Product Review Takamine Thermal Top EF340 TT & EF 360 TT Acoustic/Electric Guitars
MATT MAHER
promoting unity & reconciliation Product Review BOSS DD-500
Product Reviews l
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Hydra Guitar Stand by D & A Guitar Gear Pro Series CPS “Backpacker” Gig Bags by Levy Leathers
Record Reviews 03
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74470 58440
Urban Rescue l Pearl City Worship l Noel Robinson l Jesus Culture l Audrey Assad l
MAR/APR 2016 Volume 14, Issue 2
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“Reorienting for Worship” by Tom Kraeuter “Focusing Passion” by Tom Lane
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Set the the stage-style Do you the How important keyboards, of each channel a really to their transmitters replacing aesthetics to more the piano? allow at the top portable the mixer each one against Another on major problem seeking to choose a you can err on of knob is found acoustic use a more is broadband noise andneeded. If you’re with or radio Balance or are you to plug in a (tone) controls interference. and is a place where to the auxiliary prefer the main focus, If your bass guitar. This an reset all the equalizationis essentially off. Turn the importance l services you may want options available are house of worship is locatedand in athe The vocals are city, other choose lavalier which then or solo buttons are that an entry-level analog wireless side of being conservative. mute chances We have so you can audible. Use the center position,microphone more-traditiona system Make sure that piano. up position.) off. cable, or a guitar that they are clearly the platform, in the simply obscuring them. won’t are off work for you. Digital wireless systems, g stage monitor sends of finishes, church. want to ensure up on you which vocals, without these buttons the giving(Usually you both fill around the reject noise and other nondigital signals, in a variety decor of your 50%. Shure QLX-D.........$107200 disengaged. fader to control authentic-lookin instruments to are excellent, fader to about the cabinets, the master volume and handsmaster volume cost-effective alternatives to traditional More info on pg. 63 Set thewireless wooden As you go, adjust wireless systems. that matches free convenience. instrument overall level.
p Sound
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Editor’s Corner
MAR/APR 2016
Night of Worship at NAMM: Consider it! Features Each year the Winter NAMM Show draws a crowd. It is an industry crowd for the National Association of Music Merchants with over 1,700 exhibit booths and a new record this year of 101,000 people. I have been going for 36 years now and the last seven years the Lord has opened up quite an interesting door for Worship Musician! magazine and some of our friends from Yamaha, Elation, Shure, and Kyser. We have been producing the Night of Worship @ NAMM Thursday concert at the Hilton Hotel adjacent to the Anaheim Convention Center (which is adjacent to Disneyland and the California Adventure). This year’s free worship concert held in the Pacific Ballroom had well over 1,000 people attend again. Handling the pre-concert music was Dave Cleveland and some of his fellow session players from Nashville (including our very own bass columnist Gary Lunn). And man did they lay down some great instrumental jazz – including an old Koinonia song. Opening the concert was Chris McClarney (he is on Jesus Culture’s label) and he led us in some heartfelt worship songs… the audience joined in readily (which is a sight to behold at this large secular tradeshow). Our middle act is what I call my favorite Christian party band – NewWorldSon. I knew a lot of the audience members had never seen them before, so I told the crowd to prepare themselves. This band is A BAND! They blew through their upbeat set with reckless abandon and their drummer was just playing those Yamaha drums like they have never been played before. They killed it! The audience was blown away. We took a 10 minute Continued on page 52
4227 S. Meridian Suite C-275 Puyallup, Washington 98373-5963 Adolph Agency Direct Line: 253.445.1973 Fax: 888.391.4440 Website: www.worshipmusicianmagazine.com Publisher/Editor: Bruce Adolph bruce@christianmusician.com Vice President: Judy Adolph Customer Service: Brian Felix, 888.391.4440 x1 brianfelix@christianmusician.com Design Layout & Production: Matt Kees Director of Advertising: Steve Sattler steve@creativesalesresource.com 626-836-3106 ©2016 Worship Musician! is published bi-monthly by The Adolph Agency, Inc.
