The Praise and Worship Band Bassists Club part 22

[khutch]

Originally Posted by Versatek6

Something similar happened last week between our MD on piano, our drummer and me.

We were rehearsing "10,000 Reasons." In the last verse, drums and bass drop out until the last phrase of the verse to build into the chorus. As the verse was proceeding, she stopped everyone and looked over at us...

MD: "Why aren't you playing?"
Us: "We never play here."
MD: "Really?"
Us: "Really."
MD:

We have that conversation every rehearsal. Our WL changes where you play and don't play on at least one song in the set from the way I last played it. And after we have that down he may change it again on Sunday! At last week's rehearsal we went through one verse of one song several times trying various combinations of instruments playing and silent until he was happy and this on a song the church has used for the December communion service for years apparently. We just follow him wherever the Spirit leads him because that is where you want to be. Now sometimes he does just forget how we "always do it" and when we point that out he usually reverts to the standard way.

Ken

[SoVeryTired]

Originally Posted by khutch

We have that conversation every rehearsal. Our WL changes where you play and don't play on at least one song in the set from the way I last played it. And after we have that down he may change it again on Sunday! At last week's rehearsal we went through one verse of one song several times trying various combinations of instruments playing and silent until he was happy and this on a song the church has used for the December communion service for years apparently. We just follow him wherever the Spirit leads him because that is where you want to be. Now sometimes he does just forget how we "always do it" and when we point that out he usually reverts to the standard way.

Ken

I'm actually trying to encourage our WLs to mix things up a bit more. It's easy to slip into a default setting on many songs when actually we could make things a little more interesting for the band and the congregation (within reason!).

[khutch]

Originally Posted by PipeRain

I don't suppose I technically belong here as I don't play bass for the church, but I do drive the PA, so there it is. I've offered to fill in when the other bassists are unavailable, but so far haven't been taken up. I think the appearance of my bass, the fact that P&W music in general makes my skin crawl, and my musical tastes are well known to be widely divergent from P&W might have something to do with it. I get the impression that all the other musicians are are afraid that I'm gonna try to turn everything into some sort of thrash tune. Either that or the fact that I'm just not good enough!

I think you could get over your dislike of the musical style. It's a hurdle I had to jump and I did. It requires that you grow as a musician and that is never a bad thing. You can always get a second "church bass" if your other one offends people. I mean, you're a member of TB and you only have one bass?!?! I have to admire your self discipline! I'm not good enough either and that is just another way the experience challenges me to grow musically.

I do enjoy driving the PA, it gives me a chance to serve and at the end of the day that's what it's all about. I suppose that would make me member number 1 of the "Bassists who don't play bass but run the PA at church instead club"....

I don't know how we attract them to a place called Talk Bass in the first place but if there were more WLs, sound people, vocalists, keyboardists, guitarists, and little old ladies from the congregation here the discussions of issues might benefit greatly from hearing more than one side of the story. Perhaps we could even build some bridges?

Ken

[Jhengsman]

We don't attract them to Talk Bass we follow them to church music specific sites. However we then get lost in the sea of guitar or keyboard talk, or Bible study depending upon the site. One mega thread club can only do so much and it seems as if most of the church bassist on Talk Bass don't visit here.

[PipeRain]

Originally Posted by khutch

I think you could get over your dislike of the musical style. It's a hurdle I had to jump and I did. It requires that you grow as a musician and that is never a bad thing.

My issue(s) with the overwhelming majority of P&W has much more to do with theological issues than musical issues. The musical issues I can get around, after all 2 or 3 times a month I sit through a musical style that I dislike to the point I don't sit through it any other time, for pushing 10 hours in a week between practices and services. Even though I don't play up front, once the mix is settled in, I drag my bass with me back in the booth and plunk along with the songs for the very reason you stated, that being growing as a musician. I figure I can take something I learn there back to the music I do want to play right?

You can always get a second "church bass" if your other one offends people. I mean, you're a member of TB and you only have one bass?!?! I have to admire your self discipline! I'm not good enough either and that is just another way the experience challenges me to grow musically.

Oh trust me, I've got my eye on a couple basses I'd like to try. I was down at my local music store embarrassing myself on a P-Bass Blacktop yesterday afternoon. It has potential, once the finish is sanded off the neck and the strings get swapped out ones I like and get adjusted within shouting distance of the frets. I have yet to get my hands on the other one I am interested in, a Jackson JS-3. Yeah, I know, dang kids and their pointy, rocka-rolla basses....

