worship team difficulties / need feedback please

[jisg]

I wanted to give a short description of my worship team story. About 2 years ago I started playing in my church's worship team. I hadn't played guitar seriously for about 10 years even though I had played for about 33 years previous to that. I just quit for many reasons and then became a believer in 2000. I was hearing the Lord loud and clear as to why He started me playing all those years ago. The message was "I want you to play for the church now". So, I started trying to get some chops back and signed up for 2 worship-teams, usually there are 4 teams , a different one per week.
The problem I had was being totally smashed by the enemy. 6 songs to learn per week usually 2 brand new ones. ( I had been singing the songs during worship in the congregation, but not playing the songs, so they were all new learns) I was so attacked during the week with lies about confidence and abilities that it became nearly impossible to try to play on Sunday. (There was a transition going on, the music Pastor was leaving, he was not getting the music and CD's to us until Wednesday instead of Sunday and was calling off Thursday night rehearsals). It was just, come in and play for 2 services on Sunday morning. My wife asked me to stop playing because I couldn't be lived with for the week I was to play. With the advice of my small group members and others on the worship teams I decided to lay off for a while. I was directed, I'm sure by the Lord, to go back to a man I studied with 18 years ago and freshen up and get my chops back. I looked at it as fortifying myself with knowledge/armor to ward off the attacks when they happened again. Even now I'm getting pounded by the enemy because of learning all of the techniques and theory from my teacher. I feel like I have a newly developed learning disability or that I had a stroke somewhere along the line and have brain damage. It's just soooo hard to learn right now and it's all because I want to play music to the Lord. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".
I am afraid of trying to be a star, playing the killer leads, perfect melodies and the right-on rhythm parts to get everybody groovin'. I can't bring that mentality back with me, my ego must die and I have to just try to use the gift to help others reach a higher level of emotion that in turn puts them more in touch with the spirit thus worshiping God deeper. That's my yearning. Yeah, I know God will use us just as we are and I do not argue that point with Him, I just have to be more proficient. How do I find a way to be humble but strive to play better than I have before as well as better than the other guitarists who never studied and don't care if they play air guitar when they don't have the song down? Ya know what I mean? here's so much more to my story and If asked I can expound or it can come out in further discussion.
I guess I just wanted to get some feedback and perspective on how I'm right and how I'm wrong. And if others have experiences of being attacked while trying to serve this way.
If this is a dumb subject and has been covered many times before in this forums existence I'm sorry.

Before anybody points it out - Yes, I know all of the glory belongs to God. as stated in another forum:
MY FEELING ON IT IS THIS. AS STEWARDS OF THE TALENT GOD HAS GIVEN US, WE NEED TO BE COMPETENT IN OUR SKILLS, BUT NOT OBSESSIVE THAT WE ARE INSENSITIVE TO WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS DOING & THINKING THAT THE TINIEST OF MISTAKES WE MAKE IS GOING TO MAKE OR BREAK THE WORSHIP TIME. SOME OF OUR PERFECTIONISTIC TENDANCIES NEED TO BE SURRENDERED TO ALLOW GRACE TO TAKE HOLD.

AS MEMBERS OF THE WORSHIP TEAM, WE SHOULD BE COMPETENT TO THE POINT THAT WE ARE NOT DISTRACTED BY WHAT WE'RE PLAYING TO THE POINT THAT WE OURSELVES ARE NOT ENGAGED IN WORSHIP, BECAUSE IF WE AREN'T ENGAGED IN WORSHIP WHILE WE ARE PLAYING, IT'S JUST A PERFORMANCE.

By the way, I currently use a pod XTL, Line6 Variax300 as well as 5 other guitars, a GR20 and will soon be accruing a keyboard amp and am targeting this coming September hook up with the worship team again

[Teleguy]

It sounds to me like the "time" isn't happening.
By that I mean the rhythm you're trying to blend with.

Everybody in an ensemble is a timekeeper.

If the time isn't happening (as in: everybody knows exactly where "one" is, from bar to bar), then you will have to listen so closely to where the rhythm is (as opposed to where it's supposed to be), that you'll choke.
Or at least I find myself struggling to fix the time.

