DRUMS
MISTAKES AND DISAGREEMENTS | Daniel Hadaway
As drummers we are afforded a unique isn’t what’s written on the chart, or just plain wrong note, leave open the possibility that you
perspective on the band during rehearsal. doesn’t sound right! In the spirit of “efficiency,” could be wrong too! I’ve heard a lot of very
Many times, since a drumming pattern may we might default to calling him or her out “creative” worship songs lately that use chords
be more repetitive than, say, a lead guitar directly and say “I think you’re hitting a bad that I’m not used to hearing, so sometimes
line, drummers are able to be more aware of note there,” which doesn’t sound especially those “wrong” notes are actually right! So I
what’s going on around us. This means that we mean, but there are kinder, more uplifting ways might say something like “Does anyone else
may notice mistakes or “hiccups” in the band to work out such issues. hear an odd blend of notes in the bridge on
before others. Combine this with the fact that that 3rd chord? I could just be hearing things
drummers are looked at to “lead” the band from wrong, but something sounds kind of off to
a rhythmic perspective, and we can end up with
situations where we are given the opportunity
to “speak our minds”.
So how can we, as drummers, effectively
communicate our thoughts in an uplifting
and edifying way? Let’s talk about a few
scenarios and how we might handle them in a
positive way:
WHEN YOU DISAGREE WITH A SUGGESTION
Sometimes we’ll get suggestions from other
band members about our drumming that we
don’t necessarily think are “good” ide as. It can
be tempting to reply curtly with something like,
“No! That isn’t going to work.” But that type of
reply will tear the other person down and harm
a positive, collaborative environment that many
worship teams seek to build.
Instead, we might say something like “I’m not
sure if I can make that work in this context, but
let me give it a shot and see what you think!”
Most of the time, if an idea really won’t work,
the person suggesting the idea will figure it out
By being truthful, me.” By being truthful, but admitting that we
but admitting that of collaboration alive and maintain a positive
we may be wrong, prepare for worship.
we are able to WHEN YOU CAN’T QUITE GET IT RIGHT
keep the spirit of notes/patterns. In these cases we might feel
collaboration alive that we are aware of our repeated mistakes
may be wrong, we are able to keep the spirit
experience with our brothers and sisters as we
Sometimes, we are the ones hitting the wrong
and maintain a
positive experience
with our brothers
tempted to let everyone else in the band know
- every time we make one! And while a quick
apology to the band about a mistake that
possibly derailed a song might be necessary
sometimes, we don’t always need to tell
everyone about our mistakes as drummers.
Most likely, everyone else in the band is focused
on correcting their own mistakes, so just try to
correct the hiccups in your drumming, and try
and sisters as
not to get too frustrated!
we prepare for These are just a few examples of the many,
worship. to uplift our bandmates. It’s really easy to
many opportunities we have every week
encourage someone when they’re getting
on their own once they hear it being played.
everything “right,” but we all need a little more
The key here is to genuinely and enthusiastically The most important thing to keep in mind is encouragement when things aren’t going the
try to play the suggestion from your bandmate. to give the person in the leadership role an way we’d like. Remember that our ministry as
This has the added benefit of making it much opportunity to lead first. Many times, during worship leaders doesn’t start and end with just
more likely for the other band members to a Sunday morning soundcheck, the worship the music we play during worship services. Our
try your suggestions in the future! leader has dozens of thoughts and “to-dos” on ministry to those around us day after day is just
his or her mind. Just because the leader hasn’t as important!
WHEN ANOTHER MUSICIAN IS HITTING A WRONG addressed that wrong note yet, doesn’t mean
NOTE- AND DOESN’T KNOW IT that they won’t.
Sometimes our more “melodic” brothers and
sisters might repeatedly play a note that either
If you feel like you should indeed bring up the
July 2018
Daniel Hadaway
The Drum Coach. Professional drummer with All
Sons & Daughters. Daniel provides resources for
drummers, including a daily podcast
DanielHadaway.com
WorshipMusician.com
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