However, I need a decent amp before I need another bass, and I really should get better at playing before I worry about having an amp that lets me "Play out" somewhere right? Besides, for the most part I like the bass I've got, we have a lot of history together.

I don't know how we attract them to a place called Talk Bass in the first place but if there were more WLs, sound people, vocalists, keyboardists, guitarists, and little old ladies from the congregation here the discussions of issues might benefit greatly from hearing more than one side of the story. Perhaps we could even build some bridges?
Ken

I think that there would need to be a fundamental and stunningly huge shift in the mindset of WL's, musicians and support staff before anything changed and I believe the chances of that ever happening are diminishingly small, regardless of who was in on the discussion.

I joined up here simply because every time I search something bass related on teh interwebz talkbass is usually in the top four or five hits. I thought, "Well, why not?" and signed on the dotted line and here I am. I saw this thread and decided it'd be fun to jump and there ya go!

[jmclearnon]

On that instrument switcher idea...... I'm getting tempted by the radial Bassbone??

Anyone have any thoughts on it?

[adambomb]

Originally Posted by PipeRain

Hi all, just thot I'd pop in here and say "Howdy".

Welcome!!!!
Come on in and take your shoes off.....

PA guys are definitely ones we need to hear their side of the story from.... you guys get bashed pretty good from all musicians and singers alike. Im with "LimeyBrit" and "jm" and "khutch", i think it would be great to have more voices here that were on the guitar or singer or WL (good luck with the little old ladies) roles here on this thread.

Don't be discouraged.... I, as a PA guy before and a musician always, have learned quite a bit from the talkbass threads. especially this one. because of the different styles. and venues.....

there are a lot of very knowledgeable and wise (notice there is a difference) people here.....

i would think that if I wasn't in the "band" i would find myself behind the board.

[PipeRain]

Originally Posted by adambomb

Welcome!!!!
Come on in and take your shoes off.....

Thanks adambomb, although in the interest of decorum and saving money on fumigating the place, I'll keep my shoes on.

Originally Posted by adambomb

PA guys are definitely ones we need to hear their side of the story from.... you guys get bashed pretty good from all musicians and singers alike. Im with "Brit" and ", i think it would be great to have more voices here that were on the guitar or singer or WL roles here on this thread.

Don't be discouraged.... I, as a PA guy before and a musician always, have learned quite a bit from the talkbass threads. especially this one. because of the different styles. and venues.....

I may just have to bang out some of the thoughts in my head on the situation with prima-donna, err, musicians and jack-@$$, err, sound guys. I'm no pro, but I have enough years on both sides of that equation to have some possibly interesting insights.

Originally Posted by adambomb

there are a lot of very knowledgeable and wise (notice there is a difference) people here.....

i would think that if I wasn't in the "band" i would find myself behind the board.

Knowledge and wisdom are NOT the same thing and if my life's experiences are any indicator, they may not be diametrically opposed, but they do seem to repel each other....

[AaronWarren]

Here are some pictures of my sunday pedal board. This is a Hombrew board that I made at my shop..I can make them in different sizes if anyone is interested..super light and inexpensive!

[SoVeryTired]

Originally Posted by PipeRain

My issue(s) with the overwhelming majority of P&W has much more to do with theological issues than musical issues.

...

I think that there would need to be a fundamental and stunningly huge shift in the mindset of WL's, musicians and support staff before anything changed and I believe the chances of that ever happening are diminishingly small, regardless of who was in on the discussion.

To both the points above I'd say: ain't necessarily so. I don't doubt your experience but I do know that there are a number of good bible-based songs, just as there are a load of musicians, worship leaders, PA guys etc who like to talk and to listen with each other, learn and constructively sort out problems.

Sure, there are some messed up situations around - there are people involved, and that's what we tend to do.

But maybe start looking for the positives, becasue they do exist.

[adambomb]

Originally Posted by PipeRain

Knowledge and wisdom are NOT the same thing and if my life's experiences are any indicator, they may not be diametrically opposed, but they do seem to repel each other....

Let me clarify that I meant both as complements. Knowledgeable meaning having all the correct data and facts, and wise as knowing the correct and best way to implement the facts so that its best for all not just the bassist or any one particular party..... Because of experience and patience with others in love as our creator would have us be.

"They will know Him and that we know Him through our love we have for each other"

[english4bw]

Originally Posted by jmclearnon

On that instrument switcher idea...... I'm getting tempted by the radial Bassbone??

Anyone have any thoughts on it?

Owned a used one that was on sale at my local music shop. Sold it after I got my REDDI. Good pedal. It was a tad too much for my needs though. Never used all of the functions on it. I'd say it's a bit much if you're just looking for an AB/Y switcher. Trouble is finding one to even try out at most music shops. They aren't just lying around on shelves anywhere usually.

