Urrgghh...worship performance was terrible.

[Fassa Albrecht]

I agreed to play music for my Bible study group, solo bass.
BAD IDEA.

I started playing when my amp started buzzing and rattling. Luckily I was singing with a backing singer whose voice disguised the noise.

Then I took a new song solo. I hit a hitch- I'd forgotten the sheet music and so I couldn't play a note. I decided to be a bit too clever and I could remember the progression, the key and so I decided to play by ear.

I can't play BY EAR....and so there were bits I was bang-on and sometimes I was making it far too hard for people to sing along.

I ended up taking the last song on the piano.

I suck as a bassist and worship leader.

[Tenma4]

There will be better days...and probably worse.

[Slax]

Originally Posted by Tenma4

There will be better days...and probably worse.

Yeah, there will be better days. Don't let it get you down.

I'd use this as a reason to practice your ear and other things that you realized needed practicing, so next time it's not an issue.

Think Pavlov, it takes bad conditioning, to realize/learn good!

[standupright]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

I agreed to play music for my Bible study group, solo bass.
BAD IDEA.

I started playing when my amp started buzzing and rattling. Luckily I was singing with a backing singer whose voice disguised the noise.

Then I took a new song solo. I hit a hitch- I'd forgotten the sheet music and so I couldn't play a note. I decided to be a bit too clever and I could remember the progression, the key and so I decided to play by ear.

I can't play BY EAR....and so there were bits I was bang-on and sometimes I was making it far too hard for people to sing along.

I ended up taking the last song on the piano.

I suck as a bassist and worship leader.

i doubt that....everyone has days where they are not at the top of their game.

scientists have described walking as a series of controlled falls.......everytime something like this happens, i just consider it to be a point in my walk through life where i am in between steps. don't be so hard on yourself.

[Phalex]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

I suck as a bassist

I've been saying that for the last 20 years. I tell anyone who'll listen.

Funny thing is, I've been working pretty steady gigging in bar bands for the last 20 years too. You are your own worst critic. Ignore yourself.

[ColdSteelRain]

Remember the 6 Ps: Prior Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance.

Things can still go wrong, but the odds are lower .

[derelicte]

maybe God is humbling you.. I caught something when you called it a worship 'performance'. perhaps you were focused too intently on the musicianship of it? As preachy as it may sound, our worship is in offering our hearts to Him, not in offering our talents. But musicianship has its place, and if the music was hindering that, then I suppose He was trying to tell you something brother. Even still, you offered to serve and lead worship, and I'm sure God was pleased and glorified. Keep praising and be passionate to serve!

[fretlessman71]

You mean sister, derelicte. But your point is well made.

[derelicte]

doh, just checked out the profile.. i lol'ed a bit on this:

Other equipment - drumsticks (!?)

[Croox]

you didnt become dizzy throw up on someone/something then pass out right? I'd say its far from your worst performance.

[Spinal Tapper]

It's these milestones in our musical careers that only make us stronger artists in the long run. Chalk it up to experience

[poop49]

been there... done that... lived to tell the tale.

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by derelicte

maybe God is humbling you.. I caught something when you called it a worship 'performance'. perhaps you were focused too intently on the musicianship of it? As preachy as it may sound, our worship is in offering our hearts to Him, not in offering our talents. But musicianship has its place, and if the music was hindering that, then I suppose He was trying to tell you something brother. Even still, you offered to serve and lead worship, and I'm sure God was pleased and glorified. Keep praising and be passionate to serve!

The fact I was playing infront of all my friends (well, not all of them) didn't help.

Originally Posted by fretlessman71

You mean sister, derelicte. But your point is well made.

[Eilif]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

...solo bass.
BAD IDEA... Then I took a new song solo....

...I ended up taking the last song on the piano.

I think your OP contains the problem and the answer.

Unless you are really freekin' good with chords, leading worship with only a bass is generally not a great idea. I'm not sure what songs you were playing, but most of the worship music I've played (contemporary, hymns, or gospel) really needs to be anchored by a mid to upper range chordal instrument.

So unless you find someone else to play Guitar or Piano, leave the bass in the case.

I'm sure you don't suck, you just made a bad decision to play solo bass worship music, and to play songs you weren't prepared for. Live and learn. You volunteered your skills to serve the Lord, so it seems to me that your heart is in the right place.

[kesslari]

you didnt become dizzy throw up on someone/something then pass out right? I'd say its far from your worst performance.

Very close to sigged...

[dmusic148]

Heh--I used to work with this monster bebob guitar player who once told me: "When you have a bad day, can't play sh*t, that's the level you're actually at. Why? Because it's the best you can absolutely count on."
Harsh, maybe not true, but he has a point.

[Fassa Albrecht]

Well, I went back through the songs I played that night....I sounded a lot better than this gig.


Oh well..

[Wicked_Bassist7]

well thats too bad. someone said earlier you probably did fine, you are just your own worse critic