Has Drumming become a competition rather than a ministry?

[QCdrummer]

When the choir I play for goes to musicals and programs, it feels like the drummers get into compete mode instead of playing to minister.

The first drummer gets on and sets the bar, then every drummer after that tries to top his performance, and do things more creative than the last.  I pray and try my hardest not to turn my drumming into a show, but it seems like I get just like the rest when I play at a musical or big program. I want to pull all the tricks out the bag, hit the creative rolls, and the crazy off-beats that sound sick. But when I am at Church, I am in Ministering mode and not trying to impress anybody.

Is this something that alot of drummers experience when at a program involving alot of musicians?

[bigblackdrummer]

When the choir I play for goes to musicals and programs, it feels like the drummers get into compete mode instead of playing to minister.

The first drummer gets on and sets the bar, then every drummer after that tries to top his performance, and do things more creative than the last.  I pray and try my hardest not to turn my drumming into a show, but it seems like I get just like the rest when I play at a musical or big program. I want to pull all the tricks out the bag, hit the creative rolls, and the crazy off-beats that sound sick. But when I am at Church, I am in Ministering mode and not trying to impress anybody.

Is this something that alot of drummers experience when at a program involving alot of musicians?

In Church is one thing but a concert is a show! As long as you are doing your job and not making it drum solo!

[music-samurai]

Its been that way for years.  And its not just the drummers, its the entire group that you are playing for.  Its a show.  Everyone is trying to sound better than the next group.  Its a show.  And people come to be entertained.  Its a show.  Not to mention the abundance of gays and lesbians that attend these musicals.  It seems as though they have been trying to compete with each other too!  And I dare somebody reply to this post as if they dont know what Im talking about.

[freddyfusion]

in church -speaking in a generality-
YES
pride is soooooo ugly

[Dr_Bates]

Yeah, it's gotten that way. I play in concerts and at college days all the time. Sometimes you'll even find yourself practicing before hand trying to get at least ONE lick that'll make everybody OOOHHH!!. It's like if you just keep it in the pocket, people look at you funny when you finish.

[4hisglory]

Like music-samurai  said, its not just the drummer but the entire group.

[SabianKnight]

The bottom line is that if you give your best effort all the time then you won't have to put on a show. Truth is that most are short changing God in the church and putting their efforts toward outside/show performances. You also want get nervous or jealous when other folk are giving their best and their polish out shines yours... You want have to accuse them of showing out when they are simply operating in excellence. Granted we don't see enough excellence these days but when we do a lot of us don't recognize it so we begin to discredit it.

Too many would-be singers (if they were any good or weren't scared) try and use the choirs as their showcase. When they should deal with their truths and put in the work/comittment to be what they dream of being a musical success.

There is not a problem with one wanting to be a musical success the problem is not putting the same effort forth for ministry for God as you do for the "performance" for self/man. See competition lends to a confirmation of one being the best but if you do your best at all times you don't need confirmation/acknowlegment because God will shine His spotlight on us. That's the "Zone" that's is the real stage folk want to be on when you know that you are doing a good thing. That comes when you are operating in truth not ego. That's that glow that comes off of CeCe Winans and folk like her....

[Krazy_afro_man]

yes i believe drumming is a competiution. In like a big service, there will be like a musicians corner where all of them will critique the current musicians playing and then try and out do them when they get the chance to get on the set. It happens everywhere, all the time. Everyone wnats to show what they got, how off they can get inside of a fill, how ill the foot work is...yes, it is a competition. Not all drummers think like that, but a lot of them do.

[fretai03]

See competition lends to a confirmation of one being the best but if you do your best at all times you don't need confirmation/acknowlegment because God will shine His spotlight on us. That's the "Zone" that's is the real stage folk want to be on when you know that you are doing a good thing. That comes when you are operating in truth not ego. That's that glow that comes off of CeCe Winans and folk like her....

Amen! That's whassup!

[SabianKnight]

yes i believe drumming is a competiution. In like a big service, there will be like a musicians corner where all of them will critique the current musicians playing and then try and out do them when they get the chance to get on the set. It happens everywhere, all the time. Everyone wnats to show what they got, how off they can get inside of a fill, how ill the foot work is...yes, it is a competition. Not all drummers think like that, but a lot of them do.

Drumming nor music is a competition in itself. One definitley grows through challenges but they challenge is internal not external. The challenge is that your spirit control your physical house not your percieve competition out side the hous emake you or break you.

That is the trick of the enemy and that needs to be cast out of your mindset and anyone elses.

[jhaynes]

"GREAT SUBJECT!!!!!!!!"

[hendoo]

CAN WE ALL SAY THIS TOGETHER,MUSICIANSHIP

[jhaynes]

The one thing u guys have to remember is, theirs always gonna be "Show-offs" at every musical, concert, or church service so u'll never escape from them please stop getting frustrated "It's Aight!"  But!!!!! what you can do to avoid feeling like ur on display is relax and be you, when it's time for you to sit down and play "JUST PLAY!" and play from the heart not for the crowd, and remember "WHOOOOOOOO CAAAAARRRESSS!" what people think of how you play! Ur not there to serve them ur there to be a "Help Meet!" BUT! Never sell urself short by not expressing what the music means to you at that time, because if you feel passionate about GOD and the GIFT that he's given you like "I Do!" then u'll always play as if it's ur last time, and play under the anointing that HE has allowed u to walk in! People will always try and discourage you about what and how you play! I never pay attention to who's in the room because I'm not a moody musician, crowds don't impress me nor do they make me play different, I always play like I'm recording or like GOD HIMSELF! Is listening at that very moment! So I encourage you LGM family to let the show-offs "Show-Off" and you stay humble because that's the only way you can have favor with others, instead of phone calls! Favor will get you so much further than "Phone Calls!" Trust Me Yo! The bible says "Theirs a time and a season for all things!" so when the time comes be ready and prepared so u can sustain your career and maintain those healthy relationships! "Be A Leader Not A Follower!"         Love You Guys!      "Rhythm Is Life Yo!"
     

