The Praise and Worship Band Bassists Club part 23 - Page 29

SoVeryTired · #**561** 02-01-2013, 01:12 PM

On our Planning Center we have chord charts for each key we might play a song in. We also have a transposed MP3 for each (using the transposer built into Planning Center) and I've labelled the BPM for each song. I also send an email a week in advance with any specific arrangement advice, and make a point of stating the key and whether that's different to the original recording.

Of course that doesn't guarantee that the teenage guitarist will disregard the above and turn up to rehearsal having practiced half the songs in the original key, not the one we're actually playing in. Should be good by Sunday.

Of course things can change. We practiced 10,000 Reasons in G but with the caveat that it may change at rehearsal. Sure enough, both to flow from the previous song and to fit the female vocal range better, we changed it to E. But the team transposed mentally and by today the transposed MP3 and chord chart were on Planning Center.

SteveC · #**562** 02-01-2013, 01:21 PM

Not sure. When I open up Music Stand to get the pdf's for the week from the WL they are always in the key we're doing - G, F#, C whatever.

SoVeryTired · #**563** 02-01-2013, 01:36 PM

A person with editor rights on Planning Center can set the key and sort out the attachments etc. At my church that's the worship pastor and the worship leaders (who will sort out the setlist) and me as MD (who will check the keys and amend as needed).

**rotis** · #**564** 02-01-2013, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoVeryTired

A person with editor rights on Planning Center can set the key and sort out the attachments etc. At my church that's the worship pastor and the worship leaders (who will sort out the setlist) and me as MD (who will check the keys and amend as needed).

We don't use PC. We will definitely have to look into it. We currently get chord sheets off ccli and that is it.

english4bw · #**565** 02-01-2013, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

This may have been covered before, my apologies if so....

I would like it if the reference tracks that are posted on Planning Center by both of the worship team WL's I play with were actually in the key we were going to play them in. Is this anybody else's experience?

This week, 5 songs and 4 of them in are in higher keys than the fake sheets which have been provided.

I know that all I have to do is transpose in my head but I wish I didn't have to. What I'd really like to be concentrating on is performance and nuance so that my face won't be stuck in the music during the service and I can kinda, you know, participate in the worship. Just sayin'

Usually I:

- Find the song somewhere else on the interwebs (youtube usually)
- Download the video to mp3
- Import the mp3 into Audacity or Sonar
- Change the pitch of the selection according to the songsheet (usually down one to three steps)
- Normalize or compress the selection if the transposed audio goes into the red (with today's highly-compressed recordings it often does)
- Export the workfile to mp3
- Rename the file with the new key designation
- Rehearse to the new audiotrack in the right key

I don't mind if it's one or maybe two a week but when it gets to be more than half an hour playing with files I guess I start to get crusty. I'm the volunteer, in one church they have a full-time WL and an intern, in the other, they have a full-time WL, an intern, and a P/T paid band director.

When you couple the key changes with click trakcs, and the different arrangements that are often employed it makes it more work than is necessary I think.

I do recognize that any real musician worth his/her salt should be able to do these things on the fly without a hiccup and I actually am able to change it up with a high degree of success whenever called upon to do so. I look at the ministry of worship team musician as more than just being a competent performer. I'm trying to experience a little bit of what the rest of the congregation is.

I think I'll make a suggestion at the next meeting that we use actual recordings of the team that employ the actual tempos, arrangements, instrument line-up, key signatures that are used. Just a thot.

2 words... Nashville Numerics. That way it doesn't matter what key they change it to as long as you know standard chord progressions/chord notes. Every chord/note is either 1-7 and you just change your root finger position if the key changes. Easy as pie.

Here's an example of what I do:

SteveC · #**566** 02-01-2013, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotis

We don't use PC. We will definitely have to look into it. We currently get chord sheets off ccli and that is it.

Planning Center and Music Stand are the only way to go - if you can afford it - and if everyone has iPads.

english4bw · #**567** 02-01-2013, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

Planning Center and Music Stand are the only way to go - if you can afford it - and if everyone has iPads.

