Question:
hi there
this is just a random thought/question that i wonder if anyone else has some ideas on, i am not sure if here or songwriting is the best place to put it so feel free to move it!
i wrote a praise song a while ago which i have introduced to my band and we have done it a couple of times at christian union. I think it is quite a good song and i have had some very encouraging feedback about it
anyway this song is fairly complicated musically (more so than your average P+W song at least!) and a couple of people have mentioned this.
i was just wondering how complicated is too complicated for congregational worship songs? should musical complexity be sacrificed for 'singability' (btw this song is pretty singable, just takes a while to pick up!). i know a lot of (ok most) hymns are fairly complex but these were written in a time when most had a fairly good grasp of music and music theory whereas today your average church member probably isn't a trained musician.
i think i know what my thoughts are but i'll let you guys think about it for a bit first!!
God Bless, Rich
Answer:
Originally Posted by I-Am-Snappy i was just wondering how complicated is too complicated for congregational worship songs? should musical complexity be sacrificed for 'singability' I would say that a song is only "too complicated" for P&W when any member of your band (or your band as a whole) is unable to play it smoothly, or when the congregation has difficulty singing it. So it's different for every group and every congregation.
With this logic, if a song is too complicated, it will become a distraction from worship for the band and/or the congregation.
That's how I would judge it anyway...
Answer:
If your band is ok with playing it, then the only bad thing about a complicated song is trying to get your congregation to buy into it.
For example: I've done Third Days "May Your Wonders Never Cease" a few times in my church. It's incredibly hard to sing and the congregation had a heck of a time catching on to it. I had almost dropped it when my pastor approached me and asked me if I'd include it in my set for the upcoming Sunday. I agreed, but with some trepidation... when I did the set, I was blown away. People had heard the song enough to memorize it and identify with it by then and it allowed them to enter into a "worship" experience as opposed to a "singing" experience.
So the lesson? Repitition is key. Play a song at least 5-6 times in a 4 month period before tossing it. Unless it really really bombs on the first or second try.
Answer:
Shake things up. Make your music more interesting than the sickening four-chord progressions that contemporary Christian music can't seem to get past.
The world needs 9ths and 13ths, I say.
Gee, I guess that's easy for a keyboardist to say.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Mr. Squirrel Shake things up. Make your music more interesting than the sickening four-chord progressions that contemporary Christian music can't seem to get past.
The world needs 9ths and 13ths, I say.
Gee, I guess that's easy for a keyboardist to say.
A nice little booklet for guitarists that might help in this regard that I have found useful is
Gig Savers: Chord Substitutions by Corey Christiansen
Its helping me move beyond the sus2 sus4 and add9 "spice chords". Lately I've fallen in love with maj 7ths....
Answer:
I make certain changes at certain times. For instance, in the song "Famous One," the chart departs from 6/8 meter in the middle of the chorus for one measure. It sounds really cool if it's done right, but from a congregational singing perspective, it breaks the flow up. So....my band just cruises right on through in 6/8 when we're playing it for the congregation. If we're doing the song as a prelude or instrumental, then we put the tricky rhythm back in...
Nate
Answer:
Originally Posted by agrimes87 I would say that a song is only "too complicated" for P&W when any member of your band (or your band as a whole) is unable to play it smoothly, or when the congregation has difficulty singing it. So it's different for every group and every congregation.
With this logic, if a song is too complicated, it will become a distraction from worship for the band and/or the congregation.
That's how I would judge it anyway...
I totally agree.
Answer:
Originally Posted by astrummer Lately I've fallen in love with maj 7ths....
Same thing with me. My opinion on this is that if a song is more complicated than the worship team is used to, practice it a few times before introducing it to the congregation.
Answer:
A song meant for congregatinal worship can only be as challenging as your congregation is able to follow.
Sure, that's putting limitations on your song selection but your goal in worship music is to, well, worship. If you're losing them because the tune is too hard to follow, try to find a way to simplify it.
In songwriting in general and worship music specifically, it's always good to have a person as a 'soundboard'; someone you can bounce your ideas off of to see if you're on the right track. Especially with P&W, the other person need not be a musician but should be familiar with different kinds of worship music and, above all, be trustworthy to give an honest opinion.
Remember that thereare 2 basic parts to a song; the rhythm and the melody. You can have something of an intricate rhythm section yet have an easy melody, one that's singable.
To have both those elements in a P&W song is excellent 'cause it can help you get your musical chops and ya-ya's out (if you and your team desire) and yet the congregation won't be lost and left out.
Answer:
In your usual church service, is there any time other than Praise and Worship (like during the offering) where you could "perform" the song for the congregation to get them used to it a bit? At my church, the worship team will do that when a song isn't particularly easy to catch onto.

I would definitely encourage a more complicated song. If you do it during praise and worship, the only advice I would have is to make the other songs you do fairly simple. Also try not to get into the habit of doing a new song every week (that really confuses people). That way, it's not too much for the congregation to handle.