Is having 3 drummers for one service neccessary?

[QCdrummer]

Recently I was asked to play for a Friday night service, so I said ok....... I was then informed that there would be 2 other drummers joining me, and that we would have our own duty of performing different songs. ????? This is something that I will turn down. Either you want me to play or you don't... I know these other 2 guys, and I believe they are doing this because all 3 of us have different styles. We're are all very good, but all very different.

When I was a kid, I didn't care if there was 8 drummers playing, as long as they let me play during offering time I was good! But I'm 21 and I'm too old to be playing musical chairs on the drums. Its not that serious anymore......

I just don't think it is neccessary. Just get one guy and let him play the service!

Anybody know what I'm talking about?

[hendoo]

NO DOUBT, I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN, HERE IN D.C. AT A LOCAL CHURCH THERE WAS 5- 6 DRUMMERS, MOST WAS THERE JUST TO BE PART OF A BIG MEGA -CHURCH, BUT WHY TAKE TURNS PLAYING 1 PRAISE SONG EACH, I'M THE ONLY DRUMMER AT MY CHURCH & WE HAVE 3 SERVICES A SUNDAY, IT DOES GET CRAZY WITH ME HAVING A FULL TIME JOB, WIFE & THREEE KIDS, BUT I WOULDN'T TRADE IT.

[juSe]

Recently I was asked to play for a Friday night service, so I said ok....... I was then informed that there would be 2 other drummers joining me, and that we would have our own duty of performing different songs. ????? This is something that I will turn down. Either you want me to play or you don't... I know these other 2 guys, and I believe they are doing this because all 3 of us have different styles. We're are all very good, but all very different.

When I was a kid, I didn't care if there was 8 drummers playing, as long as they let me play during offering time I was good! But I'm 21 and I'm too old to be playing musical chairs on the drums. Its not that serious anymore......

I just don't think it is neccessary. Just get one guy and let him play the service!

Anybody know what I'm talking about?

3 is sho'nuff company.  I was in a situation when I first started playing at my home church almost 10 years ago (man...  has it REALLY been that long?).  Mine was an apprenticeship thing, instead of "musical drum chairs". 

Anyway, the drummer that I was splitting the bill with was WAY older than me, matter of fact he had a son my age, and had been playing at the church for as long as I can remember.  The way we did it was that I would play Praise and Worship and the hymn and he would play any and all of the songs that the choir sang.  This would be how we'd do it until the 3rd sunday of every month then the order would switch because I was rehearsing and performing with the Male Corus.  This went on for about a year and a half when some circumstances came up and he had to step down.  I've been full time every since. 

I know that this has much to do about nothing in regards to your situation...  I'd go and play anway.  You may be able to hook up with some other musicians that are looking for a drummer.  They may also consider you for other playing sutuations as they arise.  Don't blow off the opperatunity because you don't know what may come of this situation.  They clearly saw something in you that they liked because they invited you to come and check them out. 

Just my 2 Lincolns...

[drummer_boi23]

it depends on the service if its like regular church every week not neccessarry at all

[BEATBOXERZ]

3 is sho'nuff company.  I was in a situation when I first started playing at my home church almost 10 years ago (man...  has it REALLY been that long?).  Mine was an apprenticeship thing, instead of "musical drum chairs". 

Anyway, the drummer that I was splitting the bill with was WAY older than me, matter of fact he had a son my age, and had been playing at the church for as long as I can remember.  The way we did it was that I would play Praise and Worship and the hymn and he would play any and all of the songs that the choir sang.  This would be how we'd do it until the 3rd sunday of every month then the order would switch because I was rehearsing and performing with the Male Corus.  This went on for about a year and a half when some circumstances came up and he had to step down.  I've been full time every since. 

I know that this has much to do about nothing in regards to your situation...  I'd go and play anway.  You may be able to hook up with some other musicians that are looking for a drummer.  They may also consider you for other playing sutuations as they arise.  Don't blow off the opperatunity because you don't know what may come of this situation.  They clearly saw something in you that they liked because they invited you to come and check them out. 

Just my 2 Lincolns...

Very well said J. . I'm the so called first chair drummer in my Church and would LOVE to have 3 really good drummers to play with. I like to share time with young drummers. When I have a good drummer, it frees me to move to keys....

[QCdrummer]

3 is sho'nuff company.  I was in a situation when I first started playing at my home church almost 10 years ago (man...  has it REALLY been that long?).  Mine was an apprenticeship thing, instead of "musical drum chairs". 

Anyway, the drummer that I was splitting the bill with was WAY older than me, matter of fact he had a son my age, and had been playing at the church for as long as I can remember.  The way we did it was that I would play Praise and Worship and the hymn and he would play any and all of the songs that the choir sang.  This would be how we'd do it until the 3rd sunday of every month then the order would switch because I was rehearsing and performing with the Male Corus.  This went on for about a year and a half when some circumstances came up and he had to step down.  I've been full time every since. 

I know that this has much to do about nothing in regards to your situation...  I'd go and play anway.  You may be able to hook up with some other musicians that are looking for a drummer.  They may also consider you for other playing sutuations as they arise.  Don't blow off the opperatunity because you don't know what may come of this situation.  They clearly saw something in you that they liked because they invited you to come and check them out. 

Just my 2 Lincolns...

