DRUMS
THE TEN SONG CHALLENGE FOR DRUMMERS | Carl Albrecht
I believe in mixing things up when you’re worship music world that most of you reading drummer. Think through and sketch out each
learning, practicing, and growing as an artist this publication are involved with. So let’s look at song down to the very last detail. Start with my
/ musician. So for this episode let’s pass on the CCLI Top 10 worship songs today. Yes, you titles, tempos, and descriptions, but then write
rudiments, reading music, and anything that just should know these songs, and more of course, out, in sketch form of what happens in each
focuses on drums only. Let’s work on why we even if you’re band is not playing all of them. section. You could do some actual musical
are musicians at all. And that is playing songs. If fact, this is how I would teach any player to note transcription if that would help, but it’s not
All great drummers talk about the music… the become familiar with the style they want to learn. necessary. It’s more important to get a quick big
song… what makes a song work. When I first I would start with a top ten list in any genre and picture of the song and then make note of what
started playing it was about hearing songs that then build from there. happens in the details of the arrangement: Intro,
inspired me and how the drums interacted with
everything else going on in the music I was
hearing. Hopefully that’s where you’re passion
for drumming was birthed. Of course I believe
God wires that into our DNA as well, but that
Vs.1, Pre-Chorus, Chorus 1, Re-intro, Vs. 2,
1. WHO YOU SAY I AM (Hillsong) – 6/8 Chorus 2, Bridge… etc.
2. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL NAME (Hillsong) – 4/4 What are the drums doing in each section? What
Big Classic 6/8 anthem - ♪ =172 bpm
Slow Ballad /16 th note subdivisions – ♪ = 68
subject is for another article. 3. RECKLESS LOVE (Cory Asbury) – 6/8 (*yes, 6/8)
Musicians usually gravitate to their favorite style 4. THIS IS AMAZING GRACE (Jeremy Riddle) – 4/4
of music. Whether it’s jazz, rock, blues, etc. they
will live, eat, and breathe the thing that inspires
them. While I believe you should stylistically
mix things up to keep learning and being more
diverse as a player, today we’re focusing on the
Big Vibey 6/8 – ♪ =166
Groovy 16 note Rock – ♪ = 99
Big Vibey 6/8 – ♪ =145
(Pat
(Phil
electronic sampled sounds I hear? (*I say yes)
or… do I need to play a “loop like vibe” on the
Big Pop Ballad – ♪ = 70
HOPE
on many of these songs). Are there drum
loops? Should I get a sample pad to create the
5. GREAT ARE YOU LORD (All Sons & Daughters) – 6/8
7. LIVING
Open kick sound… or more muted? Do I start
with brushes or hotrods? (that does happen
th
6. BUILD MY LIFE
is the sound? Big fat snare… or tight snare?
Barrett)
–
4/4
kit? And will that give me the same result? What
is the pattern or groove for each section? What
Wickham)
Big Pop Ballad – ♪ = 72
–
4/4
are the dynamics? Do I play ride patterns on the
hi-hat, the rims, the snare, the cymbals…etc.?
8. 10,000 REASONS (Matt Redman) – 4/4 OK… you get the idea.
9. THE LION AND THE LAMB (Leeland Mooring) – 4/4 Why am I making a big deal out this? Because
Big Pop Ballad – ♪ = 73
Groovy 16 th Rock – ♪ = 90
it does affect the feel of the music. The details
10. GOOD GOOD FATHER (Chris Tomlin, Pat Barrett) – 6/8
Big Classic 6/8 anthem – ♪ =145
matter. You could just play your own idea and
not worry about the details. That’s not really a
bad thing. It’s good to be creative. But it most
Of course just seeing this list with a few details settings, making a song feel as authentic and
does not give us the whole picture. At first glance original as possible is what helps it connect to
you might think that it’s easy to play the top 10 the listener and it inspires the band. I often watch
worship songs. There are four songs in 6/8 that drum covers of popular songs. Usually the most
all have that big anthem like feel, with slight inspiring performances are where you can tell
variations of the tempo. Four of the songs are the player really learned the song and worked
classic rock or pop ballads. And the other two on it until it was very close to the original.
songs are a bit more driving rock with a 16 note
th
feel underscoring the groove. But the challenge So there’s your assignment. Go for it. And let
is always in the details. me know how it goes.
My approach to playing these songs and
teaching my students to do the same is to think
like a producer/ writer more than just being the
September 2019
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
Subscribe for Free...
139