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Recently I was asked to
write for Worship Musician Magazine.
I pray you find it encouraging and helpful.
www.worshipmusicianmagazine.com
** 2 articles now posted **
"Still Serving
After All These Years"
by Carl Albrecht
It’s amazing how often I hear from worship leaders, artists, and
pastors that they are having trouble with a musician’s attitude.
“They can play great, but they are just so hard to deal with!”
Always complaining or arguing, and always “put out” by any
request that might be made of them. A player like this is a “thorn
in the side” of any music leader. This does not create a great working
environment. And it probably works against any sense of unity and teamwork
you are trying to build. In the secular world a player like this normally gets fired. “YO…
YOU… YOU’RE OUTTA HERE!!” Problem solved!!! But we don’t
do this in ministry situations. In the church we should be willing to
ask someone to “sit out” for a while so they can work on some
“personal issues”. That sounds so nice, doesn’t it?
It could take weeks, maybe months. No matter how difficult this may be
you must deal with it before it becomes a cancer in your team. Trust me,
bad attitudes will infect or affect everyone.
How do you deal with this if you are the one I’m talking about?
What if you’ve become difficult to work with? Maybe you’ve
found it difficult to serve others with your talents. Let me share some
practical ideas as a drummer who has been asked to do many different and
“stretching” things.
My best advice is to “DIE TO YOURSELF”! Whatever ministry
or job setting I’m in I always remind myself of “why”
I am there. God has given me gifts and talents to serve those that He
connects me to. Unless I am creating music or working for myself, my calling
and job is to help others find the “magic in their music”.
I’m called to help worship leaders and artists find that place where
they feel they are able to express their hearts to the Lord. I have a
mental picture that I am a “gatekeeper to the presence of God”.
Wow… soak in that image for a while!!! Take it to heart!!
I know that sounds great in print. But how do we live it? How can we make
that happen? Well, to the best of your ability do what’s asked of
you at all times. Be a “can do” kind of person. When asked
to play softer, play softer. When asked to play less, play less. When
asked to….. you get the picture. I’ve had artists ask for
different drums or percussion sounds. So I’ve gone out and bought
new equipment to be able to serve them.
Basically …I keep trying ‘til I see them smiling.
I haven’t always hit the mark when it comes to these things. There
are times when you can’t seem to please people, but I keep trying.
If someone is unhappy with what I’m doing at least they know I’m
giving them my best effort. There are just times when circumstances are
out of your control. A truth we don’t always like.
Another thing I do is to keep asking questions to be sure the leader or
singer is truly getting what they want from me. That will usually diffuse
the sense of frustration they may be feeling as they are trying to discover
what really works for them. The creative process is often like digging
for buried treasure; you might have to sweat a little to get to the gold.
Keep digging!!!
Recently we recorded Paul Baloche’s CD/DVD called “Offering”.
Paul took the time to fly to Nashville for a couple of days with the band
just to work out arrangements before the recording dates. In the process
of creating, Paul asked me not to use splash cymbals. So I removed them
from my kit. Then he asked if I would try not using so many drums. Normally
I have 4 toms in my set up. So by the time we were finished I was down
to a 4 piece kit: [kick, snare, a 12” tom, & a 16” tom
/ I did use a 2nd snare (a piccolo snare) to the left of my hi-hat…
as requested.] My normal cymbal set-up of 8 or more was scaled down to
a 22” ride cymbal, 14” hi-hats, an 18” crash, a 19”
rock crash, & a 17” sizzle crash.
What was most interesting about this whole process was what happened after
the rehearsal. Paul came up to me and said he was so blown away by the
fact that I was doing everything that he requested. He was so encouraged
and blessed by the way I was helping him find the “right vibe” for his music. He was stunned. Please don’t think I’m bragging. What I want you to realize
is that serving people brings a blessing to a situation. Living in WWJD
mode (What Would Jesus Do?) is so much better than going the other way.
When I mess that up, then everyone, myself included, is miserable. And
I’ve “blown” it enough times to know that it’s
true. I hope you don’t mind if I don’t give you an example
of those situations.
Well… OK …. Just one!! No names though… to protect the
innocent.
I was playing drums at a conference. We were recording the event.
