DRUMS
WORSHIP DRUMMERS RAISING THE BAR | Carl Albrecht
Today let ’ s build on a strong foundation as we step into a new season . Our lives as drummers , musicians … as people … is always a journey in growing in all that the Lord has given us to do . Go back and read the parable of the talents for some inspiration from the scriptures . - Matthew 25:14-30 . This life journey of being faithful to do well with all that God has given us is vital to our growth and contentment in every area of our lives . So what does that look like for us as drummers ? Let ’ s get inspired together !
ALWAYS LEARNING ! ALWAYS GROWING . This is really my life-long motto for every area of my life . As a drummer it simply means to learn something new every time I play . Whether it ’ s my practice time , playing for concerts , sessions , or worship gatherings I am ALWAYS about discovering something new . I am constantly looking for something that I don ’ t know how to do yet . Of course we all know we can learn new things in any field of study . But I find that I have to be purposeful about maintaining an attitude of discovery . It ’ s easy to get stuck in the rut of only doing what you know . DON ’ T get stuck !
Just today I was checking out https :// worshipdrummer . com and was learning how to program my new Boss DB90 metronome . I ’ ve been using a different one for years and just thought I needed to try a new machine . So I took the plunge into a new tool and have to get comfortable with it . I was also checking out a few drum tutorials on playing new patterns and songs . I was even looking at recording software-training videos . I ’ ve recently upgraded my studio and there are a lot of new things I have to get comfortable with to be able to work on file sharing sessions .
PLAY EVERY DAY . I know you ’ ve heard me say this before . But are you doing it ? You know that Nike add … “ Just Do It ”… You have to “ do it ” to keep your skill level up . It ’ s just the nature of any talent whether in business or art . If you ’ ve been reading my articles you ’ ve probably seen my list of the practice routine I use : Rudiments ; Reading Music ; Learning New Songs ; Groove Studies ; and Soloing . It ’ s good to have a method by which you learn , but it ’ s also good to mix things up or try something new if you ever feel stuck . Throw yourself into NEW ideas even when you don ’ t feel like it . Discipline is not about feeling it … It ’ s about DOING IT !
I was recently at a drum and percussion clinic with Alex Acuna and Walter Rodriguez and they both made the point about always playing and growing . Alex is about 80 years old and still maintains a daily routine of playing and trying new things . Amazing ! This is something I ’ ve heard about every great musician I know . Be inspired by that and don ’ t make it into anything negative . If you ’ ve been undisciplined in your calling , than turn the ship around and change your routine to make it happen . You CAN do this !
LEARN FROM THE OLD AND THE NEW . It ’ s normal to want to stay where you are comfortable . It ’ s easy to listen and learn in the musical world you grew up in and what your circle of friends love .
But that is also a place where you won ’ t grow . Even if certain periods or styles of music aren ’ t you ’ re “ thing ” listen to it all and learn from it . I was fortunate to have teachers that made me learn from every era of music and in a huge variety of styles . So I maintain that attitude even today . This is so important for the modern worship drummer too . You should listen and copy all of the old gospel styles as well as all of the new stuff that is happening in the modern worship world .
Because there is every kind of music available on the Internet you ’ d think musicians would have a bigger vocabulary of skill . But many players get stuck in the world they ’ re working in . While this is normal don ’ t let it become your normal . Keep stretching in your understanding of musical history no matter what instrument you play . Even if you don ’ t like a particular style or era of music learn it anyway . Get to know the way drums sound for every time period of music and copy the grooves and feel of songs from every generation of music . Young players learn from the old ones . Older drummers pay attention to what ’ s happening in modern music and the new things that are appearing . NEVER get stuck ! HONOR the Lord ! And keep GROWING ! Keep it going !
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
84 December 2024 Subscribe for Free ...