The Drums Are Too Loud!

How many times have you heard or said that and with all of our modern technology, the problem still haunts us. Here's the deal. I have been playing drums in church for 25 years, and played in various Christian bands – from rock to Southern Gospel. I have also led groups for 21 of those yrs and it was a constant struggle for quite some time. Until…It was really the Southern Gospel gig that led me to the discovery. Imagine the smallest, most non-acoustic environment possible. I played there – and the drums were too loud. Here's the secret: It's in the right hand. The volume level of the right hand on the high hat or ride cymbal dictates how loud the drums are perceived to be. Don't believe it? Try it. Right hand on the high hat = soft. Snare, kick, toms, and crashes = strong. Now equalize by raising the volume of the right hand. And back down with the right. Amazed? So was I.

Here's why it works. Drums are perceived to be too loud when the words can't be heard and/or they drown out the rest of what is going on. The constant sound of the hh or ride can easily overpower an entire band and make everything else imperceptible. In most Christian music, the words are very important and should be heard, so it is necessary to tone down what takes away. This also applies to any other instrument(s) that tend to get in the way when not played properly. What doesn't get in the way, but adds enormously is an appropriately strong groove without the constant overpowering noise. Now, when it is appropriate to bash away, by all means, bash with great vigor – there's a time and place for everything.

If this is new to you or your drummer, perfect practice makes perfect. Volume is musically created by one thing – stick height. Lower stick = soft. Higher stick = loud. This type of independence is developed when you learn to play with both at the same time. Feel free to use strong fills in spaces at the end of phrases or to lift a song to another level. And by all means, hit the crash! Not much is worse than a ting on the body of a cymbal that was supposed to take us somewhere.

Did I say cymbals? Quickly, the same principle applies – long, constant, loud sounds create the "too loud" perception. My all-time favorite church crash cymbal is a 16" thin – pick your brand, but make it good. There is no substitute for good cymbals. They can make $300 drums sound like $1500 drums. I digress. The 16" thin gets on the sound strong – but not overpowering – and gets off quick. No lost words at the beginning of phrases, therefore, they are not too loud. I think you're getting it.

So have fun with this technique and let me know how it goes.

Bryan Mooneyhan, MinistrySource.com Owner

A thread for this article has been started in the Worship and Creative Arts (Insturmental) forum where we welcome your comments and thoughts.


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