Any Church Drummers here?
- Thread starter jayyz
- Start date
beboptang
New member
Hi Jayyz,
Yup, I'm a church drummer too! I go to Hope Sanctuary.
Actually the way I practice for church- and secular-playing is the same.
First thing I work on is always TIME. Cuz this is one of my weaker points. So my stick bag always contains my BOSS DB90 Dr Beat Metronome, which I use on both for practice and for when I play. I practise all my grooves, fill patterns and sometimes full songs with just the metronome and me -- ie no CD music or trax. I'm learning to groove with the metronome, like it's an auxillary percussion playing along. Without the CD, I'm able to take new or difficult patterns and work it through from slow to fast tempos. That way if the worship leader wants to play it faster next time, I won't have difficulty. It's also highly important to work out the slow tempo songs with a metronome, because, contrary to popular belief, it's actually harder to maintain a consistent tempo and groove on slow songs than on fast songs. One of my teachers told me that it's probably because of the huge amount of space between beats that we can lose our focus. We drummers tend to rush on fills and slow down when the pattern is complicated, or if we play a difficult and/or groove for an extended period of time.
I also work on playing different grooves, which you can find in some basic drum pattern books. Variations of 8th note rock grooves, straight & swung 16th note funk grooves, shuffle, 12/8, 3/4, 6/8, the Jewish oom-pah 2-beat, Samba, Carribean etc...
I also try to remember to practise everything at varying volume levels. For example, we may be able to play a fast song well if it's loud, but once we have to play it soft and fast, everything goes haywire. Maintaining the groove at a soft volume level is essential. I've also found that many drummers in churches haven't taken the time to practise playing soft. If you can play soft, you save your church the trouble of having to buy a drum shield & a plethora of drum mics. Having more drum mics, means having to buy a bigger mixer board! Doesn't make sense that the church has to spend much more on equipment simply because the drummers don't practice soft!
For fill ideas, I sometimes transcribe (ie write in notation) interesting patterns I hear from recordings, both secular & Christian music and work them into the grooves I practise. It helps to read music, because then when you listen to it, you can accurately notate what you hear, so that you can reproduce it. Sometimes, you need to play exactly to the recording. At other times, learning by transcribing opens up new ideas, so that you can create your own grooves, or fill patterns. If you don't read music, there are books to help, or you can ask people who read music to help you. Music notation isn't as difficult as it seems, it's just a code of fractions.
As I perform in the secular music scene as well, I listen to a very wide variety of music; because there is much skill to glean from secular music. And most globally-known worship teams derive some of their skills and styles from secular music (it used to be the other way around). For example: Israel Houghton & The New Breed seem to be rather influenced by Earth, Wind & Fire & Stevie Wonder. But please note that, that's just for the musical style. I do believe that Israel Houghton's worship music is very much divinely inspired. They are my favourite worship band.
I also listen to A LOT of orchestral music. I don't just mean classical music. I mean music played by orchestras, so they could be jazz orchestra, theatre musical scores, movie filmscores, things like that. Some worship music requires the drummer to be produce "heavenly" sounds -- from little shimmers to huge epic warfare soundscapes. It's not as simple as just rolling a pair of mallets on crash cymbals. So I listen to orchestral arrangements for ideas.
In summary, I've written here about:
- time
- groove
- volume
- transcription & analysis
- listening widely for ideas
The result I wish to see from my practices is precision, consistency, authenticity (ie no bluffing & winging it) and creative & musical ideas.
The most important thing for a church musician is to play only for God and not for the praise of man. So all that practising is so that we can offer up our best for God. The more skill we attain, the better we can flow with the worship and not get in its way.
God bless you and practice away!
:-D
Beboptang
P.S. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.
Yup, I'm a church drummer too! I go to Hope Sanctuary.
Actually the way I practice for church- and secular-playing is the same.
First thing I work on is always TIME. Cuz this is one of my weaker points. So my stick bag always contains my BOSS DB90 Dr Beat Metronome, which I use on both for practice and for when I play. I practise all my grooves, fill patterns and sometimes full songs with just the metronome and me -- ie no CD music or trax. I'm learning to groove with the metronome, like it's an auxillary percussion playing along. Without the CD, I'm able to take new or difficult patterns and work it through from slow to fast tempos. That way if the worship leader wants to play it faster next time, I won't have difficulty. It's also highly important to work out the slow tempo songs with a metronome, because, contrary to popular belief, it's actually harder to maintain a consistent tempo and groove on slow songs than on fast songs. One of my teachers told me that it's probably because of the huge amount of space between beats that we can lose our focus. We drummers tend to rush on fills and slow down when the pattern is complicated, or if we play a difficult and/or groove for an extended period of time.
