I have quit worship music...

[Eater_of_Birds]

couldnt mix faith and music myself, the music is more important IMO. id find it unlikely that its been a problem because the bands are of a worship nature, maybe they just weren't very accepting, regardless. try to find a good group certainly, and id say keep your options wider than just worship, but dont necessarily rule that out either, as it seems its clearly what you'd prefer to be playing if you had a choice. i didnt realise there was many of that type about in the uk, havent seen any up here (glasgow area) myself. havent been looking though as its not my cuppa. good luck finding something ^ ^

 

[bajistapromedio]

...i didnt realise there was many of that type about in the uk...

Hecks yeah man! The U.K produced one of the most popular (Grammy nominated, etc, etc) Christian Rock bands of today; Delirious?

 

[baddarryl]

I too play on a Worship team. Sometimes the frustrating thing is that there is a 'that's good enough' attitude and acceptance of mediocrity. I am one that likes to work things out until they are perfect. I have always griped for more practices and lately we have been getting them which is helping, but we play 6 different songs every week and many weeks the only time to run through them is Sun morning at 7! Not like we have a fixed set to perfect.

We have 10 people on our team, so are there personalities? Sure, mine among them! Somehow God always steps in and covers these issues. I have never really thought of quitting, but sometimes it does get frustrating. I was the new bassist last year after picking up an axe for the first time in 10 years. I know they had to have some patience for me. Sorry your experience wasn't the same. We generally have a healthy team thank God. Maybe another one is there for you. After all, bassists are always is demand! Just trust in Him.

 

[SactoBass]

BROTHER: "And Saint Atila raised the bass guitar up on high, saying, 'Oh, Lord, bless this thy bass guitar that with it thou mayest play thy bass notes to perfection, in thy mercy.' And the Lord did grin, and bassists did feast upon the Alembics, and Rickenbackers, and Laklands, and Rob Allens, and Fenders, and Gibsons, and Birdsongs, and --"

MAYNARD: Skip a bit, Brother.

BROTHER: "And the Lord spake, saying, 'First shalt thou tune thy Holy bass. Then, shalt thou count to three, no more, no less. Three shalt be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shalt be three. Four shalt thou not count, nor either count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy bass notes towards thou audience, who being Holy in my sight, shall love it.'"

MAYNARD: Amen.

 

[ahbassman]

Are you playing in a church praise band or in a band outside of a church that happens to play worship music? That can totally make a difference. I'm in both, and the one outside of a church is far more fun and meaningful to play in. I'm just saying that there are plenty of options. Perhaps you just haven't found the right fit for you.

 

[Eater_of_Birds]

Hecks yeah man! The U.K produced one of the most popular (Grammy nominated, etc, etc) Christian Rock bands of today; Delirious?

oops well shows what i know ^ ^ im familiar with some stuff like demon hunter, extol, august burns red, impending doom etc, not technically worship just christian. i actually hadnt heard of Delirious. well that seems unlikely from what you're saying, but i mustn't have known they were a band/praise n worshop specifically.

i cant really empathise as much (or perhaps at all) with the importance of praise through music as im a godless type, does seem to make the OP and others in a similar situation have a harder decision than typical finding a new band type fare.

 

[pi_r_squared]

I've played in a praise and worship band for 2 years now. Personally, I think making the decision to play in a worship band has all of the variables we consider for the decision to chose a church, x2, or maybe ^2.

Once we consider the parishioners with whom we worship, the clergy, the music, the doctrine.....we have all the same considerations to apply to the praise team.

I think it makes for a difficult decision, but when it fits, it's like home.

Just my 2 cents, but I wouldn't "quit", just step away for a bit, keep your eyes and heart open, and the right fit may present itself.

Best of luck.

 

[kesslari]

Wait, I thought you had given up bass and decided to play drums?
So have you stopped playing drums in worship bands?
Drums are the devils instrument, anyway. Even if they can't play tritones...

 

[bassistloaded21]

Maybe they didnt like you because you had only been playing a year and werent good enough? After only a year of playing and then trying to play in a worship band, sounds to me like that might be your biggest problem.

 

[A440Hz]

BROTHER: "And Saint Atila raised the bass guitar up on high, saying, 'Oh, Lord, bless this thy bass guitar that with it thou mayest play thy bass notes to perfection, in thy mercy.' And the Lord did grin, and bassists did feast upon the Alembics, and Rickenbackers, and Laklands, and Rob Allens, and Fenders, and Gibsons, and Birdsongs, and --"

MAYNARD: Skip a bit, Brother.

BROTHER: "And the Lord spake, saying, 'First shalt thou tune thy Holy bass. Then, shalt thou count to three, no more, no less. Three shalt be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shalt be three. Four shalt thou not count, nor either count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy bass notes towards thou audience, who being Holy in my sight, shall love it.'"

MAYNARD: Amen.

Oh, so EPIC. This should go in the TB Sticky Hall of Fame.

