I have quit worship music...

[Black Sheep]

This stuff can be overly dramatic, but doesn't have to be. We have to remember that whether playing in church or not, or with "faith" or not, we're dealing with the same thing: people. People are dramatic, and churches are funny places because they are full of normal people just like every other place.

It's probably wise for the OP to take a break, and watch for the next better thing that comes up, or an opportunity to return when things are better. Avoiding the drama or over-analysis will help in the long run. Always look for the lessons to learn, for yourself and for how to deal with silly people (such that have the "girl" problem, or the "bass" problem, or whatever) in a manner that doesn't kill your faith, musical enthusiasm, or relationships.

I play in church every week, and while it's not always perfect, I enjoy it immensly and am grateful for the opportunity. There are others out there who can play bass though, so if I had to take a break, I hope I could without guilt or shame, or hanging on to a feeling that I was wronged.

 

[My name is Mudd]

Church gigs from Hell...interesting concept.

That's actually a thread title elsewhere around here...I think over in the bass humor postings - that's where I got the 'pastor punching out a bass' part from, a year or so ago.

 

[Stumbo]

Church gigs from Hell...interesting concept.

That's actually a thread title elsewhere around here...I think over in the bass humor postings - that's where I got the 'pastor punching out a bass' part from, a year or so ago.

Church gigs from hell thread

 

[totallyfrozen]

Wel, Fassa, I can tell you one thing I've learned from reading this thread.

Posting a thread like this in TB is a futile waste of time. Many of the posts on here just remind us that most folks on TB don't show respect for any religion and are more than eager to make a joke out of your religion or your god (whoever it may be). There seems to be more lack of understanding than anything else. Seem like God's just a big joke to most folks here. Perhaps, the forum "Bass Humor & Gig Stories" confuses some folks so they aren't able to realize that it's not ALL bass humor; sometimes it's just gig stories. I hope you found some helpful posts here inspite of the volume of nonsense tossed in here by people who don't even have a religion.


Anyway, I don't play in a worship band now but when I do, I know TalkBass is the LAST place on Earth where I'll ever talk about it.

Thanks for giving me a chance to see this. I hope you get your own situation worked out satisfactorily.
:scowl:

 

[Munjibunga]

Wel, Fassa, I can tell you one thing I've learned from reading this thread.

Posting a thread like this in TB is a futile waste of time. Many of the posts on here just remind us that most folks on TB don't show respect for any religion and are more than eager to make a joke out of your religion or your god (whoever it may be). There seems to be more lack of understanding than anything else. Seem like God's just a big joke to most folks here. Perhaps, the forum "Bass Humor & Gig Stories" confuses some folks so they aren't able to realize that it's not ALL bass humor; sometimes it's just gig stories. I hope you found some helpful posts here inspite of the volume of nonsense tossed in here by people who don't even have a religion.


Anyway, I don't play in a worship band now but when I do, I know TalkBass is the LAST place on Earth where I'll ever talk about it.

Thanks for giving me a chance to see this. I hope you get your own situation worked out satisfactorily.
:scowl:

Wel [sic], totally (or should I call you mr. frozen), I can tell you one thing. You apparently haven't recognized the commonality of this thread with many of Fassa's others.

 

[billhilly66]

A new bass player with a 5 string fretless eh? Gotta be misogyny. What other problems could the other musicians and drummer possibly have with her?

 

[bongomania]

Wel [sic], totally (or should I call you frozen), I can tell you one thing. You apparently haven't recognized the commonality of this thread with many of Fassa's others.

Yeah, the truth is, people here aren't mocking religion, or religious people in general; they are mocking Fassa specifically. This is because everywhere she goes, people seem to treat her badly, through no fault of her own. When secular bands rejected her, she said "I never had problems like this with praise bands!" Now that praise bands are rejecting her, it must be because they're all misogynists. Not long ago she posted that she was quitting bass, because everyone disrespects bass players in her community. So the problem is that everyone in her town hates bassists, hates women, hates fretless basses, hates praise musicians, or has some other irrational hatred that has nothing whatsoever to do with Fassa's personality.

 

[Tritone]

This is because everywhere she goes, people seem to treat her badly, through no fault of her own.

Could it be??

Fassathebassist?????

 

[MNAirHead]

Shop around for better leadership.

I find volunteer gigs to be more nutty junk.

Tim

 

[My name is Mudd]

So the problem is that...

You forgot the 5-strings...

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

Yeah, the truth is, people here aren't mocking religion, or religious people in general; they are mocking Fassa specifically. This is because everywhere she goes, people seem to treat her badly, through no fault of her own. When secular bands rejected her, she said "I never had problems like this with praise bands!" Now that praise bands are rejecting her, it must be because they're all misogynists. Not long ago she posted that she was quitting bass, because everyone disrespects bass players in her community. So the problem is that everyone in her town hates bassists, hates women, hates fretless basses, hates praise musicians, or has some other irrational hatred that has nothing whatsoever to do with Fassa's personality.