The producer had been asking for one change after another right up until
the sound check before the recorded service. “Could you try this
feel?? Could you do this dynamic change in the 1st verse?? OH,, and try
a different tempo!! and …” ………. SNAP…………
Carl turns to the producer and says, “Look… I’ve played
on hundreds of records. You should trust me that this is working. You’re
wearing the band out with all of your suggestions… blah… blah…
blah…blah…”
..the Holy Spirit starts speaking to my heart..“ Carl, what are
you doing?”
“Yes, Lord?”
“Carl, what are you doing? I thought you were here to serve. Did
you forget what I made you for? What Would I Do?” etc. etc.
(I’m getting a pretty good spiritual spanking in the middle of this
exchange of words I’m having with the music director, and it changes
my heart.)
So…
Carl turns back to the producer and says… “Sorry, bro., whatever
you want. I’ll give you my best shot!” I even went to him
later and apologized for being out of line. (Repentance) He said it was
no big deal. I appreciated him being gracious, but made sure we were in
a good place before we left the conversation. By the way, we’re
still friends, and we still work together.
Humbling yourself and serving is not always easy. In fact, most of the
time, it is a real challenge. After all of these years of music and ministry
the tests still come. I used to think that I would grow out of them. But
what I’ve learned is that I’ve grown in the midst of them.
Galatians 5:13 …. serve one another in love.
In Him,
Your Servant,
Carl
ARTICLE # 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“PLAYING TO THE ROOM: A DRUMMER’S
PERSPECTIVE”
By Carl Albrecht
The most common and controversial statement drummers hear is “Can
you play softer?” Drum volume is one of the biggest issues with
bands, especially in church and ministry settings. It is the most controversial
because opinions are very strong concerning expressing yourself musically
& spiritually while trying to keep the volume lower. Musicians often
feel like they’re being stifled by the restrictions that are placed
on them because of the acoustic environments they deal with. Well today
my friends I will give you the answer to this problem. STOP PLAYING DRUMS!!!
…. Of course I’m just kidding. So, let’s talk.
Ultimately all musicians should adjust to the situation they are working
in and have the attitude of making the whole team sound great. (*Please
read my article- “Still Serving After All These Years.” -
in an earlier issue.) The drummer’s job is particularly difficult
because by nature drums are a loud instrument. We can’t just turn
them down. So let’s work with changing the instrument you use.
The first solution is to use smaller drums and cymbals. A 20” kick
is more focused & punchy sounding than a larger kick drum. The standard
tom-tom sizes of a 12”, 13”, & a 16” floor tom could
be down sized to a 10”, 12”, & 14” tom set up. The
snare could be a 14” diameter by 5” deep brass model. Larger
snares in general are going to sound more “thick” acoustically,
and smaller snares are going to be too bright. For the rest of the kit
maple drums sound beautiful, but you may switch to birch or other woods
that will not sound as dense or massive. Believe me, a smaller kit will
project less volume, but you still have to control your dynamics.
The same theory applies to cymbals. I use a 20” Medium Ride, 16”
& 17” Medium Thin Crashes, 8” & 12” Splash Cymbals,
and 14” Medium Hi-hats for most situations. They are a mixture of
Meinl cymbals from their Amun & Byzance series. I may change things
a little according to the music I’m working on, but I start with
this set up. No big “Rock” or heavy cymbals. I only use them
when the job requires it.
You may be playing a smaller kit and trying to play softly, but it never
seems to be soft enough. Some rooms are not “drum friendly.”
Hard floors, brick walls, and lots of windows are not helpful to the acoustic
challenges of a modern worship band.
Be sure to set up on a nice rug. The floor reflects sound too and that
will help to control it. Try NOT to set up in a corner. It acts like a
megaphone for the drums. If you must do that try to hang a theatre curtain
or heavy cloth around the back of the kit and even the whole band if you
can. As a last resort build a booth for your drums or order one from the
ClearSonic company (www.clearsonic.com).
If necessary you can totally enclose the drums. You can match the color
& décor of the auditorium and everyone will be happy with the
sound AND the look.
