DRUMS
[ DRUMS: FROM MINIMAL TO MORE | Carl Albrecht ]
Sometimes the drum kit you play is based upon get the idea. Or you can reference almost any Finally, I really enjoy it when there are musical
musical and stylistic demands. At other times, modern worship video. situations where I can set up everything. This
it’s strictly a matter of space. Whatever the case
mostly happens in recording sessions where I
may be, make it part of your musical growth to I occasionally play for a friend in a small church don’t know what’s called for and we have to
exper iment with your set up from time to time. in Nashville where there’s no room on the get through a lot of music quickly. I may not
As always, do this with your band according to platform for drums. I literally set up on the floor, use everything on each song, but all the sounds
the requirements of the gig. in front of the first pew. In the photo, you can are there if I need them. Of course, the music
see that I’m crammed in between the bottom always determines the choices.
Like most drummers in the modern worship step of the platform on the left and the pew
world, I’ve adopted the typical four-piece kit on my right. For this situation it’s a kick, a rack
for most situations. This is also the normal set tom, a snare drum, hi-hats, and a ride/crash.
up in most churches where I use the house
kit. – 22” Kick, 14”x 7” snare, one 12” rack
tom, one 16” floor tom, hi-hats, ride cymbal,
and right & left crash cymbals. There may also
be assorted percussion items and a digital
drum/percussion multi-pad. This is becoming
part of the standard set up. Just check out the
Carl’s Everything Kit
Worship Drummers Facebook page and you’ll
This full set up has a kick with a double pedal
and a trigger pedal next to it. Two snare drums
are used with triggers on both. Three toms,
Carl’s Minimal Kit
sometimes four if they’ll let me. A digital drum/
For this small room, I’m playing with lightweight
hot rods and plastic brushes. People are
actually standing right next to me in the services
in the very next row. I’m set up in front of one of
the house speakers so I don’t use IEMs (In Ear
Monitors). I just listen to the mix and blend in.
After playing in so many large venues it’s really
a pleasure to play for a small congregation on
occasion to feel the sense of family they have.
My basic four-piece kit is not that much different
from any kit you’ve seen before. I do make the
percussion multi-pad to the left of the hi-hat
with an extra pad to the right of the floor tom.
There are lots of extra cymbals set up on the kit
with plenty of options in my cymbal bags, and
a case full of percussion toys.
It’s important for drummers to try different
things to keep the creative juices flowing and
to keep challenging your own creative thinking.
I encourage you to try something new in your
setup every now and then to see how it inspires
you. Blessings on your drum kit adventures.
point to change drum and cymbal sizes to hear
what happens in the music when I do that.
Sometimes I’ll change the types of drumheads
and muffling to see how that also affects the
sound. This keeps things interesting for me.
But again, I remember to honor and serve the
music as the leader prefers.
66
May 2018
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 with questions or
inquire about lessons.
www.CarlAlbrecht.com
WorshipMusician.com