Thinking about leave my praise/worship band

[progrmr]

I've been playing with a small coffee house church band for about 7 months now. It's my first band, I've been playing bass for about 18 months.

The band plays a lot of contemporary Christian rock - Lincoln Brewster, Seventh Day Slumber, David Crowder, Jeremy Camp, etc. Also some originals written by previous incarnations of the band.

The band is pretty much drama free, but some issues. The pastor is the lead guitar player and singer. About 3 months ago, a troubled guy that used to play bass in the band came back to the church and said he wanted to play rhythm guitar. I really am not a fan of this guy - I'm pretty sure he's actively drinking and using. Not to mention he loves his wammy bar (WAY too much IMO), and many times acts like he's playing for The Who when we're playing. He has a habit of showing up to band practice not knowing the songs and using the limited 2 hours we have to learn them.

I talked to the pastor about this because it's a waste of my time to stand around while he tries to learn the chords, and the 2 weeks practices have been more focused. Of course this morning the guy calls off sick - not the first time this has happened either.

Anyway while I'm not a fan of playing with this new guy, I'm finding that I'm just not liking the music. I dig the message behind the songs, but I don't like the bass. It's not very interesting most of the time. Alot of hitting the roots, with a few good songs/good riffs etc.

I'm taking bass lessons, 1-hour per week. This is pretty expensive, so I spend a lot of time on it. I'm doing 3 things during these lessons - 1) Theory 2) Blues 3) Learning to read music.

I LOVE blues - so interesting, so great sounding, and a great reinforcement of theory. I find that even just learning small portions of blues songs is better than practicing all the songs for the weekly service (which is about 6 songs a week).

After today's service - I'm just not feeling the music in the praise/worship band. I don't enjoy playing it. I've been thinking about leaving the band and focusing strictly on my theory study and really focusing on blues.

I'm having a hard time making this decision. Mostly because I enjoy leading people in worship and the message of the music. The content itself is leaving me feeling like I'm not doing myself any favors in growing as a musician.

Ugh - any thoughts?

 

[tank49]

I would leave the band. Play what makes you happy and you can influence people by the way the way you live your life.

 

[JerryD]

Well, I would like to ask a question. Why are you playing in the praise band to began with? Is it because you feel lead to play and sing for the Lord, or is it just to play? However I understand your pain about the other member, but keep on praying for this person, that he will find help and change. There is no place that will be perfect. Not meaning to preach, but do understand some of the problem.

I also would say hang in there, thing do change.

Thanks
JerryD

 

[pbass6811]

Well, if you're basing your decision strictly on the music, then you should probably move on. If you're getting more satisfaction from your lessons, then focus on that. If, however, the reason you want to quit is because you don't like the guy playing rhythm guitar, so you're adding "I don't like the music" to make it sound more legit, you may want to have a more serious talk with your pastor. Address the issue of the guitarist and see what his thoughts are. Maybe he feels the same way you do? Also, why not pick out some stuff that you like and see if they'll learn it? Although I'll admit I know nothing about praise/worship bands, I'd like to think that it's like most "secular" bands and song ideas are welcome from any member?

Bottom line: If it will help you become a better bassist, by all means, put in your notice and move on. If you're doing it because you don't like somebody, is that the attitude you want to convey?

BTW, Lincoln Brewster's bassist-Norm Stockton-one of my faves...although I've never listened to a single Lincoln Brewster song.

 

[Jim Campbell]

I've been playing with a small coffee house church band for about 7 months now. It's my first band, I've been playing bass for about 18 months.

The band plays a lot of contemporary Christian rock - Lincoln Brewster, Seventh Day Slumber, David Crowder, Jeremy Camp, etc. Also some originals written by previous incarnations of the band.

The band is pretty much drama free, but some issues. The pastor is the lead guitar player and singer. About 3 months ago, a troubled guy that used to play bass in the band came back to the church and said he wanted to play rhythm guitar. I really am not a fan of this guy - I'm pretty sure he's actively drinking and using. Not to mention he loves his wammy bar (WAY too much IMO), and many times acts like he's playing for The Who when we're playing. He has a habit of showing up to band practice not knowing the songs and using the limited 2 hours we have to learn them.

I talked to the pastor about this because it's a waste of my time to stand around while he tries to learn the chords, and the 2 weeks practices have been more focused. Of course this morning the guy calls off sick - not the first time this has happened either.

Anyway while I'm not a fan of playing with this new guy, I'm finding that I'm just not liking the music. I dig the message behind the songs, but I don't like the bass. It's not very interesting most of the time. Alot of hitting the roots, with a few good songs/good riffs etc.

I'm taking bass lessons, 1-hour per week. This is pretty expensive, so I spend a lot of time on it. I'm doing 3 things during these lessons - 1) Theory 2) Blues 3) Learning to read music.

I LOVE blues - so interesting, so great sounding, and a great reinforcement of theory. I find that even just learning small portions of blues songs is better than practicing all the songs for the weekly service (which is about 6 songs a week).

After today's service - I'm just not feeling the music in the praise/worship band. I don't enjoy playing it. I've been thinking about leaving the band and focusing strictly on my theory study and really focusing on blues.

I'm having a hard time making this decision. Mostly because I enjoy leading people in worship and the message of the music. The content itself is leaving me feeling like I'm not doing myself any favors in growing as a musician.

Ugh - any thoughts?

might be the best option is a side project....the pastor has to think of more than music in his dealings with troubled souls....

 

[steveksux]

Talk to the pastor, and start looking for something else. If the situation stabilizes, stop looking. If you find something more to your liking, move on.