 

[azureblue]

that is not the problem. It really does not matter if it is a praise band or a club band, or backing Lady Gaga. The problem is how you are being treated. Is is because you are a woman? Do they think musicians are stupid layabouts? Is it because the other musicians or directors are a bunch of idiots? Is it because they think they are great players but can't play? Is it because they simply do not have any business sense, and therefore have no sense of responsibility to show up on time, ready to play, and stay focused on the music, while leaving personal problems at the door?

You can solve all of this by simply drawing a line, and respecting yourself as a professional musician. Refuse to be treated as a "girl" etc., or looked down upon because of somebody's stereotype of a slacker musician. And accept nothing less than respect and professional courtesy, if they want your talents. You can play. Don't let somebody else define you or control you by what they attempt to project on you.

 

[totallyfrozen]

While YMMV, I would say that if you arent obtaining personal satisfaction in doing what you are doing then there is no point in carrying on, religious or otherwise. I understand the sentiment of 'playing for the lord' and all, but I would think the lord would not ask you to keep up something such as playing in a worship band if you are not enjoying it.

Are you religious at all?

 

[IconBasser]

Or a Satanic Metal band...

indeed. You've tried one extreme, now go explore the other!

 

[NineSpine]

While YMMV, I would say that if you arent obtaining personal satisfaction in doing what you are doing then there is no point in carrying on, religious or otherwise. I understand the sentiment of 'playing for the lord' and all, but I would think the lord would not ask you to keep up something such as playing in a worship band if you are not enjoying it.

This isn't the time or place for logic and reason!

Really though, there is no commandment to play in a worship band. The idea that there is some kind of obligation anyone has to keep playing just for their version of God is ludicrous. Playing worship music doesn't make you any more or less a believer in anything. I could play worship music for the rest of my life, and I'd still be an atheist, just as I imagine you'll still be religious with or without it. Something tells me that if God does exist, he isn't worried about whether you play enough bass.

 

[My name is Mudd]

Oh, so EPIC. This should go in the TB Sticky Hall of Fame.

+1000 on that bit!

And I'm not trying to be a snot here, honest, but just what IS it with P/W bands that makes it all sound like some sort of junior high locker-room politics? 'Wrong' instruments, 'wrong' attitudes, 'wrong this, 'wrong' that (awhile back and somewhere else in this forum, someone talked about his pastor punching the guy's bass - you read that correctly...he was punched in is bass by his pastor during rehearsal)...I'm serious here, in that I just don't get it. Obviously, I've never been in a P/W band but somehow I'd gotten the idea that playing an instrument that you love, and with like-minded musicians, in an expression of your faith would be a rewarding experience. Instead, it all sounds like some wacked-out soap opera...what UP with that?

 

[bajistapromedio]

This isn't the time or place for logic and reason!

Really though, there is no commandment to play in a worship band. The idea that there is some kind of obligation anyone has to keep playing just for their version of God is ludicrous. Playing worship music doesn't make you any more or less a believer in anything. I could play worship music for the rest of my life, and I'd still be an atheist, just as I imagine you'll still be religious with or without it. Something tells me that if God does exist, he isn't worried about whether you play enough bass.

I don't think it has anything to do with earning points with God or whether he is worried about his followers playing bass or not. The point is attitude, commitment, and love. If you love someone, and are committed to a relationship with them, you want to do all the nice things you can for them to express your love. Writing a song to the object of your affection, or playing in a band which sings songs of affection to them, is a way for those with musical gifts to do this. I have played/sung to my lady love, and I play for/to my God whenever I get the chance.

The OP seems to want to express her devotion in this manner, but has not found a group of people whom she can collaborate with in a manner that is satisfactory to her.

 

[bajistapromedio]

+1000 on that bit!

And I'm not trying to be a snot here, honest, but just what IS it with P/W bands that makes it all sound like some sort of junior high locker-room politics?

Perhaps it is those who have had bad experiences that post? If a gig goes smoothly, it doesn't make for much of a story, does it?

I play at my own church and do paid subbing at other churches regularly, and my anecdotal evidence tells me that church bands are no worse than others, and in my case they are actually great bands to work in because of the people. Playing clubs, parties, and weddings on the other hand has left me with many more bad experiences than playing in churches and for Gospel choirs and etc. Just my experience.

 

[Munjibunga]

I like the way you say "whilst."

 

[Eater_of_Birds]

indeed. You've tried one extreme, now go explore the other!

this is why i have to say the devil has the best tunes.in my humble opinion of course.

havent really listened to Aeon much before, my loss it seems ^ ^

 

[mongo2]

I also sensed an attitude that because I was a new bassist (I'd played a year when I signed up for my first church band) a female bassist at that, playing a fretless and a 5 string bass (not the usual in these bands) I was treated as some kind of oddity, and subsequently pushed out.

That seems very contrary to the values churches espouse.