8 Product Review By Bruce Adolph Takamine Thermal Top EF340 TT & EF 360 TT Acoustic/ Electric Guitars 10 From the Drummer’s Perspective By Carl Albrecht Tempo, Dynamics, and Musicality For Drummers
vol. 14, issue 2 40 Guitar Grab Bag By Jeffrey B. Scott Are You Performing Or Leading? 42 The Band By Tom Lane Focusing Passion 44 Ministry By Rick & Logan Muchow 7 Secrets of Spirit-Led L.E.A.D.E.R.S. Part 3
12 Keyboard By Ed Kerr Go Figure: Duple Parts
46 Ministry By David Gauthier Is Worship Music?
14 Product Review By Michael Hodge BOSS DD-500
48 Ministry + Artistry = Profitability? By Scott A. Shuford Four Tips for Digital Marketing on a Tight Budget
15 Bass By Gary Lunn Playing It Cool 16 Vocals By Sheri Gould Nailin’ Those High Notes Part II 18 Equipping the Church By Chuck Page Protecting Your Church from the Internet 19 Teams By Tom Kraeuter Reorienting for Worship 25 Songchart ”God of Miracles” By Chris McClarney 26 Cut-Capo By Mitch Bohannon “God of Miracles”
50 Worship Team Training By Branon Dempsey The Three R’s Your Band Needs To Know 51 Product Review By Eric Dahl Hydra – a guitar stand of Mythical Proportions! 51 Product Review By Eric Dahl Levy’s New Pro Series Gig Bags Will Have You Singin’ in the Rain! 54 A Few Moments With... Jon Nicol Seven Ways To Kill A Great Worship Song
30 Record Reviews By Gerod Bass • Urban Rescue • Pearl City Worship • Noel Robinson • Jesus Culture • Audrey Assad 34 FOH Engineer By Kent Morris Lightning Rod: Opinions and Gear
Interview
36 Percussion By Mark Shelton Rhythm Triangle
20 Matt Maher: Promoting Unity & Reconciliation by Bruce Adolph
WORSHIPMUSICIANMAGAZINE.COM MAR/APR 2016
7
Product Review
By Bruce Adolph
Takamine Thermal Top EF340 TT & EF 360 TT Acoustic/Electric Guitars OK, right off the bat I have to tell you that I have appreciated the quality craftsmanship of made in Japan Takamine acoustic guitars for over 35 years now. I was a dealer for them in the 80’s as a music store manager and I have run into old customers who love the ones I sold them still after all these years. Now, Takamine is taking that goodness to a whole new level with their new Thermal Tops (that is what the TT stands for in the model number). “Thermal” is essentially a process that preages the woods properties (you may of heard it called “baked” or other names). It
“cures” the moisture in the solid spruce top driver preamp and you are ready to lead so you don’t have to wait 15-20 years for worship for audiences small or large. your guitar to start sounding vintage. Both models sport ebony fretboards Combine this to your solid rosewood (Takamine always kills the fretwork and back and sides on the EF360 TT and solid feel of a great fingerboard), a comfortable mahogany back and sides on the EF340 nut width of 1&3/4” and a high gloss TT and you have a winner! From there on finish to the tonewoods make this package out both models have similar features… complete and visually pleasing. ivoroid binding and faux tortoise shell pick Being so close together in features and guard, open gear butterbean tuners and price, then what is the big difference the understated ‘T’ logo on the headstock. between the rosewood model versus the Add Takamine’s critically acclaimed mahogany model you ask? Now, here Palathetic Pickup and the stealth TLD-2 line is where personal taste and application comes in.
The EF360 TT’s rosewood has a thumpy, booming bottom end and shimmering highs with somewhat scooped mids. I like rosewood when I am not playing with a full band situation and prefer to have more bass coming from my acoustic guitar to help carry the tune. Mahogany on the other hand, has a more detailed midrange warmth and full bottom end with a broader, less pinpoint high frequency response. Some believe that if you are playing with a band and have a bass player or keyboard player supporting the bottom end for the song, then the mahogany may cut through better in the mix inside that band context. I personally like mahogany for more of a bluesy sound when I am sitting on my couch playing at home. Both of these Takamines’ are worth your time to test drive. With the great on-board electronics and the thermal tops you get the best of both worlds… you’ll sound great with or without a sound system. Ah, the pride of Japanese craftsmanship never sounded so good! I love the look, tone and price of these all solid wood new/vintage sounding instruments – you can’t go wrong here. EF360S TT Retail: $2,399.99 Street Price: $1,549.99 Hardshell case included. EF340S TT Retail: $2,299.99 Street Price: $1,499.99 Hardshell case included.