[depondrums]

Man, you guys have hit all points of this subject.  I mean the whole concert atmosphere is about a show.  People competing about everything.  Dressing, gays/lesbians, choirs, organists, bassists, drummers, choir directors, everything.  I mean it gets old and I just go and play to the glory of god and that's why I used that saying under my name.  It's all about pleasing god man, not anybody else.  Thank you guys for starting this post.

[2Trey]

I definitely enjoyed what Sabianknight and Jhaynes stated and I would also like to piggyback that by saying that ministry doesn't begin when you sit at your instrument, it begins long before you step foot in the sanctuary.

The ministry encompasses your prayer life, studying your Word and perfect practice.  In all thy getting... get an understanding.  Ask God for heavenly knowledge and wisdom to keep you humble amidst the urge to satisfy the flesh, that he speak through your playing.

Your ministry doesn't end when you step away from your instrument!!  If your playing helps usher in the anointing, then you've won half the battle.  The other half of the battle is how you handle yourself after you've played.  Your playing may open up the opportunity to witness, which studying your Bible and asking God to speak through you comes into play.

Perfect practice helps you gain the confidence to minister on the drums by playing for the music and the glory of God.  Competition will never compete with Ministry.  Ministrels will have the glow of the Last Dragon.

Food for thought: "When the music stops, I want to live the life that I sing or play about."

[SabianKnight]

I definitely enjoyed what Sabianknight and Jhaynes stated and I would also like to piggyback that by saying that ministry doesn't begin when you sit at your instrument, it begins long before you step foot in the sanctuary.

The ministry encompasses your prayer life, studying your Word and perfect practice.  In all thy getting... get an understanding.  Ask God for heavenly knowledge and wisdom to keep you humble amidst the urge to satisfy the flesh, that he speak through your playing.

Your ministry doesn't end when you step away from your instrument!!  If your playing helps usher in the anointing, then you've won half the battle.  The other half of the battle is how you handle yourself after you've played.  Your playing may open up the opportunity to witness, which studying your Bible and asking God to speak through you comes into play.

Perfect practice helps you gain the confidence to minister on the drums by playing for the music and the glory of God.  Competition will never compete with Ministry.  Ministrels will have the glow of the Last Dragon.

Food for thought: "When the music stops, I want to live the life that I sing or play about."

That glow... that is what I am talking about! I have been hinting at that in several posts and you are the first one to jump on that since I have been on this forum. That glow is a very real thing that happens when people are operating in the glory of God... the glory that He meant for them to walk in (and play in for the called musicians). That is an incredible feeling to have it or experience someone with it. (CeCe Winans has it whenever she sings especially)

Also your comment on perfect practice is on point because practicing the wrong things or the right things wrong with only make you wrong. That includes practicing humility and practicing servitude.

[bigblackdrummer]

The bottom line is that if you give your best effort all the time then you won't have to put on a show. Truth is that most are short changing God in the church and putting their efforts toward outside/show performances. You also want get nervous or jealous when other folk are giving their best and their polish out shines yours... You want have to accuse them of showing out when they are simply operating in excellence. Granted we don't see enough excellence these days but when we do a lot of us don't recognize it so we begin to discredit it.

Too many would-be singers (if they were any good or weren't scared) try and use the choirs as their showcase. When they should deal with their truths and put in the work/comittment to be what they dream of being a musical success.

There is not a problem with one wanting to be a musical success the problem is not putting the same effort forth for ministry for God as you do for the "performance" for self/man. See competition lends to a confirmation of one being the best but if you do your best at all times you don't need confirmation/acknowlegment because God will shine His spotlight on us. That's the "Zone" that's is the real stage folk want to be on when you know that you are doing a good thing. That comes when you are operating in truth not ego. That's that glow that comes off of CeCe Winans and folk like her....

***** is the Ghandi of drums in L.G.M.! I'm in full agreeance !!!

[SabianKnight]

***** is the Ghandi of drums in L.G.M.! I'm in full agreeance !!!

That's that kinda glow Moses had when he came down from the Mount. That is where we should strive to be everytime we play... in the Presence.

[dway]

I didnt read all the other post but I saw the question and wanted to comment I think it has became like that but I think the reason is 80% of our musicians are not really truly saved they are just using playing in church as a practice place to practice chops and its just a stepin stone and its not right I think. Yall let me know what yall think. Sorry if I back tracked the topic I didnt read all the post I am about to now so if this is a dead topic sorry just disregard this comment.

[Pearldrummer1]

I have to be honest. It has, and hasn't all at the same time. There will always be compettion in church, and elsewhere. Think about the last revival you went to where there were multiple preachers. Even ministers do it. On monday the guy sets the bar high, and then tuesday, the next guy usually outpreaches the guy from monday, and all of yall know by friday, everybody and they mama has the holy ghost. I mean really, it happens in choirs, and the clothes we wear, and even our shouts. NOW JUST DONT TELL ME NONE OF YALL HAVE NEVER TRIED TO OUT-SHOUT YA NEIGHBOR. It's not just for competition but it's there, and to be honest, that's just how black people are, everything's a show, and I'm not condoning it, but let's be real it gonna change no time soon. Also you might think somebody is trying to outdo someone else, but in their hearts they're just giving their best to God, it all depends on how you look at it and how much you know about that person...Holla