DRUMS
DRUM SOLOS WHEN YOU WORSHIP! WHAT? | Carl Albrecht
Drum solos in worship? WHAT? I know this seems like a strange subject to write about. After all, most of what drummers do in worship is just play simple grooves. Several times I’ ve written about keeping it simple, not overplaying, and that most modern worship is just about playing great feeling grooves that make the songs sound amazing. But my goal here is to explain what to do when the appropriate time comes for a drum solo and to remember to keep working on this skill when you practice.
So, how do you“ musically” play a drum solo? First of all, I always think of drums as being a melodic instrument. Even though we may not have pitches to use like other instruments there are still low and high sounds on a drum kit. The kick and low toms are the deeper tones; smaller toms and snare are the mid range; and the cymbals are the higher, sparkling sounds. This isn’ t a strict guide but just a general starting point.
A good beginning exercise is to play a simple single stroke roll at the tempo of a song you know and accent the melody notes while you sing along. Try it while singing“ Open The Eyes Of My Heart” by Baloche or“ Praise” by Elevation and see what happens. It may feel a little strange at first, but this is where you start. You should notice most of the accents land on your right or leading hand. If you play“ Ancient Of Days”(* if you remember that old song *) the accents will fall on your left or weaker hand. Now just move the accents around the kit or hit cymbal crashes with a kick drum added at the same time. Even though this is a basic approach it works great as an exercise, and I often do some of this when I’ m soloing during worship. Move the notes around the kit and just keep it smooth and relaxed.
I also believe it’ s important to keep learning rudiments, drum fills, and phrasing ideas from many sources. Build on what you know and don’ t give up. All of these ideas will become part of your drumming vocabulary so that you’ ll have more ways to express yourself as you play solos, new fills, and drum grooves in general. YouTube and other on-line sources are full of great demonstrations on how to build these skills. Check it out!
What’ s more important is the spiritual and emotional expression that should happen when you solo. Some would say that a worship musician plays prophetically or that they are playing a“ song of the Lord” when they solo. We not only sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, but we also“ PLAY” them. All musicians can do this, including the drummers! Don’ t just let your playing be a technical thing, but engage your spirit in the process. Always think of ministering to the Lord and His people.
Sometimes it’ s thundering tom rolls with splashes of cymbals accented on the melody. At other times it starts as a whisper with light cymbals rolls and then gradually I’ ll work my way into a grooving solo idea … I don’ t ever know until that moment. Not to say that you can’ t have a plan, but I usually try to let the music happen according to what I’ m feeling in the spirit at the time.
It would not be“ unspiritual” to have some sort of structure. There are times I think of the song the whole time I’ m soloing. So the phrases will work in 4 or 8 bar sections. Each section will usually have a specific drum idea. I might do the A section all on the toms. Then as it moves into the B section or chorus I may go to the snare with cymbals accents. It’ s typical in any solo to build on a concept and then work your way through some variations on a theme. This is a very standard approach. I may do that to build structure and form, but there is ALWAYS an emotional, spiritual aspect to what I’ m doing.
So drum soloing in worship is not really about the drums, or the drummer, but about what God wants to do in the midst of His people. When I keep that as the focus of what I’ m doing, and don’ t get caught up in the mind game of trying to show off, I feel relaxed and encouraged in my soul.
When the presence of the Lord is the focus of your playing it releases you to flow in the Spirit when you play.
Get in the flow, and see where you’ ll go!!
Blessings.
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 carlralbrecht @ gmail. com
78 April 2025 Subscribe for Free...