Surprise filling in on the drums today...

So I was asked to fill in for our missing drummer at today's service. Actually, I knew a few days in advance and got to practice a little Thursday. I literally haven't played drums in 22 years... and it was very, very weird. I found myself able to do some basic grooves and keep the beat. But that was it. Told the WL to let's NOT make this a habit.

We've had drummer issues for the past couple of years. We had a teenaged kid who often never showed up for practice or for the service. Most times that left me to fill in on the drums at the last minute. The first time I EVER played drums was at a service with 700 people. I didn't even know until the last minute. It was very nerve wracking.

With our continued drummer problems, our lead singer/acoustic guitarist volunteered to take over drumming duties. He's practiced a lot and has gotten really good at drumming and playing while singing. That being said, some 12-year old kid showed up at setup yesterday and said he's been learning to play drums and wants to join the band. He hasn't been playing for long, and doesn't know any of the songs, but now he's our drummer.:confused:

That being said, some 12-year old kid showed up at setup yesterday and said he's been learning to play drums and wants to join the band. He hasn't been playing for long, and doesn't know any of the songs, but now he's our drummer.:confused:

That's crazy... And pretty tough to build any consistency with the band if that's how new folks are brought in.

We have "tryouts" which basically attempt to determine that singers can carry a tune and musicians can play, but in most smaller churches like mine, there isn't a lot to choose from so the bar can't be too high. I just wonder that if I actually had to tryout to be my church's drummer would I have passed. Maybe not... yet in a last minute pinch the rules go out the window.

But drumming and other rhythm section instruments (bass, rhythm guitar) is pretty key to the music's feel and flow... I personally would rather have these players be my best musicians in P&W, and if there is not a good enough player for drums, not even fill that role. No drummer is much better than one that can't stay on a beat.

That's crazy... And pretty tough to build any consistency with the band if that's how new folks are brought in.

The band leader has sole authority (self-appointed) on bringing in new musicians. She fired one of our new singers after one week because she couldn't make it to the service that week.

Our previous drummer (for two years) would often not show up for practice or the service, and not even give advance notice. He did that for two years and she finally got rid of him two weeks ago.:roll:

No drummer is much better than one that can't stay on a beat.

I agree 100%

We have had the worst time trying to find and keep drummers. Most of them have been very unreliable. What is it with drummers? They are definitely 'differnt'.

We have had the worst time trying to find and keep drummers. Most of them have been very unreliable. What is it with drummers? They are definitely 'differnt'.

I was one a long time ago, but after endless hours of intense therapy which included shock treatment and waterboarding, I was reformed and became a guitar player.

Seriously though, it is strange to me that musicians that are so good at keeping time find it so hard to keep a schedule.

We've practiced twice now with the new kid drummer. Neither time could the kid even keep a simple beat. I figured we'd be stuck with him until I got this email that she sent to the kid:

****, I’m glad you came to practice last night, and that you are interested in helping with our praise band. We need someone who can deliver a steady and simple beat, while listening to the rest of the musicians and being solid on the count. We appreciate the skills and enthusiasm you have for music, but for right now, we need you to become more solid if you want to play with us regularly. After practice last night, I urge you to work on playing with a beat and keeping a steady rhythm. Our practice time is limited, so sitting in with us regularly and finding the time to teach is impractical. For pointers on specific ideas on how you could improve, feel free to talk to ****.

You are welcome to continue helping on Sundays, especially with setting up and occasionally helping with the sound mixer. If you would like CD’s of our music to listen and practice with, let me know and I will provide you with them. If you feel there is a specific song you master, then come to us and we will try to practice with you again and see how it goes.


It looks like we'll be going back to our lead singer/drummer situation. He's a great singer and a pretty good drummer.

We've practiced twice now with the new kid drummer. Neither time could the kid even keep a simple beat. I figured we'd be stuck with him until I got this email that she sent to the kid:

****, I’m glad you came to practice last night, and that you are interested in helping with our praise band. We need someone who can deliver a steady and simple beat, while listening to the rest of the musicians and being solid on the count. We appreciate the skills and enthusiasm you have for music, but for right now, we need you to become more solid if you want to play with us regularly. After practice last night, I urge you to work on playing with a beat and keeping a steady rhythm. Our practice time is limited, so sitting in with us regularly and finding the time to teach is impractical. For pointers on specific ideas on how you could improve, feel free to talk to ****.