8
MAR/APR 2016 WORSHIPMUSICIANMAGAZINE.COM
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Get Inspired!
Nichole Nordeman Kawai Artist / MP11
To a musician, nothing is more inspiring than connecting with a superb instrument. Kawai uses its decades of experience in building fine acoustic pianos to create digital instruments with outstanding tone and touch. With a variety of sounds perfect for mobile worship teams as well as churches of every type and size, you’re certain to find your next source of inspiration in a digital piano from Kawai.
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From the Drummer’s Perspective
By Carl Albrecht
Tempo, Dynamics, and Musicality For Drummers Our Editor in Chief always reminds the writers to keep our articles relevant. So I think I’ve come up with a topic that is universal for all great musicians, but I’ll definitely focus on the drummers… of course. I felt that being a great drummer overall was more than a single characteristic. The three key elements that I see in all great artists are solid tempo, proper dynamics, and mature musicality. They are the pillars that every musician must build upon. I have referenced these ideas in other writings, but putting them together as a collective concept is important for all players. So you say… “This is obvious Carl.” … Yea I know. But they are the hardest to attain and maintain. I’m still working on these concepts, and teach them all the time to private students as well as clinic attendees. I’ve been playing for over 40 years… Yep, FORTY! Of course, I started playing professionally at two! HA! … OK, OK… I’ll move on. The idea here is that whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, you should always be reaching higher to improve your skill. So let’s focus on the big three. In the last article I addressed the priestly calling of a drummer in the house of the Lord. But this time we’re going to focus on the mechanics of drumming. These are the things that make us “artists”, not just someone who hits the drums. I know you think you’ve heard it all before, but hang on for the ride and keep your heart and mind open. There’s always more to learn. 1.) TEMPO Keeping great time is the drummer’s first job! Right? I’ve always heard this. But there’s more to it than just being the metronome for the rest of the musicians. How we use dynamics and interpret the music also comes into play. Keep that in mind as we work on these concepts. Yes, being a solid timekeeper is important, but it has to be relaxed and flowing. This is a challenge for most of my students. I can get them to play to a click, but it doesn’t always “feel” good. The key is relaxation and breathing. Simple!... Well… Not so much. I’m always reminding them, and myself too, to stay loose, relaxed, and fluid when drumming. Even when the click is playing, don’t tighten up. It’s amazing how challenging that is for most players. I’m constantly telling the drummer to relax their shoulders, arms, and wrist. Yes, keep a good solid grip, but don’t become physically rigid in the process. You should only
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dynamic control, I can understand that. Then you should practice it at home until you get it under control. Work on playing everything you do with a variety of dynamics. Use different sticks, Drumming is almost like dancing. It should look, brushes, or “bundlestix/rods.” Make your stick and more importantly feel, like it’s flowing without action stay lower when needed. Don’t swing so hindrance. Think Fred Astaire! *Check out hard. This maybe tough if you’ve always been a YouTube if you don’t know who that is… https:// “rocker,” but you can develop the skill. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciEb337sSyA // Actually Steve Gadd took tap dancing as Also, within the context of balance between a youngster, and Buddy Rich performed and your limbs, listen carefully! Make sure you’re danced in vaudeville shows. There’s something not hitting the cymbals too hard, or hitting one about the looseness or grace of a great dancer drum at a much harder or softer level than the that every drummer should use as inspiration. other ones. Balancing the dynamics of the whole One of the keys to this is proper breathing. drum kit is very important. I have to remind myself Which is simply remembering to naturally breathe to always go easier on the cymbals. I have a in and out. Don’t hold your breath. This seems tendency to just bash them if I’m not careful. I so obvious, but many drummers become tense even allow the rest of the band or the engineer to and actually hold their breath so long that they tell me how it feels. Imagine that! become fatigued. Even though drumming is a 3.) MUSICALITY very physical thing, remember your body needs This characteristic sort of encompasses the a lot of oxygen to function well. A good exercise is to actually exaggerate your breathing while others and so much more. A drummer’s ability to practicing drum exercises or