I see what you guys are saying, but basically they want me to come out to rehearsals and stuff to play one song. That's just not my thing. I love networking with other drummers, and playing at different services. When the Church I play at goes to another Church its great to see the love musicians have for one another................ But inviting 3 different drummers to play for one service and one choir is crazy to me!
We all have our own unique set-ups, so everytime one of us gets on, we have to start adjusting to how we feel comfortable. Buy hey some like that stuff, its just not me.

[hihat]

NO DOUBT, I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN, HERE IN D.C. AT A LOCAL CHURCH THERE WAS 5- 6 DRUMMERS, MOST WAS THERE JUST TO BE PART OF A BIG MEGA -CHURCH, BUT WHY TAKE TURNS PLAYING 1 PRAISE SONG EACH, I'M THE ONLY DRUMMER AT MY CHURCH & WE HAVE 3 SERVICES A SUNDAY, IT DOES GET CRAZY WITH ME HAVING A FULL TIME JOB, WIFE & THREEE KIDS, BUT I WOULDN'T TRADE IT.

What Church R U At??? I might come check u out sometime.  And are u gonna be at the shed on the 30th??

[juSe]

I see what you guys are saying, but basically they want me to come out to rehearsals and stuff to play one song. That's just not my thing. I love networking with other drummers, and playing at different services. When the Church I play at goes to another Church its great to see the love musicians have for one another................ But inviting 3 different drummers to play for one service and one choir is crazy to me!
We all have our own unique set-ups, so everytime one of us gets on, we have to start adjusting to how we feel comfortable. Buy hey some like that stuff, its just not me.

Sounds like you already have your mind made up.  I would't look at it as networking with other drummers as much as exposure to other musicians.  Although other drummers can hook you up with other gigs, I'd go to be with the other instrumentalist.  You might get peeped by someone at this particular service that might not have ever seen you play.  This could in the end work out in your favor.  In the words of the great Tom Joyner...  Its yo world dawg!

Very well said J. . I'm the so called first chair drummer in my Church and would LOVE to have 3 really good drummers to play with. I like to share time with young drummers. When I have a good drummer, it frees me to move to keys....

If I had ONE cat that could hold down a basic 2 and 4, I just might play hookie and go visit some of my other cats around town and check out some other scenes in the city!!

[DeeMoney12]

I think you should go. This will give you achance to be exposed to a different style of playing. I love to go to services where there is more than one person there who shares the same passion for the music minstry as I do.  You should go because I've gone to services and played along with other drummers and I was approached to play for a professional group, go on tour and the whole nine. If this opportunity to fellowship with other drummers then I think that it is an opportunity worth taking up. Just my opinion.

[emmanueld]

We have a promble like that at my church we have 2 drummers cuz 2 churches come 2gether as one so what we did was i play on 1st and 3rd and she plays on 2nd and 4th which is kool but i was their 1st and she just came on the seen but its all good cuz iam really gettin down on the organ on 2nd and 3rd sunday at my momas church!!

[anointedstix]

I think that you should go, personally. I don't see where the problem is. It's not like we're competing for a record deal or something but we are doing it because God so graciously gave us a gift to share with the body of Christ

[illest drummer]

i think having three drummers is too much. u need to just have one that can get the job done

[B_XALTED]

We have three drummers... well 2 and a half... Ithink it depends on the service, and the needs of the service...

Not a bad thing to me.

[sugabear]

We have three drummers... well 2 and a half... Ithink it depends on the service, and the needs of the service...

Not a bad thing to me.

<-----Ahhh, cheer up shorty. I'm praying for you and that headache.

[B_XALTED]

<-----Ahhh, cheer up shorty. I'm praying for you and that headache.

My head is fine... it's my co workers... I am so serious, I would love to do 64th notes on their foreheads... FA SHO!!!!!

[sugabear]

My head is fine... it's my co workers... I am so serious, I would love to do 64th notes on their foreheads... FA SHO!!!!!

I forgot that they were referring to co-workers as headaches now. I've got to get with it .

[fretai03]

I come from the other end of the stick, sort of... I do think it's overkill to have too many drummers but like what's been said there really needs to be a purpose for that many drummers.

What I mean by coming from the other end of the stick is that I'm in the situation where I'm stretched betwee 3 churches... I'm looking for other drummers to relieve me but theres only young cats who are interested "IF" they bother to show up to church... for right there & then.

So I'd say do it for the learning experience. LIke it's been said that if you are faithful to God in the little things (& it does seem like this is a little thing) God will reward you.

God Bless.

[SabianKnight]

I think training folk up is good. However to call in 3 drummers for a service and not have 3 different and interchangable bands to use the in doesn't make sense. Chemistry is a necessity.A band needs to be able to trust one another on the band stand and think alike. That is hard to do when you are flip-flopping.

[QCdrummer]

I think training folk up is good. However to call in 3 drummers for a service and not have 3 different and interchangable bands to use the in doesn't make sense. Chemistry is a necessity.A band needs to be able to trust one another on the band stand and think alike. That is hard to do when you are flip-flopping.

Sabe you could not have said it any better.

[Mysteryman]

I think it would be nice if you have a percussion section or congos also then the drummers can either do one or the other and rotate every sunday or so. Each drummer will be play something atleast. Or maybe one could play the wood blocks. Im serious though. If that cant work out and they want to play bad enough they need to go to a church that doesnt have a drummer and be a blessing. Many churches have week night services and some musicians dont even want to play for that.

I believe many times drummers dont want others to play because they want to be seen. Or they feel one drummer might out do them. That can become a problem though one drummer does a tight lick then the other drummer decided Im going to get him on this next song.