Worship Bassists Unite

[oxygenbass]

I've been playing at Puyallup Foursquare Church for a few years now.

I've been through a lot of basses looking for the right one for me, but I've found the right one in my G&L L2500 Tribute. I replaced the series/parallel switch with an outer coils/parallel/inner coils switch and that has opened up my tonal options in big ways!

Since then I've been trying to find the right amp modeling pedal or multieffects unit. I've tried a Sansamp Programmable BDDI and going direct, but here's the funny thing - I sounded best through my Behringer 300w combo amp! The center mid frequency is 630hz, and it turns out that scooping the mids at 630hz gives the perfect round tone and eliminates the resonant frequency problem I was having at church. I sold the Sansamp and bought a Hartke Bass Attack pedal which has a sweepable mid freqency notch filter. I can add tubey warmth and cut the mids at the right spot. I've also got a Korg AX3000B multieffects pedal board coming in the mail and I'm going to see how that works for me as well.

A great bass driven worship song is "Time Has Come". I don't know the artist. All I know is that I need to get the middle bass solo part down. I think I'm going to use Audacity to slow the song down and get that solo worked out.

My spiritual walk is really dry right now. I haven't been consistent in the Word or in prayer or in worship. I don't listen to Christian music. My motivation for practice is low. I think I need an authentic encounter with Jesus. I do believe but there's no passion there and I'm pretty sure I've been going through the motions for a long time. If you guys wouldn't mind praying for me about this I'd really appreciate it.

Dude i would love to pray for yoy but i also would like to give you some advice from a bassist and worship leaders point of view.

1. Take some time out everyday and read a devotional book to help you get back into the word and prayer - The purpose driven life by rick warren or Stop acting like a christian, just be one by Christine caine.

2. Fast 1 day a week - focus on commiting to God in other ways

3. Tell your Worship leader how you are doing - when you are leading a group its good to know where your musicans are at, and they can begin to speak into your situation.

4. James 4.8 says "draw near to God and God will draw near to you" - Dude you need to make steps towards God so he can have a encounter with you - freewill means if you take one step back from Jesus he takes 1back from you!

God is relational like us and he desires to be near to us - but you have to make a way for that to happen - get praying, fasting, investing in yourself with God!

Mate you have to be solid with commiting to God - if you cannot close your eyes and see the "Glory of Calvary" and the "fantastic sacrifice" then you need to get more God.

As a worship leader (and ive done this with my gals and guys) i would reccomend you take sometime now and then off your rota playing bass and just go to church normaly and make sure you encounter God from the congregation!

Praying for you mate

and if you need any style of Christian music let me know!

 

[fourstringbliss]

Dude i would love to pray for yoy but i also would like to give you some advice from a bassist and worship leaders point of view.

1. Take some time out everyday and read a devotional book to help you get back into the word and prayer - The purpose driven life by rick warren or Stop acting like a christian, just be one by Christine caine.

2. Fast 1 day a week - focus on commiting to God in other ways

3. Tell your Worship leader how you are doing - when you are leading a group its good to know where your musicans are at, and they can begin to speak into your situation.

4. James 4.8 says "draw near to God and God will draw near to you" - Dude you need to make steps towards God so he can have a encounter with you - freewill means if you take one step back from Jesus he takes 1back from you!

God is relational like us and he desires to be near to us - but you have to make a way for that to happen - get praying, fasting, investing in yourself with God!

Mate you have to be solid with commiting to God - if you cannot close your eyes and see the "Glory of Calvary" and the "fantastic sacrifice" then you need to get more God.

As a worship leader (and ive done this with my gals and guys) i would reccomend you take sometime now and then off your rota playing bass and just go to church normaly and make sure you encounter God from the congregation!

Praying for you mate

and if you need any style of Christian music let me know!

Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely pick up a copy of "Stop Acting Like a Christian" today if I can - it talks about going through the motions and that's definitely what I've been doing.

I've never been much of a faster so that would probably be good as well.

We have three worship teams on three week rotations, so I do have opportunities to worship with the congregation. I need to be praying for our leaders, though, since I'm sure they're under attack. They don't check in with us except at rehearsal, and then it's as a group. Maybe it's my job to do that, though. Maybe if it's on my heart I should walk out the lead in that.

You're absolutely right about drawing near to God and He'll draw near to us. I know He's right next to me. I've had this picture of looking for God saying, "God, where are you?" when He's right behind us - we just have turned away. All we need to do is turn around and there He is - that's what I need to do.

Thanks for the prayers and the words and for starting this thread. It's definitely getting bookmarked!

 

[DGbass70]

DGBass70:

welcome to the "new world" of worship music! I think you will find it very different than other gigs you have played....I have focused on worship music for most of my playing, but I am by no means an expert....here are a few thoughts:

1) WHATEVER YOU DO - DO NOT FORGET THAT YOU ARE WORSHIPING GOD...not "just playing".

2) keeping that in mind, keep a worshipful presence while playing to keep from losing the focus.

3) in worship music "less REALLY is more" for many songs (not all - but many).