+1
but it's an expensive proposition for some churches and worship teams. Sometimes you gotta make do with what's doable, ya know? That's where I'm at.

Cougmeister · #**568** 02-01-2013, 06:04 PM

Hey guys, I have a bit of a situation that I'm dealing with right now and wouldn't mind some opinions from my fellow praise and worship bassists.

I have been playing bass at my church for upwards of 4 years and have been an active part of the church a little longer than that.

Just a couple of weeks ago, my fiancee (we've been together for almost 3 years) an I had a baby. In our current situation, we figured it would be best to move in together so that we can each have an equal part in raising him.

Our pastor and worship leader do t like the fact that we are living together and won't be getting married for another year or so. Due to this, they asked me to step down for a while, cause they don't think I'm setting a good example.

Also, they have asked to rent or buy a bass from me for o e of the guitar players to play.

Should I be offended by this? I understand their thinking to a certain extent, but I'm not quite sure how I feel.

TodB · #**569** 02-01-2013, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cougmeister

Hey guys, I have a bit of a situation that I'm dealing with right now and wouldn't mind some opinions from my fellow praise and worship bassists.

I have been playing bass at my church for upwards of 4 years and have been an active part of the church a little longer than that.

Just a couple of weeks ago, my fiancee (we've been together for almost 3 years) an I had a baby. In our current situation, we figured it would be best to move in together so that we can each have an equal part in raising him.

Our pastor and worship leader do t like the fact that we are living together and won't be getting married for another year or so. Due to this, they asked me to step down for a while, cause they don't think I'm setting a good example.

Also, they have asked to rent or buy a bass from me for o e of the guitar players to play.

Should I be offended by this? I understand their thinking to a certain extent, but I'm not quite sure how I feel.

Congratulations on the new arrival.

As far as playing right now goes, it wasn't that long ago that the proverbial baby out of wedlock would have been a huge scandal, so let's give props for being relatively understanding even if there is still some level of concern. What I'd suggest is that you have some huge new things on your plate. Being a new dad, planning a wedding, learning to live with your fiancé, those are all a pretty big deal. We all agree that playing is fantastic, but taking a break to focus on all these other new things in your life doesn't sound like the worst idea in the world. I would take it as a good thing for you and your new family, and not take it as some kind of snub.

khutch · #**570** 02-01-2013, 06:43 PM

I don't see anything you should be offended about. Back when I joined the choir and before I even offered to play bass I was told quite plainly that my conduct as a Christian needed to be exemplary if I were going to be on stage. It is as much a part of the drill as knowing the music. As to whether you sell or rent them a bass I think the advice you get elsewhere to nix the rental option is sound. Selling them one of your basses for market value is reasonable since you said elsewhere that you might like to sell one anyway. Like anyone else they will get a great deal if they buy used and they will know what they are getting if they buy one of your basses.

Ken

Paladin54 · #**571** 02-01-2013, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cougmeister

Hey guys, I have a bit of a situation that I'm dealing with right now and wouldn't mind some opinions from my fellow praise and worship bassists.

I have been playing bass at my church for upwards of 4 years and have been an active part of the church a little longer than that.

Just a couple of weeks ago, my fiancee (we've been together for almost 3 years) an I had a baby. In our current situation, we figured it would be best to move in together so that we can each have an equal part in raising him.

Our pastor and worship leader do t like the fact that we are living together and won't be getting married for another year or so. Due to this, they asked me to step down for a while, cause they don't think I'm setting a good example.

Also, they have asked to rent or buy a bass from me for o e of the guitar players to play.

Should I be offended by this? I understand their thinking to a certain extent, but I'm not quite sure how I feel.

So they didn't have an issue with you getting a girl pregnant out of wedlock and having a baby because you must have been playing for the last 9 months, but moving in together out of love to help raise the child is wrong and a bad example? It wasn't a bad example until you decided to move in together?

Huh, maybe you should clarify this with them? Were they aware of the pregnancy or did they just find out?

