Practice with a Drummer

If you only ever play on your own or in a full band you are missing out.

Bass guitar is only a part of the rhythm section. In order to really grow, you need to spend time with just a drummer to work out grooves and patterns that are fun to play and also have real-world application.

I suggest asking your worship leader if you can grab an afternoon or evening where nothing else is going on in the auditorium so you can jam with your drummer friend. I know it's not always practical to get two loud instruments together for a fun jam but it is so worth it.

When you get situated and you can both hear each other, take some time to discuss some patterns and grooves that the drummer may know. Then see if you can lock in with the kick drum. Try other patterns that compliment the overall groove that the drummer is playing. Most importantly, listen to what the drummer is doing and then play dynamically together. Play loudly and softly with what the drummer is doing to create exciting music.

You don’t have to choose the best drummer in your community. Choose the person that would be the most fun. Play with someone you get along with because happiness is a road traveled, not a destination.

If you have some reference songs or a song that both of you have learned on Worship Artistry and you know the groove patterns, you will see very quickly how well the parts work together. Most of all, have fun. If you have fun, you will want to do it again and again. If you do it again and again, you will get better and better.

Daniel Ornellas, worship leader in the band "The Worship Republic" is originally from South Africa. He moved to the US with his band Tree 63 and has toured and recorded with numerous worship artists. He produces records and lives in Nashville with his wife Samantha and their two kids and is the bass instructor for Worship Artistry.

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