grooves. You won’t sound authentic in many styles is super important! make this the focus when actually playing with Even in the context of a certain style there are still a band, but it may cross your mind sometime so many variations to a musical idea. Music is when you’re feeling a little run down during a meant to be a spiritual, emotional, and creative performance. That little reminder may help you expression. The possibilities are endless. The gain some control and stamina when you need only way to achieve this is to continually keep growing in your musical appreciation. You’ve it the most. got to listen and learn to play so much music so 2.) DYNAMICS that you can be able to reproduce a sound and I know many of you maybe rolling your eyes groove as needed. right now. DON’T! Get this aspect of your playing I know this seems a bit unfair. I guess you together. Be able to play as loudly or as softly as could be a “one trick pony.” (*Only good at needed to make any situation work well. Yes, one thing.) But that’s not really very much fun, is the drums sound differently at different dynamic it? I like so many different styles of music I can’t levels. I know that… but how you blend with the imagine doing that. AND… I’ve noticed most of rest of the band is crucial. I always tell drummers my drum heroes are really good at many styles. to “play the room.” If you’re overpowering the rest You may feel like in worship music that is not so of the band by playing too loud, that is not good. important. Some people even make jokes about AND… if you play too softly when more volume how easy modern worship is to play… I won’t is needed it will weaken the energy needed for turn this into a sermon about mockery not being that moment too. In the context of most worship a cool thing, but I think it’s important to play gatherings you probably have to play a wide passionately no matter how technically simple variety of dynamics. I hope so. But if the musical something maybe to perform. Great musicianship or acoustic situation requires a certain level of is in the nuances and details. Even the late great playing… be it loud or soft, then be mature and Vic Firth (percussionist for the Boston Symphony/ capable enough to bring the needed result. and stick manufacturer) mentioned playing grip tight enough to keep the stick in your hand. Don’t make a fist around the stick, let there be some breathing room in the palm of your hand.
So many worship leaders and pastors still talk to me about drummers who won’t work with them on drum dynamics and volume issues in their churches. Really!?... Come on drummers, we are here to serve! OK?! --- Bring your best to the table. If it’s an issue of not being comfortable with
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scored classical music over and over in this way… “Finding the subtleties… how you color something… that’s what separates the pros.” All that being said I carefully give attention to every detail of drumming within the context of the song Continued on page 52
Keyboard
By Ed Kerr
Go Figure: Duple Parts Most songs in the modern worship repertoire use 4/4 meter, but we’re hearing more and more songs in 6/8 meter. Popular examples of songs written in 6/8 are How He Loves, Come As You Are and, most recently, Good Good Father and Jesus We Love You.
Next accent beats 1 and 4 as well as playing an accented note on the “and” after beat 2 as well as the “and” after beat 5, like this:
One of the challenges for instrumentalists when playing songs in 6/8 is accurately executing what’s called a duple figure. Just as a duplex is a building containing 2 living spaces, a duple figure involves two notes. What’s unique about these two notes in the duple figure is that they’re heard in the space of three 16th notes. Listen to Bethel Music’s recording of Jesus We Love You and you’ll hear the electric piano on verse 2 playing a duple figure when it enters. The acoustic guitar in verse 1 plays lots of duple figures as well. The good news is that playing these duple figures isn’t as complicated as it sounds.
Now you’re hearing a duple figure. Your next challenge is to eliminate the 16th note activity and only play the accented beats. In terms of note values, you’ll be playing dotted 8th figures rather than steady 16th notes. Here’s the essence of that rhythm:
Demystifying duple figures involves learning to think in subdivisions. In this graphic showing 4/4 meter you see the 4 beats numbered in the first measure. You’d simply say “One, two, three, four” if you wanted to speak this rhythm. The second measure gives each of the 8th notes within these 4 beats a subdivision of an 8th note, spoken with an “and” syllable, so you could count “One and two and three and four and” to speak these subdivided rhythms.
And here’s a pattern you could use to play this figure in your right hand. Each measure in 6/8 has 6 eighth notes. These 6 beats per measure and a 16th note subdivision can be counted by putting an “and” between each of the 6 beats.
