DRUMS
WANTED- DRUMMERS WITH BIG EARS! | Carl Albrecht
When speaking of“ drummers with big ears,” I’ m not talking about that part of a musician’ s anatomy through which they can hear. I’ m talking about the ability of a musician to be keenly aware of what all the other players and singers are doing. As well as being one that listens to and studies other music besides what you are playing at the time.
The first time I heard this phrase I was a young drummer playing at a wedding reception with a new band. Well, it wasn’ t new for everyone in the group, but it was for me. The rest of the players were a bunch of older guys who had played for years. And I was doing my best to make every song feel great and to pay attention to everything going on around me. I really wanted to get it right, and basically, I wanted to keep working. It was so encouraging when the bandleader turned to me and said,“ Man, it’ s so good to work with a drummer with big ears. Great job!”
I’ m grateful for my early mentors and heroes that taught me well. Through drum lessons, working with tough bandleaders, and reading articles I seemed to grasp what all musicians need to know. Just play the music! Don’ t show off! Listen and groove!
“ Listening to what?” you might ask. Well, if you’ ve been reading my articles for a while you’ ve heard some of this before. But today I’ m going to focus on HOW I listen to music as a drummer. Even today, during my practice time, I was aware that I was listening to songs from a pretty big perspective. I was thinking,“ How does a producer or artist hear songs?”
The simplest answer that comes to mind is that they listen to everything and find the right space for all of the musical pieces. Even though that is true, let me explain what I think that means. Once I’ ve learned the drum part of a song in great detail, I always play that part in relationship to all of the other musical elements. I never let myself get lost in drum world.( You know, that place where no other instruments except drums exist.) Quite often I’ m listening to the bass player first, especially if the pattern is matching the kick drum. Then maybe a guitar part or a keyboard vibe if that’ s what the song is built upon. Usually there is a primary instrument creating a feel for the tune so that’ s my first point of reference … And of course, being aware of how all that works with the melody and vocals. I hear music as a whole unit and if everyone is approaching the music that way, the ensemble will sound great!
I hear so many groups miss this first rule of making music together. Rule # 1: Play Together. I hear some of you saying,“ But, Carl, how do we do this? How do we know when we’ re really playing together?” A good way to check your bands playing objectively is to record rehearsals and performances. Go back and listen to see if everything is“ gelling.” As they say,“ The tape does not lie.”( or hard drive) You’ ll get the real picture of what’ s going on when you can step away for a moment and hear it as the sound engineer and audience hear it.
Do you hear every part of the music? In other words, does everyone play dynamically together? Does your drum sound blend well with the group?( Maybe you smack that snare a little too hard.) In all fairness, your sound is affected by the sound tech but be sure to give them a good drum balance to work with. Also listen carefully to how solid the tempo and feel of the ensemble sounds. This is where you’ ll really determine the“ togetherness” of a group. After all,“ Groove is everything!”
Besides reviewing your own performances, listen to other music as much as possible. Live recordings are a great education for hearing how other players respond to one another on the spot. Studio recordings are more refined and probably meticulously edited. Be sure to study both. I don’ t mean to keep you from just enjoying music emotionally, but there
needs to be a time when you are a student of the art of making music. It’ s OK to be analytical sometimes.
By the way, when I’ m listening, I also take this stuff to my practice room and jam along. Listen and Copy! Listen and Copy! Learning is fun! And be sure to listen to and play a huge variety of music. Not just your favorite stuff. All styles! All generations!! Learn to love learning.
I pray that by seeing the process that I go through to think musically, you will be inspired to listen carefully as well. May the Lord bless you with“ big ears” and even bigger hearts! 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
110 September 2026 Subscribe for Free...