I don’t hide from the fact that I play in a worship band. In fact, that has been one of my primary musical outlets for most of my life, and the Mass (I’m Catholic) has been a source of inspiration as I’ve written many songs over the years for worship. For those who are in a worship music group, they “get” that inspiration. It’s not about performance, and it’s not just about the praise. To me, it’s about creating a connection with the congregation, and inviting them to join us on the journey that is the service.
In the past, I’ve come across some visitors here and people on forums who scoff at worship players, with some going so far as saying, “Why don’t you play a REAL gig?” What idiots like that don’t realize is that playing in a worship setting is actually one of the hardest gigs to play, because you can’t just go out and rip it up like you would in a club. You’re constrained by the service, and this means that you have to be able to play different styles of music, from rock to even classical, and if you have a group like mine that consists of entirely volunteers that have day job (I’m the only paid worship leader, but I also have a regular job), then you have to also deal with changing instrumentation and arrangements from week to week.
Then on top of all that, volume is always an issue in a church building. So you also have to take that into account. As I play mostly vintage-style amps, they have to be cranked to get some grit, so I’ve had to resort to all sorts of solutions from drive and distortion pedals to attenuators to introduce some dirt into songs.
The stuff I’ve mentioned above are just mechanics, but there’s another side of doing a worship gig that’s even more important than all that, and that is you can’t suck. To me, nothing takes away from a service more than music played poorly. The higher the quality of the presentation, the more connected the assembly becomes, and that means that the worship experience is that much more meaningful to the people. We, as worship musicians, have to always keep in mind that we are there as facilitators of the worship experience, and thus we have to have a command over that for which we are responsible: our music.
Lots of people over the years have tried to join our group – singers and musicians alike – and only a few have stuck with it. Those who don’t – especially experienced gigging musicians – almost invariably say that playing in a worship service is A LOT harder than they thought it would be because there’s just so much to think about. So for you worship players out there, take heart in what you provide because you’re playing in a venue that is incredibly difficult to play in. For the opinionated and ignorant who say us worship musicians aren’t doing a “real” gig, I challenge you to try it yourself. I doubt you’d be able to stick with it.
Guitar Gear 
I don’t think it reflects on the player. You might be a great player. I like what I listen to and I am just turned off by some forms of music that do not appeal to me. That is true of everyone.
To me all this rap and whatever, is just unbearable but some just love it. The same with “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus or God, God, God” in songs, some might just love it, I can’t handle it.
I dig guitar and if it’s good, it’s good, one reason I try to stay with instrumental pure music, it gets rid of the words which segregate and divide. Musical tones and sounds are a universal language, words cause problems. Heavy lyrics and Black Sabbath does not make me want to worship some version of a devil just as religious stuff does not make me want to sign up for that either.
What upsets me about religion is attitude and the collage of utter nonsense they have produced and inflicted on humanity ever since the first one was contrived. You can believe what you want, people do, it is a matter of utter genetics and nothing more. Reality is what is left after all the contrived beliefs, false assumptions, lack of facts, nonsense and make-believe is removed. I do not care what a person believes, if you harm no one in the process, who should care, BUT that has not been religious history of human kind now has it??? “God” and all the infinite, differing, contradictions is merely a “WMD”. It has never brought peace to the world and never will (until all those who do not believe the same are dead)!
Persons who do not believe and have no need or wish to be a part of the uncountable religious collages of confusion have as much right, or more so, not to believe nor be killed and harmed by those who do, and vice versa. (‘Killing in the name of” by Rage playing in the background)
Muscianship does not enter into the picture. We get inspiration from differing sources and our inherent abilities, if you wish to believe “God” is the source, fine, whatever.
Eventually the issue of religion and God is all answered by crickets in an empty field. After all the righteous killing, battles, destruction and burning fades, …just crickets.
If you want to imagine invisable, undetectable creatures are flying around the field, that is your problem. Those of us who do not, are no less, human beings and have as much right to live and enjoy life. We live in a society where delusional, imaginary nonsense is considered “normal”. I often used to sum up the issue in debates with the statement, religion is all fine and is a part of some human behaviors, now, if just 2 of them agreed on it.
What are you talking about?!!!! This wasn’t a religious debate. Talk about random rambling! Sheesh!
It’s clear that one of the other posters has a beef with words. Just as words can kill and divide, they can also heal and mend. Instrumental music is good, but so is music with lyrics. Words are an expression of our love, hurt, frustration and humanity as much as the music itself is. I find it hard to agree with that expression being limited any more than I agree with some of the things that have been done in the name of religion or God throughout history. My personal source of inspiration for music comes from my relationships with my wife, kids, God and fellow man. I play on a worship team off and on myself. It’s hard work.. I don’t get paid, it requires tons of time.. I have expensive pro level gear, we use in ear studio monitors, iso cabs for our amps, play 3 sets per weekend in a room of 1000 people… None of my local club buddies are getting that kind of experience. It’s like having to mix both studio and live into a single performance.
