Sensitivity

I have remarked in other entries about how thorough I am when it comes to preparation for any given worship session. I thoroughly, when given the information, think through the "list" and ready myself to play it. I would imagine a similar process happens for a "show" drummer, where every detail is sketched out and performed routinely, accurately and without any deviation. Worship is a very different "musical animal."

This is not to say that you should not prepare. But it IS to say that you should also prepare yourself for unplanned, unexpected changes in any given set list.

There are things as worship drummers that are just not in our field of thought on any given Sunday, Wednesday, etc. When I stepped out from behind the drums and began to connect myself to a guitar, I was forced to see the affects of my lists. In the practice prior to the session, the songs would often work out great, but it was the little things that I noticed when people got into the room that often made me reconsider the way we presented our songs.

For example, I remember many times when I started tunes too slowly and needed to change the tempo mid-tune. Other times, I recognized that some songs seemed too heavy handed for where the worship was going, so I asked my drummers to play a tune or two with brushes, to soften the list. Many times, especially in the more intimate night services, I asked the drummer to not play for a few tunes, just because I could see the faces of the worshippers, and how engaged they were in what was happening and I did not want that to be broken for them.

Now, I never heard either Richard or Isy ever complain about not getting to play certain things, but I remember back when I was younger, often feeling frustrated when I did'nt get to play the whole list! Now, I see that I could have been more sensitive to what the Spirit was doing on those nights. I could have trusted my leaders and let them lead what they were seeing more clearly than I could.

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." NLT

Be sensitive to the situation. Tune yourself into the mood of the room. Sacred moments are happening right in front of you. Ask the Lord to teach you to play appropriately for Him.

Hope this helps.

Blessings,
Frank