I'm in church band. Band leader gives a set of songs to practice. After rehearsal, they decide which four songs out of the 11 they want to play on Sunday and the key they want to play in. This is really annoying sometimes as some songs are really weird to transpose,and those songs tend to take a bit to get down versus your generic 1 6 4 5 songs. Worst of all sheet music isn't always available.
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How do I make learning 11 songs a week less painful?
- Thread starter Donald Thompson
- Start date
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
Sounds like someone needs to educate your "band leader" about how to get the best out of individual band members and create a band that plays well together.
If you don't tell him what you need, how will he know?
If you don't tell him what you need, how will he know?
I'm scared, lol. The pianst is struggling as well.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
What are you afraid of? From what you've told us, I would be wary of someone in a leadership position who doesn't know how to lead. Tell him what you need to be successful (a list of sings to be learned, along with the key in which each song will be performed, and a link to a recording of the song performed in a manner similar to the way he wants it played, etc.).
If he refuses or is incapable, look elsewhere. Life is too short to play with underqualified people.
Learn 11 songs and pick 4. Wut?
OK, but you'll give me chord charts and reference recordings.
OK, but you'll give me chord charts and reference recordings.
I think the BL is reaching too high. You and the pianist and whoever else feels this way needs to have an honest talk with the BL and set some realistic expectations. Instead of shotgunning 11 songs and see which 4 are best, the BL should plan things out with the pastor and pick 4 songs that support the sermon and message the church is getting out that week. That way the band is better prepared for the 4 songs they WILL play instead of the 7 songs they WON'T play. It shouldn't be confrontational, just a simple discussion on how to provide the best worship experience for the church.
I would be grumpy if I was wasting 60% of my practice time on stuff we aren't going to play.
I would be grumpy if I was wasting 60% of my practice time on stuff we aren't going to play.
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How do I have that talk with the band leader? Me and the pianist are pretty new, and they're hard on the pianist for messing up chords. I don't want to seem like I'm just whining.
Who sings? Doesn't BL know the keys the singers like?
I get that sometimes a song needs to be transposed, but for us it's never more than a step.
Cramming 11, brand new songs inside of a week, to be performance ready is difficult. Explain it to the BL like that. The pianist can relax, nobody else is stepping up to take his place. I'm also guessing this is a volunteer gig. I don't believe a paid musician will waste time learning stuff they won't be playing. If the band can concentrate on 4 songs, that is 60% (I'm estimating) more practice time dedicated to those songs which means better mastery of the music and fewer mistakes. I get the impression you aren't being given sheet music, charts or anything and it is up to you to figure it out. That's a formula for failure. Express to the BL you want to give the church the best possible experience and that is why you are *asking* for the change. Again, non-confrontational.
11 songs is too much. I also play in church and we do 5 songs each service. We rehearse Tuesday nights. The BL posts the 5 songs in Planning Center Online (app) no later than Monday. Once in a while there will be an extra song if he's undecided. IMO it's the BL's responsibility to decide the 4 songs in advance. Of course, after many years, we all know most of the songs anyway, but still it's poor planning. Maybe you could ask one or two other people in the band to approach him together on the issue?
Talk with the worship leader. He's being unreasonable. Pick 4 songs and decide key before rehearsal. If a change is needed after rehearsal, everyone discusses it.
This sounds like a few church BLs I've dealt with. They don't know what they're doing and have no respect for other people's time. How does everyone else feel about this workflow? If you are the odd man out, you may have decide whether to go along or bow out.
sorry, donald, but if you can't go to 'the source' and discuss/confront the issues about which you made this thread = you're whining!
communication is key!
tell the guy: "i can't keep up with your version of 'assignments' and i need you to change your expectations in order for me to remain within my comfort zone while preparing for this _________* !"
* call it what you like:
- __ service!
- __music!
- __schedule!
- __ bull-
!that last one is just me.
good luck!
Bandleader should be deciding keys and hopefully provide some sort of chart to facilitate learning and performance and be sure everyone has access to a reference recording. If transposition is a must, to accommodate various vocalists [usually] then that should also be decided by the bandleader. Nashville or Number notation is a must for songs that might need to be transposed.
The ad hoc situation you describe is exactly why I avoid such playing opportunities. .
The ad hoc situation you describe is exactly why I avoid such playing opportunities. .
Hmm, not sure what the issue is. I don't have any experience doing praise/worship material, but If you ever do much general subbing, it's not at all uncommon to be expected to learn 30-35 songs in a week or less (depends on when you get the sub call). I've done this alot during my playing career and it's really just a matter of digging into the material and making meaningful notes. It can be a bit of a challenge, but not impossible.
If transposing is the issue, you might try learning/using the Nashville Number system ... it can really help move things away from fixed keys.
good luck!
If transposing is the issue, you might try learning/using the Nashville Number system ... it can really help move things away from fixed keys.
good luck!
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
In jazz, we often do that to accommodate the vocalist; there's an explainable reason.
Why does your BL do it?
Having to learn 11 songs only to have them chuck 2/3's of them sounds a bit squirrely to me.
Unrealistic expectations much? I think that BL needs to focus a bit.
Unrealistic expectations much? I think that BL needs to focus a bit.
