I'm a new drummer for my church and I'm learning as I go from the best teacher my lord Jesus Christ I take it by faith. I'm a worshiper first hardly a drummer.
hmm i just started doing drums about a year ago for my church and, well i wasn't necessarily thrown into it, but i had no idea what a worship drummer is or does. heck im not even a drummer, im a guitar player, but this really does open the doors to what i do. just remembering playing drums today for church...well, theres really no other drummers in our church. i wish there was to tell me what im doing is right or intrusive or distracting. but this vid will keep me in thought of that. thanks (:
@m2redshirt While I do agree with you somewhat, (because in order to draw people in and have them participate, we do need to have orderly sounding music) frankly, I think there's a nice thick line between order in MUSIC and order in WORSHIP. Do you really think God would be less pleased with a mediocre drummer who has a fiery passion for Christ than He would be with a luke-warm drummer with incredible skills?
Good post...............I own a Tama watch and its ok to get "Linear Timedown "in a Practice/studio setting. But I am curious how it helps in live situatons? I never use those time keepers in live gigs, to me it makes the music too ridged.Plus no one else in the group can stay in that micro % of time sequence. Maybe Devo...........lol.
@mikeadiddle Musicians have to accept the fact that sometimes a certain instrument NEEDED NOT to be played at certain times, irrespective if he/she is a good or bad musician - in order not to ruin the music.
I'm not sure to what you are replying. I was pointing out those traits you listed are in no way exclusive to drummers, but traits of any good musician, regardless of his instrument.
"1. Never drowns the entire band
2. Plays with flair rather than strength
3. Knows various musical styles and apply the appropriate style to the song
@mikeadiddle What i am saying is that not all instruments needed to be played throughout a song. There are certain parts where a particularly instruments should be silent in order not to ruin the music.
Some folks say that real worship should not include drums at all because drums are not biblical and distract from true worship. Luckily, most of them are unable to access the Internet.
@cinger7 The reason of distraction is that most drummers are unable to control their volume. This is the hardest skill to master - dynamics. Some play the drums in a small room as if they are playing in a huge stadium , thus drowning the whole band. Furthermore an acoustic drum cannot be volume-controlled.
see, the bible says Worship God in spirit and in truth, so i believe when all drummers will just open up their hearts and let the Holy Spirit of God flow, everything will follow, everything is under control. But drummers also need to be alert or have a presence of mind. See, i am Filipino here, i am a drummer in our church, so i can relate what Paul is trying to say or to explain. :D GOD BLESS GUYS
This is so true. Iv been playing for about 4 or 5 years and for a while u think that drumming is all about those sweet solos but it often happens where people are in the middle of a solo and they get so pumped that they start to speed up and then once they bring a chorus in or another verse they are going way too fast and the song just doesn't sound as clean and wholesome as it did before the solo.
In live services u want t Worship & t serve so that others can worship too.....a metronome can lead t 2 problems in that case(if u r not used 2 it)...1)over emphasizing to the metronome and you can't have ur mind in praising 2)If you go wrong somewhere and then you run to stick back,the others tell:stop running! I think it is great to practice a lot with a metronome,use it in recordings maybe,but in live services,praise The Lord,and through your practice out of live service,you'll become steady!
Paul! I was wondering if you had any tips or advice for choosing a "percussionist" (congas, bongos, timbales, small perc, effects, etc)? I am from Puerto Rico and most of the music downhere has the latin music influence...I was very blessed to find all these instructional visuals of how to work with the music ministry. I would like to hear what you have to say about my question...God bless!
@TimbaCristiana remember the percussionist COMPLIMENTS the drums. Lots of amateur percussionists tries to play the drums and make the rhythm sounds awful.
Paul nailed it! No drummer is better than an o.k. drummer. The drums are the building blocks of the entire band and if the drummer isn't on a click track, forget it. Also, keep it simple and keep good time
NO, he said " I'd rather have no drummer than a bad drummer. And, you don't have to play to a click track if you're timming is good. I have been playing professionally for 45 yrs. and rarely play to a click. Also, we don't "keep it simple" in my church. We have over 4,000 people worshipping and it's pretty passionate and intense extravagant Worship. In a small church, I would say, Keep it Simple!