[khutch]

Originally Posted by PipeRain

My issue(s) with the overwhelming majority of P&W has much more to do with theological issues than musical issues.

Yeah, I've been there too. My wife and I wandered around for 20 years looking for a church when the contemporary P&W wave hit this area. The music just seemed theologically lame to me and the typical worship team seemed to be worshiping themselves to be honest. Suddenly we could not find a single local church that seemed to be worshiping any more. We gradually drifted away from attendance anywhere with just spasmodic attempts to try a church. During that time the church across the street, at least, managed to find a focus on worship again and the music they use (which is pretty typical today judging from the set lists posted here) has some meat to it again. We walked in the door and were instantly electrified by the working of the Holy Spirit in this congregation and that is not an exaggeration.

You may have more serious theological issues, I would not know. As you can see from the above mine was more the lack of any identifiable theological message. Hymns usually had that in abundance, Martin Luther's greatest hit being one example. I am glad to see theology return to church music. Once in a while I hear of others complaining about the theology of one song or another so you are not alone. A whole lot of people in our choir have some issues with a song in our Christmas program and it is a based on a popular old carol, I Saw Three Ships on Christmas Day. Really listen to the lyrics some time. What exactly is the message of that song? Even the experts disagree so apparently know one knows for sure. It is a lovely arrangement with an awesome passage for hand bells, other bells, and bell-like instruments. It is also beastly difficult to sing, each of the four voices are divided into two independent parts for most of finale. Yet there are some passages that do speak to modern Christians and it is sounding quite beautiful now that we have mastered it ... mostly.

Let me tell you that based on our experience of wandering in the wilderness for 20 years I can say that you are doing the right thing by staying in a church and trying to muscle through. I pray that God will lead you to a church where you feel comfortable with the music and can participate on the WT. Or that He can speak to you through the music in this church and change your heart a bit. I think He has done both in our case through the church we belong to now.

Ken

[SoVeryTired]

Thursday! My second favourite musical day of the week. It's a busy weekend coming up...

Rehearsal tonight on bass for Sunday:
Our God
In Your Freedom
Open Heaven
Cornerstone
Arms Open Wide

Friday night, on 6-string lead soprano bass, rehearsing for youth band doing next Sunday's services:
The Time Has Come
Take It All
I Surrender
We The Free

Saturday: lots of practice!

Sunday: 10:00 and 12:00 services as above, then staying on for the afternoon for Christmas rehearsals:
Born Is The King
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Away In A Manger/O Come Let Us Adore Him
Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy)

Aaaaaaand relax!

[jmclearnon]

Originally Posted by english4bw

Owned a used one that was on sale at my local music shop. Sold it after I got my REDDI. Good pedal. It was a tad too much for my needs though. Never used all of the functions on it. I'd say it's a bit much if you're just looking for an AB/Y switcher. Trouble is finding one to even try out at most music shops. They aren't just lying around on shelves anywhere usually.

Ummm, see i would use the tuner port and i like the idea of the separate channel EQ, if the DI is not that great i have a Radial one anyways .

Just wanted to see what people thought of the EQ on it and the quality of a non-edited signal...

[SoVeryTired]

A quick bit of promotion if that's okay...

My church is hosting Carlos Whittaker in February and on Saturday 9th Feb he'll be running a Creative Coaching day. It'll be a great day for any of you UK-based guys and your teams - message me if you have any questions.

Really looking forward to playing with Los again. He has a real gifting in bringing the crowd/congregation along with him on the journey, not just putting on a show or getting lost in personal worship.

[SoVeryTired]

It's all happening at the start of next year - we've also got Ben Cantelon and band leading worship at the start of March. He's a London-based Canadian WL and songwriter, part of the Worship Central team (alongside Tim Hughes) co-writer of 'Happy Day' and writer of one of our current favourites,'Saviour of the World'.

I love it when we have a visiting band - always something new to observe and learn.

[jmclearnon]

Is this based on Bass + Worship or just general Worship, cus it sounds interesting !!

[SoVeryTired]

Originally Posted by jmclearnon

Is this based on Bass + Worship or just general Worship, cus it sounds interesting !!

It's more general, focussing on creativity and innovation in worship and church, so it's really for the whole 'creative team' - musicians, singers, PA, media etc.

There will be bass* involved though, in the worship sessions!





*Don't expect much - it could well be me.

[SoVeryTired]

Oooh, and a concert the night before!

I predict a busy weekend for me of playing and/or organising things.