2026 Refuel Session 1 - Building Blocks

11:00 AM Kyle Smith

Overall Concept

Kyle came up with a chart for how to organize and categorize skill and ability of players in a (worship) band. The chart ranks drums, bass, electric, keys, and vocals. It isn’t meant to be shared with band-members; rather it’s a tool for leaders.

Toolbox

Kyle talked a decent amount about having a “toolbox.” The idea of the toolbox is to build a vocabulary with your band members to help them improve in their craft. For example, a song might use a “heartbeat” rhythm - helping teach this beat/rhythm to the drummer helps them build a toolbox that can be used in other songs as well. As another example, working with beginner bassists to learn runs, and also teaching them that they can be reused in other songs too.

Headspace

Kyle defined headspace as a mental state where you know your instrument well enough and are comfortable and skilled enough to handle spontaneous moments. Without this, it’s difficult to do anything more than play songs exactly or follow a chart.

Commanding A Room

Kyle talked about drummers and singers able to command a room. One example he gave was that a really good drummer can get the people in the back-row involved - same with singers.

Onboarding

Kyle didn’t use this word, but he did discuss that when a new member joins the band, they spend a minimum of one week shadowing one of your best band members of the same instrument. This gives the new member the opportunity to learn the ins-and-outs of how practices are run, how the in-ear system works, and what’s expected of them.

JCB Thoughts

Kyle seemed to choose his words very carefully; he tried really hard to not let anyone in the room feel like they weren’t capable of being a leader to their band. He also ONLY mentioned lessons or tutoring in response to someone’s question about having singers who are struggling to harmonize. He really stressed building YOUR OWN vocabulary with your band.

While I would like to applaud him for the attempt, I cannot help but worry he might be setting some people up for failure. He didn’t mention any drummer fundamentals; paradiddles, etc. He made no attempt to suggest that maybe the leader should learn at least a little about each instrument. Perhaps I am being to harsh here and he just assumed everyone in the room DID already know something about each instrument. However, he never verbalized such and had several chances to do so.

The Chart

The purpose of the chart is several-fold:

• Clarity in communication; “great” might mean something different for youth vs adult.
• Having a predetermined set of expectations for various roles.
• Having a list of things for each member to take baby-steps forward in improving.
• Scheduling.
  • If you’re working with a beginner drummer, schedule them with experienced band members in other positions.
  • Don’t schedule all of your green band members in the same week.
• Managing expectations.

(chart redacted, meant for leaders/schedulers only)