I play drums at our church and how true it is that people follow the drums even when they aren't the lead instrument. I am teaching a couple young kids in our church to play and I appreciate this a lot it is great information and sound advice. Thanks
this was really good i use a drum machine to practice with and now have started using it for the band and we can see a big differance in our playing in time. if you work as a team and pull togeather god can really use you as a drummer i am teaching people in our church to play and we use the machine all the time to get the time into them. in the last 6 months I have really noticed that the band is tighter and the worship leader trusts me alot more to keep the band in tight formation. its great
Maybe you should go and buy a Paul Simon record or Sting record for that matter and see who these guys are copying. Now that's great playing with taste....
its not just about the skill,it defends upon how the Lord touch his heart and its desire..I, chossing a guitrist,basis etc I always telling them about their AVAILABILITY why??Skillfull BUT He/She not available its useless..compassion for the LORD!!Heart for the World..Godbless us!!
goldensleeves, I agree with you completely, it's a double-edged sword. Either sound really great because you chose the best players you could, or not sounds as great because you didn't "audition". I'm glad I'm not a worship leader and only a player, so I really don't have to judge and make the tough decisions. :)
I agree paul. A common thing I hear is a drummer who can keep time until a fill then there is a tendancy to rush through the fill and loose that sense of time. Working with a metronome really helps that. Or even better if they have been involved in a drum corp or marching band because those are EXCELLENT ways to train that sense of time.
This is why drummers need to work on a click track and always play with it live. At first it's rough, but once you get the hang of it, you wonder how you lived without it.
Also, keep it simple. As a drummer for 13 years, I cannot over-emphasize the importance of staying in the pocket. Of course, everyone loves a cool fill, but in worship, keeping it low key and in time is the way to go. If you need any help, let me know what I can do.
I would recommend the book, "A Heart To Drum" by Terl Bryant to anyone considering playing in with a music worship team.. It takes a look at many aspects of music with regard to worship, from a drum perspective.., but it can apply to any musician.
We are instructed by Gods word to play with sakal, a hebrew word meaning "wisely understand, prosper, have insight, to give attention to, consider, having comprehension, to be prudent or circumspect.." Much more than skill and technique.. 'quoted'
praise God for drummers who play with feel and play in solid time!! If we realise as worship musicians that we are there to 1) personally worship, and 2) inspire and facilitate corporate praise and worship, we'll then appreciate musicians who make it easier to worship, rather than more difficult
A bad anything can distract.. I never said that it would not, I disagreed with the statement that "the number one reason that a drummer was created was to keep good time".
Drums and drumming have many roles in music.. and by their nature are rhythmical, so it is most noticable when the drummer has poor time keeping abilities.. but it's been my experience over the last 30 years of playing that singers, then keys, then guitars tend to be the worst.. and even a mediocre drummer can cover that.
Heya Paul, Some very good information and advice here.. however, I will take issue with one thing.. The main reason a drummer was created was to keep good time. That is false.. Time/tempo is the responsibility of EVERY member of the band...
Drummers were created by God to allow for another voice to be heard.. whether to drive music with energy and force, or to augment it with touch and simplicity.. or even by it's absence. For a drummer, or any other musician, good meter is a must. Peace!
I was blessed to meet you last year. As a drummer for a Praise Team, you are absolutely right about all suggestions. I can't help to throw a bit of Neil Peart or Mike Portnoy into the mix, but where the rubber hits the road, the basic and steady thump is universal. Thank you so much for providing these resources!
Spanish subtitles please!!!
edwin162 1 month ago
God equips the called, not calls the equipped
I'm a new drummer for my church and I'm learning as I go from the best teacher my lord Jesus Christ I take it by faith. I'm a worshiper first hardly a drummer.
SanEmeryFedo 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
no, all the good drummers didn't sleep with a metronome under their pillow. please. yes, good time is important, but don't just make stuff up. :-)
mikeadiddle 2 months ago
Comment removed
mikeadiddle 2 months ago
I feel the same way about piano players, who bang the keys to hard, and for the singers who cant sing.
1hotdilf 3 months ago
@m2redshirt I totally agree with everything you said here bro! God Bless!
