Percussion For Worship (TM) provides information for percussionists, worship leaders, producers, teachers, and anyone desiring to learn about the use of this family of instruments in both contemporary and traditional Christian worship.
When you find yourself in that musical moment that requires the sharp attack of a drumstick bead or shaft AND a less pointed sound (soft mallet) but no time for a stick /mallet change, this simple modification can help you deliver both timbres.
Take any drumstick and wrap some "Cushion Tape" (like 3M Nexcare Absolute Waterproof or Dr. Scholl's Moleskin) around the lower shoulder / upper shaft area of the stick. (App. 3 inches of tape)
That's it! Give this treatment to a couple of sticks and you can easily play that suspended cymbal roll and move instantly to using the bead on the snare drum--or the butt end on the cowbell.
You can even generate a decent suspended cymbal roll with one stick.
Here's the setup that was used this past weekend at the Plymouth Park United Methodist Church (Irving, TX) performance of the Benjamin Harlan cantata, A Candlelight Christmas.
I played percussion along with my college-age drumming daughter, Anna. We played all the timpani parts (quite a bit) on the Handsonic 15...and the conductor was quite happy with the "digital kettles." Notice my electronic tuner on the trap table to boost my confidence in the timpani pitches.
From the early days of his career as Artist in Residence at Coastal Carolina Community College to his present day work as a percussion soloist, clinician, sideman, and entrepreneur, Mark Shelton has created programs and educational services for a variety of ages.
Mark’s experience in contemporary worship percussion is highlighted in the video tutorial series Worship Team Director produced by Gateway Church. Mark writes regularly for the magazines, Worship Musician and Activate.
Mark's compositions are published by Heritage Music Press, HoneyRock, and Per-Mus Publications. A member of the Texas Commission on the Arts Touring Roster, Mark has presented "The Strike, Scrape, & Shake Show" for thousands of students in schools and libraries.
An avid runner, Mark was the overall winner in the 5000 meter run at the 2005 Texas Masters Championships and finished #102 in the 2007 Texas Marathon.
Contact Mark 214-507-6366
markshelton@verizon.net
You can even generate a decent suspended cymbal roll with one stick.
