Tuned In, Tuned Out, & Tuned On: Part 12 of the Drummer's Almanac

Well, for starters, we now have the internet at home. So, I can post as heavily as I want without constraint. Except time that is... It's only Roadrunner Lite, but it works for us.

I also want to say I've been pressing into God more and more. He has delivered(literally) and as I own more of my actions and confess those to him, the closer he gets. It's hard to let go of guilt, shame, fear, or resentment. A lot harder than I thought! Shawna, Casey and I went to a worship conference last week at another Vineyard church. The worship was good and I knew I was going up front for prayer. John Wimber's daughter-in-law spoke and her message hit dead on target. As I prayed, I felt Him rush through me and He delivered me. The peace that flowed through me afterward was clearly from Him. Praise God!!!

On to less serious matters: Tuning my drums! (I just had to ask myself if I really am less serious) This task is the most tedious and time consuming part of being a drummer. I am not a drum tech by any means. I've had enough experience to do okay, but my drums never end up how I want them to sound. I love a deep "doooommm" sound in my toms so I can fit any style of music and my snare has to be warm with a good "crack" or "pop" when I hit the rim with the center of the drum. When they sound good or pleasing, I can get lost in my playing and become inspired. So, tuning them "in" isn't as easy as it sounds. It would be nice if someone made a tuner for drummers like the ones a lot of guitarists use. A little red light that told me when I was on. Impossible now, but maybe one day.

I spent about 3 hours trying to tune "in" my floor tom and it still doesn't sound great. I know I'm critical. I also know what I like and I wish I could get it there. I still have the rest of my kit to tune. It becomes a lot like myself. I have to turn each lug a small increment trying to get them in sync with each other, which sometime pulls a lug out of sync and I have to start all over again. I have to keep turning myself towards God. I walk a path and stray and then turn back to Him. Perserverence is the key. Knowing the outcome and pressing on until you reach the goal. The closer I get the more the drum will "sing".

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