DRUMS
KEEP EXPANDING YOUR DRUM PALETTE | Carl Albrecht
Listen, Listen, Listen! That’ s how drummers and all musicians keep growing in their skill. Keep your ears and mind open as you journey through this musical wonderland we live in. Only listening to or playing one style of music is like a chef who can only grill hamburgers. You might cook up a great sandwich, but pretty soon your customers will get bored with your menu and look for another chef. And it is extremely unhealthy. Of course everyone has preferred flavors when it comes to food and music. It’ s not a problem to have things you like. Just don’ t discount other things as useless or bad because it doesn’ t move you. I have hit on this topic before, but as I travel to different churches and seminars I see a lot of drummers still stuck in they’ re own world. Let me help you climb out of your rut.
What I’ m noticing in these times is that younger people are listening to a huge range of musical styles. They seem to enjoy checking out everything from bluegrass to rap … pop to jazz … and beyond! I think it’ s the way the new generation is exposed to music via the Internet. Older folks are usually stuck in the rut of only having a few musical preferences. Mostly because as they were growing up there was not the variety of listening there is now. None of this is an issue if you’ re just a fan of music. The general public just loves music for how it relates to them. But if you’ re a player / performer that’ s a very limiting habit. A working musician has got to keep an open mind and grow in their craft.
I guess the one drawback to having a large musical smorgasbord is that I don’ t have a favorite flavor at this point in my life. Well, at least not one. There are my personal favorites across the huge landscape of music; which are not at all like other people’ s favorites. * Notice, I’ m not naming any names. People often ask me what is my favorite music or even a drum groove feel. I just shrug my shoulders and say it changes depending on the mood I’ m in. Of course when I’ m playing with a band my goal is to honor the music and the players and play as authentically as I can. ** A good chef knows how to make the food taste just right! And so I’ m happy to dish up whatever people need for the moment.
So to specifically focus on the Christian and worship music world how does a drummer expand his or her musical palette? Very simply I have to say broaden your horizons. Even though I’ ve played a lot with Paul Baloche, Don Moen, Paul Wilbur and other Integrity Music artists I also like working other gigs, playing sessions, and just practicing things I don’ t normally play. This forces me to listen to other bands and styles just to keep my ears open to the new sounds. Paul is an avid listener! He’ s always checking out new and old music, and purposely pays attention to what other people are enjoying. This has challenged me to do the same sort of thing to stay current as a recording drummer and producer. I’ ve been doing this for many years, but that’ s not a trophy I worship and use for an excuse to stop growing. God is always worthy of our best efforts and that’ s part of our life of worship. I want to be faithful and honor the Lord with what He’ s given me.
I absolutely listen to other drummers, bands, and artists to see what others are doing, and when I’ m working with people I pay attention to what they are saying about what they want to hear and who they listen to. All options are on the table when I work with others. I’ m not afraid to try new things or to have someone make suggestions, even if it makes me uncomfortable. This is probably one of the keys to being able to stay fresh and to keep working. But it also keeps me inspired as a player and a worshipper. I don’ t allow myself to rest on my own accomplishments.
Trying new sounds is also great for growing musically. When I travel I have the privilege and challenge of playing different drum kits all the time. In fact on most tours I usually have to play a different kit every night. It’ s not always what I want to hear, but I always play with conviction. I’ m learning something every time … even to have more patience … especially when a kit doesn’ t sound the way I think it should. It could be the drums, the heads, or the room and PA system that are affecting the sound of the music. I don’ t always know. BUT, I do take note of how things work and don’ t work.
As modern worship continues to grow around the world the sounds and styles will expand with it. Every genre, style, and sound is available for us to bless the Lord with … to bring glory to His name, and to inspire others to join us in the experience. Keep stirring your hunger for more of Him and to be more of what He’ s called you to be. Psalm 150 … Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
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 carlralbrecht @ gmail. com
92 September 2025 Subscribe for Free...