I also work on playing different grooves, which you can find in some basic drum pattern books. Variations of 8th note rock grooves, straight & swung 16th note funk grooves, shuffle, 12/8, 3/4, 6/8, the Jewish oom-pah 2-beat, Samba, Carribean etc...
I also try to remember to practise everything at varying volume levels. For example, we may be able to play a fast song well if it's loud, but once we have to play it soft and fast, everything goes haywire. Maintaining the groove at a soft volume level is essential. I've also found that many drummers in churches haven't taken the time to practise playing soft. If you can play soft, you save your church the trouble of having to buy a drum shield & a plethora of drum mics. Having more drum mics, means having to buy a bigger mixer board! Doesn't make sense that the church has to spend much more on equipment simply because the drummers don't practice soft!
For fill ideas, I sometimes transcribe (ie write in notation) interesting patterns I hear from recordings, both secular & Christian music and work them into the grooves I practise. It helps to read music, because then when you listen to it, you can accurately notate what you hear, so that you can reproduce it. Sometimes, you need to play exactly to the recording. At other times, learning by transcribing opens up new ideas, so that you can create your own grooves, or fill patterns. If you don't read music, there are books to help, or you can ask people who read music to help you. Music notation isn't as difficult as it seems, it's just a code of fractions.
As I perform in the secular music scene as well, I listen to a very wide variety of music; because there is much skill to glean from secular music. And most globally-known worship teams derive some of their skills and styles from secular music (it used to be the other way around). For example: Israel Houghton & The New Breed seem to be rather influenced by Earth, Wind & Fire & Stevie Wonder. But please note that, that's just for the musical style. I do believe that Israel Houghton's worship music is very much divinely inspired. They are my favourite worship band.
I also listen to A LOT of orchestral music. I don't just mean classical music. I mean music played by orchestras, so they could be jazz orchestra, theatre musical scores, movie filmscores, things like that. Some worship music requires the drummer to be produce "heavenly" sounds -- from little shimmers to huge epic warfare soundscapes. It's not as simple as just rolling a pair of mallets on crash cymbals. So I listen to orchestral arrangements for ideas.
In summary, I've written here about:
- time
- groove
- volume
- transcription & analysis
- listening widely for ideas
The result I wish to see from my practices is precision, consistency, authenticity (ie no bluffing & winging it) and creative & musical ideas.
The most important thing for a church musician is to play only for God and not for the praise of man. So all that practising is so that we can offer up our best for God. The more skill we attain, the better we can flow with the worship and not get in its way.
God bless you and practice away!
:-D
Beboptang
P.S. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.
bleedingdye
New member
Woah... Beboptang! I'm from hope church too
beboptang
New member
Woah... Beboptang! I'm from hope church too
Huh? Hope Church, or Hope Sanctuary? Mine's the latter. And we meet at Trader's Hotel Ballroom.
Hee hee, nvm, all 1 Body ya?
bleedingdye
New member
Actually, I'm from y-hope. (youths)Haha! But yeah still all the same. Coolios!
EugeneSmasher
New member
I'm a church drummer too! Or rather, my church youth group. Graduating soon but gonna keep playing. Bartley Christian Church 
Basically my church's set-up is pretty high-end... Tama Rockstar and Zildjian cymbals. I use Vater hickory 5As, using wood-tips but going to nylons soon.
For church stuff I'm actually known for my loud drumming but I just let it flow when I play. My own form of worship. I don't actually prepare beforehand though, I just listen to the songs on the net and see what rhythms I can fit into it.
I also play alongside CDs and online music to train my timing.
Basically my church's set-up is pretty high-end... Tama Rockstar and Zildjian cymbals. I use Vater hickory 5As, using wood-tips but going to nylons soon.
For church stuff I'm actually known for my loud drumming but I just let it flow when I play. My own form of worship. I don't actually prepare beforehand though, I just listen to the songs on the net and see what rhythms I can fit into it.
I also play alongside CDs and online music to train my timing.
I think for church drummers the most important thing is improvisation and keeping time... no point having a lot of chops if you can't adapt to the band and the "mood" of the whole place.
I used to worship at Heart of God Church, and one of the important things they taught was that.
Oh and not overplaying... check out some gospel drummers on youtube. As much as they're good and groovy, I feel that they tend to overplay A LOT.
Oh and HoGC uses Pearl Session customs.. SMX if im not wrong. The maple version.
I used to worship at Heart of God Church, and one of the important things they taught was that.
Oh and not overplaying... check out some gospel drummers on youtube. As much as they're good and groovy, I feel that they tend to overplay A LOT.
