Question:
Hey guys
I was thinking about this the other day when I was choosing songs, how many of you do transitions between songs?
by this I mean either a chord progression to change key or something else so that the music goes smoothly from one song to the next. A lot of the worship leaders i know at church/Christian Union tend to just stop songs then start the next but I always try and link them as much as possible. I prefer it personally as I think it helps people to focus more without getting distracted.
For example on Friday we are doing 'Blessed be your name' into 'How great thou art', they are both in A and the chords for 'blessed be' are A E F#m D. although the chords for the verse of 'how great' are just A and D, we are going to carry on playing the 'blessed be' chords for the first verse as they work quite well and I think it enhances the overall message of the 2 songs
hopefully that vaguely makes sense?!
just wondering if you had any thoughts on the matter
God Bless, Rich
Answer:
If the songs are in the same key the transitions aren't too hard. If it's not, that's beyond my knowledge of how to do.
How would you do something like that?
Answer:
We mostly do songs in the same key... but if they're not, the guitar usually transitions.
We used to have the piano do key change transitions (we did a IV/V -- so if you're in the key of C, an F/G)... but kinda got out of the piano-led stuff more.
Answer:
I try and do transitions. Though I can't say I'm especially consistant about it. Hahaha
Originally Posted by sallyjr If the songs are in the same key the transitions aren't too hard. If it's not, that's beyond my knowledge of how to do.
How would you do something like that? Same way you do key change in a song.
Answer:
I usually try to stop at the end of every song and spend an awkward 30 seconds trying to move my music on my stand. I usually try to drop a piece or two of it, pick it up, and eventually settle in, strum one chord, and realize that i'm supposed to be using a capo. Then I put on my capo, strum a couple more times, stop to tune because it's not quite right because I didn't bother to get an electric tuner and thought i should do it by ear( and didn't spend time tuning before the service). I'll usually then turn to some of my friends who are leading worship with me and make a joke to them, turn back to the microphone and try to ease the awkward silence by repeating the same inside joke I just said to my friends. Usually then we get back to worshiping.
Answer:
I cannot think of the last time we played two songs back-to-back (i.e. nothing else in between the singing of the two songs, no readings, no prayers, no announcements, etc) without some kind of musical transition between them.
Answer:
Some of our worship leaders do and some don't.
My brother normally comes up to me (i play guitar, he worship leads) and asks what key is each song in and tells me to figure out how to transition. This sometimes leads to some weird ones, but normally same key to key or up a key.
Answer:
Another idea is to take a "cross fade" approach. If you can't make a transition using chords, then start the next song as the previous one ends. For instance, on the last chord of a song, the drums are already clicking for the next. Or one instrument actually starts the next song as the current one ends.
Just a thought.
Answer:
More honestly, I like to keep things mixed up. The worship director at my church has done transitions for years—usually the same transition—point being, eventually transitions can become trite. I think stopping a song and starting right into the next one, cross fading(as Tony said), transitioning, using scripture in between songs, and things of the type keep worship fresh.
Answer:
We usually don't do tranistions. We NEVER mix two songs togther to make one song.
Answer:
I plan the transitions as I plan my wprship program. I use several methods for planning our services. There are a few musical principles that can be applied to help transition from one song to another, but again I think it comes down to creative planning.
When picking songs for a program I choose theme first, at least to greatest extent I can. The songs should be selected so that they support and re-enforce the Pastor's message. I use a ranking system (1 - 5) to ensure that the program has build (encouraging exuberant praise or meditative intimacy). I like to start with upbeat praise to engage people and then move to more intimate songs. I think you have to engage the head before you can engage the heart. People need to disconnect from the world and connect with the Lord. It is a process. Exuberant praise and deeper intimace must be encouraaged through song selection and program planning. I don't believe those things happen spontaniously, I think it's the worship leaders job to be skilled at building atmosphere.
Some keys just don't join well, so sometimes just putting a little distance between them, such as a scripture reading, a quick word from the worship leader, even just some silence can be enough to move from one song to another. Sometimes just being creative with the beginning or end of a song helps work through a transition. Again, I think it comes down to being an effective planner, seeking the Lord in preparing the program, and having a good team who are not afraid to try new things.
Answer:
I try to make sure the music never stops. It helps everything flow together. I don't think it's 'mixing songs together to make one;' it's only moving into the next song without pausing or stopping.
A cold ending to a song is nice sometimes as well. But I make sure the music starts up again. Even when I say something in between songs, I keep playing my keyboard.
I think it helps it flow better. Less distraction.
Answer:
Unless there's a reading or something, there's always a musical transition in use at my church. Usually involves getting to the V of the new key efficiently, but creatively. I (as the leader) am also a big proponent of cross-fading (though I hadn't used that term before reading this thread) for connecting songs that are more "up."
Nate