DRUMS
“ ONE MORE TIME WITH FEELING!” | Carl Albrecht
I was just in the studio working on a project and discovered once again the key to great music. Yes, getting the notes right is very important. Finding the right groove for each song is also vital. But without question playing the songs with passion and conviction is still the key ingredient in making music powerful and exciting.
We had just finished a take of a song. But as I listened back to the recording I was not happy at all with what I played. To be honest, it sounded dull and boring. It really bummed me out! I thought to myself,“ If the other players are feeling what I’ m feeling they’ ll be calling for a new drummer after lunch.” I’ m happy to say that didn’ t happen. But I was still really“ freaked out” by what I heard.
Why wasn’ t it feeling good to me? There were some technical things I needed to fix. But something much more was missing from the music. And then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was playing everything from my head, but not even thinking of what the music was about. The thought of this being a worship recording didn’ t even cross my mind. I was just thinking so hard about the technical stuff that I hadn’ t given any consideration to the soul of what I was playing. The Lord was not my focus!
After listening to another playback I turned to the engineer and said,“ Let me go back in there and do another take.” I just couldn’ t let this be the final version of this song. Several other players even made the comment that this track was good and that redoing it wasn’ t really necessary. But I knew in my heart that I couldn’ t leave it feeling so lame.
I prayed as a walked back into the drum booth,“ Lord, help me to give you my best offering! I don’ t want my playing to become dull and lifeless! I want to make music that blesses people, but more importantly, I want it to touch Your heart!” As I sat down to play and the music began, I could tell something was different. My focus had been redirected to the Lord.
I played every note like it meant something. Yes, I was still mindful of the details of the job, but it was as if they were put in their proper perspective. I became aware of the lyrics of the song and they stirred my heart to play a certain way. The music seemed to feel much better; I even physically and mentally felt sharper. I believe getting my spirit engaged recalibrated the mechanical parts of my drumming.
As I walked back into the control room everyone looked at me like I was a different person.“ Man, that was so powerful!” was one comment. Another said,“ Yea, now that’ s the ticket!” Even my peers had felt something change. They didn’ t know that it was missing from the first take until they heard the new version. It was sobering to realize that people do feel the difference and that the attitude of the heart effects how a song is communicated.
I played for our church service on the following Sunday. Before I even began I prayed and ask the Lord to never allow me to forget why He made me a musician. And I thanked Him for shaking me from my stupor on that session. A fire had been rekindled from that experience and I could still feel it in the worship that morning. This week I’ m working on another recording and that same passion is stirring in my spirit.
Yes, I want to do good work for people, but I want my heart to always be in pursuit of the Lord.
So how do we keep our hearts engaged in the things the Lord has called us to do? First I know we always have to be honest with ourselves. If something doesn’ t feel right about what we’ re doing, don’ t just“ blow it off” and try to forget about it. Do some soul searching and figure out what’ s going on. Sometimes we’ re just distracted and we’ re not concentrating on our duty as a minstrel of the Lord. Being physically fatigued or mentally weary can be huge hindrances to our abilities in music as well as other areas of our life. Ask the Lord to help and I believe He will respond to the sincere cry of your heart. He sure did to mine! Psalm 51:17“ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
Whether it’ s a recording, a concert, a huge worship service, or a small gathering be sure your heart is engaged. There are no“ Big Gigs” to God. He wants us to do our best and to give Him our best offering in whatever situation we find ourselves. I pray for all of my fellow minstrels that they continue to keep their fires burning bright.
All for the Glory of God!
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
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