Church is Stressing Me Out.....

[oldcatfish]

I have very little patience for last minute changes, if I am volunteering my time. I have dealt with it by telling the worship leader, "I am sorry, but with my current schedule, I don't have the time to learn the new songs. You'll need to find someone else to play that service." Usually stops the inconsiderate behavior in it's tracks. And it rarely happens again.
On paid gigs, it's a different story--I do whatever I am able to make the client happy, unless their behavior gets to the point that it isn't worth the money.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Especially if the request comes from a person drawing a salary with benefits

 

[Donald Thompson]

So here's the update.

We only did the 4 songs we originally planned. The other songs were for another date.

Thank God I know how to play drums.

I played one song on the bass, and I nailed that.

People were actually blessed with the songs. One person came up and thanked me for moving her. It wasn't bad at all.

 

[jthisdell]

I sub at a Church and I usually get an email on Tuesday or Wednesday asking if I am available then we get 5 songs with charts on Thursday, sometimes a link to a YouTube etc, then I'll spend an hour on them before Sunday, maybe listen to them during work, etc, and we will get together an hour and a half before Service to rehearse and then immediately play the Service. This works well, a minimum of outside time and low stress.

 

[bherman]

While I don't play worship music I deal with this all of the time with my main band project (NewGrass band). Half the time I dont know what the key is and if there are any tricky changes. I just roll with it, great ear training and makes me a stronger player. Some of my ability to do that comes from experience, but alot of it is attitude and good listening. Taking risks leads to personal growth for me.

 

[tradernick]

Just did a rehearsal where we've gotten the songs last minute with no time to go over them. Then the day after I've gotten a text with at least 9 songs on top of the 4 we already did. This is literally giving me high blood pressure.

I hear you. It's always frustrating when this sort of thing happens when it didn't have to. But if you analyze the situation, there's almost zero chance you should stress. It almost certainly happened because either

a) people were just too lazy or disorganized to achieve the simplest of tasks (getting the material together and distributed it in a timely manner), or

b) events beyond the bandleader's control caused this and everyone else is in the same boat.

And yes, as someone else pointed out, a hot fire melts down all concealment. This is good for you in the sense that you'll have to up your game.

 

[Lardass5000]

CHURCH IS BAD FOR YOU!

STOP GOING THERE!

 

[micguy]

I play at a bunch of churches. None of them have any of the issues you're describing. I get music anywhere from a week to 3 in advance, things are all in the right keys when we get them (though we will change keys when the singer changes on a tune). Everyone shows up on time and prepared to both the rehearsals and services.

Well run churches do this kind of thing, and to join the team, you have to audition (or be recommended by someone they know and trust) - good musicians WANT to play at churches when the standards are high. Perhaps you can gently educate the Worship Pastor about things like having limited time/needing music well ahead of time if he wants to have things go well or hold any kind of standard.

 

[Lardass5000]

YOU ARE SMARTER THAN THAT!

 

[DavetheDude]

Just did a rehearsal where we've gotten the songs last minute with no time to go over them. Then the day after I've gotten a text with at least 9 songs on top of the 4 we already did. This is literally giving me high blood pressure.

This.

Make charts.

Nail down what you can.

Jesus will still love you no matter how bad it is.

Also this. I hope this is of help for you. I understand your situation, but worship is not about performance (or shouldn't be). Well, shouldn't be too "bad" so the congregation can concentrate on praising the Lord, but this is what is essential about worship, also for the team standing on stage. If God has given talents, maybe also really good talents, focus should still be on giving glory to God, not oneself...

As for myself, I know your Situation to an extent, but playing week after week (Basically being the only bassist), playing with all the different musicians (I'd suppose we are round about 15 musicians in different teams) and learning to play whole lot different Songs without reading for about 95 % of the time has given me plenty of experience, security and freedom in playing, which is awesome!

I hope you'll find yourself more relaxed for future worship services! God bless you

Hey! You're new here! Welcome to TalkBass!!!!

Oh and welcome to TalkBass! There is a praise&worship thread/Club here, might be of interest to you!

