Band, Drums, Piano, Vocal Team, Voice
21 Things for Your Band
Ideas to Refresh Your Band
Does it seem like the music in your church is stuck on repeat mode? Here are 21 things your team can do to make your music sound fresh again. The major impact of song is found in the details. Surprise yourself of what a little tweaking can do to switch-up your vocals and band.1. Begin the song by developing a fundamental groove.
This comes from bass and drums which will underpin the entire song. Get the guitars and piano out of the way. Let the bass and drums take the verse, bring in the guitars and piano on the choruses.
2. Never underestimate the power of intros and choruses. They are the most memorable parts of the song and will keep the church singing.
3. Don’t be afraid to incorporate drum loops. Give the control to the drummer to operate and cover parts.
4. Make sure the kick and bass guitar lock-in the notes together. Practice and learn how to play with a click.
5. Keyboard players invest in purchasing new sounds/upgrades for your synth. If you have a Mac, hook it-up and use it. Also explore channel effects in each sound: reverb, chorus and delay mixtures.
6. Intermix hand percussion to add textures. Map out rhythm patterns and sounds for various parts of the song.
7. Drummers: use a second snare that is completely contrast from your primary. Try various tunings, dampening techniques and snare tension.
8. Retune the drums: kick, snare and toms for broader and wider pitches. Try different sizes and styles of cymbals.
9. Change out those old drum heads and polish those cymbals! Get a new pair of sticks while your at it.
10. Don’t overuse percussion and drums: if dynamics and volumes don’t match the band they can kill the groove.
11. Explore soft and medium volumes overall as a band. Don’t fall prey to songs that need to be always fast and always loud.
12. Begin the song with a single instrument have the band wait to enter until Verse 2.
13. Avoid doubling parts between guitars. Use higher and lower ranges, as well as strumming/picking patterns
14. Avoid playing every note, let the song breathe – what you don’t play counts as much as the notes you do play.
15. Guitarists: change-out a pedal or two use a different amp in your weekly rig. Changing our old speakers and tubes work wonders.
16. Don’t undervalue new strings: the need for frequent string changing and good tuning.
17. Vocals: (musicians as well) try to hear the song through the church’s point of view. Back off your volume by a half and create more space.
18. Unify your heart mind and attitude to the lyrics. Let the words of the song, guide your senses to draw upon dynamics.
19. Tighten up the vocal line by clarifying rhythms, articulations as well as phrasing.
20. Don’t let your singers come all in at once. Save all the harmonies. Use variations of unisons and primes.
21. Work on your transitions and fill in those gaps. 1-2 instruments work great. Elevate the flow of worship. These are a few 😉 things you can try. They may also lead you to bigger and greater ideas to get you out of the rut.
Explore your creativity, work on arranging and creating parts as well. Like an orchestra, each member of the team has their own unique voice. Let the church sing as you learn to make great music and praise together in Jesus’ Name. Like an orchestra, each member has their own unique voice to glorify God as one Team.
@BranonDempsey @worshiptt
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