DRUMS
LOCKDOWN DRUMMING | Carl Albrecht
These are the strangest of times. Many of
you are in some level of “lockdown.” Many
churches are not meeting, or they are only
streaming. If you play drums in other settings,
most live gigs are gone for now. So many of
you may not be playing with a live band of any
kind right now. Probably the toughest job at this
point is to maintain a positive attitude and not
let discouragement get the best of you. The
simple answer I have is to keep playing! Keep
worshipping! And use this time to keep growing
in your skills and your walk with the Lord. I
know that sounds like an obvious answer, but if
you’re feeling stuck, here are some quick tips to
stay joyful, hopeful, and motivated to use your
time wisely.
your basement, garage, or any isolated space
you can use. Put it on your schedule to go play
it everyday. Even if it’s only for 30 minutes, you
will feel energized by playing. I prefer at least an
hour, but don’t give up if you only have a few
minutes everyday to play.
I’ve been working on many different things.
Which isn’t unusual for me at anytime. But if I
don’t get some drum playing in my daily routine
I start to get a bit bummed out and cranky. If
you’re like me, you were made to play. So play!
The Lord made us this way and we were made
to make music for Him. Don’t get trapped in the
idea that because there is no work that there is
nothing to do. Work on you!
“artsy” and maybe too emotionally expressive
as a drummer, but it is a great way to connect
your spirit to your gifting. You should also
start reading passages of scripture and play
anything you feel as you read through the word
of God. If you’ve never done anything like this
it may feel very awkward at first. That’s totally
normal. But stay at it. This type of spiritual,
emotional connectivity to your playing is very
important. If you’ve already been in this mode
with your drumming then just keep pushing
the boundaries. Be even more expressive in
your playing. It will feel like your flying; like it’s
a cosmic experience; a spiritual experience… a
JESUS experience! And isn’t that what our gifts
and whole life should really be about?
1. DO NOT QUIT PLAYING DURING THIS SEASON.
Unless the Lord has specifically told you take a
break, find a way to keep the “drumming juices”
flowing. Hopefully you have a kit at home in
2. MAKE YOUR PLAYING A WORSHIP TIME. Every
musician is called to worship. If you are “in
the Lord” then there is a calling on you to offer
yourself to Him in your gifts. Let this down time
become a time to deepen your walk in the Lord
by having your own worship events in your
drum room. Really! Don’t just practice, which
is always a good thing, but worship Him. Play
along with your favorite worship recordings.
Picture yourself being in the moment with those
believers that are on the recording. Worship is
timeless, so the presence of the Lord is always
in music that glorifies Him. Play with that picture
in mind. We are always playing for an audience
of one… THEE ONE… so now is a great time
recalibrate your focus on the reason why you
really do this. You’ll be exercising your heart’s
intention towards the Lord. You may find it
opens up things in your playing and your walk
with the Lord you’ve never experienced before.
4. THE TECHNICAL STUFF. I don’t want to avoid
the obvious. Even while you’re pursuing a
deeper spiritual depth during this time while
you play, the mechanics of playing will still enter
you mind. That’s a good thing. I find that as I
worship more my creativity increases. So as
you worship and you start to get ideas receive
that as a gift from the Lord. He will inspire you
to make sounds or try something you’ve never
done before. Just let it all flow together and let
nothing hinder your process of going deeper
in every aspect of your playing. Don’t let this
lockdown lock you down. Allow this special
worship space before the Lord to launch you
into a deeper realm of your playing. “Go boldly
to where you’ve never gone before!” (*I hear
a TV theme song rising in the background.”
NOW GO!
Blessings, Carl
3. PRAY AND PLAY! READ AND PLAY! Besides
just putting on a recording and worshipping
together with other teams and churches make
your practice time also your devotional time.
While you’re setting at your drums start praying
and let you hands, feet, and whole body move
with your prayers. I know this sounds very
Carl Albrecht
Professional drummer for 30+ years, playing with
Paul Baloche, Don Moen, Ron Kenoly, Abe Laboriel,
LeAnn Rimes and others. He’s also a clinician,
author & pastor. Contact Carl for coaching, online
lessons, producing, or sessions. I’m still growing too..
www.CarlAlbrecht.com
[email protected]
106 August 2020
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