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Things I've learned playing at church
- Thread starter Jarrett
- Start date
We've had lots of drama in my praise band, and people have left, most notably our singers. I learned on Friday that a 4 piece praise band that's all guys with bar band voices is really appreciated.
Praise bands ROCK.........now at least!
Praise bands ROCK.........now at least!
First, let me say I am a Christian musician, and since 1983, I have not played secular music. From 1964 until then I played in a variety of bands, several with moderate regional success. I have toured nationally in a couple of Christian bands. Currently I play in two week-ender bands, and sit in the bass chair at my home church.
So I could almost say I have seen it all, but I would be kidding myself .
There has certainly been some excellent points brought up in this thread, and I have more than enjoyed it. Like most situations in life, there are many personal experiences that seem to contradict each other. Fact is, as we share our opinions, there is opportunity to grow. I will share a little myself:
1. Since I chart all songs using the Nashville Numbering system, "on-the-fly" key changes are not a problem - for the most part. Although I do agree that some key changes play havoc with certain instruments.
2. To say church musicians are all second class pickers is not fair. I see just as many sub-par musicians playing other genre music as I do church musicians. One disadvantage for Christian musicians is our audience (for the most part) is sober.
3. Playing on a Worship team is not the same as playing in a established group. Imagine playing in your bar band and playing a different 45 minute set each week, and seldom repeating any of the songs. Plus learn a new song every week with a total of maybe two hours of band rehearsal.
4. We have a nine member band at our church, and I am very confident a couple of them never practice. My own wife, for one, who plays fiddle (violin) never practices. I put in at least three hours per week, and I know our drummer(s) has to be putting in time working on our material. I am confident a little more preparation (by everyone) outside of rehearsal would be a great benefit.
5. In the P&W team at church, I accept it for what it is. We have a leader who not necessarily by choice must make on-the fly decisions, based on her years of experience. Song arrangements, chord and key changes, dynamics, tempo, just about any aspect of the song is subject to change. Since we are all volunteers, members come and go frequently. Again, our worship team at church is a lot different than playing in a traveling band.
6. I am blessed that our P&W team does not have a lot of the issues you folk have brought up. I myself see my position and bassist on the praise team as one of service, to lead the body of Christ into an attitude of praise, and to encourage and support our Worship leader and all the other members of our band.
So I could almost say I have seen it all, but I would be kidding myself .
There has certainly been some excellent points brought up in this thread, and I have more than enjoyed it. Like most situations in life, there are many personal experiences that seem to contradict each other. Fact is, as we share our opinions, there is opportunity to grow. I will share a little myself:
1. Since I chart all songs using the Nashville Numbering system, "on-the-fly" key changes are not a problem - for the most part. Although I do agree that some key changes play havoc with certain instruments.
2. To say church musicians are all second class pickers is not fair. I see just as many sub-par musicians playing other genre music as I do church musicians. One disadvantage for Christian musicians is our audience (for the most part) is sober.
3. Playing on a Worship team is not the same as playing in a established group. Imagine playing in your bar band and playing a different 45 minute set each week, and seldom repeating any of the songs. Plus learn a new song every week with a total of maybe two hours of band rehearsal.
4. We have a nine member band at our church, and I am very confident a couple of them never practice. My own wife, for one, who plays fiddle (violin) never practices. I put in at least three hours per week, and I know our drummer(s) has to be putting in time working on our material. I am confident a little more preparation (by everyone) outside of rehearsal would be a great benefit.
5. In the P&W team at church, I accept it for what it is. We have a leader who not necessarily by choice must make on-the fly decisions, based on her years of experience. Song arrangements, chord and key changes, dynamics, tempo, just about any aspect of the song is subject to change. Since we are all volunteers, members come and go frequently. Again, our worship team at church is a lot different than playing in a traveling band.
6. I am blessed that our P&W team does not have a lot of the issues you folk have brought up. I myself see my position and bassist on the praise team as one of service, to lead the body of Christ into an attitude of praise, and to encourage and support our Worship leader and all the other members of our band.
