DRUMS
DRUMMING IN THE NEW WORSHIP WORLD / THE BIG PICTURE REVIEWED | Carl Albrecht
Some things never change … and then … they all change … or evolve , depending on how you think of it . So … Let ’ s talk about being ready for the days ahead for worship drummers . I ’ ve been writing articles and teaching for years and I find that it ’ s still so important to maintain the fundamentals of your skill . But , at the same time , you must keep looking forward into the new things that are happening in the drum world . It is not “ either / or ”, it is both !
This approach to your craft as a musician will always be the challenge to your growth . So , let ’ s embrace it ! Yes , I know some of these ideas are things you ’ ve heard me say before . But as your teacher ( and drum brother ) my job is to continually encourage you in your calling as the drummer the Lord has called you to be . And repetition is a great teacher ! So … take a deep breath !! HERE WE GO !
1 . PLAY ! PLAY !! PLAY ! There ’ s nothing like just playing music with a band ( or recordings when no band is available ) that will keep you in shape as a musician . I even saw an old Buddy Rich post that said this very thing . Keep your musical experience in a constant state of growth . Playing with recordings is a cool way to learn and maintain the “ muscle memory ” to play , but it takes on another level of growth when you play with other musicians . If no one else is seeking this out , then you must make it happen or you will stagnate . Call your band together to play music more than just for services . Ask your leaders if you can have “ worship jam sessions ” to just be free to play . Work on new songs when you do this or even songs you already play and then extend them so you can solo over the form of the songs . Make this time a chance for you to play “ a new song unto the Lord .” - More on this later . *
2 . WORKING WITH TRACKS AND CLICKS I know we ’ ve talked about this before , but I still hear a bit of push back on this . Please let go of any thought that playing to tracks and clicks will inhibit you in any way . This skill is , and has been , part of the music world for a long , long time now . See it as just another tool in your skill set to be able to play whatever is required of you . The next level in this is to get your own library of songs and tracks together if you can afford it . Invest in one of the multitrack software packages like Loop Community . Most big churches do this in the “ new / modern worship world .” But even if you ’ re in a smaller congregation you should consider this as a great tool to build your music program . At least as a practice tool to sharpen the skill set of your team . Talk to your music director about this and even offer to pay for it if the church budget is not able to handle it . Make it an offering to the ministry of your house of worship .
3 . STAYING MOTIVATED WHEN NO ONE ELSE IS HELPING ! Wow ! This is a big one ! Do these things even when you don ’ t feel like it , or when no one else has the motivation to work with you . This is the hardest thing to do . I ’ ve been there … and even now I must navigate seasons of frustration or disappointment . There are times I ’ m just not in the mood or feel like I have the energy to play . Those are the times you must get to the instrument and just dive in ! The breakthrough comes as you engage the discipline of your calling . This applies to every area of life . But let ’ s stay on the topic of drums . The routine I ’ ve mentioned in other writings still works great . That would be working on 1 .) Rudiments 2 .) Reading Music 3 .) Copying / Learning Songs and 4 .) Soloing & Improvisation . But now I have added to the list number 5 .) Working With Technology .
The technology thing can feel like a distraction , but it has really become a great tool for the modern drummer . We must embrace it . And it also helps in the other areas of playing that I have mentioned . As I ’ ve said in other writings , start where you are and keep building . The
worship world for drummers is now way beyond just playing the drums . But it definitely starts there . The technology that is available to us will really help in our overall musical growth if we let it . If you ’ ve been resistant for any reason , let it go and dive in with all the energy you can muster . The payoff will be worth the pain .
Finally , back to the “ more on this later ” I mentioned earlier . Go to your drums as soon as you can , right now ! Pray … and then Play ! Play !! PLAY ! You can ’ t just read about it , you MUST DO IT ! It ’ s time for some “ Worship Drummer Boot Camp !” GO ! That ’ s all for now !
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
98 June 2024 Subscribe for Free ...