Church Issue

Dr. Cheese · #1 01-20-2009, 09:50 AM

I have been playing for my church for several years, and I have been very active (16-20 Sundays a year) for the past two or three years. Response is always positive to my participation, but lately I have been feeling uncomfortable because it seems that church members are irritated that my rig takes up space.

My church is small and there is no musicians pit or area. I have often set up in front of the front pew on the right side or in the choir stand. Either way it seems that someone is always mad about instrument cables or looking out feels a need to move my amp (a Markbass CMP121P, it can't get much smaller than that!) This seems to be doubly true because the church has a "Praise Dance" troupe that does a routine that needs room.

The bottom line is that I intend to talk to the Pastor about assigning me a designated space, and I will play there, and I will expect people to repsect that area because as I told him yesterday, my bass takes space, I already have a very small rig, but music cannot come out of thin air.

I should also note that in 2007, the church did install a nice Peavey PA, and they told me then that they would like for me to go direct. I told them I would prefer to keep my amp as a monitor, but as a minimum, if they want me to go direct, the church needed a sound person who could actually run the PA and get me a good sound. A year later, one woman has gotten pretty good with the sound so maybe I could work with her and see what could happen.

BuffaloBass · #2 01-20-2009, 04:12 PM

Oh, I think the Sad outboard would make the PA system palatable, dont you?

BigNoise · #3 01-20-2009, 04:19 PM

I have a similar situation, I have come to the conclusion that white people hate bass in church. Now that being said I ( a white boy) don't really care what they think, my thing is if they really want another player let them find one. I have recently been playing at another church that actually meets in a coffee shop and they LOVE the msuic, no matter how bassy it may be.

agreatheight · #4 01-20-2009, 04:21 PM

Yeah, try direct. Worst thing that happens is that you hate it and go back to your amp.

Bass Viking · #5 01-20-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffaloBass

Oh, I think the Sad outboard would make the PA system palatable, dont you?

Good idea! Though I haven't had to use it yet, I always bring my Sad preamp to a gig in case of amp failure.

Bass Viking · #6 01-20-2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

My church is small and there is no musicians pit or area. I have often set up in front of the front pew on the right side or in the choir stand. Either way it seems that someone is always mad about instrument cables or looking out feels a need to move my amp (a Markbass CMP121P, it can't get much smaller than that!)

Are they hassling the other musicians too? Drums take up more of a footprint than a Markbass amp.

davec · #7 01-20-2009, 04:30 PM

I've had the same issue at my church for a few times over the years. I would suggest that you recommend the church purchase a new GK micro bass as it is the only amp that can fill there space requirements and still allow you to hear what you need to hear. Bring in a printed price.

I'm currently playiing a Trace AH350 and a 4x10.... and now no one has a issue???

rosstanium · #8 01-20-2009, 04:36 PM

tough to get a firm grasp of the situation because we aren't there. and let's face it...a lot of times, church sound people don't really know what they're doing...but you should probably ask yourself why you're playing there. When you realize why you're playing and what you're trying to accomplish, then it's usually easier to resolve the issues.

dbassman59 · #9 01-20-2009, 04:37 PM

You can't go much smaller than what you have ... just grin and bear it. I too play every Sunday in a worship band ... I do about 45 + Sundays/year ... we don't have much room either but we make the best of it. I stand behind the choir (singers) and that seems OK ... fortunately our parishoners really like and appreciate us. Remember your doing God's work ... so if someone looks annoyed at you... smile, apologize for the inconvenience, let them know you are doing your best. I bet they'll smile back and give you the room you need ...

ThunderLizard · #10 01-20-2009, 04:40 PM

Reverend Dr. Cheese-
Same situation for me down the street at Eden!!
Love the folks dearly, but have resigned myself to the fact that there's too much going on for them to be worried about one member of the band...so I'm going to suffer a little to play at church. Already playing for free...can't suffer too much more than that!!
As a result, I've cut back my playing there from primary bassist to sometime substitute.

drden · #11 01-20-2009, 04:43 PM

I always say that you're not there to perform, you're there to worship the lord, so as much as us church bass players would like to have "our sound" It may not always be that way.

