I kept this non-religious and music focused on purpose. I've been playing music for about 30 years now in one format or another. Have done the rock band thing for about 24 years, but in the last 7 years I've started playing in contemporary Praise & Worship groups in various churches and I was just thinking back on all the good musical lessons I've learned in that environment that I never learned playing elsewhere.
Playing in a P&W group is quite different from other bands and ensembles I've played with. At first it just seems like another band, but as you go you realize its very different. Many of the things you learn there apply to secular bands as well and can improve them. I thought I would share some of these, so here are some of the things I've learned playing at church:
It's not about showcasing, its about collaboration - In many rock bands, the focus is the lead singer or lead guitar player which makes performances more of a showcase. At church, that emphasis shifts from focusing on a single band member to focusing on the audience and providing them what they need at that time.
Being able to perform well with little rehearsal Unlike secular bands, that typically practice for weeks and months before they hit the stage, P&W groups often go without rehearsal. Many times a long sound check is all the rehearsal you get.
Ability to learn new music quickly Each week a P&W band will get 5-6 new songs that were not played the week before. Sometimes they come in on Wednesday or Thursday and have to be ready by the weekend. Sometimes you get the songs the day before or the day off and have to be able to sight read on the fly and make it good. You get good as learning new songs fast and playing new songs on the fly.
Reading/Working with Chord Charts Ive played with sheet music in the past where each note as scripted. But working with chord charts leaves room for expression. For some thats a good thing, for others terrifying. But working in the church environment gets you used to having a chord chart put down in front of you and having to play it on the spot and make it sound like youve been playing it for years even if you have never seen or heard the song before in your life.
Ability to play with new people Since many church bands are volunteer based, you frequently find yourself playing with different band members from week to week. Each player brings their own style and level of ability with them. Its important to be able to listen to a new player, understand strengths and weaknesses and quickly adjust your playing as needed to best fit with them. For example a bass player playing with a new drummer each week. Its important to be able to quickly gel with them to make the performance work.
Sensitivity to your Audience - This is probably the biggest thing I've learned playing at church. Being able to get a sense from a group of people what they want and being able to deliver. It requires other skills listed below to be able to pull it off in real time.
Finding your sonic space - P&W groups can be larger with 7-10 instruments on stage playing at once with many of the same instrument. With that sense of collaboration instead of showcasing, it quickly becomes important to listen to what others are playing and finding other complimentary parts to add to the layer of the music. Many times in Rock bands, players force their parts in. With many P&W groups, players listen to what is being played and find a complimentary spot to fill in.
Dynamics - I've never played in a group when dynamics are more important than at church. Sometimes what you play needs to be near whisper quiet and atmospheric, other times you need to create a massive wall of sound. Going back and forth frequently is common and a necessary part of the job.
Following a leader This is another big differentiation from rock bands where everyone is focused on getting theirs on stage. In the P&W setting there is typically a defined leader. Being able to listen to their instrument or voice and keying off that in real time is crucial.
Improvisation - Improvisation plays a big part in playing at church. Being able to quickly roll with changes. Sometimes a song can be rehearsed as an upbeat rocking tune, but when it comes to that point in the service, the mood calls for a different vibe and having the ability to turn that upbeat tune into a soft ballad on the fly is indispensable.
Music Theory - In Rock bands, theory doesnt come up a ton, but many times at church the players are classically trained and somewhat fluent in music theory. They understand chords and voicings and progressions.
Transposing on the Fly - This is an extension of the music theory. With so many instruments and vocalists, its important to be able change keys on short notice. This means learning the song in a way that its portable between keys. Some use capos for this, but over time its best to see songs in I IV V format so it can be moved to new keys.
Coming with a heart to serve Otherwise known as leaving your ego at the door. This is a huge one and where secular bands and church bands most often differ. Coming into a P&W band in a non-leader role means you are there to follow the leader and help; not only the leader, but the pastor and the congregation. Without this its hard to function well in a church environment due to many of the factors listed above.