You are welcome to continue helping on Sundays, especially with setting up and occasionally helping with the sound mixer. If you would like CD’s of our music to listen and practice with, let me know and I will provide you with them. If you feel there is a specific song you master, then come to us and we will try to practice with you again and see how it goes.


It looks like we'll be going back to our lead singer/drummer situation. He's a great singer and a pretty good drummer.

As an outsider, please let me offer a few insights:

Firstly, I appreciate your concern for having a reliable, skilled drummer every week. The rhythm players rely on a strong, steady beat, and if it isn't there, it throws off the entire band! That said, hopefully, you're not looking for the next Ginger Baker, but rather, one who at least knows the basics and has the enthusiasm to learn.

Scripture doesn't say "make perfect music"; it says "make a joyful noise" unto the Lord. Remember, it's all about Him, not us. We supposed to be about building up and encouraging one another, and in my humble opinion, it sounds like you may need some work in that area.

William Cowper wrote, "His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour. The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower."

Secondly, it probably wasn't the best idea to share a private communication between your worship leader and your drummer-in-training. Furthermore, what was said by your worship leader ought to have been said in person, not via email. It was very insensitive and unprofessional to have handled it in the manner in which it was handled.

It may be a good time for some introspection...

As an outsider, please let me offer a few insights:

Secondly, it probably wasn't the best idea to share a private communication between your worship leader and your drummer-in-training. Furthermore, what was said by your worship leader ought to have been said in person, not via email. It was very insensitive and unprofessional to have handled it in the manner in which it was handled.

It may be a good time for some introspection...

I agree with you on the email part. She should have just told him in person that it wasn't working out right now, but keep practicing. She also shouldn't have sent all of us the email either. She should have just told us that it wasn't working out with the drummer.

As far as sharing the private communication between the leader and the drummer, I took out the names. Besides, I would have never posted it if I thought anyone in our band (or church) even reads the TDPRI forums.

As an outsider, please let me offer a few insights:

....

It may be a good time for some introspection...

I have certainly been guilty myself of needing introspection.

I do believe music should be skillfully played, yes, even in a tiny church. Many psalms were written with the introduction "to the chief musician so-and-so". I don't believe the worship service is the best time for someone to learn his chops, yet that happens many times. In my case the music during service would have run so much smoother if I didn't sit in on the drums, and instead we adapted and played a drummerless set. But I did it because that's what the WL wanted, and tried my best. In a previous church, the WL had to finally fire a drummer for just not having enough skill. He (the drummer) was certainly disappointed, but it was done in love, and even he had to admit it was not about him but about God and move on from it.

A joyful noise and also be a skilled musician. There is order its not like you just get up there and bang away. Dedication and skill should be a requirement. At 12 years old the kid should feel blessed that he was even given that opportunity. When the Levites hit the stage they had 10 - 20 years of practicing and learning behind them and they were probably 25 years old! Now thats a type of standard we should strive for....excellence.

I find that when I hit the drum set with my Telecaster, the drums break and the cymbal stands fall over.

We've got a great drummer, who's been mostly reliable for the last 6 years. But we're also keen to get more drummers, to give him a break.

Getting new drummers started is hard. Really hard. Not only are they learning to keep a beat, but they're learning to drive a band - drumming really does carry a lot of responsibility.

They've also got to deal with not being up to our regular drummers standard.

We're trying a new idea in 2012: get the young, up-coming drummers playing percussion alongside the drummer for a few months. Tambourine, Egg-shakers … rhythmic stuff like that. For quiet sections in songs, have the drummer stop and let the percussionist keep the beat. The aim is to build the confidence and competence, without throwing them in the deep end. When they're doing well, have the drummer and percussionist swap for a song or two.

As a follow up to the email I posted above, the kid showed up again the next week after that email, jumped behind the kit and proceeded to double-kick it through "Mary Did You Know" and our acappela choral version of "Emmanuel." He apparently never got the email, or was completely ignoring it.

During the sermon he was running around the choir loft shooting rubber bands at people and banging away on the drums (electronic) through his headphones. I told the band letter that she needed to address this with the kid and his parents IN PERSON or I would. We'll see what happens.

^^^ wow. just wow.