 

[Bflat]

Been there before, if you decide to do it I suggest you watch the guitar players left hand on 1 that gives you the root. also palming the strings and play drums on 1 and 3......should get you through most of them!!

 

[basshack]

Oh to have your problem. Stuck in a rut here and cycling the same 40 or so songs from the 80's for the last couple of years. WL's don't source new music, our small congregation are older and don't really sing that well, the band is a small three piece and we're getting the OOS Friday if we're lucky. I know the book numbers and keys of the songs we do from their titles. Not even sure why I have the books out TBH. We have a couple of people who lead the congregation by singing but I do wonder what their purpose is. 30 minutes before the service starts they want a run through like they've never heard it before and sometimes it sounds just like that.
Rant over.

 

[Wfrance3]

I’ve played nearly every Sunday for the last year with 0 notice of what the set list will be. 8:00 - 9:00 is run through, 9:15 is go time. 5 tunes. Root 5 Octavie is your friend if it’s a tricky spot. Listen to Christian music in your car for familiarity. It works. At least good enough. If you BL base’s reasonable expectations on what you are able to put in you are good. Short notice = short prep time = low expectations.

 

[Axstar]

Jesus will still love you no matter how bad it is.

I hear he can be picky if you use mixed drivers, don't use a HPF and haven't mastered floating thumb technique. It's right there in the bible.

 

[two fingers]

I hear he can be picky if you use mixed drivers, don't use a HPF and haven't mastered floating thumb technique. It's right there in the bible.

Yer still in the Old Testament. Read the back half.

 

[zZippy]

...wishing some leaders wouldn't habitually let their procrastination and sloppiness create needless and unproductive challenges for the team.

That's exactly it. The music should be challenging. The conditions, so far as it can be helped by good planning and organization, should not be.

 

[thumpbass1]

I've been doing a worship team gig since 1990, besides being involved with secular gigs that come my way here and there. Yes I did the Christian rock thing too, prior to that, but enough about that. Anyways, I've experienced different pastors, worship leaders, etc, that have come and gone over the years. I've also experienced a wide variety of practice/rehearsal situations from preparing weeks ahead, sometimes with formal sheet music, to every musician and vocalist being handed nothing more than song sheets with just the lyrics and general chord progression labeled out, with the only rehearsal being held a couple hours before the service begins. As crazy as it sounds, it's worked out just fine, from the more experienced and professional level musicians, on down to the younger and less experienced players and singers who learn and grow as well. We older and more experienced musicians get a chance to work with, and mentor and encourage the musicians and singers who are less experienced. All in all, while it can be frustrating at times, it's also a great way to learn how to deal with a wide variety of musical situations. I wish the OP well, and I hope the situation and frustrations can be worked out.

 

[Jhengsman]

Yeah. Unfortunately this going to be my last Sunday in the town . But I'm PCSing from Fort Riley, so I feel kinda mixed about it.

I left Fort Riley 32 years ago, what major units are there now?

Been there before, if you decide to do it I suggest you watch the guitar players left hand on 1 that gives you the root. also palming the strings and play drums on 1 and 3......should get you through most of them!!

My guitarist is left handed and plays a flipped over standard tuned right hander's guitar. When we were improvising or the piano was suggesting a bass line to me it was a combination of watching where he stabbed with his left on the keyboard and calling out numbers. After a year's worth experience we moved me back with the drummers instead of being on the left listening and looking over the key's shoulder.

 

[Donald Thompson]

I left Fort Riley 32 years ago, what major units are there now?


My guitarist is left handed and plays a flipped over standard tuned right hander's guitar. When we were improvising or the piano was suggesting a bass line to me it was a combination of watching where he stabbed with his left on the keyboard and calling out numbers. After a year's wort experience we moved me back with the drummers instead of being on the left listening and looking over the key's shoulder.

I'm in first Sus Brigade. Don't know much about the other brigades here.

 

[Jhengsman]

!st and 2nd Brigades of the 1st ID (Mech) in my day.