Oh and HoGC uses Pearl Session customs.. SMX if im not wrong. The maple version.
jeepers
New member
i just started playing for church cos the drummer went to australia for further studies. it's a really small church and you guys prolly wouldnt have heard of it before.
beboptang's advice is really really good!
and i agree with alvyn.
less is more.
during practice, the band would sit down and analyse the songs we're gonna do. we listen to the tracks first, then break down the different sections (intro, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge). we'll each note which instruments are leading, and which are just accompanying. we make sure we're all on the same wavelength before proceeding to practise.
you might find your part boring - like during a slow song, say Worthy is the Lamb, the bassist should be playing less, but at same time playing nice full notes, prolly on the 2 and 4 or sth, but note that when everyone plays together, it'd sound really great!
communication's very important as well. in my church's band, we're very comfortable with each other cos we've known each other since we were kids. we're totally cool with pointing out each other's mistakes, or telling each other "Maybe you can try this instead, I thought it'd be more suitable", stuff like that. we take time off the practice session to give feedback to each other. play with an open mind.
just my 0.02cts worth.
you guys can check out paul baloche's dvds, great stuff. carl albrecht's an amazing drummer, too bad i missed him when he was in singapore.
http://www.leadworship.com/resources/dvds.html; check out "Worship Band Workshop", and for how to incorporate different music styles into church music, "Music Styles". "Music Styles" touches on music styles like R&B, Celtic, Country and so on. quite pricey though, but pretty useful.
beboptang's advice is really really good!
and i agree with alvyn.
less is more.
during practice, the band would sit down and analyse the songs we're gonna do. we listen to the tracks first, then break down the different sections (intro, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge). we'll each note which instruments are leading, and which are just accompanying. we make sure we're all on the same wavelength before proceeding to practise.
you might find your part boring - like during a slow song, say Worthy is the Lamb, the bassist should be playing less, but at same time playing nice full notes, prolly on the 2 and 4 or sth, but note that when everyone plays together, it'd sound really great!
communication's very important as well. in my church's band, we're very comfortable with each other cos we've known each other since we were kids. we're totally cool with pointing out each other's mistakes, or telling each other "Maybe you can try this instead, I thought it'd be more suitable", stuff like that. we take time off the practice session to give feedback to each other. play with an open mind.
just my 0.02cts worth.
you guys can check out paul baloche's dvds, great stuff. carl albrecht's an amazing drummer, too bad i missed him when he was in singapore.
http://www.leadworship.com/resources/dvds.html; check out "Worship Band Workshop", and for how to incorporate different music styles into church music, "Music Styles". "Music Styles" touches on music styles like R&B, Celtic, Country and so on. quite pricey though, but pretty useful.
Last edited:
EugeneSmasher
New member
Actually no offense, but many megachurches (or big churches for that matter) drummers tend to overdo it... It comes across that they're trying to show-off...
Hi threadstarter, my passion for drumming was first inspired by wanting to serve praise and worship in church. I have since been in a worship team for about a year and a half.
Haha u guys are all so lucky. The people in my church dont know shizzle about drum equipment and the science behind all the "noisy booming" as they gladly prefer to call it. They once even changed the drum skins and put reso heads on top.
The drums are only used for really "youth-ish" events and have been treated like crap so equipment wise, its really a "pleasure" to work with crap and strive to sound decent.
If i had the time, i would listen and transcribe drum parts for each song that i have to play. Worship music tends to depend alot on feel as well. (holy spirit guidance, dynamics change etc.) This gives alot, ALOT, of space for improvisation and a great coverup for mistakes as well. IMO, ultimately, u must be able to gel with the band both in spirit and in feel.
I do realise also that i am able to fit many of my funk/swing influence into the worship music being played. I am not very sure if this is helpful but, do take notice when a straight and clean groove is required, or a more busy playing approach has to be adopted for certain songs?
Dont despair if you arent as fortunate to work with a masters or session kit. Make do with the karang guni kit or bring your own stuff to use. Let the holy spirit do the rest.
HALOU!
Haha sorry im abit off topic.
Haha u guys are all so lucky. The people in my church dont know shizzle about drum equipment and the science behind all the "noisy booming" as they gladly prefer to call it. They once even changed the drum skins and put reso heads on top.
The drums are only used for really "youth-ish" events and have been treated like crap so equipment wise, its really a "pleasure" to work with crap and strive to sound decent.
If i had the time, i would listen and transcribe drum parts for each song that i have to play. Worship music tends to depend alot on feel as well. (holy spirit guidance, dynamics change etc.) This gives alot, ALOT, of space for improvisation and a great coverup for mistakes as well. IMO, ultimately, u must be able to gel with the band both in spirit and in feel.