It reminds me of the auditions for X-Factor/American Idol etc - where Simon Cowell is giving the contestant a healthy does of reality and they just protest that it is not their lack of talent that is the problem, it's all so unfair etc. etc.

This is why you need a teacher - there can be endless discussions on internet forums etc - but they are a waste of time as nobody can see what is going on. It is pointless commenting...

What it needs is for a good bass teacher to be standing in front of you - seeing what you are doing and then be your Simon Cowell and give an objective assessment of what you need to do to get where you want to be - or that if you are not prepared to put the work in then you might as well give up.

It really needs that face-to-face element and objectivity and with bass it's then about how much you are prepared to put into it.

 

[buzzbass]

So, I guess that the congragation's prayers have been answered then ?

 

[MatticusMania]

Are you religious at all?

Yes, in a sense. I don't subscribe to any sort of particular faith, but I abide to my own dogma. If you had noticed my sig. I am a part of the Buddhist Bassist Club.


*edit- As an aside... I don't really see what point you are trying to make by asking so.

 

[The Lurker]

I think all music should be played for ones personal enjoyment, first and foremost, and anything/one else second.

An emphatic +1.

Plus, in this context, if you're not enjoying it it's probably detracting from any spiritual component.

 

[mkandolf]

Hmm, didn't realize this was a regular thing with Fassa. Thanks Munji and Bongo for the heads up.

 

[A440Hz]

+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?

I think the reason is because just because a person starts following Jesus doesn't mean that he/she doesn't have some other 'gods' in the closet. And those little gods are things like: my competency in ______ [music, debating theology, bible knowledge, pop culture], my appearance, that people think I'm cool, etc.

In short, even Christians (myself included) are worshiping little gods at times, hoping these impotent things of our own creation are going to save us when we most need them. What happens instead, though, is that they let us down HARD, and we end up 'lookin' like a fool with our idols on the ground.' The response to that is anger, drama, and the like.

I'm learning a lot about my own stuff right now, so this is not a judgmental thing at all. This is semi-autobiographical.

 

[bajistapromedio]

I think the reason is because just because a person starts following Jesus doesn't mean that he/she doesn't have some other 'gods' in the closet. And those little gods are things like: my competency in ______ [music, debating theology, bible knowledge, pop culture], my appearance, that people think I'm cool, etc.

In short, even Christians (myself included) are worshiping little gods at times, hoping these impotent things of our own creation are going to save us when we most need them. What happens instead, though, is that they let us down HARD, and we end up 'lookin' like a fool with our idols on the ground.' The response to that is anger, drama, and the like.

I'm learning a lot about my own stuff right now, so this is not a judgmental thing at all. This is semi-autobiographical.

Wow! I think I am going to put this on my "favorite quotes" on Facebbok! This hits so close to home for me.

Just yesterday I was thinking about how defensive I can get when someone points out one of my shortcomings, because it seems like an attack on my very self worth, and in the case of music, my self efficacy. It is hard to remember that my worth is not derived from these "gods".

 

[My name is Mudd]

I think the reason is because...

malicous is right...this is SO dead a lot of the time. Nicely put!

 

[chump stain]

I was a bit of an oddity my self. When I changed who I was to conform to what's expected, I wasn't happy. I have now found a church home where I'm welcome, and it's awesome. God is good, and will provide. If you felt called to worship with your bass, keep at it, and doors will open.

There's nothing like a really great worship service, or set. When the Spirit moves, you can really feel the power. It's really special.

 

[Lincoln]

Yes, in a sense. I don't subscribe to any sort of particular faith, but I abide to my own dogma. If you had noticed my sig. I am a part of the Buddhist Bassist Club.


*edit- As an aside... I don't really see what point you are trying to make by asking so.

I'm curious, how would you define worship? And what would you consider worthy of worship?

These are questions everyone asks themselves at some point or another in life. And often people follow a calling in life that goes beyond seeking and serving oneself...in particular a Christian musician taking part in leading worship is actually functioning not just as a worshiper, but as a ministry leader. Both of which by definition are about someone other than the individual.

As a by-product of following God's call a worship leader will find fulfillment and contentment. But that doesn't mean it will always be easy. We are all human and quite subject to our own selfish interests and opinions even in the most altruistic endeavors...

Ministry and Worship are not one and the same though one way involve the other...

In short, it's not altogether easy or wise to go out just trying to please our own desires. When everyone's out for the own self, how do we work together to make the world a better place.