Band, Leaders, Players, Worship Leading, Worship Planning
Draw Near / Band Tutorial (Show #66)
#DrawNear (Video Below)
4.5 min read
Ready…Set…Go?
All to often, songs begin like a start of a foot race. Band members eagerly wait behind the line. They crowd-in as they anticipate the sound of the gun-shot. Once it fires, everyone makes a mad-dash to the finish. Some get left in the dust, while others are full steam ahead. Once they finish, everyone is tired and out of breath.Some boast of winning the race, but there’s one major defeat: what happened to the story and message of the song along the way? Here are six points to help outline the building of music for the long haul.
Today’s demo track: “Draw Near” by Jason Ingram and Kristian Stanfill via GuideTracks.co
Teaching the Song “Draw Near”
1. Focus on the main instrument:
Verse 1Identify the music’s setting, tone and environment. We have synth pads, texture picking from guitars and the piano is playing block style chords. Build your support around the main part. In this case it’s the piano. Notice how the entrance of the song begins. Background pad swells roll in as a nice piano chord block maps out the bars.
“Draw Near” by Jason Ingram and Kristian Stanfill
Intro: Bm G D (repeat) Verse: Bm G D Here I quiet my soul Bm G D You are all that I seek Bm G D A/C# Still with in me the worries of life Bm G D Here my heart is at peace The intro and verse main chord progressions are: -6 | 4 | 1 There’s no other movement, the other instruments are still. You can feel the space between each chord placement. There’s no drums, no electric guitar, and no clamor of a foot race.
“Go and meet with God.” @BranonDempsey
2. Build and Add Gradually:
Chorus 1 At the beginning of the Chorus we finally hear the ride cymbal marking time. Straight quarter notes, played in perfect time with the piano. At this point, each person should be focused on this activity. The drummer is basically keeping tempo by the ride cymbal.
Each instrument, even in the counting of rests, should be anchored to the rhythm. Notice that the drummer is trying to make room by not playing other drum parts during this section. The bass enters nicely playing whole notes, holding the root down.
One nice touch is to have the bass player start out on the higher registers as they make their way downward. The vocal sits very nice in the mix, as the simple ride and bass pattern fill out the space. Chorus 1 Asus Bm I draw near G2 D I draw near to You (Jesus, I do) Asus Bm You draw near G2 D You draw near to me
3. Find Your Lane and Stay In It:
Verse 2Here we have verse two, at this point the momentum is set in the rhythm section: bass, drums and piano. A balanced tom groove syncopation of 8th and 16th notes give just enough movement. The bass rides along with the piano. All together, each instrument draws near to each other. This helps the vocal in many way because no one is in the way. The lyrical melody is clear and pronounced.
Verse 2 Bm G D Here I lay my life down Bm G D Cast my cares at Your feet Bm G D A/C# Jesus here in this moment with You Bm G D I have all that I need The main point in this music, and for every piece of music, is to stay in your lane. Like the analogy of a runner’s race, each instrument is to stay in their own lane. Not crossing into other people’s territory, stepping on toes, nor rushing into someone else’s space. Play consistently to the music and to your team. [tweetthis]When you allow the Lord to have the song, music takes on a whole new meaning.[/tweetthis]
4. Play the Same In Every Room
Miles Davis once said: “Play the same in every room.” No matter what is going on in the song, between sections or with other players – keep your playing solid, steady and stable. If you are the guitar player strumming chords, make each pattern smooth and the same every time. Drummers, play the section matching all volumes of each drum to be the same level, while matching your dynamic to the band. Bass players, be careful not to push the note and pulse, but lock into the groove and make your playing inviting.
Keyboard and lead guitar players, listen more to the band, play-off the rhythm section, let them lead you. All in all, “play the same,” meaning that the band is not overplaying and overstepping notes; making music clean, simple and consistent. As you do this, you will find just how easy it truly is to make music. You will be less busy and sweaty in trying to make it work, as you allow the Holy Spirit to move through your music so He can work.
5. What Ever You Do – Do It Less:
Chorus 2 + Bridge At this section of the Chorus, everyone is in and the overall dynamic is full. All instruments are brimming with harmony, layer and texture – bringing full life to the lyric. Caution: do not ruin a good thing. Less is more.Chorus 2 Asus Bm I draw near G2 D I draw near to You (Jesus, I do) Asus Bm You draw near G2 D You draw near to me Just because the band is at full capacity, does not mean you’re at full capacity. You need to maintain the same discipline of playing to the room and compliment the other instruments. These rules don’t change just because you play at a higher volume. Remember, the role of the band is to support the lyrical melody and the church. Still leave enough room for the Bridge – it’s coming!!
Bridge Asus Bm (Jesus) You alone are my hiding place G D My all in all … My everything (REPEAT) The bridge section takes on a bit of a different pace and range. It’s more like a building section of the song, not the highest section. The dynamic level should be pointing to what is yet to come – the final chorus. You can feel the push in the eight notes between the drums and bass. The guitars are building a bit of intensity as the vocals repeat the two simple lyrical lines.
As said previously, make enough room for the bridge. In other words, do give all you have yet. You still have two more sections to go. Reserve your energy and dynamic range for the entire song – not just at the front or just at the end. A good song is like a well-paced run. Know the distance, calculate the cost and manage the journey.
These are valued jewels to the professional player. They know how to play for the long haul, while contributing to the group. The bridge is just one complete build. Towards the end, the eighth notes get fuller and wider – building momentum into the final push of the chorus.
6. Let the Lord Have His Way:
Final Chorus This is the final apex of the song. As you felt the tension in the bridge, this final chorus is the major release. All instruments and voices are at a grander dynamic and range. At this point, don’t lose the energy, nor force it. Let the music do its work.Honestly, if you are allowing the Lord to lead you through out this entire tune, when you hit this chorus again it almost sounds like a new song. You can sense and feel the Holy Spirit lifting the church as we are lifting Him in praise to the glory of the Father.
Chorus 3 Asus Bm I draw near G2 D I draw near to You (Jesus, I do) Asus Bm You draw near G2 D You draw near to me
Theme of the week: [tweetthis]#DrawNear[/tweetthis] Remember, the song is not a sprint, it’s a musical journey to God and for God. You are brining the church into the invitation of Jesus to worship Him. Just as we have seen yesterday, you taking six steps musically to help the congregation approach Him boldly.
Go and meet with God and let Him have His way with the playing and the singing, allowing Him to draw you and the worshiper near. “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience,” – Heb 10.22
@BranonDempsey @worshiptt
WATCH SHOW #66!
How can your worship team benefit from learning new vocals techniques, creative ideas for your band and be inspired to transform your ministry into worship unity? Get motivated. Get a custom WeekendWorkshop that comes to you! Copyright 2016 Worship Team Training®