Now that you’re able to count these subdivisions in 6/8 meter you’re almost ready to play a duple figure. Sit at your keyboard and play arpeggiations of a B major chord using its notes B D# and F# however you choose. You’ll be playing on each of the “1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 and” subdivisions of the measure accenting each number. Something like this:
Now we’re moving beyond clinical sounding parts to something musical. The figure shown above is the duple figure used and the notes played by the electric piano heard on Bethel Music’s recording when the 2nd verse begins (Things that we thought were dead…”). Duple figures truly permeate this song. Study the bridge where the lyric is, “Our affection, our devotion, poured out on the feet of Jesus”. Almost every measure of the melody here contains a duple figure. In my last article here I chose the title “Until It’s Automatic”, speaking to the value of being at ease playing commonly used chords in many keys. Work on duple figures until they’re automatic and you’ll find that you can confidently contribute keyboard parts containing duple figures with ease. These are beautiful additions to these beautiful songs. Ed Kerr is Director Of Worship Studies at The King’s University/Gateway Church in Dallas, TX. He has a Master’s Degree in piano performance, has written many songs published by Integrity Music and teaches as a clinician with Yamaha and Paul Baloche. He plays Yamaha’s motif xf8. Visit Ed online - www.kerrtunes.com
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瘀
愀渀搀 甀渀椀瘀攀爀猀愀氀 吀栀攀 挀漀洀昀漀爀琀 愀渀搀 焀甀愀氀椀琀礀 漀昀 挀甀猀琀漀洀 椀渀ⴀ攀愀爀 洀漀渀椀琀漀爀猀 椀渀 愀 搀攀猀椀最渀 琀栀愀琀 昀椀琀猀 渀攀愀爀氀礀 攀瘀攀爀礀 攀愀爀⸀ 嘀椀猀椀琀 愀氀挀氀愀椀爀⸀挀漀洀⼀眀漀爀猀栀椀瀀洀甀猀椀挀椀愀渀 琀漀 昀椀渀搀 漀甀琀 洀漀爀攀 愀戀漀甀琀 琀栀攀 搀甀愀氀ⴀ搀爀椀瘀攀爀 䌀甀爀瘀攀⸀ 䔀洀愀椀氀 甀猀 昀漀爀 最爀漀甀瀀 瀀爀椀挀椀渀最℀
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䀀愀氀挀氀愀椀爀愀甀搀椀漀 昀愀挀攀戀漀漀欀⸀挀漀洀⼀愀氀挀氀愀椀爀愀甀搀椀漀 愀氀挀氀愀椀爀愀甀搀椀漀
Product Review
By Michael Hodge
BOSS DD-500 Winter NAMM is always an exciting time to see and hear new products coming out. Some are ready to ship and some are still proto types. BOSS has really come to the table with some very cool products. I noticed last year something very special happening in this company, and their approach. BOSS DD-500 FIRST IMPRESSIONS: When a BOSS pedal uses a standard foot switch instead of their customary Latch you know something is up. I expected this pedal to be different and it is. The DD-500 is ready to go head to head with the high-end Boutique Delay pedals that are so popular. It has a sampling rate of 96kHz with 32-bit Floating point processing, and a built in Looper. On top are three Switchcraft type switches. They can be assigned to A, B, and Tap/CTL. There is a bright Graphic LCD that immediately sets it apart from other pedals, with ease of reading through menus and options. Four small buttons help navigate those options: Up, Down, Edit and Exit. On top left is the MODE knob with 12 modes including the coveted Filter, and Shimmer EFX. Five other knobs control Time/Value, Feedback, Mix, Tone and Mod Depth. On Back are five ¼ “ Jacks: Mono/Stereo IN and OUT, and
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CTL/EXP. There is also a USB jack that can be used for updates and syncing to a DAW. There’s MIDI in & Out, and a standard BOSS 9v DC in. There are a possible total of 297 patch banks. IN USE:
fun making custom patches. The Looping function is easy to use, and nice to have if you need it. I’m a big fan of this pedal. It’s less expensive than other similar pedals and has a lot more features. The street price is $299.00. For more information go to: http://www.bossus.com.
