We switched churches just before Christmas. My wife and I had felt restless for over a year, and our daughter bailed months ago.
The reasons were mostly about lack of intimacy and pastoral care, leadership and ministry focus, not music.
It took so long to find a new church home, because we felt that we should stay where we were planted, until we had a new church in mind.
The new church is fairly small, and has a very loving, intimate feel. it requires a 3-month cooling off period, before we can start actively serving there. However, there's already a spot on the band schedule reserved for me, and probably tech duties as well.
Thankfully, I have other music ministries I'm involved in, so I won't be going through withdrawal!
Last edited by steve_rolfeca : 12-29-2012 at 06:33 AM.
Yes I learned pick for that song. It was a necessity for me. Kudos to anyone that can play that through fingerstyle. Needs a little grit dialed in as well.
Thanks for your response. When I used to play guitar I always used a pick so when I picked up the bass, I wanted to learn without and I haven't used a pick yet. So I'm going to try without and see if I can do it!
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Acoustic club #243, Colorado Club #43, Ibanez Club #664, Hartke club #209, Praise and Worship club #1167, G&L Club Member #489
Thanks for your response. When I used to play guitar I always used a pick so when I picked up the bass, I wanted to learn without and I haven't used a pick yet. So I'm going to try without and see if I can do it!
In this forum, brother, we accept all sorts of imperfections; those who play finger style, those who play pick style, those who play thumb style, and even those who migrate back and forth between soprano and bass. ALL skills (including lacking ones) are welcome.
__________________ Marc-D - P&W bassist - going V-low for the One Most High Are you Choosing Excellence ?
I've heard "Hanukkah Blessings" by BareNakedLadies :cough: I was wondering, not having any Hebrew under my belt, if what is being sung is OK or (as has been known to happen) get twisted and mean something very inappropriate? It's a kinda catchy tune.
Ta in advance.
__________________ Marc-D - P&W bassist - going V-low for the One Most High Are you Choosing Excellence ?
Last edited by MissingHighs : 12-29-2012 at 09:52 AM.
Uh-oh! Oops! Yikes! Ouch! You've indicated another wrinkle in my character is showing. I know the source of my irritation; he happens to be one of the MD's sons. You'll understand a little when I say this guitarist's younger brother is the one drummer I can't connect with (he ignores me completely); he displays the fine art of testing the tensile strength of the drum heads as well as retuning the cymbals, all while he is playing! Asking the MD if he could get this addressed was answered with "I'm not going to dampen his exuberance". I can see this occurring on the bass.
But, you are right, be there as a guide; not in words, but as an example of what it means to bring excellence in His service.
Thanks for the heads-up!
Sorry if it came across critical. The great thing about being on the outside is that I can give good advice without knowing how hard it'll be to put into practice!
Looking forward to playing a regular set on bass tomorrow - haven't done that since the 9th. Bring it on!
Sorry if it came across critical. The great thing about being on the outside is that I can give good advice without knowing how hard it'll be to put into practice!
No apology needed. It's one of the characteristics of this forum that is refreshingly different; the fact we're all connected by our passion to play bass for Him, but also slightly disconnected in that we don't know one another that personally. It allows for honesty in communication and, if a person can be open to advice, incredible guidance. I needed to be reminded that His gifts are not my territory, but His to use as He sees fit.
I just wish He'd stop clipping me on the back if the head; I'm bald enough as it is!
__________________ Marc-D - P&W bassist - going V-low for the One Most High Are you Choosing Excellence ?
Uh-oh! Oops! Yikes! Ouch! You've indicated another wrinkle in my character is showing. I know the source of my irritation; he happens to be one of the MD's sons. You'll understand a little when I say this guitarist's younger brother is the one drummer I can't connect with (he ignores me completely); he displays the fine art of testing the tensile strength of the drum heads as well as retuning the cymbals, all while he is playing! Asking the MD if he could get this addressed was answered with "I'm not going to dampen his exuberance". I can see this occurring on the bass.
But, you are right, be there as a guide; not in words, but as an example of what it means to bring excellence in His service.
Thanks for the heads-up!
We have two regular bassists at my church. One for mid-week service and me for Sunday services. The mid-week bassist has been pushing to be put in the Sunday rotation while keeping his mid-week position. I'm not sure what to say about it yet but I know it doesn't set right with me.
In my flesh I want to say "If he wants it that bad let him have it every weekend" and just walk but I know better than to have a kneejerk reaction. He sometimes comes across with a competitive vibe but as far as I'm concerned we're on the same team and there is no need for competition.
The funny thing is, every time something like this comes up I give it to God with willingness to accept whatever happens and the guy ends up having to work weekends and isn't able to be in the rotation. That makes me think that I'm supposed to be in this position. At least for now, I suppose
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Praise and Worship Band Bassists Club #1122
California Bassists Club #91
FWIW I have found the easiest way to get in the musical rotation is to have a heart to serve and play wherever is needed.
Some churches need a Sunday morning person. But most can use someone for mid week service, or with the youth, or college ministry. (In youth ministry you get to play more fast songs and learn what is current.) And you generally have a closer line to get into the next position if you are already serving musically somewhere.
I play every week in Friday night intercession mostly because I am too busy Sunday mornings. But we let new folks play at intercession or other mid week events before Sunday. We want to know they are going to be around a while and that we can count on them before putting them on stage Sundays.
