DRUMS
THE DRUMMER AND PERCUSSIONIST TEAM | Carl Albrecht
Photo by Keagan Henman on Unsplash
Even in new worship teams we ’ re seeing multiple drummers and / or percussionists . Here are some ideas if you ’ re expanding your band . For a drummer and percussionist to work well together every aspect has to be just right . Both players must really be locked in to the tempo . Dynamically , they need to sound like one unit . And their parts must be carefully arranged to work perfectly with each other , and to compliment the rest of the group . Check out “ Praise ” by Elevation – a great drum and percussion demonstration .
As a drummer , I look for the percussionist to weave their playing into mine . The percussionist should never try to push or pull the tempo around . They should always try to line up their time and feel to what the drummer is doing . I want their part to compliment what I am playing and focus on making us sound like one !
When I ’ m playing percussion , I always remind myself that the drummer is the foundation and I must compliment and support what they do . * If you check out some of the early Ron Kenoly videos on YouTube you ’ ll see me playing percussion along side Chester Thompson on drums and Alex Acuna on percussion . I even had the chance to play percussion with Vinnie Colaiuta on drums on Ron ’ s project “ We Offer Praises .” * In all of these settings I focus on making the music feel great and find parts that work with the whole arrangement . I never think of drawing attention to myself . Listening carefully and thinking like an arranger is key .
I can always tell when the percussionist is not listening to what the drummer or the rest of the band is doing . The part they play might conflict with the hi-hat or ride cymbal part . Maybe they are playing too busy . Filling every space with some sound effect or percussion fill is like having too much salt in your soup ! In a case like this , I will actually have a little chat with my drum / percussion partner . I always try to be an encourager . It never helps to yell at someone or project negative emotions into the environment .
I will actually discuss with the percussionist about how we arrange our parts for the music we ’ re playing . I might ask them to not play for a section . Maybe they should just color the 1 st verse and chorus with sound effects , and not do any “ groove ” parts until the 2 nd verse . It all depends on THE MUSIC ! What does the music really require ? If there is a recording to reference , both players should be copying what was already composed . Unless the leader asks for some other interpretation , play the part that already exists for the song .
If we are creating a part for a song I listen very carefully to what the rest of the band and singers are doing to try to find the drum part . The percussion concepts should fit into that . Yes , there are times we might build from a percussion idea first . Percussion grooves are everywhere in contemporary music . Even more so now with the use of drum machines , drum loops , and sequencing . So it is a great time to be a drummer and percussionist .
When setting up I prefer the percussionist to be on my right side and the bass player to my left
( the hi-hat side ). This allows for the percussionist to hear the kit clearly and to have a visual connection to my right side . For me , the right hand will be dictating a lot of the time keeping ( hi-hat & ride cymbal patterns ). I ’ ve always found this helpful when setting up a drum and percussion duo in the band . It is definitely my preference when playing percussion . When that ’ s not possible , I still make sure I have a good sight line to the drummer , and I ’ m very careful about getting a good monitor mix . You have to hear well to play well .
A great tool for checking out your sound is to record everything you play . I ’ ve mentioned
this in other drum articles , but it is really true for every player . As a musician , you can get a true perspective of what you sound like when hearing the recording from every event you play . Be objective when you listen and decide if what you ’ re playing really works with the music . Be mature enough to make the proper adjustments as needed .
Always stay humble and focus on making the music sound great ! Psalm 133 – “ How good and pleasant it is when we “ groove ” together in unity ”. The New King “ Carl ” Version ( NKCV )
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 LMAlbrecht @ aol . com
74 July 2024 Subscribe for Free ...