Exactly! I’ve thought about iso cabs, but just go with an attenuator. As long as we don’t exceed 100dB, we’re usually good. 🙂
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist or brain surgeon to figure out that Paul is a very unhappy, maladjusted person. Anyone who says religion “has never brought peace to the world and never will (until all those who do not believe the same are dead)!” has been ignoring the lessons of history for the last 100 years. Hitler’s atheistic regime was the cause of death for far more people than ever died in all the religious wars and conquests put together. We don’t need intolerance from the religious, but neither do we need it from the irreligious. Paul would do well to re-think his rant before sending it over the Internet. And yes, Goofy Dawg, playing in a praise band is lots harder than the uninitiated could possibly imagine!
Sunday Morning
8am.
Rehearsal for 2 or 3 songs you’ve done before and add one you may not know.
Balance the sound with the sound man(me) also being the bass player. Down to the board make adjustments and back to the stage and the bass(glad I don’t sing I would not have the breath).
9 am Break for Bible study, Sunday School or go get a coffee
10:30
lights, camera, projector, action
We are playing, the singers are singing, the congregation is singing, smiling and in to it. Then sit back and take it all in for the next hour or so.
12:00
pack up go home and do it all again next week.
I listen and play rock, prog rock,country and blues through the week and change the radio off the Christian station my loving wife listens to almost exclusively through the week. However there are those songs in every genre including Christian that will bring tears to my eyes before the first verse is finished.
Music is about emotion and message. Its about being human. It speaks to most of us at a level few if us can explain.
Some get it, some don’t such is life. Free will rocks and I made my choice and I respect others and judge none.
Our praise band members are from all experience levels and we all learn from each other.
drummer female 15( she also plays guitar and sings)
lead Guitar/singer Male 30 something( also plays a mean trumpet)
Rhythm Guitar/singer male 30 something
Singer song writer rhythm male 17
Alt lead guitar/keyboards male 17
Bass guitar 50 something
Singers all ages and any welcome.
Not everyone plays every Sunday but we have and some days we rock and some days we suck but we always enjoy the experience
IMHO GoofyDawg you rock and thanks for all your hard work it really means something to some of us.
and thats my ramblings for today
PS please support a food bank this season every little bit helps someone who needs it
Guys, thanks so much for the support! @John Lewis, point well taken! For us, we just do a single service, but it’s a time commitment:
3 pm: Musicians arrive and set up rigs. Go over all the songs for the service and possibly learn a new number (usually introduce a new one every couple of weeks). Usually get this done in a half hour, so we spend time “bonding,” which means we jam. 🙂
4 pm: Singers arrive, and we go over the entire set, work out any vocal kinks and add harmonies. Pretty much take all the time for this, though we break at the end for 5 minutes before Mass.
5pm: Service starts.
I played in Catholic masses for a time playing my classical guitar with others on steel strings. Later playing in charismatic services on electric, wah-wah and Marshall. It is more demanding as you have said especially leading and for all the reasons you have stated. But in all my 45 years of playing, with years of professional playing and years of part time gigging, the worship has absolutely been the most gratifying and fulfilling experience of my life. Not necessarily in relation to an audience except of course the object of worship Who is God, but because it is why we were created-to worship the Father. I’m looking forward to the time when we can join the angels in worshiping around the throne for eternity.
Attenuators, specifically the Faustine for my taste, are the ticket. For years I’m sure I blew peoples ears out at times. I’ve been confronted by others. There is not much worse than an egomaniac blowing a bunch of notes while people are trying to worship. And I have been guilty.
The hardest aspect of being involved in worship music for me is pride. Showmanship. Thinking any of my hot licks or “wonderful” improvisational skills are of value in that venue. I’ve become acutely aware in the middle of “performing” that God was not impressed. I mean I was mortified, stopped in my tracks. But correction is good. All He cared about was a heart poured out to Him. Yes, do it well but with humility, remembering from where the gifts come.
Scoffers do not bother me. Critics will always be there until the end. There is only ONE Who matters. Thanks for the post. Sincerely, Leo Bacarella
Leo, great comments, my friend! Humility is a HUGE thing! As long as we remember what we’re there for, we’ll always be humble!
Interesting comments. What was this thread about? Just kidding. I haven’t played in clubs, but I have played guitar, mostly electric in our Praise Band for about 8 years. Yesterday was the last day for our leader/keys/vocals and his son the bass player. So we’re in for some trying times.
Playing in a Church, Worship band is a great way to play live and express yourself. Sometimes rocking out. Other times, mellow on acoustic, or just cleaner playing on electric. But we’re playing! We’re doing what we love.
My inspiration IS from Jesus. That’s why we praise Him. To each his own.
Life’s too short to not “go for it” and join whatever type of band suits you.
Most of us are playing because we want to play. Some fortunate ones are getting paid for it. But that just adds to the pressure.
Volunteering in a Praise Band brings great joy. And it’s freeing to the Spirit.
The team might not want to do your originals. That’s ok. Stick with it. Be a team player. And as I have always said, Just be happy to be a part of…” Peace, JM