PERCUSSION
PICK YOUR SPOT … OR NOT | Mark Shelton
Keyboard , guitar , electric bass , string bass , drums , and percussion are often referred to as rhythm section instruments . Often the members of the rhythm section are expected to create parts for their instruments . It is important that these players work as a team and carefully craft parts that interact effectively . As a percussionist , you probably know that information , but are you always judiciously inserting your sounds into the mix ? Are you listening carefully and making choices based on thoughtful analysis of the surrounding musical timbres and rhythms ? When playing hand percussion in a worship band , I usually play less than the other instrumentalists . ( I like to think it ' s a combination of laziness and good taste .) When deciding to play or rest , I try to choose carefully . Read on for a few suggestions on picking your spot ... or not .
DON ' T FIGHT IN THE FILL When playing alongside a drum set player , be careful not to intrude and add clutter to a fill section . Most of the fill notes from the drum set will most likely be played on the actual drums . If you are playing congas , timbales , or drums that sound near the same frequency levels as the toms on the drum set , chill out during the fill . The drummer will appreciate your restraint .
CAREFUL WITH THE COLOR AND THE CYMBALS Moderation is in order when inserting coloristic percussion into the musical fabric . Those dings and shings that are tasty when artfully administered can become tedious and distracting when overdone . Every transition from verse to chorus does not require a cymbal roll and using the bar chimes more than three times in a song borders on excess .
NOT ALL THE NOTES ARE NEEDED Melodic percussion such as glockenspiel and chimes can add touches of brilliance to a song , but be careful lest their sparkling timbres become too much of a good thing . Instead of merely doubling another instrument on a line , consider these options :
• Play a fragment of the line
• Select a few important notes of the line to emphasize
• Play only on the repeat of the line
TASTY TAMBOURINE Doubling the snare drum backbeat with a single strike on the tambourine is quite common and can give some variety to the groove . I usually choose one backbeat or the other ; seldom do I play both 2 and 4 . Less tedium occurs when the snare drum is heard alone on one of the beats and the doubled sound on the other .
Sometimes my choice is arbitrary , but often I make a studied decision based on the lyrics of the song . Listen to the phrasing of the lyrics and you will often find less vocal activity around either beat 2 or beat 4 . Playing on the back beat where there is less melodic activity allows the tambourine ’ s tone color to do its job without competing with the vocals . Both lyric and tambourine get their space .
THE POWER OF ABSENCE Either playing or not playing affects the overall musical texture . Often you can heighten the impact of percussion by laying out for a few moments . After hearing the same sonic material for a while , our ears enjoy receiving new information . The reentry of percussion after a period of absence can provide fresh stimulus for the listener . Simply resting for a chorus and bringing in a stream of tambourine sixteenths on the repeat can give a needed lift to the song ( and the worshiper ).
A TEAM EFFORT Picking your spot works best with consistency from everyone in the rhythm section . After
listening carefully and appropriately crafting the percussion part during a rehearsal , your best-laid plan can be disrupted when another instrumentalist decides to go rogue during the worship set . If the success of your idea hinges on a specific interaction with another player , it can be helpful to let that person know that you are depending on them to stick to their rehearsed part .
Percussion can be likened to a spice rack . The right spice applied in the correct amount will complement the other ingredients while adding a unique flavor . As a percussionist , choose to play ( or not ) so that your decision will complement and enhance the music and the overall worship experience .
© 2021 Mark Shelton Productions / Percussion For Worship
Mark Shelton Mark Shelton is a freelance musician , content creator , and music education consultant based in Dallas / Fort Worth . Performance credits include North Carolina Symphony , Tin Roof Tango , Daystar Singers & Band , Gateway Worship , Wichita Falls Orchestra , Strata Big Band , TALEA , and Dallas Wind Symphony . www . marksheltonmusic . com percussionforworship . blogspot . com