07wurd 6 months ago
beat box!!!
digbyte 7 months ago
Thanks, Paul! Carl is a great drummer. Firsthand experience!
mahzmusic 7 months ago
hmm i just started doing drums about a year ago for my church and, well i wasn't necessarily thrown into it, but i had no idea what a worship drummer is or does. heck im not even a drummer, im a guitar player, but this really does open the doors to what i do. just remembering playing drums today for church...well, theres really no other drummers in our church. i wish there was to tell me what im doing is right or intrusive or distracting. but this vid will keep me in thought of that. thanks (:
IRockUtube101 8 months ago
@m2redshirt While I do agree with you somewhat, (because in order to draw people in and have them participate, we do need to have orderly sounding music) frankly, I think there's a nice thick line between order in MUSIC and order in WORSHIP. Do you really think God would be less pleased with a mediocre drummer who has a fiery passion for Christ than He would be with a luke-warm drummer with incredible skills?
EuphoriaMusicSession 1 year ago
I LOVE THIS VIDEO
xXRASHEEDXx 1 year ago
@m2redshirt very nice retort.
whyarizonamusic 1 year ago
@ralphusbaritonusrex
Good post...............I own a Tama watch and its ok to get "Linear Timedown "in a Practice/studio setting. But I am curious how it helps in live situatons? I never use those time keepers in live gigs, to me it makes the music too ridged.Plus no one else in the group can stay in that micro % of time sequence. Maybe Devo...........lol.
Oh well to each his own.
Peace..
MrTwinsrule 1 year ago
Good advice and interesting as a drummer to hear about the role of drummer and the influence on a congregation.
rhythmantic 1 year ago
As a life-long drummer and now keyboardist, I completely agree that having NO drummer is better than having a bad drummer. Great point.
When it comes to worship, inferior musicianship shouldn't be a badge of honor. King David chose master musicians for his tabernacle for a reason.
Musicianship allows you the freedom to play from the heart.
thenonprodigal 1 year ago
@thenonprodigal
Having no pianist is better than having a bad pianist.
Having no bassist is better than having a bad bassist.
Having no guitarist is better than having a bad guitarist.
Having no accordionists is better.
mikeadiddle 2 months ago 2
Comment removed
denim98 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@mikeadiddle Musicians have to accept the fact that sometimes a certain instrument NEEDED NOT to be played at certain times, irrespective if he/she is a good or bad musician - in order not to ruin the music.
denim98 2 months ago
@denim98
I'm not sure to what you are replying. I was pointing out those traits you listed are in no way exclusive to drummers, but traits of any good musician, regardless of his instrument.
"1. Never drowns the entire band
2. Plays with flair rather than strength
3. Knows various musical styles and apply the appropriate style to the song
4. Knows how to play a certain given tempo
5. Knows when to soften and when to be loud
6. Knows how to sync with the bass player
7. knows when to accent."
mikeadiddle 2 months ago
@mikeadiddle What i am saying is that not all instruments needed to be played throughout a song. There are certain parts where a particularly instruments should be silent in order not to ruin the music.
denim98 2 months ago
@denim98
I read a great quote once..
"Notes are a great way to get between times of silence."
or something to that effect.
mikeadiddle 2 months ago
Some folks say that real worship should not include drums at all because drums are not biblical and distract from true worship. Luckily, most of them are unable to access the Internet.
cinger7 1 year ago
@cinger7 The reason of distraction is that most drummers are unable to control their volume. This is the hardest skill to master - dynamics. Some play the drums in a small room as if they are playing in a huge stadium , thus drowning the whole band. Furthermore an acoustic drum cannot be volume-controlled.
denim98 11 months ago
Here are the traits of a GOOD drummer.
1. Never drowns the entire band
2. Plays with flair rather than strength
3. Knows various musical styles and apply the appropriate style to the song
4. Knows how to play a certain given tempo
5. Knows when to soften and when to be loud
6. Knows how to sync with the bass player
7. knows when to accent.
denim98 1 year ago 5
@denim98 thank you for sharing that
xXRASHEEDXx 1 year ago
@denim98
Those are all signs of ANY good musician.
mikeadiddle 2 months ago 2
Paul is right.