I love the new sounds not previously available on BOSS pedals. With the Michael Hodge is the smaller foot switches they were able to put 3 switches on top instead of two Latching. guitarist for Lakewood Church in Houston, TX The LCD is clear, bright, and easy to read for editing. The stock patches are well done, and the ability to edit goes really deep. The Eventide-like Shimmer sounds fantastic. I found the Pattern and Filter Modes really cool and the delays are all very useable. Good thing there is a ton of memory, because you’ll want to have
Bass By Gary Lunn
Playing It Cool Occasionally I feel the need to discuss something bass “head” related. There might be a need out there, like there might be someone who is reading this and feeling a little like they’re standing out in their field instead of outstanding in their field (or not). ‘Ya know what I mean? I know from experience that there are a lot of unknowns that crop up in the old “one-note-at-a-timer’s” club. Something tells me that I may strike a nerve or two in this article. Have a seat. :) When I began playing bass at such a young age with my whole life ahead of me, I could not possibly have imagined the kind of musical, mental, and social situations that I would go through within a few short years. Looking back, it seems like every good and bad moment was a lesson in music, behavior, life, etc. I quickly learned that I would never stop learning. As I came closer to growing into my calling, I certainly made my share of mistakes (I still make them…I just call them what they are much sooner than before). I have been in several different bands and have been confronted with various relationship-type situations; musical, social, or spiritual. These can be a source of frustration or of tremendous growth, depending on how you view and move forward with them. These relationships can be classified as either as “iron sharpens iron” or “go find someone else to dull” experiences. You CAN learn from both experiences as long as you’re willing to humble yourself. Rehearsals are where relational concerns can arise. Everyone has his or her own musical ideas about certain aspects of a song. It could be suggesting a melody line for the intro, a chord substitution in the second phrase of the verse, a dynamic idea to insert a short stop on the downbeat of the third chorus, etc. This is a part of interaction within a musical ensemble that is a dying occurrence, unfortunately, with the advent of home “pass around” recording (oops-which I do a good bit of!). Your suggestions may be excellent but when you have an idea, do not ever try force it. Ask politely if you can have an opinion and don’t be offended if your idea isn’t heard. Proverbs 29:23 says, “Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.” As for me, I’d much rather receive honor over humiliation. Humility is always the high road in every situation. Bass players have a slightly more delicate, competitive (for lack of a better word) situation to function in. There is
always only one bass player in a band or rhythm section. This tends to add extra responsibility on the bassist and greatly increases pressure on him, especially if it’s a paid position. That can increase a competitive spirit amongst the bass player pool within the church, the organization, or the existing musical “clique.” Feeling threatened can be a very unhealthy strand that can really weave a stronghold around a bassist’s mind and cause him to fail musically, socially, and spiritually. A good, daily scripture reminder should always begin with Phil 4:6-7. “ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Any problems with self-doubt can be overcome by simply standing on this passage and living by its words. Everyone is different in personality and style. It’s always been my desire to (try to) be like David – “a man after God’s own heart.” The fact is, David was the only man in the Bible that was ever referred to in that manner, so I’d say my chances are probably pretty slim. :/ Still, I feel that if everyone in a worship team, a band, or on a recording session considered just the essence of some of these thoughts, many churches or functions would probably be much happier, more productive places. Some people are naturally kind and considerate of others first because of their own wonderful, God-given nature. This kind of person does not always become a musician because of the dreaded ingredient known as “melancholy“, which typically accompanies the creative ingredient present in that personality type. Most musicians and other creative types have egos that allow them to perform, but can also get in the way of good interpersonal relationships in a band or recording situation. Putting yourself first works in the business world but not so much in the Kingdom of God. If you are playing songs for someone, you are serving them. So when considering the upcoming performance or recording, it’s not always a great idea to question or have an opinion about how they have already been recorded (or demoed) as it relates to the upcoming performance. If the artist/worship leader feels that there is a song that needs to be changed or “updated,” they will most likely ask for your opinion. When they
