Gospel Drumming…

I played drums at a Baptist Church long ago when I was in high school. I remember it to be uplifting, high energy and funky.

So, my recent experiences playing Praise Music or Gospel (whatever you wish to call it) were pretty much the same. Though much more challenging.

For a rhythm section player (drums, piano, guitar, etc) it is even more challenging. There’s a Saturday rhythm section rehearsal at 2pm, then the horn section is added at around 3pm, the full choir at 4pm and service goes from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, sometimes to 7pm if the pastor has a longer sermon to give. So, Saturday is pretty much a pretty intense day from 2pm to 7pm.

Then, I have to wake up at around 5am to get ready, shower and dress up, and drive the 40 minute journey to the church. A quick rehearsal at 7:15am with choir and band. And we perform the 1st service at around 7:30am and the 2nd service at around 10:30am. And, I don’t get home until after 12 noon.

For a drummer, that to me is an exhausting schedule. But… I love it, the challenge, reading the charts, trying to read past the charts, and just being a part of creating some very spiritually uplifting music!

It just takes a lot out of me personally, and at 50, even more challenging. By Sunday afternoon I’m ready to take a long nap, but usually my wife wants to go out and have fun somewhere (doubling the whole challenging bit).

Anyway, I’ve been really gungho about the Gospel drumming… I have studied Gospel drummers on YouTube (although the techniques for Gospel drumming aren’t any different from any other type of drumming). Well, the thing about Gospel drumming is that the drummer is a big part of the music. The drummer has to be very dynamic, be aware of all the “hits” and “setups” needed to properly define the structure of the music, because there are usually a lot of changes in the music. So, one doesn’t just keep time and groove along happily. In addition, one has to be aware of all the changes in the music because they “cue” the rest of the band and especially the choir.

I have a much greater appreciation for playing Gospel (Praise) Music than I ever have. And, a greater self-confidence that I can pull it off correctly. Well, it helps to really study as much Gospel Music as possible out there, and there are a lot of resources out there on the web, naturally.

Songs that I have enjoyed performing immensely…. and I think can be found on iTunes:

Jesus, What A Beautiful Name
Keep On Making A Way
Waymaker
Mourning Into Dancing
Favor of God