A church musician's overview
It’s important to remember that the church worship context is different to a concert performance. The objective is not to entertain the ‘audience’ (or ourselves), rather it is to facilitate worship within the congregation and everything we do should be to that end. An attitude of service is essential. Of course that doesn't mean we shouldn't be creative or interesting in what we play, but we need to constantly be asking ‘Is what I'm doing helping the people to encounter God in worship?’. If what you’re doing is a distraction, then stop!
All musicians need to learn to listen to the overall sound. As team players, we need to reason from the whole to the part, not the other way round. That means continually asking yourself whether what you’re playing is contributing positively to the overall sound without getting in the way of what others are playing. Sometimes it may be appropriate to stop playing so as to let the other instruments have their space. We also need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and the overall dynamics of the meeting. It is not the worship leader's job to direct every detail.
Play with authority. Even if you’re only playing a couple of notes at a time, play with confidence, and make
sure that the team is providing sufficient support to the congregation so that they’re not uncomfortable.
Work on being ‘tight’ so that all the instruments lock together to make a cohesive and solid sound with a
steady tempo.
Think about the musical dynamics; allow your song arrangements to build in intensity at appropriate points
and pull back at other times. Think through how each instrument and vocalist can contribute to the rise and
fall of volume level and intensity, so you avoid the blandness of everything being at one level.
Practice! Develop your skills and become a master of your instrument. Try also to rehearse regularly as
a group, don’t just rely on a few stressful minutes before the start of a church meeting to figure out your
arrangements etc.
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Drums
Bass
Acoustic Guitar
Electric Guitar
Keyboards
Orchestral Instruments
Vocals
All musicians need to learn to listen to the overall sound. As team players, we need to reason from the whole to the part, not the other way round. That means continually asking yourself whether what you’re playing is contributing positively to the overall sound without getting in the way of what others are playing. Sometimes it may be appropriate to stop playing so as to let the other instruments have their space. We also need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and the overall dynamics of the meeting. It is not the worship leader's job to direct every detail.
Play with authority. Even if you’re only playing a couple of notes at a time, play with confidence, and make
sure that the team is providing sufficient support to the congregation so that they’re not uncomfortable.
Work on being ‘tight’ so that all the instruments lock together to make a cohesive and solid sound with a
steady tempo.
Think about the musical dynamics; allow your song arrangements to build in intensity at appropriate points
and pull back at other times. Think through how each instrument and vocalist can contribute to the rise and
fall of volume level and intensity, so you avoid the blandness of everything being at one level.
Practice! Develop your skills and become a master of your instrument. Try also to rehearse regularly as
a group, don’t just rely on a few stressful minutes before the start of a church meeting to figure out your
arrangements etc.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Drums
Bass
Acoustic Guitar
Electric Guitar
Keyboards
Orchestral Instruments
Vocals