a lower frequency won’t cut and hurt peoples
ears as much… so it’s a lot easier to blend. If
you’re able to tune down the toms and your
own snare to help the sound guy achieve the
sound he needs, I think that’s a good way to
start.
[WM] I’ve seen some pretty humorous
conversations where worship leaders who
lacked any kind of drum lingo were trying to get
the drummer to play a specific part. Similarly,
asking a less experienced drummer to play to
the room is not something that every worship
leader might have the language for. Can you
provide some suggested lingo or approaches
for getting the nuances of playing to the room
across?
[Garrett] I think what happens a lot, is leaders
quickly help you achieve some sounds that you playing. I would say that to any drummer, that’s who aren’t drummers or who aren’t musically
want when on tour or at church. a tool that is going to make you a better player, trained, don’t know how to communicate
which is more important than just playing your within technical musical language such as
[WM] The sound techs at Churches that own own gear. If I’m in a big room and there’s a rhythms and things like that. Sometimes, this
a drum kit tend to get a little territorial about drum cage, you can probably let loose in has happened to me before, is you can be
the drum sound and sometimes bristle when there a little bit and it’s not going to matter. communicated to and it can come across a
a drummer wants to use their own cymbals But if you’re going into your local church and little bit cold, especially if you’re coming in
and snare. While it does take a little time to there’s no drum cage and it’s a smaller room, and you’re new… it can come across like,
EQ things and get levels, it’s not like the sound regardless of your gear, you’re going to need to “Oh, you’re not as good as the other person.”
techs aren’t already doing the same thing for adjust your gear to fit the sound of that room. And that’s the last thing you want, you want to
always empower and encourage your team. I
other band members. So… what advice do
you have for Church drummers who want to So, first step just go to your sound guy, tell him think the biggest thing would be, in terms of
use their own gear, but keep things harmonious who you are and ask him what the tendencies helping someone learn how to play to the room,
with the sound team and not play into the ‘us of the room are, like is the snare usually really maybe to approach it as encouraging them or
versus them’ mentality that can really kill ‘the hot, what about the cymbals, what works best? challenging them to. Maybe not so much of a
vibe’? After he tells you that, try and find a middle “do this instead of that”, but say, “Hey, what
ground that will suit him and suit your gear. do you think about this?” Almost putting the
[Garrett] I think the easiest thing is just to A quick example of that would be, I naturally ball in their court. As an educator myself,
introduce yourself and not just be the kid who like a crispier snare for the music I play. You something that is a great and valuable tool is
comes in and says, “No, this is what I’m playing can play anything, you play what the music if you can make it seem like the student got
and you just have to change to what I want.” serves, but even in worship I like a little bit of there on their own. They’re going to feel more
Go to the sound guy, whoever is running front a crispier snare over one that’s really low with obliged and more ownership over what they’re
of house, and just talk to them. Ask them what no definition. Because I like to bring my own doing. Asking them what they think, and then
they’re used to and how the room is. style into worship music, therefore I’m going letting them form an opinion, which then let’s
to be adding some ghost notes and adding a the conversation form and leads you to them
Something I always do with any gig I play is little bit more flavor on top of what the song feeling like they got there themselves. Rather
I always try to play to the room. Every room usually does. But if I find myself in a room that than the worship leader saying, “You’re way too
is different, every PA is different, some people is a little bit smaller and doesn’t require a lot loud, I need you to bring it down.”
are going to have a drum kit and some aren’t. from me, I’m going to tune down my snare a You really have to adjust to the room with your little bit, and loosen them up, because naturally
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[WM] As a professional drummer, what are
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