Practicing and Performing with a Click Track 

Yes Tim, this is for you. You owe me a beer....or dinner...or both.

@@rickdior haha sounds good

You're going to do great!!! 👍

Hi Ralph It is not sold in stores, but you can find them used online. Just make sure everything works as they are prone to malfunction.

Like I said in the video, some folks are a little bit time challenged. Usually, the problem is feeling the space between the beats. You didn't say whether you had also played the other parts yourself. If you are recording the instruments by yourself, it's best to start with a click and drums and then bass. Get a solid track that will act as your foundation for everything else.

@@rickdior Thanks on the quick response. I was given piano, bass and a guide vocal already recorded. I've to come up with parts and record drums. I also think this is being done backwards but doesn't feel like I can change that.

Playing with recordings of songs is great....I did lots of that growing up. The danger is if it's a track without solid time you can pick up some bad habits. Most modern tracks have great time. Back in the day, there were some issues, but as far as developing a good feel, that's the way to do it.

Time and tempo is a cooperative effort with all of the performers in the band. It's not just the drummers' responsibility. The other players can definitely be pulling you into their time realm. The time will always move a little, but the important thing is that it feels good and that it does not speed up or slow down too much. When I play Broadway shows the click is used about 75% of the time (depending on the show) and this is because the show might contain some tricky choreography that has to be the same tempo every night. This may not be important for live band shows, so don't worry about it too much. If the singer is having a hard time getting all the lyrics in, it might be time for a band meeting.

@@rickdior Wow, this a great response, thank you!

Well, I guess you have never played a professional Broadway show, live concert tour, done extensive studio work, and performed live movie soundtracks with an orchestra. You are really missing out on some great experiences as well as lots of income.