If you use a shield or a booth be sure to make it large enough so you
can still walk around the drums. It should also be at least two feet higher
that your highest cymbal. A drum kit must “breath” or move
the airwaves freely to sound its best. If the booth is too small the drums
will sound choked & harsh. Test this by holding your hand in front
of your mouth while you are speaking and then gradually move it away.
Notice how your tone sounds warmer as you allow more space between your
mouth and hand. Drums have a similar response in a booth.
There’s no use putting up a small shield. It will only cut down
5% to 10% of the decibel level. If you go to all of this effort do it
completely. You can start in phases. Maybe begin with just the front panels.
Add the back to it if that’s not enough. Then the last step would
be a top if necessary.
If a booth is not an option then you have to physically control your volume.
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 you are in and play
passionately.
In your stick bag should be many different sizes & weights of sticks,
brushes, mallets, Hot Rods, etc. etc. Your favorite standard size stick
(5A) should be plentiful. Heavier sticks for big outdoor events or other
loud situations, and very light (jazz) sticks for smaller rooms. Hot Rods
(by Pro Mark) or Splashsticks (by Vater) are excellent for keeping you
volume down & still hearing some “snap” when you play.
Even have lighter “blasticks” or “ultrflex” brushes
for those super soft settings.
I always hear drummers say that it doesn’t sound as “cool”
or real when they use other sticks or “rods.” My response
is that they are correct! The tone is different. But that’s the
adjustment we have to make for the music to really blend in a difficult
room. The key is too find the right technique on the drums & cymbals
when you use other “tools.” Sometimes I’ll play with
a little more snap when using brushes or rods. I might also experiment
with where I hit the drums or how I make a rim shot just to get the right
sound. Approach this as a challenge not as a handicap. It will add to
your creativity if you choose to make it so.
It’s also very important to practice everything you do at a variety
of dynamic levels. Use a metronome to play all of the songs and exercises
you play. While you do that switch to every type of stick, brush, &
rod you have in your bag. Make it feel great with anything you pick up.
Even your bare hands! You’ll be amazed how versatile you will become.
Adjusting the height of your stroke when you are playing will definitely
affect your volume. Practice until you are comfortable playing very high
strokes (loud) with a lot of wrist and arm action as well as low strokes
(soft) just barely raising the sticks off of the drums. At the softer
dynamic levels be sure to use more finger control and less wrist action.
It may take time to get your soft playing under control if you have been
playing loud for a long time. Be patient and keep practicing it. And YES,
with the metronome!
Be aware of the dynamics of your feet as well. Your kick drum volume will
have to be in balance with the rest of the kit. Although in most “popular”
music the kick is played harder as compared to jazz styles. The main thing
is for you to develop your control for whatever setting you are playing
in. The hi-hat foot will probably not be as critical, but be attentive
to it as well.
I know that many of you have played electronic drums to solve the volume
problem. That’s a great idea if there are no options to make your
real drums work in the situation you’re in. The technology is amazing
for digital drums. Roland, Yamaha, Ddrums, etc. are all making fantastic
instruments. If you play electric kits be sure the P.A. system in your
auditorium or church can really handle all the extra channels and reproduce
the sound. That is big concern in churches. You should also use headphones
or earbuds to monitor the sound. NO speakers allowed for monitoring. I
would use the small drum or keyboard amps they make for these set ups
for the band to hear the kit on the platform. Even though you’re
trying to reduce your volume the drums still must blend in and feel like
part of the music. I usually put the amp on one side of my electric set
up with an extension speaker on the opposite side. This creates the sense
that there is a real drum kit on the platform. Using amps and microphones
is not to make your drums louder than other musicians, but to create a
musical blend and to give them definition in the room. (Hmm. Maybe I should
do an article on drum microphones & techniques. - We’ll see.)
Even when playing a great digital drum kit I still add a real snare to
the left of the hi-hat pad. I also add a few real cymbals and some percussion
toys for those moments when I want to do something really delicate. But
I won’t use the “real” instruments for any loud hits.
That is reserved for the pads.
Remember our job as drummers is to create a strong musical & spiritual
foundation so everyone can enjoy what’s happening. Our focus is
to serve the Lord & the people with the skills He has placed in us.
It’s all for His glory!!
Now go play softly and this time WITH FEELING!!!
Blessings,
Carl