Life is too short to spend it playing in a band that isn't floating your boat. It'd be different if you were relying on that for income. Find a praise and worship band doing songs you enjoy, that challenge you. Be happy. You can have both, but not if you don't look around.

Randy

 

[NickInMesa]

I hope he will not excommunicate you.

 

[progrmr]

Well, I would like to ask a question. Why are you playing in the praise band to began with? Is it because you feel lead to play and sing for the Lord, or is it just to play? However I understand your pain about the other member, but keep on praying for this person, that he will find help and change. There is no place that will be perfect. Not meaning to preach, but do understand some of the problem.

I also would say hang in there, thing do change.

Thanks
JerryD

When I started it was a combination of feeling led there and to play in a band. I think another part of my lack of interest is the fact that we cover pretty much everything we play. At least I do - the original music the band wrote was before my time. I had really no experience playing the music or even rock in general. I wanted to play in a band and I figured the best way would be to use my skills to bring glory to God through a church band.

I think I like listening to the music more than I like to play it. It's pretty clear that there's a problem when I'd rather do my music reading lessons (right now just notes on the E and A strings lol!) than practice songs for the band. My heart is not in it. I feel like I'm being led down a different path.

I hope he will not excommunicate you.

LOL!

 

[ChrisB2]

I think you're just bored, and you weren't getting enough out of the praise band to begin with, and now this new guy is eating even more into whatever enjoyment you might otherwise be getting out of it, and it kinda p***es you off. I can understand that. I'm like that too.

I need more playing time with a band than I can get with my church band. That's why I also play in a cover band on the weekend. It works great because I can be in two bands who's schedules never conflict with each other. I think if you find another non-praise blues band, you'll be much happier in the church band. Except for the situation with the new guy... that problem you can attribute to your pastor: IMO he should not be trying to minister to this guy by giving him a position in the band. He should minister to him, but not like that. The praise band I'm in doesn't make personnel decisions without consulting the group. Maybe the church pastor is not the right person to be leading the praise band; it seems like he is having difficulty separating one-on-one personal ministry from running a closed group. But I think you can get over the problems you're having in this group by joining another one, and continue to lead people in worship and praise, and have fun playing the blues! However, if you just can't deal with this guy, go ahead and leave, that's certainly your right... but I bet that if you had another group to play in, your tolerance level for the praise band issues would go way up.

Another thing to consider:

Leave this band; = 0 bands to play in.
Stay, and get in another band = 2 bands to play in.

I wouldn't be happy in no band, but I love being in two. It cures the boredom of playing the simpler christian tunes, plus it makes the time-wasting aspects of both bands less frustrating, because I'm getting plenty of playing opportunities.

 

[mkrtu9]

I think of playing in a Praise and Worship band not as a band but as a worship team. I try and do it for God however my pride gets in the way some times. I don't mind the music but I've met most of my musical circles through that.

I say hang in there because it isn't about you.

 

[jam.majors]

I am in a similar situation, and I actually work for my church. We have a couple that don't practice much and some that swing DIVA style too often. It is difficult.

The only answer is to talk with your pastor and pray. Really express to him how difficult this is for you.

One thing I have been contemplating for a while is a side project. It's hard with family, but I think it would be worth it to take care of that massive itch for creation and expansion.

I suppose this may be little help, but you did post on the internet... you get what you pay for :-D

 

[Gopherbassist]

About 3 months ago, a troubled guy that used to play bass in the band came back to the church and said he wanted to play rhythm guitar. I really am not a fan of this guy - I'm pretty sure he's actively drinking and using.

And...? That's no reason to turn him away, it's all the more reason to include him. If he becomes actively destructive, that's another story.

 

[finalrequiem]

My $.02? Just from some similar personal experience, I'd say if it's a side thing that you enjoy that happens to minister to people, think about quitting because you aren't enjoying it much. If you feel like, on the other hand, that it's a ministry and you feel it's calling then maybe you should just step back and make sure your priorities are right. You may just be a little burned out. I don't think there is one right answer, I just think it depends on why you're in it in the first place.

 

[Chuck King]

If you don't like the music, don't keep banging your head against the wall just because it's church. Just because a song is about God doesn't make it good music. A lot of people seem willing to cut otherwise lame music way too much slack just because it has a religious message. It seems to me that it's a pretty weak form of "giving glory to God" to play bad music in His name. Nor is it likely to provide a powerful spiritual experience for listeners, either. It sounds like you'll find a more personally fulfilling situation playing blues---if so, then do that for your musical outlet. If you really want to bring music and worship together, perhaps you can find a way to do that outside of the church group that you don't really like.

 

[Williamsburgjim]

...another thought is to take the cover tunes and arrange your own bass parts. Honestly, that's the ONLY way I can deal with many Christian rock cover's. I'm not dissing the artists or anything so don't get me wrong, however, your point about just root's is very well taken. (My arragements are primarily 70 & 80 pop rock & funk influenced, which seem to groove/go over well for the genre.)

So FWIW, ponder the creative opportununity to apply what you're learnin from your bass lessons, before you bail. That aside, I personally don't blame you if you decide to though, since if that dude has brought his 'addictive personality' to the dance, you will for sure feel that spirit, and it has the potential of causing you to 'shut down' creatively and spiritually. Remember, music has that mysterious metaphysical/spiritual effect on our consciousness/thoughts.

Jimbob

 

[SteveC]

I put my own spin on our music. As with all music, there are certain licks (Trading My Sorrows) you need to play, but I put a lot of "me" in our tunes. Yeah, there are times it isn't the most challenging, but that's OK, too.

I'm thinking about bringing an EUB for some of the "ballad type" stuff to change it up a bit.