The definitive course to learn drums for worship ministry.
By the end of this course, you'll know:
✅ How drums can be broken down into very simple components, making it easier to learn than you might think!
✅ The essentials of stick control, foot control & rhythm
✅ How to count rhythms, time signatures & break down a beat so you can learn beats by ear
✅ Many common beats, progressing from very simple beats to complex beats
✅ How to play with dynamics & lead your team through the map of songs
✅ Advanced tips, such as playing in compound time signatures, best practices for multi-drummer setups & more!
✅ Includes 180 min. video run time, 166 multiple choice quiz/test questions, 24 paragraph-answer critical thinking questions, 9 Coaching Community prompts & 3 posts.
(Used in multiple courses: 10 min video, 6 quiz questions & 3 posts.)
BUY THIS COURSE
Here's a lesson from Module 5 of this award-winning course:
Remember:
Now, many times we will be using snare & kick as the foundation of our beats.
What affects dynamic level most often is the right hand.
Here’s a general rule of what we play or “wash” with our right hand:
Loudest to quietest:
- Washing crash cymbal
- Washing ride
- Playing open hi-hat
- Playing semi-open hi-hat
- Pinging ride
- Playing closed hi-hat
- Playing floor tom (this can vary)
- No right hand
I’ve met a surprising number of sound guys who hate cymbals, and I have a hard time understanding why. When I listen to worship mixes where you can’t hear the cymbals at all, the mix feels flat & awkward as a result.
(Part 1 of 2)
The reason for this is in the context of the larger mix, cymbals create a shimmering sound that fills the awkward space in the mix and drives emotional intensity.
Typically if you have a cymbal present, it is creating energy of some kind.
Because of this, we want to wash the ride, crash or play an open or semi-open hi-hat much of the time when we are big on a driving chorus or bridge.
We save washing the crash cymbal for the absolute peak or climax of the song, and we use pinging the ride or playing a closed hi-hat when we want some energy, but not our full dynamic level.
Toms are different and very versatile - we use toms to communicate intensity whether we are quiet or loud, and vary the stick height, volume & intensity based on what the song needs.
With hi-hat, remember that we can gradually open or close the hi hat by rocking our left foot back. This gradually creates intensity.
We also can gradually switch from pinging -> washing the ride.
Pinging the ride is fine for a chorus that is full, but medium volume...but it's often too chill for the climax of a song.
(Part 2 of 2)
Here's what's included in your course!
Step #1: Get functional first.
Module 1 - "Learning Control & Our First Beat"
- Basic stick & foot technique
- Counting rhythm & playing with a metronome
- Subdivisions, downbeats & time signatures
- Stick control techniques, warmups & essential rudiments
- Our first beat!
Module 2 - "Rudiments & 4/4 Beats"
- Essential rudiments for worship
- Core beats that are common in 4/4
- Double-hit variations on beats using kick & snare
- How to add your own variations to beats
Module 3 - "Double Beats & Fills"
- How to play double hand hi-hat/snare beats in 4/4
- Tom beats in 4/4
- Snare roll beats in 4/4
- Why we use drum fills
- Common drum fills in 4/4
Step #2: Expand your library of essential beats & concepts.
Module 4 - "Two More Time Signatures"
- Counting in 6/8 time signature
- Counting in 3/4 time signature
- Common beats, variations & fills in 6/8 & 3/4 time signatures
Module 5 - "Dynamics & Emotion"
- The vital importance of dynamics on drums
- The drum kit & how our decisions affect energy levels
- Common pitfalls & effective techniques
- How to build effectively from 0-100%
Step #3: Get creative & prepare for professional-tier worship ministry.
Module 6 - "Playing In A Worship Team Setting"
- Practical tips to help you excel on drums in a worship team setting
- The servant hearted approach to worship teams: "less is more"
- Playing "in the pocket" with a click track
- How to prepare your next set with a professional mindset
Module 7 - "Trickier Beats & Fills"
- Advanced time signatures
- Playing in 12/8 time signature using triplets
- Playing in 7/4 or compound time signatures such as 4/4 + 3/4
- Other advanced beats & fills
- Rim shots & technical beats
Module 8 - "Advanced Techniques"
- How to play boldly with confidence & authority
- An introduction to drum solos & when to use them
- How to automate certain mental aspects of drumming so you can focus on worshiping from the heart
- Acoustic vs. electric kits (and when to use them)
- Keys to self-teaching effectively beyond this course
