DRUMS
STIRRING UP CREATIVITY WHILE PLAYING SIMPLE PARTS | Carl Albrecht
Were you laughing after reading my title ? I actually felt a little grin come across my face . The thought that a musician must challenge their gift to keep growing seems to be less important in church music . Right ? So why does this seem so strange in todays modern worship world ? Drummers for contemporary worship bands are playing relatively simple parts , so where ’ s the challenge ?
Even though playing simple patterns is technically not difficult , getting the feel just right is an art in itself . Injecting passion and emotion into every sound is absolutely necessary , but it ’ s nearly an “ un-teachable ” skill . It ’ s something that has to pour out of your spirit . But you can open your heart and open your ears to hear it ! It ’ s a different way of learning and maturing in your skill . And you must do it no matter what instrument you play … but drummers should take it even more seriously because you can help inject energy and passion into almost every situation you play . * Reading the new book about the life of Jeff Porcaro reminded me of this . Yes , he was a skillful musician , but people mostly spoke of how he “ energized ” the band and the music every time he played .
I was also reading a recent Modern Drummer interview with Steve Jordan ( John Mayer , James Taylor , Brecker Brothers , & many more ) and his thoughts on playing simple were … well … simply beautiful . You should read it . Really . Go to the link and read it . Absorb his thoughts on the artistic approach to being a brilliant , musical drummer . Not as a prideful thing , but as a duty to your calling . This will impact your “ worship ” and your “ worship drumming ”.
So how do we increase our creativity while playing simple parts ? First , as I ’ ve just written , get the “ feel ” and “ sounds ” just right ! If you think you ’ ve got that covered then look for different ways to play the groove .
1 . SWITCH YOUR LEAD HAND , if you can keep the feel and time perfect . There are times I often will try playing things “ backwards .” Leading with my left hand for me ! I will always practice this first . Then I ’ ll try it at rehearsal or sound check . If it ’ s working well , then I may try it in the actual performance .
2 . I ’ LL HAVE A 2 ND RIDE CYMBAL on the opposite side of my set up and try playing cymbal rides from that perspective . Again … practice first ! Then bring it into the band rehearsals . If anyone says it doesn ’ t feel good , then go back to the practice room . This often opens up a different way to play a fill or create new ones . If it works musically , then use it in the worship time . Honoring the music is always the goal .
3 . ADDING A FLOOR TOM to the left of the hi-hat is very cool . I will either tune it exactly like the one I normally use or maybe a 3 rd or 4 th lower ( or higher ). It all depends on how it feels musically .
4 . YOU CAN ALSO ADD A 2 ND SNARE . This is something I do almost all of the time . A 3 rd snare can also be a cool vibe . I put one to the left of my hi-hat and sometimes the 3 rd one will be just past my floor tom to the right . I ’ ll try to find songs where a pitch change to the snare works great . This usually happens according to sections of the song . For example : the verse gets one snare and the chorus gets another . You can check out what I did on “ My Hope – LIVE ” with Paul Baloche & Friends . This is also a good example of playing simply and just getting the arrangement and feel of a song to work right .
Try some of your own creative ideas . Moving things around , tuning differently , and adding some percussion toys to your set up can be cool . Anything that can truly enhance a song is usually workable . Of course ... always
remember … the music rules ! If it helps the song … great . If not … leave it for the practice room .
Have fun . Let me know how it goes or if you have any questions . Really ! I ’ d like to hear from you .
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 LMAlbrecht @ aol . com
118 February 2021
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