4) Worship songs are sometimes played in "wierd" keys (like Eb) be prepared for that which may mean playing in areas of your fretboard you are not currently comfortable with...

5) If you do not have one already, consider a 5 string...it will be invaluable in worship music (see #4 for one of the reasons!).

6) I think you need to focus more on "the team" in worship environments since you may have quite a few singers and may be dealing with more "moving parts" than you did in your past endeavors. make the TEAM sound good and you are doing your job - YOU do not have to be the focus....but if you make the TEAM sound good, you will be noticed!

7) If you lose your focus (or forget #1), take some time off to get back to the focus..

8) If you can, start listening to alot of Christian Music and, better yet, the songs you will play - it will spiritually get you set and will allow you to grow and become familiar with this "new genre"....

9) NEVER forget #1

I need to keep reminding me of these myself...

peace and blessing to you!

Doug

Thank you for the advise,it's really appreciated.

Any other pointers are always welcome.

 

[iamlowsound]

Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely pick up a copy of "Stop Acting Like a Christian" today if I can - it talks about going through the motions and that's definitely what I've been doing.

I've never been much of a faster so that would probably be good as well.

We have three worship teams on three week rotations, so I do have opportunities to worship with the congregation. I need to be praying for our leaders, though, since I'm sure they're under attack. They don't check in with us except at rehearsal, and then it's as a group. Maybe it's my job to do that, though. Maybe if it's on my heart I should walk out the lead in that.

If your leaders aren't stepping up to see how everyone is doing, do it yourself. It is called taking initiative and is a sign of a true leader. Lend a hand where you see areas lacking, don't wait for someone else to do it, because chances are that no one else will. Which is a real problem in the North American church these days, we need people to stand up and stand out for their faith (which is my personal motto). If I am not feeling that I am right in my walk, I remove myself from the worship team until I feel that I am right with God. Your job is to lead others in worship, so if you are not close and intimate with God, how to you expect to lead others to that place. You can't lead anyone to a place where you are not. It might help to take some time off and just seek God. One of the best things that I have found is to turn off the TV for a week, and spend that time with God, soaking in his presence, reading my bible, worshiping ect. It is a great time and often after I do this the TV goes on less the next week. Remember, fasting doesn't have to be from food.

Some absolutely fantastic worship books are the worship series by Matt Redman. I am reading inside out worship right now and it is knocking my off my feet. Such an fantastic book.

I said I was getting the tattoo about worship (I have my views on tattoos and you have yours, lets not start a debate about this) so here is a few pictures. BTW I am ripped.

Translated from Greek it reads "live to worship".

lowsound

 

[oxygenbass]

I totally echo exactly what this guy is saying!

the only way to change something sometimes is by getting stuck in - its what Jesus did on earth!

sweet tatoo mate!

Other good books and resources for worship musicans are

Extravagant worship - darlene zsenech
Facedown - Matt redman
Passion for your name - tim hughes
Working as a band - CD- Phatfish - BRILLIANT CD Resource
WhAt is worship - Tozer

I reccomend all the above resources as top quality!!

 

[iamlowsound]

I totally echo exactly what this guy is saying!

the only way to change something sometimes is by getting stuck in - its what Jesus did on earth!

sweet tatoo mate!

Other good books and resources for worship musicans are

Extravagant worship - darlene zsenech
Facedown - Matt redman
Passion for your name - tim hughes
Working as a band - CD- Phatfish - BRILLIANT CD Resource
WhAt is worship - Tozer

I reccomend all the above resources as top quality!!

Facedown is the next book on my reading list. I have the entire series and my mom (who is the head worship leader at my church) is making everyone read the unquenchable worshiper, which is another fantastic book. If anyone wants to gets really pumped up for revival, check out the book "Revolution: the call to holy war" by Michael Brown. Great book.

That is my first tattoo, but I already have a few more planned out. I almost passed out getting it, remember when you go get a tattoo, drink orange juice and take some along to drink while you are getting it. I didn't do this and got really light headed.

lowsound

 

[JansenW]

I totally echo exactly what this guy is saying!

the only way to change something sometimes is by getting stuck in - its what Jesus did on earth!

sweet tatoo mate!

Other good books and resources for worship musicans are

Extravagant worship - darlene zsenech
Facedown - Matt redman
Passion for your name - tim hughes
Working as a band - CD- Phatfish - BRILLIANT CD Resource
WhAt is worship - Tozer

I reccomend all the above resources as top quality!!

Another good devotional about being on a worship team: "Heart of an Artist" by Rory Noland
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[fourstringbliss]

Thanks for the list of great books! I think I'll start with "Stop Acting Like A Christian - Just Be One" and I'll probably start reading "Waking The Dead" by Gary Eldridge as well.

I also need to not allow Satan to punk me into thinking that I'm stuck with my past. I can't change things I've done in the past but I don't need to carry them around my neck either. His mercies are new each day, right?

I'm really glad this thread was started. Let's make it a megathread, huh?