I do realise also that i am able to fit many of my funk/swing influence into the worship music being played. I am not very sure if this is helpful but, do take notice when a straight and clean groove is required, or a more busy playing approach has to be adopted for certain songs?
Dont despair if you arent as fortunate to work with a masters or session kit. Make do with the karang guni kit or bring your own stuff to use. Let the holy spirit do the rest.
HALOU!
Haha sorry im abit off topic.
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RudimentalDrummer
Moderator
I dont know any Gospel Music or neither had I ever heard a single Church Drummer play for a church as I dont go to any.
Anyway my knowledge on this is really very very little - The only thing I know is - Some Churches buys the best drums, guess they have alot of $$$$$ lah.
Tell you all something - I went to Yamaha Last Year quite often - I saw Yamaha Recording Custom and I also saw a Yamaha Maple Custom (These Kits are expensive)...Oneday I went there it was all gone....So I Kepo, ask the Salesperson there "Hey where is the Recording & Maple Custom Brother - who bought it har?"...His reply was "All bought by 2 different Churches lah - who somemore will buy such expensive drums - always the case one" - and so - I ask the SalesPerson - "Which Churches har?" he look at me saying "Don't know? why? - you wanna join them because of the Yamaha Maple & Recording Customs izzit?" ... I say "No of course - just ask cannot meh - just curious"
So now I perceived that - Churches got the Best Drums Hehehehe...correct or not har?
Anyway my knowledge on this is really very very little - The only thing I know is - Some Churches buys the best drums, guess they have alot of $$$$$ lah.
Tell you all something - I went to Yamaha Last Year quite often - I saw Yamaha Recording Custom and I also saw a Yamaha Maple Custom (These Kits are expensive)...Oneday I went there it was all gone....So I Kepo, ask the Salesperson there "Hey where is the Recording & Maple Custom Brother - who bought it har?"...His reply was "All bought by 2 different Churches lah - who somemore will buy such expensive drums - always the case one" - and so - I ask the SalesPerson - "Which Churches har?" he look at me saying "Don't know? why? - you wanna join them because of the Yamaha Maple & Recording Customs izzit?" ... I say "No of course - just ask cannot meh - just curious"
So now I perceived that - Churches got the Best Drums Hehehehe...correct or not har?
EugeneSmasher
New member
My church uses Tama drums. I love those!
RudimentalDrummer
Moderator
My apology to the ThreadStarter here...Off-Track alittle here.
So, if the Yamaha Recording Custom (a Red Colour Kit) is with one of the churches.....I suspect the Other (Green with gold Lugs Yamaha Maple Custom) is either with another Church - if not it could be - in the New Venue - that Soft's Drum Xchange Singapore is now negotiation for use on the Venue - The Yamaha Maple Custom can be used for our Monthly Xchange if theis deal strike through - That is of course subject to the negotiation soon this month if both sides agreed on the Terms for both our ends. (That's why we need members to register as Members now - we need to compute the Listing)
anyway - all DXS Members will be inform once we got it - let's pray for the best.
Thanks & my apology again for my off-topic here.
So, if the Yamaha Recording Custom (a Red Colour Kit) is with one of the churches.....I suspect the Other (Green with gold Lugs Yamaha Maple Custom) is either with another Church - if not it could be - in the New Venue - that Soft's Drum Xchange Singapore is now negotiation for use on the Venue - The Yamaha Maple Custom can be used for our Monthly Xchange if theis deal strike through - That is of course subject to the negotiation soon this month if both sides agreed on the Terms for both our ends. (That's why we need members to register as Members now - we need to compute the Listing)
anyway - all DXS Members will be inform once we got it - let's pray for the best.
Thanks & my apology again for my off-topic here.
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drum_hobbyist
New member
These days... better search the heart... people in churches can gratify self in purchasing expensive stuff in the name of giving the best to God. True worhip is "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."
Today churches have to reflect on the ratio how much time and money is used for music and the less fortunate. If not, they are majoring on the minor.
Today churches have to reflect on the ratio how much time and money is used for music and the less fortunate. If not, they are majoring on the minor.
beboptang
New member
Ya, I agree with Gambatak... WRONG lah bro! My church also very small, very limited budget for equipment; so we bought low-end Tama and someone donated the Evans EC2 heads, so at least sound decent. I have to bring my own cymbals lor, cuz the ones that came with the set works best as a wall ornament! Hahaha!!
But I'm grateful for these drums nonetheless, cuz last time I had to haul my drums every week from Changi!
Now only gotta bring cymbals, yay!Similar threads
