DRUMS
[ PLAYING TO THE ROOM: A DRUMMER’S CHALLENGE | Carl Albrecht ]
Drum volume is one of the biggest issues with
bands, especially in church. The drummer’s job
is particularly difficult because by nature drums
are a loud instrument. We can’t just turn them
down.
1. The first solution is to use smaller drums and
cymbals. I truly believe this helps. Even if it’s
a slight improvement it’s worth the effort. You
can switch to less resonant shells, smaller drum
sizes, and even darker cymbals. But… you still
have to control your dynamics.
This is the challenge. Without getting into the
options of using a drum booth or switching
to digital drums, let’s work on our technique.
Remember, playing louder does NOT make you
more spiritual or dramatic. What’s in your heart
when you play is what matters. So, be able to
play at whatever dynamic level is needed for
the room and play passionately. Always!! pick up.
2. In your stick bag should be many different Adjusting the height of your stroke when you
sizes of sticks, brushes, mallets, Hot Rods, etc. are playing will definitely affect your volume.
Your favorite standard size stick (5A) should be Practice until you are comfortable playing very
plentiful. Heavier sticks for big, loud situations, high strokes with a lot of wrist and arm action,
and very light sticks for smaller venues. Hot as well as low strokes just barely raising the
Rods by Pro Mark or Splashsticks by Vater are sticks off of the drums. At the softer dynamic
excellent for keeping your volume down. Even levels use more finger control and less wrist
have lighter “Blasticks” or “Ultrflex” brushes for action. It may take time to get your soft playing
those super soft settings. under control if you have been playing loud for
a long time. Be patient and keep practicing.
I always hear drummers say that it doesn’t
sound as “cool” when they use smaller sticks Be aware of the dynamics of your feet as
or “rods.” Yes, the tone is different, but that’s well. Your kick drum volume will have to be
the adjustment we have to make for the band in balance with the rest of the kit. Although
to sound balanced in a difficult room. The key in most “popular” music the kick is played
is to find the right technique when you use harder than when compared to jazz styles.
other “tools.” I’ll play with a little more snap The hi-hat foot will probably not be as critical,
when using brushes or rods. I also experiment but be attentive to it as well. Listen carefully to
with where I hit the drums to get the right the overall balance of your kit and adjust your
sound. Approach this as a challenge, not as playing to make every piece match dynamically,
a handicap. It will add to your creativity if you or according to the style you’re playing.
choose to let it.
Remember, our job as drummers is to create
3. It’s also very important to practice everything a strong musical and spiritual foundation so
you do at a variety of dynamic levels. Use everyone can enjoy what’s happening. Our
a metronome to play all of the songs and focus is to serve the Lord and the people with
exercises you play. While you do that, switch to the skills He has placed in us.
every type of stick, brush, and rod you have in
your bag. Make it feel great with anything you
40
August 2017
Now go play softly, and this time with feeling!
WorshipMusician.com