This is an all too often truth in today's churches. Several causes come to mind (we have discussed this here before a few times but it is always a need subject to discuss):
- The church is misappropriating funds by not fully funding it's music dept. It is also disrespecting the ministers/musicians of said instrument.
You cannot develop, keep, nor attract quality ministering musicians by having junk for tools. Everything on the alter/pulpit should be in order always.
- something in the bible about high cymbals and loud sounding cymbals... not hammond, LOL... sad truth.
- improper training/lack of knowledge in playing and maintainace by the previous and current drumset players which reflects lackof knowledge and accountability by the MOM and house... oops... sad but true, that is God's house - act like it. God created all things in all wisdom and knowledge. He then tells us through his servant in Proverbs to seek wisdom.
If you don't know about drumset and percussion equipment it is because you are not seeking, period.
- Because the drums take the most physical stress impact regardless of how proper the playing, it should be serviced weekly, batter heads changed monthly and replaced say every 3 years if it is a mid-level (sub $1000) kit . Every 5 for a pro kit ($1500+).
Big, quality medium-weight pro cymbals should be purchased from the jump. Cased after each service or rehearsal. They should be cleaned weekly. At minimum overhead mics and monitors should be in place so there is no need to play that "hard".
Drummers should be contracted full amount to pay for replacement cymbals with automatic deduction from any payments rendered. Bronze last forever... There is no reason to hit a cymbal wrong and crack it, Learn how to play or don't be allowed to play. Simple. Everything should be done decent and in order. Breaking pies (cymbals) is out of order. Demonstrates lack of control with he sticks and or cymbal technique.
I honestly think that the excuse that churches don't have money is lame, God ain't broke. They just don't invest it in quality drum gear nor developing quality drumset musicians. $1500-1800 can by you a nice mid-level to low-end pro kit with basic cymbal set-up. (ddrum w/die cast hoops, Pearl, PDP (7-piece X-7), Gretch Catalina with hardware if you research). That is 3 months tops of setting aside $600 in offerings need be.. but easily feasible to the annual budget.
I also feel that churches should have a "guest " kit set up to preserve the main house kit. If this is not feasible then the house should require guest bring there own cymbals and snare because the house kit should not be re-tuned by a guest nor should the cymbals be broken by them and not replaced by the guest.
Note to young drummers or aspiring pros:
You are known by your sound... not your licks. The sound of your snare, hats and ride followed by your tuning and other cymbals. Once you really mature you will be known for your technique and ability to pull your sound out of any gear (within reason) by how you strike/stroke it. Develop yourself fully becoming well-read and well rounded so as not to be a slave to the gear nor engineer.
