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With Hymns

This is one of the easiest ways to introduce Biblical drumming into a congregation's worship. Aim to accompany one or two hymns at first and then let the Spirit and congregational feedback be your guide.

In deciding what patter to play with a particular hymn, let go of first choosing a pattern beforehand and then fitting the pattern into the melody.

Begin instead by humming or singing the melody yourself a few times. Get a feel of the pulse and content of the hymn.  When ready, quietly add some tics. Let the melody speak to you and your drum.

Then you might feel like adding a Ctt as you hum or sing the melody. If the metre of the hymn is 4/4, try beginning with, for example, CtCt.

Add to those core patterns as you feel it fits. Maybe, for example, you play Ctt Ctt Ct, a pattern you know well and can play confidently. You might think about a change of this pattern for the refrain or for only part of the pattern you use in some verses.

Keep the pattern simple especially for the first couple of times. until you feel confident to add something like shakes, rolls, double times, etc.

Some suggested patterns  drum groups have used are shared below. Our sincere appreciation for discerning most of these patterns is extended to Judy McElroy of the Mark Street United Church drummers.  We are all grateful for your commitment, Judy,  your drumming abilities and your time spent on patterns now shared with everyone.

All drummers are warmly invited to share with us (see Contact Us) hymns you have drummed for and the patterns you used or discoveries you made that Sunday!  Or patterns you have used with some of these same hymns. Ma Gaia Frame Drummers working to reclaim theancient hymns of Cyprus. Take a look and listen to how well they play a simple pattern and how effective it is at http://www.myspace.com/kyprogenea Accompanying Christmas Carols

With thanks and appreciation to Judy

1. Angels we Have Heard on High

D t T t t T t t

2. In the Bleak Midwinter

D t t C C t K t

3. God Rest Ye Merry

C t C t C C t t

D t D D t t T t

4. The First Noel: in ¾ time


5. Ding Dong Merrily on High

D t T t T T t t

6. Away in a Manger

D t t and/or D K taka

7. O Come All Ye Faithful (tar)

D K taka D taka K K taka

8. Silent Night: ¾ time

The 1st 6 beats of any pattern

9. Mary Had a Baby:

D T t t K t t K

Accompanying Hymns From

Voices United 6 A Candle Is Burning

C t t & a shake at end

7 Hope is a Star

Verses Ctt

Chorus: s s s s s s s s    at "strong:" very quietly

245Praise the Lord

D D takata D taka K taka

282 Long Before the Night

D t t CC t K t

352 I Danced in the Morning

D t K t K K roll or shake shake

(refrain)  4 shakes D t K t K Kt t

395 Come In, Come In

C t t K t t D K t D K taka

433 Day Is Done

D t C t T T t t

508Just as I Am

Dt t Kt t Dt t Tt t (begin with the word ‘as’)

567Will You Come

C t C tC C t t

646We Are Marching

K t K t 648Walk with Me

D K t tK t K K

684Make Me A Channel

D T t tT t T T

766 As the Deer Pants

D T t t    K T t t

K D t t   D T t t

(refrain)     D K K K or T D K t

820Make A Joyful Noise

D t t C   C t K t

958Halle, halle, Halleluah

D T t tD K tt

Other Worship Songs Who Built the Ark


(refrain)       replies: roll troll t


K on rests/pauses

s s s s at end of verse



at "O Lord," s s s s


1Let Us Build

C t C t   C C t t

D t DD t t T t

shakes between verses

3  River



14 Where Two or Three are Gathered in My Name

D t K K  T K D t  T t K t  K tT K 21  Open Our Hearts

D t  K t  T t  takata

30 It’s a Song of Praise

D t K t   K K t t

Start shakes on 'Spirit'

37  Each Blade of Grass (Circle of God)

D K t t  K t t K

40 Never Ending Joy

C t t C  t t C

D t T t T t T t

42 Praise God for This Holy Ground

Verse:        D t t K t t K t   x2

Refrain:     D K shake shake   x5

Between refrain and verse: shakes

44 Shadow and Substance

D t t K t t D K t D K taka

46  Bless the Lord


47 Born in Human Likeness


54  Alleluia

D  T T K  T T  T D  T T K

58  We sing of your Glory

D K  taka D taka K K taka

D D  T t D  T t D  D T t

77  Be still and know that I am God

D K takataka D D takataka K D takataka K K takataka

79   Spirit, open my heart

D t t  K t  t D K t D K taka

98 Like a River of Tears

D t t   K t t  D K t   D K taka

130 Rise Up O My Soul

D D takata D take K taka

142 Oh, a song must rise

D D takata D take K taka (beginning on 'rise')

145 Draw the Circle Wide

play D during the intro

D t K t C C S S

150 Spirit God Be Our Breath

D t C t   T T t t

156 Dance with the Spirit

K D T t   K D tttt

D t C t   T  T t t

161 I Have Called you by your Name

D t t K  t t K t 173 Put Peace Into Each Other's Hands

D t t  K t t  D K t  D K taka

185 Ev'ry Day is a Day of Thanksgiving

C t t C t t C t

191 What can I do?

K t D t  or any stroke you like with a t after each stroke

193 God bless to us this Bread

D D taka D taka K taka

198  When we gather at the Table

D t t K t t K t

209 Go Make a Difference

C t C t  C C t t

C t t C  t t C t



213 Take Up His Song of Peace

D t t C  C t K t

221 I am Walking the Path of Peace


D t D D  t t T t