When the time is on, I can dive off into the pool and not worry about whether or not there's water in it!

In ensemble situations, I believe less is more.

Let someone else establish the time. Say, the piano or another guitarist. Then blend in some fills based on your understanding of the craft part of playing.
If you're the strongest player, then you may have to anchor the time down in the back line while someone else plays leads and fills. That is what it has come to for me at our church.
I generally play chords and start the song off at the right speed (I use a silent pocket-size metronome to find the speed in rehearsals that work the best, then make a notation on my chart. Then I refer to the visual cue of the metronome before counting it in when in Worship).

I'm afraid it's difficult for me to Worship while I'm playing this role, except for brief times when it's gliding along without my attention to anchoring it for a few bars.

I Worship alone in "my closet" during the week. In Sunday morning Worship time, I'm generally pretty busy with the "craft," and attending to the feel, and volume wars (trying to contain them)! :-s

However, occasionally I can sneak in a moment.

I know there are Worship guys here that can do both, but I'm only wired for focus on one thing at a time.

No, you haven't had a stroke.
My learning curve is WAY obtuse now, in my 50's.
We read charts!

[MadHatter]

I'm afraid it's difficult for me to Worship while I'm playing this role, except for brief times when it's gliding along without my attention to anchoring it for a few bars.

I Worship alone in "my closet" during the week. In Sunday morning Worship time, I'm generally pretty busy with the "craft," and attending to the feel, and volume wars (trying to contain them)! Eh?

However, occasionally I can sneak in a moment.

I know there are Worship guys here that can do both, but I'm only wired for focus on one thing at a time.

yeah....our worship leader can do both, seemingly with no problems at all.
I'm with teleguy...I get a few moments in here and there...but otherwise I'm focused on what's happening in the group. I also am the main rythym and only lead instrument on stage...so I'm constantly worrying or fussing over things mentally...
we have a small church, with only one worship team...so I'm up there every sunday...lot's of times I wish I'd get a break so I can enter in worship as well...
but my job is to be up on stage...so I just make sure I use our prayer room time before the service to full advantage....

stick with it...you'll get back in the game soon enough.
I also took a 10 year break from playing....and it was tough getting back into it as well...the first sunday I was up on stage I thought I was gonna be sick...lol
just remember you have a audience of one....
nothing else matters...

[Brian]

I grew tired of the many stresses that confront a performer and I took a hiatus from playing/performing sometime after my son was born about 16 years ago. Just played children's songs at home for my son for about 4 yrs until about 6 mos after I got saved.

Then I heard the same call from God about playing again in church to serve Him and because I could read "Real Book" book charts pretty well I was asked to play in the rhythm section of our church's "orchestra", essentially a showtunes big band, in addition to eventually landing on all the Worship teams. I had many of the same fears jsig mentioned, having real concerns about some of the star, perfectionist, and stewardship areas, but gave it to God and stuck it out, slowly (and still) working through them (and new ones as they arise). However my star issue was restraining my playing because I didn't want to be seen as bringing glory to myself. I hooked up with a pro clarinetist and educator in the big band who took a liking to me and told me that God wants me to give Him my very best but in the context of the music, and the congregation. It can be a fine line.

For 12 years the sheet music the orchestra plays is consistently the most diffcult I've ever laid eyes on. I use to beg for the charts as early as they could be available and for a time I was a real bear when I was trying to get those 20 or so pieces ready within a ~2 week time frame. In addition to laying my concerns at God's feet and asking His help for getting through the music, eventually God opened up some opportunities for me to play in local community and college big bands, and even share the experience with my son who has become a fine 'bone player. That music is also pretty challenging and has improved my playing and reading to the point where having someone stick a chart on my stand and we sightread for song service doesn't concern me from the standpoint of my own ability.

FWIW, it's been my experience that in addition to earnest prayer, playing music that challenges you with other musicians as you study will reap the biggest gains in your abilities. I believe God wants me to continue to be dependant upon Him, but He also wants me to see fruit from my supplications and service to Him.