Cougmeister · #**572** 02-01-2013, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paladin54

So they didn't have an issue with you getting a girl pregnant out of wedlock and having a baby because you must have been playing for the last 9 months, but moving in together out of love to help raise the child is wrong and a bad example? It wasn't a bad example until you decided to move in together?

Huh, maybe you should clarify this with them? Were they aware of the pregnancy or did they just find out?

This is what has been bothering me. They knew about the pregnancy, and the pastor clearly stated that it would be different if we were getting married in a couple of months. We're holding off on getting married because my fiancee is getting school paid for due to her parents income, so we want to take advantage of that.

Jhengsman · #**573** 02-01-2013, 09:30 PM

Well then you were given the benefit of doubt and the pregnacy was written off as a one time lapse. Living together while waiting for a set piece wedding can not be so easily swept under the rug. You can just get a license and meet the pastor in his office to rid the church of its concerns.

HereIGoAgain · #**574** 02-01-2013, 09:42 PM

I'd probably be more offended at them asking to rent/buy the bass (unless I was hard-up for cash). Something just doesn't sit right about "Well, you need to step down for.... Oh, by the way, can you leave your gear?"

I could be off base or misinformed... I don't know....

a2zbassman · #**575** 02-01-2013, 09:47 PM

^

I was kinda thinking the same when I read it. So, you're not alone.

blacklariat09 · #**576** 02-01-2013, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhengsman

Well then you were given the benefit of doubt and the pregnacy was written off as a one time lapse. Living together while waiting for a set piece wedding can not be so easily swept under the rug. You can just get a license and meet the pastor in his office to rid the church of its concerns.

The problem I think is a financial one of schooling for him. If they get legally married then the legal stipulations of her schooling tuition will completely change. Pell grants and scholarships could take a hit.

Cougmeister · #**577** 02-01-2013, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blacklariat09

The problem I think is a financial one of schooling for him. If they get legally married then the legal stipulations of her schooling tuition will completely change. Pell grants and scholarships could take a hit.

That hits the nail on the head. I am a student as well, and if we didn't have her grant money, we wouldn't be able to make it financially. It takes care of alot of our needs. I tried to eplain all of this to the pastor, but I think he is still looking at it differently than he should. We're not living together so we can sleep together, but to be able to provide a loving environment for our son.

I'll also add that we are staying at my parent's house and not a place of our own.

It does kind of bother me that they want to use my gear still. My fiancee doesn't think I should let them use my gear at all. She is very offended by all of this and doesn't want anything to do with them.

SteveC · #**578** 02-01-2013, 10:13 PM

I think I'd be offended as well - by all of it. Doesn't sound like a church I'd want to be a part of any more.

blacklariat09 · #**579** 02-01-2013, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cougmeister

That hits the nail on the head. I am a student as well, and if we didn't have her grant money, we wouldn't be able to make it financially. It takes care of alot of our needs. I tried to eplain all of this to the pastor, but I think he is still looking at it differently than he should. We're not living together so we can sleep together, but to be able to provide a loving environment for our son.

I'll also add that we are staying at my parent's house and not a place of our own.

It does kind of bother me that they want to use my gear still. My fiancee doesn't think I should let them use my gear at all. She is very offended by all of this and doesn't want anything to do with them.

My problem here would be with the fact that you had a child out of wedlock and they could careless but the cohabitation bothers them. It seems to me they are picking and choosing.

On that note, unless you are hard up for cash, I wouldn't rent or sell them anything because of this. It seems like a slap in the face to me to ask you to step down but not take your gear.

I understand where you are coming from and as an employee at a church I would probably raise an eyebrow here. If you guys had got your own place it would be a little different in my mind than you guys staying with your parents to raise a child.

**rotis** · #**580** 02-01-2013, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

I think I'd be offended as well - by all of it. Doesn't sound like a church I'd want to be a part of any more.

On the other hand I would have a hard time staying at a church that had people ministering on stage who were living in sin for any reason. You can't serve in the nursery at my church unless you get interviewed about your lifestyle. I just hope they have some sort of pastoral care to heal the situation.