DRUMS
NO BURN OUT FOR DRUMMERS | Carl Albrecht
I guess this could be an article for every creative person in the world. Not just drummers. But I will keep the focus on how drummers think and function. Since that’ s the chair that I most frequently occupy I feel qualified to approach this subject. So how do we keep from burning out at drumming or anything for that matter? Let’ s talk!
I know I’ ve touched on some of these ideas before. Because I’ ve written so many articles in my lifetime things will start to overlap, but there are always new ideas that come to light as we grow and grow older. I pray you feel encouraged and inspired as we unpack some“ drum wisdom” here. Let’ s go!
1. JUST STOP PLAYING! What? Carl! Do you really mean that? Yes I do. I have learned through the years of being a drummer / musician / singer / writer / producer / teacher / pastor … human being … that it is vital to walk away from your work sometimes. Now, I’ m not saying for long periods of time. Maybe a few days, weeks … maybe months. But learning to pace yourself is vital to healthy living in general. And for creative people it’ s especially important to prevent burn out. Sometimes it’ s just as simple as making your weekly schedule more flexible. Have time to have fun! Be with your friends and family. Do things outside of your profession or calling. Then come back to your instrument and enjoy the gift of playing. This is definitely an attitude / mindset thing. And I’ ve learned through the years that this is so important. I always feel excited to come back to playing when I’ ve had a little break from the routine. Even when you like the routine it’ s good to break up your schedule. Ask the Lord to help you. Pray!! Yes, He has a plan for everything.
2. DO MORE LISTENING THAN PLAYING. When I take more time to check out other drummers it inspires me! When I’ m just focused on my own playing I honestly get a little bored. I feel like I’ m not being“ stretched.” I notice when I’ m working so much on my own music or just listening to one group or style I get bored. Now, you may feel like it’ s wonderful to be in your own world, but I can assure you that you’ re missing out on some level of growth. If you’ re only focused on you, your band, your church, your way of doing things you will get stuck in a rut. Even if you don’ t feel it! So … break up the routine.
In your practice time take the time to watch other drummers; other bands; then work on things you see them doing that you may not be playing right now. That includes the song lists, the styles, the techniques, etc. Change is good and a drummer must mix things up to stir up the creative juices. It’ s also good for building new“ chops”; your technique! I have talked about this a bit in other articles, but I’ ve noticed recently it has helped my get“ un-stuck”. And it’ s made my playing fresher and has helped me try things I have not ventured into before. Yes, we all should keep learning and growing.
3. PLAY DIFFERENT DRUMS AND SET UPS. As you’ re exploring other drummers and bands for inspiration try using their setup or drums if possible. If your budget is tight and you can’ t afford extra drums, just try moving things around. Again, I’ ve hinted at this before and I have discovered, once again, that it is very inspiring to mix things up. Even if it’ s just
rearranging the drum set you have right now, that can make you get out of your rut. If you don’ t feel stuck still do this anyway and just challenge yourself to see what happens. Yes, if something fails; if it doesn’ t feel like it’ s working; then just keep changing things until you discover a freshness coming into your playing. I’ ve been surprised every time I do this. I’ ve discovered sounds and creative ways to play the drums that did not come to mind before the change.
These basic approaches are a great way to get out of your performance rut. Even if you feel things are fine, challenge yourself to try new things. Pray and try something I haven’ t even mentioned. If you think you’ ve got it all figured out … well your stuck in the rut of self-denial. Repent … and get“ unstuck!”
Blessings, Carl – Your Drum Doctor!
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 carlralbrecht @ gmail. com
92 June 2025 Subscribe for Free...