DRUMS
EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED OR THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN TO ME | Carl Albrecht
I broke a kick drum head all the way through the other night. But no! Not at sound check or a session where we would just take a break and fix it! It was the FIRST song of the evening in a concert with Paul Baloche.
Well … I just kept on playing with the“ kick” mallet flopping through the perfectly sliced drumhead. The rest of the band looked at me with that“ What are you doing?” sort of look. There had been a definite change in the sound and feel of the music. The next song was supposed to start immediately after the first. So I counted it off and proceeded to play the floor tom with my right hand for the kick pattern and the snare with my left for the backbeats. At the same time, I played 8 th notes on my hi-hat with my left foot. It actually worked pretty well. Paul turned around and gave me a funny look and later commented he thought I was trying to be creative.
While keeping a smile on my face and just pouring my heart out in worship we got through those first couple of songs without“ crashing.” At the end of the second song, I told Paul what happened. I ran off the platform and made a beeline for the church choir room. Earlier in the day I roamed around the building exploring the church as I often do when we travel. There was an old drum set in the choir room that became my lifesaver for the evening.
While Paul shared with the congregation and played a more“ unplugged” tune I borrowed the bass drum from that old beat-up kit and took it to the stage. In a few minutes, and with the help of the sound crew, the drums on the platform were ready to go again …“ Bam!” we were back in business.
I have been accused of being too cautious at times. Jokes about all the extra stuff I carry with me are often heard at sessions or on tour.“ Ask Carl, I’ m sure he’ s got it in his bag.” …
“ fingernail clippers?”“… a 9 volt battery?”“… a guitar cable?”“... duct tape? It’ s not that I’ m paranoid. I’ ve just learned to expect the unexpected. And I’ m just grateful to those who have taught me about being ready for anything.
The primary rule for being prepared is: # 1. BE OVER PREPARED – Go to the job as if no one will have anything you need. That should mean having these things in your stick bag and road cases. I also have spare parts like this at our church.
• A large supply of sticks, brushes, mallets, etc. Also keep a few pairs of sticks in places other than your stick bag.( i. e. in your luggage or other cases.) You’ ll be glad you did if your stick bag is ever lost or delayed in flight.
• Spare parts for every moving part on your drums: kick pedal springs, straps, nuts & bolts, pins for footboards, etc. etc.
• An extra hi-hat clutch.(* The device that holds the top cymbal of your hi-hat set)
• Cymbal stand wing nuts, felt washers, and nylon sleeves for cymbal stands. You can buy these items at most music stores.
• A kick drum head patch pad. On most kick drumheads, especially double-ply heads, you can see a small split begin to happen. Before it becomes the nightmare I described earlier, use a patch at the point of attack. I know the sound is a little different, but in“ live” settings it’ s a lifesaver.
• Extra drum heads for each drum.
• String or straps for your snare drum. And a 2nd snare drum, just in case.
• A few spare drum lugs. They get loose and come out from all the vibrations. They also fall out of the road case never to be found.“ Go figure!”
• An extra kick drum pedal. One that you can fold down to fit into a tour case or piece of luggage. It doesn’ t have to be expensive. Just get one!!
• And of course, a small roll of DUCT TAPE!! The“ quick fixer upper” for all musicians.
I always send a very detailed list of things I need for an event or concert. Allowing for supply problems, I give plenty of options. For example, I’ ll give a list of several snare drum options or even different drum manufacturers so that my“ drum rider”( a contract equipment list) doesn’ t look like the search for the“ holy grail.” I still contact the event coordinator to verify that everything is OK. Believe it or not sometimes they don’ t read the contract or riders that artists send. So, the other rule of preparing is: # 2. OVER COMMUNICATE
All of these rules apply whether I’ m touring or working at my home church. Being over prepared helps to eliminate any distractions from our primary purpose. And that is to play, worship, and help people experience the presence of God.
Blessings on your preparation.
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
90 March 2026 Subscribe for Free...