[popthree]

deleted

[jisg]

popthree-

There isn't really any other way to serve my church musically. Maybe when we get our new music pastor (which the search is on for) things will change, Don't take this the wrong way... I feel like I am serving behind the scenes; getting ready, spending $100 a month on lessons and every spare minute practicing lessons and learning current praise songs on my own. Even though I can't say the Spirit lead me, I purchased a whole bunch of new gear, Variax, Pod XTL, GR20 (lots of learning to do stil on all of this to be prepared for the right sound, lots of fancy footwork needed to go along with adequate playing)

So far , these are the kind of posts I was looking for . Thanks guys. I hope this thread goes on for awhile longer.
One thing I want to mention; as some one pointed out above, lay it at God's feet. I always do that. I find myself asking for a miracle. Now, I know the Lord doesn't do miracles like waving a magic wand over someone and - POOF - you are now the guitar player you have always strived to be. And then sometimes I feel guilty, saying to the Lord: you asked me to do this, I said here I am Lord, and now you won't help. Boy, I feel guilty when I say that to Him. I feel so irreverent, but then I have to remember that Jesus made it possible for us to approach the Lord, the curtain was torn and we can speak to Him as Abba/Daddy. Then I also try to get it in my head and heart that He says: Yes, No, or Slow. And that I am just where he wants me and how He wants me even though I won't be satisfied until I'm as good as the amalgamation of Vai, Metheney, McLaughlin , Dimeola, Henderson, Garcia, Hendrix, Hedges, Abacrombe, Keagy and Zappa.

I still kiddingly wonder about brain damage... I bet if I just wanted to play rock or jazz in a cover band or a headliner, beer joint or arena, Satan wouldn't try so hard to keep me from learning.

[Brian]

...Even though I can't say the Spirit lead me, I purchased a whole bunch of new gear, Variax, Pod XTL, GR20 (lots of learning to do stil on all of this to be prepared for the right sound, lots of fancy footwork needed to go along with adequate playing)...

I find myself asking for a miracle. Now, I know the Lord doesn't do miracles like waving a magic wand over someone and - POOF - you are now the guitar player you have always strived to be. And then sometimes I feel guilty, saying to the Lord: you asked me to do this, I said here I am Lord, and now you won't help. Boy, I feel guilty when I say that to Him...This is meant as loving advice... Put your energy and resources into your area of greatest weakness. Using gear as a carrot on a stick hasn't done it for me. YMMV. I think I'd be hippocritical if I said there is no gear freak in me... I have some real nice guitars and amps, but I stopped using "pedals" and get along pretty well.

If you struggle playing Worship music with other people, maybe go to the best musicians on the team and make opportunities to play/jam with them. Maybe invite them over as often as possible for nights of of jamming and dinner. If it's playing Worship music for other people, without hearing you play, I might go so far as to say get out to open mic nights and play solo.

As far as the POOF... In all honesty on some occasions I have been in so far over my head with music I had to play that I needed a periscope just to see the pavement. I gave it to God and he graciously helped me so much it was as though I was outside myself watching the music on charts fly by and my hands playing it and I actually kept asking myself.."How did "I" do that???" Even one time on bass when the bass player didn't show for a 4th of July bigband cantata service playing a lot of jazz/showtune arrangements of patriotic songs and I'm not a bass player.

Other times, hasn't worked so well... it's God's timing, and I'm just thankful to be able to serve and do my best (and sometimes beyond "my" best). So I don't worry about how good other players are "for I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".

Sure sorry if this seems like a rant. God's blessings to you Brother.

[stephen]

webmaster at work:

I moved this topic from Out of Control Puppy Bistro, into Praise &Worship, because I felt it was a much better fit here......

[wishus]

As my guitar teacher says in every lesson, "A lot of great players don't know a lot about music - but they know the important things lightning fast." If someone says the name of a note, like "B Flat," you should be able to play every B Flat on your guitar in under 30 seconds. My guitar teacher can do it in under 8 seconds.