Of course many of these can be found outside of a church environment, but often times they are not. And as previously mentioned, all of these can apply to and improve secular bands as well. If you have some musical concepts that youve learned playing in church, feel free to add on. Hope this helps someone.
Playing in a P&W group is quite different from other bands and ensembles I've played with. At first it just seems like another band, but as you go you realize its very different. Many of the things you learn there apply to secular bands as well and can improve them. I thought I would share some of these, so here are some of the things I've learned playing at church:
It's not about showcasing, its about collaboration - In many rock bands, the focus is the lead singer or lead guitar player which makes performances more of a showcase. At church, that emphasis shifts from focusing on a single band member to focusing on the audience and providing them what they need at that time.
Being able to perform well with little rehearsal Unlike secular bands, that typically practice for weeks and months before they hit the stage, P&W groups often go without rehearsal. Many times a long sound check is all the rehearsal you get.
Ability to learn new music quickly Each week a P&W band will get 5-6 new songs that were not played the week before. Sometimes they come in on Wednesday or Thursday and have to be ready by the weekend. Sometimes you get the songs the day before or the day off and have to be able to sight read on the fly and make it good. You get good as learning new songs fast and playing new songs on the fly.
Reading/Working with Chord Charts Ive played with sheet music in the past where each note as scripted. But working with chord charts leaves room for expression. For some thats a good thing, for others terrifying. But working in the church environment gets you used to having a chord chart put down in front of you and having to play it on the spot and make it sound like youve been playing it for years even if you have never seen or heard the song before in your life.
Ability to play with new people Since many church bands are volunteer based, you frequently find yourself playing with different band members from week to week. Each player brings their own style and level of ability with them. Its important to be able to listen to a new player, understand strengths and weaknesses and quickly adjust your playing as needed to best fit with them. For example a bass player playing with a new drummer each week. Its important to be able to quickly gel with them to make the performance work.
Sensitivity to your Audience - This is probably the biggest thing I've learned playing at church. Being able to get a sense from a group of people what they want and being able to deliver. It requires other skills listed below to be able to pull it off in real time.
Finding your sonic space - P&W groups can be larger with 7-10 instruments on stage playing at once with many of the same instrument. With that sense of collaboration instead of showcasing, it quickly becomes important to listen to what others are playing and finding other complimentary parts to add to the layer of the music. Many times in Rock bands, players force their parts in. With many P&W groups, players listen to what is being played and find a complimentary spot to fill in.
Dynamics - I've never played in a group when dynamics are more important than at church. Sometimes what you play needs to be near whisper quiet and atmospheric, other times you need to create a massive wall of sound. Going back and forth frequently is common and a necessary part of the job.
Following a leader This is another big differentiation from rock bands where everyone is focused on getting theirs on stage. In the P&W setting there is typically a defined leader. Being able to listen to their instrument or voice and keying off that in real time is crucial.
Improvisation - Improvisation plays a big part in playing at church. Being able to quickly roll with changes. Sometimes a song can be rehearsed as an upbeat rocking tune, but when it comes to that point in the service, the mood calls for a different vibe and having the ability to turn that upbeat tune into a soft ballad on the fly is indispensable.
Music Theory - In Rock bands, theory doesnt come up a ton, but many times at church the players are classically trained and somewhat fluent in music theory. They understand chords and voicings and progressions.
Transposing on the Fly - This is an extension of the music theory. With so many instruments and vocalists, its important to be able change keys on short notice. This means learning the song in a way that its portable between keys. Some use capos for this, but over time its best to see songs in I IV V format so it can be moved to new keys.
Coming with a heart to serve Otherwise known as leaving your ego at the door. This is a huge one and where secular bands and church bands most often differ. Coming into a P&W band in a non-leader role means you are there to follow the leader and help; not only the leader, but the pastor and the congregation. Without this its hard to function well in a church environment due to many of the factors listed above.
Of course many of these can be found outside of a church environment, but often times they are not. And as previously mentioned, all of these can apply to and improve secular bands as well. If you have some musical concepts that youve learned playing in church, feel free to add on. Hope this helps someone.