I agree with him. :D
see, the bible says Worship God in spirit and in truth, so i believe when all drummers will just open up their hearts and let the Holy Spirit of God flow, everything will follow, everything is under control. But drummers also need to be alert or have a presence of mind. See, i am Filipino here, i am a drummer in our church, so i can relate what Paul is trying to say or to explain. :D GOD BLESS GUYS
fritzjigz 1 year ago
So true...
ventsintheedge 1 year ago
This is so true. Iv been playing for about 4 or 5 years and for a while u think that drumming is all about those sweet solos but it often happens where people are in the middle of a solo and they get so pumped that they start to speed up and then once they bring a chorus in or another verse they are going way too fast and the song just doesn't sound as clean and wholesome as it did before the solo.
Peterbiltfan69 1 year ago
4:34 lol "if your drummer is playing with a Time Machine"... Bring out the DeLorean
Haha awesome advice, Paul
theironfreak 1 year ago
Comment removed
theironfreak 1 year ago
In live services u want t Worship & t serve so that others can worship too.....a metronome can lead t 2 problems in that case(if u r not used 2 it)...1)over emphasizing to the metronome and you can't have ur mind in praising 2)If you go wrong somewhere and then you run to stick back,the others tell:stop running! I think it is great to practice a lot with a metronome,use it in recordings maybe,but in live services,praise The Lord,and through your practice out of live service,you'll become steady!
nickexperthts 1 year ago
I think for worship music, the drummer needs to find a) the beauty in simplicity b) the beauty in dynamics and c) the beauty in patience.
I've been playing in worship bands all over the place for the last nine years and those are the three things that I've really picked up.
Gijoe125 2 years ago
Most church drummers drown the rest of the band coz they think they are playing in a huge stadium instead of a small church hall.
denim98 2 years ago
Paul! I was wondering if you had any tips or advice for choosing a "percussionist" (congas, bongos, timbales, small perc, effects, etc)? I am from Puerto Rico and most of the music downhere has the latin music influence...I was very blessed to find all these instructional visuals of how to work with the music ministry. I would like to hear what you have to say about my question...God bless!
TimbaCristiana 2 years ago
@TimbaCristiana remember the percussionist COMPLIMENTS the drums. Lots of amateur percussionists tries to play the drums and make the rhythm sounds awful.
denim98 1 year ago
Thank you so much!
PaulWallification 2 years ago
after watching / listening to this, i just realized what a very talented, talented and humble drummer we've had for our last youth camp.
thedayyuman 2 years ago
You have the BEST drummer ever!!! CARL ALBRECHT :)
lydiahendrickson 2 years ago
tat was more than choosing and havin a drummer
pradeepdas1 2 years ago
Paul nailed it! No drummer is better than an o.k. drummer. The drums are the building blocks of the entire band and if the drummer isn't on a click track, forget it. Also, keep it simple and keep good time
Charlotte8505 2 years ago
NO, he said " I'd rather have no drummer than a bad drummer. And, you don't have to play to a click track if you're timming is good. I have been playing professionally for 45 yrs. and rarely play to a click. Also, we don't "keep it simple" in my church. We have over 4,000 people worshipping and it's pretty passionate and intense extravagant Worship. In a small church, I would say, Keep it Simple!
drumsticknow 2 years ago
Comment removed
Dglsell 3 years ago
I play drums at our church and how true it is that people follow the drums even when they aren't the lead instrument. I am teaching a couple young kids in our church to play and I appreciate this a lot it is great information and sound advice. Thanks
psks6470 3 years ago 2
I play drums and love god and this is awesome..now im going to go to bed and sleep with the metronome under my pillow..sweet.