You probably already know the major and minor bar chord shapes that start on the 6th and 5th strings. Know those chords lightning fast. If someone says "F# minor" you should be able to play 2 different chords instantly.

Thirdly, learn the "Shell Chords" on this page (http://www.jazzguitar.be/jazz_guitar_chords_basic_shell.html). You can substitute these shells for all kinds of weird chords you might encounter on the charts. Am7flat5? Use the minor 7 shell chord. Cmaj9? Use the major 7 shell cord. etc. These shells won't always be the "best" voicing for the song, but they will sound good enough to get the job done.

If you know these three things lightning fast, you can survive any P&W chart that gets thrown at you, even at the last minute.

The rest takes time, and you may never get there, so make sure you enjoy the journey.

[Strat-tastic]

jisg wrote:
And then sometimes I feel guilty, saying to the Lord: you asked me to do this, I said here I am Lord, and now you won't help.

If the LORD asked you to do it, He will help. Just don't expect it to be in a way you could predict. He is with you always.

Martin.

[MDK2323]

I can relate to you brother, on several different levels. I'm not as good of a player as I want to be, but God's grace is sufficient for me. I will improve at His time.

My problem is that our worship leader wants to do all guitar stuff, and very complex stuff, with no rehearsals. In other words, I show up on Sunday morning and need to learn some new song, have delay effects ready if necessary, and play a guitar solo, in the matter of 30 minutes to an hour. I find it very frustrating, and it usually sounds thrown together, as you could imagine.

He thinks I'm like Eddie Van Halen, when I am no where near that. A lot of pressure is involved, and I have had a to take a small hiatus or 2 to collect myself. It's one of those deals where if the other guitar players play instead of me, we can't do the guitar driven stuff, it has to be on piano. It can be overwhelming sometimes.

[jono007]

I was just wondering how things are now that a couple of months have passed. Has your church found a worship pastor yet?

I think it's the worship leaders job to make sure that everyone in the band is comfortable and united in spirit. Perhaps it might be a matter of talking with the worship leader about your expectations.

As a worship leader, I love it when members of my band come up to me and make suggestions as to how we can improve things.

To date, I'm having to put up mp3s, charts PLUS a recording of myself playing thru all the transitions so that they can practice 2 weeks before the Sunday we're on... reminds me... I need to get songs together for the end of the month...

ok. enuf surfing...

[Steve Hotra]

Speaking from a Pastor of Worship/ Music perspective, I feel sad for all of the pressure that some feel, when it comes to playing on worship teams. I, too, have asked my lead players to add certain effects, or to sound '"just like the CD." I do hand out CD's of the new songs in advance, but we teach/learn only one new song a week. But I have learned to value and appreciate each guitar players musical interputation of songs. But there are times when certain chords need to be played the way the artist intended ( Tommy Walker uses alot of jazz chords.) There's no way to get around it. If I have a lead player, who plays a solo in the wrong key, then I stop and respectfully show him how to find the key. Overall, there's suppose to be joy in our worship leading. All of us have this awesome blessing to lead the church... lets do this with the best intentions possible. Let us know how you are doing!
Blessings!
Steve

[jony]

I did see your post over at TDPRI. May God bless your ministry.

[SAguitar]

I too came from way outside the church before gettting saved and put by God into His worship ministry, so I can identify. Now, after being saved for 18 years and serving vigorously, I am the band director for our church, and I have a little more perspective. Do try to get into serving gently, if possible, and try not to feel overwhelmed, or discouraged. Lean heavily on God, and pray as much as you can. Those things may sound obvious, but will contribute greatly to keeping you close to Him, and on track.

And yes, play as little as possible in a combo situation. It always seems that everyone tries to overplay. Space is good, silence is good, and make the presence of music even better.

My brother, if you are truly in the state of "I won't be satisfied until I'm as good as the amalgamation of Vai, Metheney, McLaughlin , Dimeola, Henderson, Garcia, Hendrix, Hedges, Abacrombe, Keagy and Zappa," then you're likely not gonna attain satisfacton. I hope you can find worth and value at whatever level you're at right now, because God already does. But it's good to have lofty goals!

Stay tuned,
Stan