PERCUSSION
MY GO-TO TEN | Mark Shelton
Congas, bongos, timbales, plus the necessary stands along with a trap case loaded with smaller instruments! Yeah, such was the load-in for church in the not-so-distant past. However, the percussion instrumentation for contemporary worship has shifted over the past several years( and my lower back is grateful).
Currently, when I play a set of contemporary worship songs, there is a core group of instruments I frequently use. I’ ve selected ten important members of my core group to share with you along with some information on why they have gained go-to status.
Shake Tambourines It’ s probably the most-heard hand percussion instrument on contemporary worship recordings! The high-pitched jangle of the shake tambourine, sounding a steady rhythm of continuous eighths or sixteenths, provides forward motion in a song.
Mounted Tambourines Although the tambourine is usually played as a hand-held instrument, mounting allows for striking the instrument with both hands( or sticks). It also eliminates the need to pick up the instrument to get it into playing position.
Shakers Similar to the shake tambourine, the shaker is typically employed to play a steady eighth or sixteenth note pattern that creates forward momentum, but the shaker is generally a more subtle choice than the tambourine. When a down-tempo song needs just a touch of rhythmic percussion, the shaker is a worthy choice.
Suspended Cymbal At least one cymbal always occupies my worship music set-up. A suspended cymbal crash can place an exclamation point on a
112 August 2026 Subscribe for Free...