arrangement. Plus, if we’ re in a smaller, drumkit-less context, the same“ thump” and“ snap” can be reproduced even on a cajon or djembe.
So with the song in mind( or perhaps even playing) and half an eye on the graph, read through these short descriptions of the barebones elements we’ ll need from our drummer / percussionist.
A. Pre-Intro: Low dynamic: No drums here apart from a short simple fill near the end to bring in the band for the Intro / Interlude.
B. Intro / Interlude X2: High energy! Solid“ 4 on the floor” drumbeat. That’ s a kick drum hitting each of the four beats of the bar and a snare hit on the two and four.
C. Verse 1: Sudden drop in dynamics. No drums for the first 6 bars. Then kick drum on“ 1” &“ 1 &” every 2 bars.
D. Chorus 1: A lift in energy, but not as big as the previous( or the next) Interlude. Kick drum on every beat. A snare is not essential here.
E. Interlude: A dynamic increase. Back to“ 4 on the floor”
F. Verse 2: Now a step down. Less energetic than the Interlude, but not as tame as Verse 1. Pair of kick thumps on“ 1” and“ 1 &” of each bar. Snare on“ 2” and“ 4”.
G. Chorus 2: Big! More“ 4 on the floor”.
H. ½ Interlude: Still big. Even more“ 4 on the floor”.
I. Bridge 1: Definite, sudden reduction in energy, but not too much. Kick drum on every beat. Snare on the 4th beat of each bar.
J. Bridge 2: Step up, but not too far. Kick on every beat with snare on“ 2 &” and“ 4”. Build to end.
K.“ Sugar” ½ Chorus 3: Thump the first beat of the first bar, then drums are out. Then use bars 5 and 6 to build into the 2nd half of Chorus 3.
L. ½ Chorus 3: Big drums make big energy.“ 4 on the floor”.
M. Chorus Extension: The excitement continues.“ 4 on the floor”.
N.
Outro / Interlude X2: And continues!“ 4 on the floor” but getting ready to end the song.
O. Post Outro: Hit the first beat of the first bar, then drums are done.
Some less experienced / competent drummers may need some help to develop their critical listening skills so they can identify and reproduce these main, foundational building blocks for our dynamically rich arrangement. This help, I believe, should be provided by the MD.
I hope this example and these principals are helpful to MDs, drummers and teams as you arrange your own dynamic version of“ Great Things” or any other song. I am confident that your congregation’ s participation levels will increase if you do!
Grant Norsworthy Grant is the founder of More Than Music Mentor- providing online & onsite training for the heart & the art of worshipping singers, instrumentalists & technicians. Grant’ a passion is to IMPROVE musicality, INCREASE participation, INSTILL unity & INSPIRE worship in The Church worldwide. An Aussie who also lived in Nashville, TN, USA for 17 years as a pro CCM muso, today Grant lives and works from his Nelson New Zealand home base.
MoreThanMusicMentor. com Facebook. com / GrantNorsworthy
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