...shhhh....play quietly...

[Drummertist]

In my drumming past, I have only played in church. This has given me the habit of playing EXTREMELY quietly. Some worship group came to my church and the drummer played what I thought was quiet but everyone told me that I play quieter than him. What I want to do is get myself to play louder and to understand that everything I hear behind the kit is not always what is going into the crowd.

What is a good way to practice playing loudly, other than just BANGING AWAY at the drums. I tend to lose technique and cleanliness when I play louder or more fervently so when I play louder, should I just keep it simple?

EDIT: Also, I have a sax and our piano player playing right beside me. I don't want to crash into the sax players' ear. Should I just move my kit?

Thanks,

[caddywumpus]

Learning to expand your dynamic range is great. When I practice, I "bash away" a little bit, play really super-quietly a little bit, and I try to hit on everything in between. I try to play grooves that incorporate all dynamic levels at once, fills that swell and fade in volume. I try to use dynamics like inflections to contour what I'm saying through the drum kit.

As for playing louder, yes, you DO lose some technique, speed, and chops at the louder volumes. You've just got to find out your limits for all dynamics levels and either try to push them or accept them--but you must KNOW them. As far as cleanliness goes, that's just one of the many things you'll have to work on, as well as balance of the kit, your movement mechanics, and the sizes of the drumsand cymbals on your kit (time to upgrade to 40" kicks, 26" floor toms, and 24" crashes!).

Hope this helps (except for that last bit). Good luck!

[ermghoti]

Get a guitar player.

[dairyairman]

wow! this is the first time i've ever seen a thread about someone having a problem with playing loud enough, especially in church. i sat in at a church gig last year and everyone told me i was playing WAAAAAAAAYY too loud! are you sure you're too quiet? it's almost like you can't play too quiet in church.

[Drummertist]

We're a pentecostal church and so we play lots of contemporary stuff. It's like having a gig every week. And, yes, I realize my questions is a little wierd...

[dairyairman]

yeah, that is weird! i think it's hard to play really quietly.

so about playing louder, do you know what the moeller technique is? that's a good way to get some extra ooomph out of each stroke. i use it for backbeats. i also rimshot backbeats a lot of the time. that will knock the faithful on their ears!

[Monica McCoy]

If I were playing in a church I'd be trying to break the windows. Hit 'em like they owe ya money, kid.

[topgun2021]

distiquish stick heights for each dynamic level.

I know that works for drums. Cymbals,I have no idea if that works..

[Drummertist]

I do use the Moeller whipping motion, but I think I need to bring my stick up more. It's like when I practice I'm really loud, but comfortable, and when I play live in front of the church I'm quiet and my sticks are lower....

I'm just screwed up.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

If you want to play softer then your sticks should be lower. You don't need time to load them up. When you practice trying playing to music with no head phones. Play low enough that you can hear the music without phones. You can use all wrists and play low or softly. It is all dynamics.

[jonescrusher]

distiquish stick heights for each dynamic level.

I know that works for drums. Cymbals,I have no idea if that works..

Yes, the angle of the stick on its starting position should relate precisely with a dynamic marking. Check your technique by playing one handed 16ths to a click moving between stick heights, say, 90 degrees, 70, 45, 30, 10, and then back again. Playing loudly with finesse and control is only acheived through acquiring technique. Look in to the free stroke/rebound control. Technique will eventually allow you to play any figure at any speed at any dynamic. That's the goal anyway.

[Matty G.]

I'd say take a look at HOW you're hitting everything. Are you using the tip of the stick on the hi-hat? Are you getting a rimshot for the backbeat or just hitting the tip of the stick on the head? And for your pedal, are you playing heel down?

To play louder, you don't necessarily need to wind up more or even use moeller. You can just change how and where you strike. Like when hitting the snare go for a rimshot on a every backbeat. Use the shoulder (not the tip) on the hi-hat. And use a full-leg heel-up approach to the pedal. You can still be accurate and clear, just adding in a little more umph to everything.

[Spreggy]

If I were playing in a church I'd be trying to break the windows. Hit 'em like they owe ya money, kid.

LOL, best post of the day!

I think watching your stick tip height on the stroke helps me set up a few dynamic gears so to speak. I use 2" off the head, then a half stroke, and full. So in the case of the too-quiet drummer, start practicing with the tips up a notch, and it will come with time.

[Nodiggie]

We're a pentecostal church and so we play lots of contemporary stuff. It's like having a gig every week. And, yes, I realize my questions is a little wierd...

In that case, ROCK ON!!!

I have never been to a quiet Pentecostal church. I was born and raised as such so I can speak from experience.

Just like Caddy said. Work on and know your dynamics. I am always looking for that "clean" set. There is nothing wrong with keeping things simple especially at higher dynamic levels. To me there is nothing worse than listening to a very excessively loud drummer swatting flies every song. I tend to focus more on timing than dynamics at higher volume levels.