Band, Leaders, Players, Singers, Vocal Team, Worship Leading, WTTU Special Public Post
Why They Can’t Play Together? (Show #110)
#OneBandOneHeart (Video Below)
2 min read
Clues 4 Playing Together
As musicians and singers we love to play and sing. If there’s a new song or chart, we’ll go after it in a heartbeat. But as a team, what happens when they get there?Do we fill up all the space and step on others toes? How can we avoid the noisy train wreck? How can we create skillful music together in the Father that is breathed by the Holy Spirit and flows from the heart of Christ?
WATCH SHOW #110!
Size does not matter to your worship team.
You may have five or fifteen people, but the clues of music remain the same. What I’ve come to learn about music is that there is a factor of: ratio, relationship and respect. Colossians 4.5 tells us: “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”
This is applicable to us as musicians. We are to be wise in the way we posses our musicianship, while making the most of every opportunity. it’s not only God who hears us, but the people around us.
The Three R’s
Ratio:If you were to divide your band evenly like slices to a pie, each person owns their own space. To help keep a person from playing over everything, we create musical slices.
This is not a new concept, but it is a proven method that works. Let’s say we have a three-piece band: Bass, drums, guitar (or keyboard). Each person owns 1/3 of the pie, playing to the music. Together, they complete the pie.
Instead of each person playing at 100%, each will knock it down to 35%. What you have is a general balance to the band based on the song. There are ebbs and flows; one instrument may take on the leading role, while the other two may compensate. Depending on the song sections, each instrument may play a larger or lesser role.
In example, when the lead vocal is present, the other instruments adjust their dynamic and playing to support the singer. Let’s say we make the pie larger, adding more people to the mix. Now we have five band members. Would each of them play less or more?
Each would play less (1/5) in order to make room for the entire pie. Using a ratio is a great tool to use, as it will help musicians (and singers) not fill every musical gap or whole.
Relationship:
We need to communicate effectively by the way we make music. Learning about the instruments and different types of voices around us, will help guide our understanding in playing together as a team. If I am a drummer, my best go-to person to learn from would be the bassist.
If you are a guitar player, you may want to understand more of what the drummer is doing. By understanding each member of your team, you develop an appreciation of what they do and how they play. This gives you further insight as to how they communicate musically. It will also help you answer the questions such as: what are their strengths, what are their weaknesses, how do they avoid the curve and well do they recover from mistakes? For me, I love to learn about each person’s musical characteristics.
It not only helps me implement the ratio method, but it helps me be more sensitive to their playing/singing. I know when to hold back or when to put more in. I also learn to add the right dynamic and texture. Simply, my job as a team member is to help support what they are doing.
My mission is to help them be the best. If I can provide consistency and dependability on my part, then I am doing my job to esteem my team member in Christ better than myself.
Philippians 2.3 reminds us: [ctt template=”10″ link=”8OaLa” via=”no” ]”Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.” [/ctt]
Respect:
It doesn’t take a lot, but it goes a long way. Love your team mates. They are in the band for same common reason: to joyfully and skillfully play to God (Ref. Psalms 33.3).
When our emotions get in the way, they can derail the music and the leading of worship. Settle your differences off stage, don’t use the time of worship (or Green Room) to be the only place you connect.
When you learn how to also apply friendship to music making, you learn how to enjoy the presence of God together. Most importantly, your church will see the respect factor as it influences them towards unity and oneness.
[ctt template=”10″ link=”dMebe” via=”no” ]People will be better led in worship by the sound of your heart first, then your instrument second.[/ctt]
Ratio, Relationship and Respect is the triad for making music that is pleasing to God. Make great music together by making greater – the love of Christ in your leadership.
@BranonDempsey @worshiptt
Want to go to the next step? Want to better engage the church in worship? Practical, inspiring and customized training that comes to you and your worship team! Get a WeekendWorkshop
Copyright 2017 Worship Team Training®
