First chuch job?

Jenra · #1 08-29-2011, 02:16 PM

Hey all you TB'ers!

Im about to have my first Church job as a stand in bassist, and just received my sheets for the music...

I was wondering if theres any good advice for playing in a church, ill have a soundman so i dont need to think about that (yet) but like any good first timers advice?

//Jenra

capnsandwich · #2 08-29-2011, 02:19 PM

Know your role and shut your hole.....seriously. It's never about the bass in church unless you play urban gospel.

Warrior_Bass · #3 08-29-2011, 02:20 PM

Change "Music - My life 'n' religion" to "Jesus - My life 'n' religion"

Dirk Diggler · #4 08-29-2011, 04:07 PM

Pray!

TolerancEJ · #5 08-29-2011, 04:57 PM

I'm about this close *motioning 1 inch distance between fingers* of walking up to our church choir & figuratively smacking them. The guitarist(s) and bassist for the mass my wife and I attend are rarely ever tuned together and it drives me nuts.

They are not new; they've been the same musicians for 5 years. Every once and a while I'll hear they bothered to tune & I look over to see if someone new is present. lol

Ok, my rant is finished & I feel a weight has been lifted off me. I just had to get that off me.

Papa Dangerous · #6 08-29-2011, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

I'm about this close *motioning 1 inch distance between fingers* of walking up to our church choir & figuratively smacking them. The guitarist(s) and bassist for the mass my wife and I attend are rarely ever tuned together and it drives me nuts.

They are not new; they've been the same musicians for 5 years. Every once and a while I'll hear they bothered to tune & I look over to see if someone new is present. lol

Ok, my rant is finished & I feel a weight has been lifted off me. I just had to get that off me.

Remind them Pope Gregory was told by a dove (messenger of God) that music is to only be sung in unison, P4, and P5 (Gregorian Chant). While things have change a bit... they should still tune by these 4ths/5ths!

HeadyVan Halen · #7 08-29-2011, 05:33 PM

Don't go in with a hangover...not a real good look

wideload · #8 08-29-2011, 05:34 PM

Remember that you are leading worship. Having said that, don't forget that your musical testimony will have more effect if you show that you are enjoying what you play. Your talent is a gift from God, and it is a pleasure to return the fruits of that gift!

TolerancEJ · #9 08-29-2011, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa Dangerous

Remind them Pope Gregory was told by a dove (messenger of God) that music is to only be sung in unison, P4, and P5 (Gregorian Chant). While things have change a bit... they should still tune by these 4ths/5ths!

Yeah, well these guys may as well be playing in onion, P4.23 and P5.85. (Bufort Chant) lol

klokker · #10 08-29-2011, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenra

Hey all you TB'ers!

Im about to have my first Church job as a stand in bassist, and just received my sheets for the music...

I was wondering if theres any good advice for playing in a church, ill have a soundman so i dont need to think about that (yet) but like any good first timers advice?

//Jenra

Yeah, that's pretty much it. Hopefully you'll get your own bass amp along with a monitor so you can hear yourself well. Just play your part and let the sound guy sort it out. Have fun!

fretlessguy · #11 08-30-2011, 08:10 AM

Things to remember as a church bassist:
1. Show up for practice.
2. Show up for practice on time.
3. If possible, get your music early and go through the parts before ever practicing with the band.
4. Have a good tuner. It's not always possible to ask the guitarist or piano player "Could you give me an E?"
5. Make sure you have all the extras you might need in your gig bag:
a. spare batteries for tuners, bass, etc.
b. pen/pencil for notes & notepad
c. strap
d. picks (even if you do not use them, you might need one in case of a finger injury and you cannot play fingerstyle.)
e. two cables (in case one goes bad)
f. If you plan to go directly into the system you may need a direct box. One with tone shaping controls and a preamp is a plus. Another possibility would be a small practice amp (10 or 12 inch speaker and at least a 100 watts) with a direct line to the PA. You could use it for an onstage monitor. It's not always easy to hear yourself through onstage monitors when playing.
6. A good attitude. Remember that the first thing is that you are playing to an audience of one, and you are there to glorify HIM. Remember this in your working relationships to the worshipleader, fellow musicians, and the soundman. Also, if one of the worshipers declare their displeasure towards your playing, don't cuss.

wunslooth · #12 08-30-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessguy

Things to remember as a church bassist:
1. Show up for practice.
2. Show up for practice on time.
3. If possible, get your music early and go through the parts before ever practicing with the band.
4. Have a good tuner. It's not always possible to ask the guitarist or piano player "Could you give me an E?"
5. Make sure you have all the extras you might need in your gig bag:
a. spare batteries for tuners, bass, etc.
b. pen/pencil for notes & notepad
c. strap
d. picks (even if you do not use them, you might need one in case of a finger injury and you cannot play fingerstyle.)
e. two cables (in case one goes bad)
f. If you plan to go directly into the system you may need a direct box. One with tone shaping controls and a preamp is a plus. Another possibility would be a small practice amp (10 or 12 inch speaker and at least a 100 watts) with a direct line to the PA. You could use it for an onstage monitor. It's not always easy to hear yourself through onstage monitors when playing.
6. A good attitude. Remember that the first thing is that you are playing to an audience of one, and you are there to glorify HIM. Remember this in your working relationships to the worshipleader, fellow musicians, and the soundman. Also, if one of the worshipers declare their displeasure towards your playing, don't cuss.

X1

SMILE!! Big Cheesy smiles! look as happy as you can playing.

Jenra · #13 08-31-2011, 02:37 AM

thanks for all the answers ill take them into consideration, and will drop in after sunday to tell you how it went!

MNAirHead · #14 08-31-2011, 02:52 AM

Always learn your songs in without open strings... it's common for last minute key changes.

Sit back... don't rock the boat until you're an insider... meaning if they tell you NO amps.. then don't question it.

Be ready for the charts to be bad... the leader to ask for alternative bass lines and very little prep time.

MOST of the time err on under playing.