DRUMS
100 WORSHIP SONGS IN A WEEK | Carl Albrecht
OK !! It ’ s time for having some fun . The challenge … Play through the CCLI top 100 worship songs in a week . This is strictly a drum boot camp approach to playing through worship songs ! We ’ re not going to worry about working out the details . Just play along quickly with what you will hear . You can go to
www . CCLI . com and print out the list . It ’ s on their home page . And then go to YouTube or another streaming service to reference the tunes .
Yes , I did the math ! If you practice just one hour per day that means you have to play fourteen songs in an hour for seven days . That is if you only play for an hour . Because if you do … that means you can only spend 4.3 minutes per song . You won ’ t be able to play the entire song … usually . You ’ ll just have to stop and move on . I recommend carving out 75 – 90 minutes each day if you can . Then you can probably play the long versions . I know … 14x7 is only 98 . So … on the days you ’ re really flying through the list add an extra song . It won ’ t be that hard . You only need to add two extra songs during the week to make it to 100 .
The goal here is to strictly plow through and keep playing . Make a mark like a bracket around the fourteen songs for the day . Go quickly to your streaming service and get on with it . Don ’ t chart anything out . Don ’ t change your set up . Put on your headphones or ear buds , listen fast , start playing along , and don ’ t stop . You are allowed to take notes right after you play a song and make a mark on songs you want to come back to later . But don ’ t take too long . It might be one word like “ feel ” or “ speed ” ( tempo ), or “ fills .” It will just be used as a note to remind you of what might have felt funny while you played . Move as quickly as possible to the next song .
If you have more time in a session of the fourteen songs for the day you can go back and repeat a song you make a mark on . Just be sure you play straight through the list first . This is VERY important . The idea is to work on building stamina , strength , and better concentration during the session . That is why I take no breaks . Yes , I would purposefully use the rest room before the session . Have a sweat towel , a bottle of water , and maybe even a power bar to grab a quick bite between songs if you think that could be needed . On sessions , concerts , and clinics I always have those things on hand so I can stay sharp on the job . It will feel a bit like a strict military work out … or like a sport . And it should . Dig in ! Don ’ t give up ! And press through … especially after song number ten . That ’ s when you might feel you ’ re hitting a wall . Maybe ! But … Don ’ t hit it ! Just jump over it and keep grooving .
Take mental notes of how your body feels playing for a long period of time . Be aware of your breathing , your posture , and anything else that you become aware of during the session .
You might even notice your groove or timing feel looser as the time passes . Press through and don ’ t let that happen . Stay focused and keep everything as solid as possible , even if you don ’ t know the songs that well . Don ’ t worry about missing fills or certain patterns . ALWAYS play with confidence . You can always come back to working out details later . Never be distracted by what you don ’ t know . Athletes call this “ putting on the game face .” Do it !
Finally , if your are not able to do this straight through in one week , then set your own schedule and do it anyway . It might take you two weeks to play through one hundred songs . That would be about 7 to 8 songs in one hour . So do something that works for you . But don ’ t miss out on the fun ! I think you ’ ll be surprised at what this will do to your playing even in one week . Remember , the big goal here is building strength , stamina , and concentration . OK , get to it ! Oh … and send me a note to let me know how it goes .
Blessings all .
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