DRUMS
DRUMMERS, JUST PLAY LOTS OF SONGS | Carl Albrecht
Amidst all the ideas about improving as a studio drummers, his playing reflects the skill of But once I’m solid with my current song list I will
musician, the one thing that stands out as the mastering all the great music he was listening dive into music that’s not what I’m performing.
way to become a great working drummer is to as he developed his talent. He talked about In worship drumming I’ll find things from other
to learn lots of songs. It’s good to study the coming home from school and practicing for ministries that our team is not playing. Even
books, to watch the videos, and learn some hours just copying recordings that he loved. His though the genre can be familiar to many
clever tricks. It’s exciting and vital to explore all discipline to learn the details of what he heard groups there are always new ideas out there.
the technology. But at the end of the day to made him the great drummer that he was. This I will also work on music outside of my normal
be a great drummer, you have to have a huge is absolutely the first thing for any musician to playing world. I listen to and copy modern pop
musical vocabulary. You must learn the feel and work on. You have to develop great “musical songs, country music, classic jazz, rock, funk,
the nuances of the great music that you hear ears.” I require every student to become a good and so on.
and bring those elements into your playing. So listener first and discover what inspires them to what does that look like? play the drums. Many drummers besides Jeff 4. SLOW DOWN AND FIGURE IT OUT.
have stated this same basic principal as being One of the hardest things to do is not give up
the foundation of their musicality. when you try to play something that is too hard
1. LISTEN TO LOTS OF MUSIC.
I’ve been reading some old interviews with the
for you. The best thing to do is to slow it down
late, great Jeff Porcaro. If you don’t know his 2. COPY WHAT YOU HEAR. and play the music in pieces. Maybe it’s an
playing check out some YouTube references This can be the most challenging part when intro fill, or a verse or chorus groove you just
to hear his work. The feel and musicality of you are first learning. But even experienced can’t get quite right. Patience is a virtue! And
Jeff’s drumming is stunning. Like many great players have to carefully work through the as a musician it is vital to your growth to take
drum parts that they hear on a recording. I will your time to figure things out. You might have to
always listen several times through a song and play something extremely slow to work out the
takes notes to map out the song before I even coordination of a difficult pattern. As you get
start to work it out on the kit. The more you do the feel of it speed it up gradually. If you know
this you will develop the ability to learn songs how to read music, try to write it out or find a
quickly. Simpler grooves and song forms will transcription on line. The pay off is well worth
come together pretty fast. Music that is more the work.
intricate will obviously demand more work. But
that is what you would expect. Of course, over 5. LAST, BUT NOT LEAST… RELAX!
time, as you achieve more ability as a drummer, As you work on expanding your vocabulary
mapping out songs will get easier. If you are a stay loose and relaxed. I mean this both
more experienced player you should expand physically and mentally. Enjoy the process
your ability to play in styles and song forms that and don’t stress out. Enjoy the music as you
are less common to you. Keep building your grow as a musician and don’t let any negativity
drumming vocabulary. bring you down. Alllow the joy of music and
the excitement of playing the drums be the
3. PLAY, PLAY, PLAY!
inspiration it was meant to be.
When I’m feeling stale or bored with my
drumming I will dive into a huge variety of
songs. This will mostly consist of songs I’m
not performing currently. I find this extremely
helpful in discovering new ideas in my playing.
I will always be sure I’m confident playing the
music I have to play with any artist. If that music
needs attention I will always practice that first.
162
February 2020
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]
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