T-MOST · #12 01-20-2009, 04:50 PM

Like you said your bass doesn't produce sound out of thin air. So if they want a bassist they have to under stand that means a body, a bass and a amp system. You are already going compact so theres no where else to go (even direct). My situation is similar to yours in that we dont have a proper "pit" for the musicians. However We do have the front right side of the church that is the designated musicians area. The P.A. and operator, drums, Keys, mics and bass rig are there and the congregants don't even breathe in that direction by pastorial mandate LOL! Talk to your pastor and just appeal to his common sense about it. He will surely understand.

Dr. Cheese · #13 01-20-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThunderLizard

Reverend Dr. Cheese-
Same situation for me down the street at Eden!!
Love the folks dearly, but have resigned myself to the fact that there's too much going on for them to be worried about one member of the band...so I'm going to suffer a little to play at church. Already playing for free...can't suffer too much more than that!!
As a result, I've cut back my playing there from primary bassist to sometime substitute.

How you doin'? Still rockin' that Carvin? I guess church is just church since we are facing the same issues. I pretty much play for free too although the Pastor has given me $100 for Christmas the last two years. I am likely going to cut back significantly also unless someone arranges something for me.

ThunderLizard · #14 01-20-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drden

I always say that you're not there to perform, you're there to worship the lord, so as much as us church bass players would like to have "our sound" It may not always be that way.

drden-
I play to the congregation in the hope that someone feels better leaving than when they came in. And you're right, you'll probably never get 'your sound' at church...too many volume, room and other variables.

cb56 · #15 01-20-2009, 04:59 PM

Hey Doc,
I think you are on the right track talking to the pastor about it. Is there a music director? If so I would include him/her in that conversation. Also don't forget to pray about the situation.
It's cool that you are willing to do without your amp if necesary, but I'm with you on wanting to keep a small amp on stage as use for a monitor.
Of course, keep a your attitude positive when discussing this with them even though we know that most churches are hurting for bass players we don't want to use it as a barganing chip.

And of course no matter what happens, whether you play music there or not, keep going to church.

ThunderLizard · #16 01-20-2009, 05:01 PM

Dr. Cheese-
Hope you're doing well.
Yes, I've still got the Carvin....and about 10 others! Recently got a Cezc Spector, but I'm not quite sure what to do with it. Playing it's like dating an Italian Supermodel or driving a Ferrari; way too fast for me. I don't have much experience with either!

Dr. Cheese · #17 01-20-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffaloBass

Oh, I think the Sad outboard would make the PA system palatable, dont you?

I may try that even though my amp is awfully small.

Dr. Cheese · #18 01-20-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-MOST

Like you said your bass doesn't produce sound out of thin air. So if they want a bassist they have to under stand that means a body, a bass and a amp system. You are already going compact so theres no where else to go (even direct). My situation is similar to yours in that we dont have a proper "pit" for the musicians. However We do have the front right side of the church that is the designated musicians area. The P.A. and operator, drums, Keys, mics and bass rig are there and the congregants don't even breathe in that direction by pastorial mandate LOL! Talk to your pastor and just appeal to his common sense about it. He will surely understand.

I intend to talk to the pastor but I think one of the problems is that the Praise Dancers are directed by the reverend's wife, and if she bends his ear, things could get difficult.

T-MOST · #19 01-20-2009, 05:10 PM

[quote=drden;6850448]I always say that you're not there to perform, you're there to worship the lord, so as much as us church bass players would like to have "our sound" It may not always be that way.[/QUO

You are right about why we are there. But since we "are" there we should do it to the very best of out abilities. Asking for a little space to "physically" to your job isn't out of order by any means (even at church). I'm glad my MD and Pastor while putting "the praise' first put our sound at a close second!

For me that means going direct and a 4x10 encloseure right behind me.

llatikcuf · #20 01-20-2009, 05:11 PM

Can you run direct with a personal monitor system? At one of our church sites where I've filled in everybody was using in-ears and it worked ok. I found that if I use regular over-the-ear headphones I can hear the bass much better - looks kinda dorky but hey it's small.