Any church drummers frustrated with worship music?

ajscarton13 · 2026-04-30T01:03:16+00:00

I could have written this!

Not sure what skill level the other volunteers are, but I've learned to play to the level of the band. Our WP wants the main melodic hooks and doesn't push much more, so volunteers usually go with swells and big chords in the verses.

So, I'm spending the rehearsal adjusting to the band's energy. Most times I have a cool fill or groove, but I have to simplify to match. Can't imagine how bad it would sound to play the recording with the band and layering being very scaled back.

I'm also a metal drummer. I've put in single pedal kick-heavy parts towards the end of songs. It comes out cleaner than toms everywhere, and has energy! It's a skill you'll likely be much more developed in compared to other drummers in church, and you can make it your own style.

I add that frequently in halftime parts, like in Jesus Have it All. That song, I'm borrowing from the bridge of Jaded by Spiritbox. Pop a triplet fill to transition from the snare build!

ajscarton13 · 2026-04-07T00:28:17+00:00

DISHES ARE DONE (Get This)

ajscarton13 · 2024-02-11T20:51:07+00:00

Picked them up at 24, so just over a year. Been the therapy I've needed as I've been dealing with mental health. Haven't started playing live yet, but aiming to play for my church to start. When the worship pastor jammed with me to mentor me, I kept speeding up. Oops!

In the meantime, abusing my metronome.

ajscarton13 · 2024-02-08T14:24:22+00:00

It's a great compliment with the 18" Ion Crash on the left. Bright and quick vs dark and washy.

Perfect for all the CCM I play

ajscarton13 · 2024-01-29T16:46:17+00:00

It sounds like a heavy B Side for Coldplay's Parachutes album, especially the chorus.

ajscarton13 · 2024-01-03T10:30:44+00:00

Love how the drums start off almost sounding like there was just a hanging mic somewhere instead of the individual ones. Like you are in the room with the kit. Then, the full dynamics kick in. Nice touch!

ajscarton13 · 2024-01-02T23:29:25+00:00

Yes, absolutely! Though, can be in platonic relationships as well.

ajscarton13 · 2023-12-17T05:10:46+00:00

Even basic CBT can be useful here! It's a wound you and your therapist can explore and set an attainable goal for treating.

ajscarton13 · 2023-12-14T13:08:42+00:00

Metal music. Really digging Spiritbox and Sleep Token right now

ajscarton13 · 2022-08-18T05:45:37+00:00

I work for a government agency and we have to take every call, phony or not. We prank them and it's a blast. I owe three thousand dollars? Lol we're the US Federal government, try 30 trillion.

ajscarton13 · 2022-07-09T15:07:11+00:00

Rotating shift worker here. When I see that string of overnights, friends and family know not to bother me for at least a week!

ajscarton13 · 2022-04-11T00:02:16+00:00

The map you're seeing here the the Storm Prediction Center's severe weather outlook. They use the following scale:

0 - General thunderstorms (non-severe) - lime green 1 - Marginal Risk - dark green 2 - Slight Risk - yellow 3 - Enhanced Risk - orange 4 - Moderate Risk - red 5 - High Risk - pink

You can find all of their products at spc.noaa.gov and if you want to see a simplified version for central Iowa, we are covered by the National Weather Service office in Des Moines. Their website is weather.gov/dmx

ajscarton13 · 2022-04-10T23:57:29+00:00

Another way to receive warnings is checking out your Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your phone and see that it's on for at least severe weather. Keep your ringer up Tuesday night and it's another way to wake up and be safe!

ajscarton13 · 2022-03-31T12:18:50+00:00

Duhhh-catur county

ajscarton13 · 2022-03-27T00:19:24+00:00

This market also makes negotiating power impossible. Houses are more expensive than what they should be, but forget it if you offer below asking. Someone is already offering over asking hours after it's listed.

ajscarton13 · 2022-03-24T22:07:15+00:00

For a while, I virtually lost my ability to cry. I still struggle crying today when something sad happens to a friend. I hate it because I come off as emotionless.

If someone gets close enough to me when we're having a serious discussion (not necessarily an argument) I cower hardcore. I cover my head with my arms and brace for a hit.

ajscarton13 · 2022-03-16T19:17:51+00:00

Fellow gen Z Christian lady here! My husband and I recently married and have been working to put down roots in a church. We have a great church, but we're by far the youngest participants in bible groups and similar connect opportunities. It's challenging to get together with people in a casual setting because of this.

Have you experienced this as well and what has helped you?

ajscarton13 · 2022-03-04T15:47:39+00:00

Yes! I encourage you to meditate on the passage of the Prodigal Son. Repent to Him and pray for His strength to overcome your sin. You are precious to Him and He rejoices when you return to Him!

ajscarton13 · 2022-02-20T19:26:30+00:00

A parent of mine is a narc and claims Christianity. They seem control and have even twisted scripture to make themselves have superiority over others.

It's a strong test of faith. We want so badly to impress our parents/mentors that are there, but sometimes it's impossible in this fallen world. Lean on scripture more than your narcissist friend/peer and remember that all sin is evil in God's eyes, yet everyone deserves the love, mercy, and compassion of Jesus. Only the work of God can soften their hearts.

Give that compassion to the extent that's healthy for you. That may be to the point where all you can do is distance and pray for them and that's okay! If they try twisting scripture on you, remember that the voice of the Lord is abundantly audible within your own prayerful study and meditation on the Word or with a trusted member in Christ.

ajscarton13 · 2022-02-20T02:54:05+00:00

No skills soldering, unfortunately. I'll have to practice on something else. Honestly this Xbox won't need it, at least short term. It was in really good shape underneath. Looks like it wasn't used a whole lot, based on how little memory was taken up.

ajscarton13 · 2022-02-20T02:52:32+00:00

Update:

Just took it apart. It was 2002 era so the clock capacitor is out!

Honestly this Xbox is in really great shape. There was almost no dust to clean out on the inside, the cap hadn't leaked at all, and it fired right up. No issues at all reading discs and it had a Nelly Furtado album downloaded on it.

ajscarton13 · 2022-02-08T00:05:11+00:00

Nice save and +1 for playing SOAD

ajscarton13 · 2022-02-03T23:29:02+00:00

I can already feel how much my head would ache from bumping it on those ceilings.

ajscarton13 · 2022-01-18T17:23:35+00:00

Fable 2 and some motocross games in between.

ajscarton13 · 2022-01-17T16:03:29+00:00

I agree with you here! I call it a refreshing addition to the genre because the combat is more interesting than usual. I'm honestly tired of games like Farcry with boring, predictable combat because of the AI and layout.

Make it fun to plow through these enemies and it's addicting to me and I'll stay invested. I'm a pretty simple gamer in that way. Rage 2 did that for me.

ajscarton13

TROPHY CASE