WHUFC71 3 years ago 2
i would do the same..
pradeepdas1 2 years ago
this was really good i use a drum machine to practice with and now have started using it for the band and we can see a big differance in our playing in time. if you work as a team and pull togeather god can really use you as a drummer i am teaching people in our church to play and we use the machine all the time to get the time into them. in the last 6 months I have really noticed that the band is tighter and the worship leader trusts me alot more to keep the band in tight formation. its great
dyslexic89 3 years ago
Maybe you should go and buy a Paul Simon record or Sting record for that matter and see who these guys are copying. Now that's great playing with taste....
cpdrumming 3 years ago
you got one thing right..I do step down from the riser.
cpdrumming 3 years ago
its not just about the skill,it defends upon how the Lord touch his heart and its desire..I, chossing a guitrist,basis etc I always telling them about their AVAILABILITY why??Skillfull BUT He/She not available its useless..compassion for the LORD!!Heart for the World..Godbless us!!
jf14344 3 years ago
goldensleeves, I agree with you completely, it's a double-edged sword. Either sound really great because you chose the best players you could, or not sounds as great because you didn't "audition". I'm glad I'm not a worship leader and only a player, so I really don't have to judge and make the tough decisions. :)
EricLThomp75 3 years ago
amen minus the language.
bobitykeys 3 years ago
I agree paul. A common thing I hear is a drummer who can keep time until a fill then there is a tendancy to rush through the fill and loose that sense of time. Working with a metronome really helps that. Or even better if they have been involved in a drum corp or marching band because those are EXCELLENT ways to train that sense of time.
exjrain 3 years ago 2
This is why drummers need to work on a click track and always play with it live. At first it's rough, but once you get the hang of it, you wonder how you lived without it.
Also, keep it simple. As a drummer for 13 years, I cannot over-emphasize the importance of staying in the pocket. Of course, everyone loves a cool fill, but in worship, keeping it low key and in time is the way to go. If you need any help, let me know what I can do.
Charlotte8505 3 years ago
I work with a click track and CD's to train for timekeeping. However, I never play with a click track live. I am the click track.
richardshere 2 years ago
@richardshere Nice. I want a shirt that says "I am the click track" with a large picture of a drum set beneath.
peterbmoorman 1 year ago
I would recommend the book, "A Heart To Drum" by Terl Bryant to anyone considering playing in with a music worship team.. It takes a look at many aspects of music with regard to worship, from a drum perspective.., but it can apply to any musician.
We are instructed by Gods word to play with sakal, a hebrew word meaning "wisely understand, prosper, have insight, to give attention to, consider, having comprehension, to be prudent or circumspect.." Much more than skill and technique.. 'quoted'
danander11 4 years ago
praise God for drummers who play with feel and play in solid time!! If we realise as worship musicians that we are there to 1) personally worship, and 2) inspire and facilitate corporate praise and worship, we'll then appreciate musicians who make it easier to worship, rather than more difficult
digbyte 4 years ago 3
A bad anything can distract.. I never said that it would not, I disagreed with the statement that "the number one reason that a drummer was created was to keep good time".
Drums and drumming have many roles in music.. and by their nature are rhythmical, so it is most noticable when the drummer has poor time keeping abilities.. but it's been my experience over the last 30 years of playing that singers, then keys, then guitars tend to be the worst.. and even a mediocre drummer can cover that.
danander11 4 years ago
Heya Paul, Some very good information and advice here.. however, I will take issue with one thing.. The main reason a drummer was created was to keep good time. That is false.. Time/tempo is the responsibility of EVERY member of the band...
Drummers were created by God to allow for another voice to be heard.. whether to drive music with energy and force, or to augment it with touch and simplicity.. or even by it's absence. For a drummer, or any other musician, good meter is a must. Peace!
danander11 4 years ago
drums is a rhythm/percussion instrument...if the drummer can't keep time what use are they ;)
digbyte 4 years ago 3
amen!
ShakaChon 4 years ago
I'm a drummer in HK, and play with worship term everyweek, your message is very useful...thanks..blessings
pt128128 4 years ago
I was blessed to meet you last year. As a drummer for a Praise Team, you are absolutely right about all suggestions. I can't help to throw a bit of Neil Peart or Mike Portnoy into the mix, but where the rubber hits the road, the basic and steady thump is universal. Thank you so much for providing these resources!
gillamk 4 years ago
Thanks a lot Paul for this video! God Bless!
mikehidalgo627 4 years ago
stay tuned to the end for the excellent beat box. way to go Paul!
carlcartee 4 years ago
love it.
JOHNGIFTED 4 years ago