I know different churches look at it differently but we have found when we have people on stage who aren't really part of the house, worship is not as anointed.
FWIW I have found the easiest way to get in the musical rotation is to have a heart to serve and play wherever is needed.
Some churches need a Sunday morning person. But most can use someone for mid week service, or with the youth, or college ministry. (In youth ministry you get to play more fast songs and learn what is current.) And you generally have a closer line to get into the next position if you are already serving musically somewhere.
I play every week in Friday night intercession mostly because I am too busy Sunday mornings. But we let new folks play at intercession or other mid week events before Sunday. We want to know they are going to be around a while and that we can count on them before putting them on stage Sundays.
I know different churches look at it differently but we have found when we have people on stage who aren't really part of the house, worship is not as anointed.
Not flaming anyone, just stating my experience.
My (rather large) church has three bassists for two (Wed and Sun) services so we rotate. Works great for me.
Wife was sick Friday night, so I stayed home. Today, didn't want to risk icy hills. I should be good for playing bass tomorrow (Sunday) at Mason Vineyard. My experiments with the Radial PZ-DI and Firefly continue. The Firefly is going with me to MVCC. If you are a bassist that prefers a clean setup (bass -> DI -> FOH), both the PZ-DI and Firefly are worth considering. The Firefly is a tad pricey, but it has a tube preamp section, an FX loop, tuner out, etc.
Get to play bass with my son's band again tonight for a Christmas music concert at a coffee house in Brainerd. Hopefully a better turnout than the last concert. Lack of advance notice and weather kept the 'crowd' down to around ten. It's a lot of fun and hopefully I can finally get a recording with audible bass for posting for your comments and constructive criticism.
Last Sunday I was too sick to play soprano or sing, so I just ran sound. Fortunately, we had a new acoustic player, and he and his wife on vocals. I look forward to playing with him in the future.
This week the voice is only slightly better, but I'll play and try to croak out a couple of verses. I made sure the MD doesn't schedule 'The Great I Am' for a couple of weeks. lol
JB
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New 2 Bass Ibanez GSR300
Ibanez Club #686 Christian Praise & Worship Club #819
My (rather large) church has three bassists for two (Wed and Sun) services so we rotate. Works great for me.
Our church has four campuses, each with two worship teams; we play on alternate Sundays, which (for us old chaps) is about right
To get on a worship team here you have to have served somewhere else in the church for at least six months before you're considered - e.g Kids Church, Ushering, etc.; once a position becomes available, there's an audition with the leader of the team you're joining, and if you pass, you're in. Once in, you're expected to make as many performances as possible - we don't like worrying on Sunday if someone is going to make it or not.
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Praise and Worship Bassist #812. British Bassists Club #134
Back playing tomorrow morning after a couple of weeks off fighting various winter bug...
Here's a 2-mix (stereo from the board) of one of our songs from the Christmas Concert a couple of weeks ago. Not a lot of fancy bass playin (on this song ) but sounds nice a big for a 2-mix. Thought some of you might want to check it out.
Last week our praise band did a cover of "Christmas Eve-Sarajevo 12-24". Seven musicians that practiced separately, with only two-three practices as a group.
The bass part was so simple that it could of been done without, but was fun just the same.
Here's a 2-mix (stereo from the board) of one of our songs from the Christmas Concert a couple of weeks ago. Not a lot of fancy bass playin (on this song ) but sounds nice a big for a 2-mix. Thought some of you might want to check it out.
Got a last minute subbing call (from same bloke stepping down from bass) so hopped into the bass chair for the 2nd morning service. Sermon is on Isaiah 12, and preacher emphasises "shout, and sing for joy" (vs 6). He goes on to explain how, if you really 'get it' what God has done, you'd have no problem doing this. Last song is Joy To The World. OK, there are two ways to do this; play it stoically with usual whole notes, or,... what's he doing with the knobs on his bass? dialling in a bit of mids; and what's he digging for? a,... a,... pick
It rocked!
__________________ Marc-D - P&W bassist - going V-low for the One Most High Are you Choosing Excellence ?
Got a last minute subbing call (from same bloke stepping down from bass) so hopped into the bass chair for the 2nd morning service. Sermon is on Isaiah 12, and preacher emphasises "shout, and sing for joy" (vs 6). He goes on to explain how, if you really 'get it' what God has done, you'd have no problem doing this. Last song is Joy To The World. OK, there are two ways to do this; play it stoically with usual whole notes, or,... what's he doing with the knobs on his bass? dialling in a bit of mids; and what's he digging for? a,... a,... pick
It rocked!
Amen! Preach it brother! I don't play many songs with a pick but Joy To The World is a must. P pickup on full and let's rock!
Strange behavior from my bass today. It's taken an even stronger dislike to the Christmas lighting (or something else electrical) and was buzzing like mad. The only solution was to dial the J pickup out completely and find a spot on the tone pot where the buzzing was minimal but I still had some clarity. I found a workable setting and it worked very well. I should do some shielding but it's due to be relegated to backup bass by the time I next play (hopefully).
I always used a pick so when I picked up the bass, I wanted to learn without and I haven't used a pick yet. So I'm going to try without and see if I can do it!
