Question:
Hello all,
I'm new to the post so this message might be missplaced, if this is the case then you have my appologies.
I play lead(or electric if you like) guitar at my church, and all of the musicians that I play with are very talented individuals, but for some reason when we practice and play on sunday the music just sounds so bland. The worship dirrector has tried doing all sorts of things to spice it up, like; changing the dynamic and adding stops/lead breaks. None of this seems to work, and it's really not so much "bad" as it is just boring.
On the other hand, when we just mess around durring practice we'll get into so serious jamming and it sound great and has a smooth "feel". Then, as soon as we're in the groove the worship dirrector(I think I'm misspelling this word) will wistle or flag us to stop and play the music we're supposed to be practicing, which is followed by the typical routine of trying to play the most mundaine songs all the way through without him stopping everyone.
For a while I thought he was just focusing to much on the music, then I reolized that I was focusing on the music to much. So for the time being I've stepped down from my position.
Any help/advice or "quit crying pansey" speaches would be greatly appreciated.
god bless
Answer:
Have you talked to the worship leader about it?
Answer:
I have told him how I feel, and he said that it was a heart issue that i had to deal with, and that I need to hear things through the "God filter". I value his oppinion very much, but I can't understand where he's comming from. I've played with various groups (sometimes without any notice) and when we played it was awsome, like we had been playing for years. I just don't understand it.
Answer:
Have you talked to other musicians and do they feel the same way?
Answer:
For the most part they agree with me about how practice is discouraging, and everyone but him thinks that the music is lacking. I have talked about this with him, I was just looking for other opinions/insights.
Answer:
Is the problem with the songs themselves (in other words, are they uber-boring or uber-easy songs?), or just with the fact that the band members don't seem to "get into" the songs as much as they "get into" their jam sessions?
In His love,
Nate
Answer:
what are some of the songs you sing?
Answer:
Sorry these are questions to feel out the situation...
Does the congregation feel the music is boring?
Does your Pastor feel it as well? If so, he would be the one to bring it to the worship leader; As the pastor, he should have some insight (divine or otherwise) into how the congregation feels and be working on their behalf (that would include you being part of the church body).
Answer:
I've noticed that the congregation in the past 6 months has been giving progressively more and more blank stares. People are just singing because they are supposed to, and not singing to God. I know that music is not what worship "is" but in the old testament the lead worshipers would inspire the warriors before they went into battle, so I can't help but think that it's our job to help inspire people.
Some of the songs we sing: I could sing of your love forever, God of wonders, Shout to the lord, More love more power, and Trading my sorrows(we do it differently with more of a southern rock feel, and this is one of the songs I enjoy)
The Music isn't uber-simple, it is most defenitely uber-boring, and when we're playing the songs we're supposed to be playing it's like theres a block on us and no matter how hard I try I just can't "get into it", even though I feel the power of the lyrics the music just doesn't feel right.
My pastor thinks the music is fine, but he would say it was fine even if there were squeaking voices and out of tune guitars...that's just the kind of guy he is. He plays "campfire guitar" if you understand what that means
thank you, and I awate your responses
Answer:
Here's what I would do. I have multitracking capabilities so I would arrange a song the way I wanted to do it and record it. (You dont need Multi tracking to do this but it would help) Then in my most humble demeanor I would say to the worship leader "I was working all week on an arrangement for xyz would you mind if I teach it to the band, I'd like someone to hear it and let me know if it's good enough for a service." Most likely you will play that arrangement for a service very soon. If you approach him with sincerity and slowly bring in original lively arrangements you can gradually transform even the old arrangements. Remember though, you don't want it to sound like he's being replaced, but your an aspiring young Christian artist looking to premiere some material. And most especially, remember, give him back three times the respect he shows you when it comes to his ideas. Once you start to get a few ideas worked out don't pooh pooh his. The more respect and consideration you give as a musician the more you will recieve, It's a law of some sort, I think. Good Luck!
Answer:
i would um saturate the problem with prayer, cover it from all angles, and then some
Answer:
i know where you're coming from. you said that when you play on stage it's really bland. and then when your team is just messing around then it sounds really cool. correct? i lead the youth worship team at my church and i've found that when you play music it has to be fun like when you're jamming together. think of playing on a worship team as a jam session for God. don't get me wrong though, worship leading is to never be taken lightly. NEVER! it's a big privilege to be leading others into worship. and that's where you have to "step down" and say, "Lord, i give my all to You. and right now i ask that no one would see me. i ask that they would only see You." let me give you one more thing. worship leading is like holding out your hand to your youth group and saying, "let me lead you into the throneroom of God." then God takes it from there. i hope that this helps you. God bless.
Answer:
I know it's a little late, but thank you all for your comments. I tried posting a while back, but my computer had an error or something and I forgot to re-post.
So far I have noticed two things, 1) I need to stop focusing on the music, because If that's what I'm focusing on then I'm part of the problem. 2) There is strength in our weakness....so in this case were uber-strong
I was going though the forum and I found this quote and it had quite an effect on me...I can't remember were it was though...so whoever wrote it; thank you:
"People who complain about worship music are not coming to worship. They are coming to be entertained. When they leave and have not been entertained, they complain"
I also can appreciate the comment about worship being a jam session for god, because it should...but there is a time and a place for that.
So, once again thank you everyone who posted.
Answer:
You don't have to use any of these ideas. But you can if you want.
-Someone mentioned prayer. Don't stop praying when it gets better. Everyone knows that verse... Ephesians 6:18. At all times.
-Do you always just play through the songs? Maybe reading some verses that help apply the songs. Using music to get people in the mood will never help them worship God more.
-There's nothing wrong with looking for new songs. There are some beautiful worship songs, both full of truth and musically interesting. I'm bad at names, but I know a lot of people in here that know a bunch.
-At my church, we usually introduce a new song every month or so. Sometimes you have to be careful with too many new songs, because people might not be able to worship, being so focused on getting the words right. But new songs that offer new ideas (I'm talking words, not music here) might help keep things fresh.
Josh.
Answer:
Heres my thinking of worship, for youth worship at least. I think more of the first upbeat songs (tradin my sorrows. this is how we overcome.) should be rocking and like a jam session to God, enjoy playing it, have fun, but don't forget who you are playing for. But the slower(heart of worship, hungry) are more of forgetting you are playing and just worship God. I try to not listen to the way the music sounds and if it sounds perfect and jsut worship, ya I got to play the chords and stuff but I'm not trying to do all these solos and junk. my 2 sense