 

[fourstringbliss]

If your leaders aren't stepping up to see how everyone is doing, do it yourself. It is called taking initiative and is a sign of a true leader. Lend a hand where you see areas lacking, don't wait for someone else to do it, because chances are that no one else will. Which is a real problem in the North American church these days, we need people to stand up and stand out for their faith (which is my personal motto).

lowsound

I'll do that. We're on three-week rotations so we only see each other as a group about once a month. That's too long apart to develop much group cohesion or to develop relationships within the group. I need to get an email listgroup started so I can facilitate prayer requests so we can be in each other's prayers in a more ongoing manner and pray more specifically for each other.

 

[fourstringbliss]

G&L L2500 Tribute (modified)

And I'll be playing it through these:

Korg AX3000B
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Hartke VXL Bass Attack

 

[iamlowsound]

I'll do that. We're on three-week rotations so we only see each other as a group about once a month. That's too long apart to develop much group cohesion or to develop relationships within the group. I need to get an email listgroup started so I can facilitate prayer requests so we can be in each other's prayers in a more ongoing manner and pray more specifically for each other.

Try and see if you can get mid week practices going. Not only does it bring you tighter as a band, but it will also develop relationships between the people in the band and bring you closer to God. Also, try to really dig into the psalms, lots of great stuff in there about worship.

lowsound

 

[oxygenbass]

Try and see if you can get mid week practices going. Not only does it bring you tighter as a band, but it will also develop relationships between the people in the band and bring you closer to God. Also, try to really dig into the psalms, lots of great stuff in there about worship.

lowsound

I agree - you need to fellowship with eachother as well as play bass with eachother!

Have food, go bowling whatever - make sure you do more than just play music together

Praying together too!

 

[mat gregory]

I've read Chris Tomlin's book "the way I was made" and found it really helpfull with music! I recommend it anyone! I saw Tomlin in Stoke a few weeks ago and he was awesome!

Heres some Gear pics... warwick FNA which is my spare bass, Musicman Sterling which is my main bass, and a cheap fretless for dossing about on =]

Thats me rehearsing at church

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

That 75 P Bass isnt mine, I borrowed it and got SUPER GAS, i love the photo though. The photo is taken at a festival i played at with the secular band i play in!

 

[tom grossheider]

Another good devotional about being on a worship team: "Heart of an Artist" by Rory Noland
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

If you can only study one book, make it Rory's book. I still go back to it as a reference. Like Matt Redman said,

"No one can sing of things they have not seen
God, open our eyes towards a greater glimpse
The glory of You, the glory of You
God, open our eyes towards a greater glimpse"

 

[oxygenbass]

I've read Chris Tomlin's book "the way I was made" and found it really helpfull with music! I recommend it anyone! I saw Tomlin in Stoke a few weeks ago and he was awesome!

Heres some Gear pics... warwick FNA which is my spare bass, Musicman Sterling which is my main bass, and a cheap fretless for dossing about on =]

Thats me rehearsing at church

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

That 75 P Bass isnt mine, I borrowed it and got SUPER GAS, i love the photo though. The photo is taken at a festival i played at with the secular band i play in!

Hey just wanted to say i Really like your pics mate!

Im Uk to - I move to Carlisle in a week and one day!

 

[basspraiser]

excellent post basspraiser.. something we all should strive for..

why - THANK YOU SIR!

 

[stedtale]

(stedtale, you ALWAYS crack me up! We still have to hook up)

Salem Baptist, New Brighton, MN - been playing Contemporary Christian since 1990.

Favorite Worship Leader: Tommy Walker
Favorite song we play: "I'd Like to Thank You Jesus" Bryan Duncan (wicked bass part by Jackie Streets)
for that matter . . . favorite Christian Musician/Vocalist - Bryan Duncan - if you have NOT heard him DO!
Basses & Worship rig: Carvin LB75P, Fender P-J, Fender Jazz (fretless), Hartke 3500 & Hartke VX 410, occasional pedals.

I got to meet Exalt in person tonight, what a great guy.

 

[oxygenbass]

I got to meet Exalt in person tonight, what a great guy.

its class you guys have met up, like the idea that peolple really are connecting on this forum!

 

[ExaltBass]

I got to meet Exalt in person tonight, what a great guy.

I enjoyed meeting & talking with you a lot! (Sweet LDS 3x8 cab too) I'm sure I'll catch you again.

What is the technique equivalent of GAS? Whatever it is - I caught it last night . . . Tasty playing and a smooth fluid technique! Gotta practice!

(...and, as my phone captured, he is wayyy better looking than his avatar would lead you to believe)

 

[stedtale]

I enjoyed meeting & talking with you a lot! (Sweet LDS 3x8 cab too) I'm sure I'll catch you again.

What is the technique equivalent of GAS? Whatever it is - I caught it last night . . . Tasty playing and a smooth fluid technique! Gotta practice!

(...and, as my phone captured, he is wayyy better looking than his avatar would lead you to believe)

your check's in the mail sir!





Thanks for the props, I gotta come see you sometime soon.