How to play with a drummer

[Al7eX]

I’ve been recently trying to play with drum tracks and every time it comes out pretty crappy. I’ve asked a few musicians I know and the answer was to play with a metronome and tap my feet when I play. That helped staying on time (of course) but my riffs don’t really work well with the drummer even playing on time. Can I get some ideas or help on how to do this? Thanks.

 

[William B.]

I have trouble myself but it's something like listen for the kick and snare, that's like the main flow and accent on them somehow.
Maybe someone can add or explain it better.

I think it was lesson 13 with the Tick Tock pattern when PG explained it

 

[Jeremy Healey]

As both a drummer and guitarist myself, I can say I like what William said about listen to the kick and snare. One of them / if not both are fairly prominent and are a good reference for the timing. Also the advice on tapping your foot is great help as well. Just moving your body with the beat can help greatly like bobbing your head.
Also if possible, it can really help to slow down the track if that’s possible, which gives you more breathing room to find that groove that matches the drum track beat