DRUMS
ONE DRUMMER , MANY WORSHIP LEADERS | Carl Albrecht
A drummer ’ s job in ministry is always to serve . If you ’ re in a church with several leaders then you have to serve according to the need of each leader . You have to be flexible and maybe approach your drumming differently according to the style of each leader . Sometimes I even work with other drummers and play percussion . I love to do that too . So these ideas can really apply to any position you ’ re in and to the other players in the band .
So what can you do to make each leader / artist comfortable with his or her music ? The ultimate goal is to help them meet the Lord in worship by making the vehicle of music run smoothly . So this is not about my solo artistic expression ; although that is always part of the process . Ultimately all the elements of playing are focused on partnering with the person I ’ m serving . In a way I become “ a Jonathan for David ”.
In modern worship there are many similarities in the style of music that artists play . Many of the grooves and feels of songs are pretty standard once you know the tunes . And worship leaders , in general , pull from the pool of favorite worship songs now listed in the CCLI Top 100 , besides their own written material . So being familiar with the latest popular songs is helpful . But the bottom line is getting with each worship leader to find out what they like . You have to communicate and build a relationship .
I will always ask for a song list , charts , and YouTube references so that I can “ wood shed ” the material . I ’ ll make note of the particular nuances of each artist ’ s musical ideas . Some like to have the music really driving and big sounding . Even on slower songs they may like a lot of energy . Others like the music to be a little more subdued . When things are fast and celebratory they may still like the volume lower or the drum tones a little less harsh . This is usually relating to how hard I play ; especially how much I “ dig in ” to the hi-hat or cymbals . I may also play the snare in the middle of the head without doing rim shots . That will definitely take the edge off .
You should be able to adapt to whatever music is thrown at you . I ’ ve often heard worship leaders say that their drummer is pretty good at one thing , but they totally blow it when the musical style is something they ’ re not use to . I ’ m really sad to hear that . So we must develop a bigger musical menu of styles . You have to personally expand your musical palette to play contemporary worship . Now days the various styles of worship are extensive . Not only do you have to play Rock and Pop music , but you also have to be comfortable with some Latin , Jazz , Celtic , Techno-euro and World Beat music too . Listen to Paul Baloche , Chris Tomlin , Phil
Wickham , Hillsong , and Elevation but also listen to Israel Houghton , Martha Munizzi , Kirk Franklin and others . The idea is just to mix up your musical menu so you ’ re learning to play every style that ’ s out there . And that ’ s a huge task ! I know … because I ’ m still doing it , and I ’ ve been playing for more than 40 years .
Through the years of working with so many artists and worship leaders I ’ ve learned to play drums & percussion in a variety of ways ; I ’ ve “ spoken many musical languages .” That is the key - I never limit myself by only being able to play one way . As I said earlier , my ultimate goal is to serve each person to the best of my ability , and to make them feel their music is being played with excellence ; that I ’ m speaking their language . Hopefully as we play together in worship and make a sound “ as one ”, speaking the same language , the glory of God will come into our midst .
Remember : Listen … Learn … Serve … DO IT !
Drummin ’ for Jesus .
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