the drums don't really fit the (rather nice) song idea imho.
2. If you listen to almost any (american) country song, you'll notice that the strummed acoustic guitar tends to play the same or a very similar rhythm as the HH, mostly very basic stuff.
Often you can't even separate the two when listening over normal speakers.
More sophisticated guitar parts are typically assembled from one basic guitar following the drums very closely and one or more extra guitar tracks. 4 to 10 guitar tracks are standard procedure in Nashville, never forgetting the basic very simple track(s).
3. Most country drummers don't play big kits, the very talented young drummer I'm playing with atm only uses toms (2) on bigger stages, for club gigs he only brings BD, SN, HH, 2 cymbals and cowbell. Believe me, you hardly notice a difference. And we're playing everything from Bluegrass, 50s stuff, mostly New Country to Southern Rock.
So you might want to see how far you'll get without toms at all, maybe even using brushes or rods.
4. Simplicity is key more often than not in country, the virtuosity comes from the soloists.
5. But since your song is not typical country, maybe you better try to get inspiration from other styles as well.
Keep working on that song, seems like a good basic idea.
Have fun,
Rhino

[jam_fan]

Thanks for the comments. I redid the drums with a more typical rock beat, and I think it worked out better.

I also really appreciated your other specific comments PR - you certainly seem to know your country. Perhaps you can comment on some other country tunes I'm working on? This is an area where I would really like to develop my songwriting skills.

[ProfRhino]

jam_fan,
good to hear you found something, even in a simplistic (at first glance) genre like Country there is a neverending choice of variations, though obviously some work better than others in a given scenario.
If you want to understand Country a bit better, I can recommend you some artists that really nail their style.
- Nashville mainstream:
Alan Jackson, George Strait, Wade Hayes, Tanya Tucker, Dixie Chicks, Gretchen Wilson, Trisha Yearwood
- Bakersfield sound (California):
Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Dwight Yoakam, Heather Myles
- Country Pop :
Little Texas, Blackhawk, Diamond Rio, Keith Urban, Reba McEntire
- Country Rock :
Kentucky Headhunters, Montgomery Gentry, Steve Earle, Gram Parsons
- and that's only a tiny random selection, not even mentioning styles like Western Swing, Bluegrass, Rockabilly, Cajun, and ... and ...
Maybe you want to listen to some of their recordings and learn from the greats ?
A fantastic article with a wealth of information about the studio side of things : http://emusician.com/mag/emusic_day_life_mix/
But most important : Nobody says there is only purist's Country, it's a very adaptable, open style, combine the bits you like with any other genre and have fun !
Cheers, Rhino

PS: Of course I'd like to hear some of your songs, just post a link !