do you should immediately ask yourself if making a suggestion is the most productive thing to do at that particular moment. Be sure to consider time constraints, the artist’s personality, etc. If you do offer your opinion, convey it in the most sensitive and inoffensive fashion possible. When others offer their opinions, no matter how “good” or “bad” you might think they are, always give everyone’s ideas a fighting chance by playing them with your best effort. People will respect you for it and they will want to know what you think. You will also gain new, REAL friends at a much faster rate. To sum up, if your opinion is wanted, it will be asked for, but if there is an issue that you absolutely can’t stop thinking about, ask about it privately, either on a break or after rehearsal is over. Always inquire about musical dilemmas in a “what if” sort of approach. No matter how excited you get during a performance, do not overplay. There is no exception. Listen to what the drummer is doing and “lock in” with him/her. The last thing that you want to do is to draw attention to yourself. If you are asked to play a solo, then play your heart out, but be sensitive to the worship leader’s approval and to the audience’s reaction as you play. A good rule to keep in mind is this; if it’s not helping the experience in the room, then you should have the sensitivity to stop soloing. You definitely should be able to feel this! Keep your focus on God and all that He has done for you. Concentrate on the duties of your “post.” I guarantee that it’ll make you lay down that foundation just like you’re supposed to do. The key to harmony within a band or worship team is to be the one who constantly listens for the next opportunity to get out of the way. Remind yourself that you want to be THAT person. If everyone sets out to do that, wonderful things would begin to happen in that group during worship, performances, or recording sessions. Blessings on the work of your hands! Gary is a session player/ producer/writer in Nashville, TN. He plays for many recording session accounts, does home recording and producing, and attends Grace Church (gracechurchnashville.com) in Franklin, TN. Email him for questions, comments or scheduling at garylunn@me.com.
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Vocals
By Sheri Gould
Nailin’ Those High Notes-Part II Last time I tried to lay the groundwork for preparing your voice to be in the right condition for expanding your range with the sound you want. In order to get the most out of your voice, of course you need to warm-up. But if you are trying to achieve a new skill or improve and old one, you will also need to start conditioning the vocal cords so that you will be ready for a true vocal work-out. This will take some time, so be patient and don’t push your voice too hard, too fast. In this article, I want to address two important and often forgotten aspects of singing: Resonance and Larynx position. These techniques are second only to breath support. Without a proper understanding and application of breath support, NOTHING will work to give you the sound you want or give it to you safely. Resonance Recordings of singing today are often very processed, making it difficult to actually hear and discern what the singer is actually doing. We hear what sounds like perfectly placed high notes with all the fullness of a chest register, leaving many to covet the ability to “belt” high notes. (This is often not a realistic depiction of what the artist is actually doing) In an effort to mimic what they are hearing, many singers try to copy the sound they hear and often end up essentially “screaming” on pitch. This has helped lead to an epidemic of vocal injuries and vocal damage. Whereas 30 years ago most people would not have even known what an “ENT” is, it has sadly become pretty much a household word (acronym) among singers. (Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor) In past years, when Broadway singers needed to “belt” to be heard, they were well trained in the areas of breath support and resonance techniques (as well as larynx placement, which I will get to in a minute). Because a trained singer can make singing look easy, many untrained singers will try to imitate them. When they are unable to produce the desired result they can easily come to some incorrect conclusions about their voice: ‘I have no talent, I just can’t sing, I have no range,
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etc”. This often leads to discouragement and failure. The truth is more likely; ‘I don’t have the skill because I don’t have the right knowledge and training’.
the tone further until you like it, but keep the primary placement in the nasal region. Constantly check for vibrations to see that you can feel them MORE in the nasal area Understanding resonance is the essence and LESS in the throat/larynx. This is a of creating the tone quality, sound, and safe placement for your high notes and color you want. Since this is a written can give you a nice tone as well as a big page and I’m not standing in front of sound if you learn to apply proper breath you, we will have to improvise. You have support and larynx placement. ways of producing many different types of Larynx Placement sounds. You might feel silly making some The key to expanding your range with of these sounds, but that doesn’t mean you comfort and a big sound is learning to aren’t capable of doing making them. For control the placement of your larynx. instance, try talking in a VERY nasal voice. Many of the problems we have as Now try talking in a really high voice, singers can be attributed to high larynx like Mickey Mouse. Now try singing in singing. Learning to relax the larynx and an operatic voice. These are all different surrounding muscles can give you much colors and tones that you can produce. greater control of the vocal mechanism as Much of the reason why you can make whole. these different sounds has to do with tone The trick for many people, mostly placement/resonance. Where you place the tone is where it resonates or registers women, is finding the larynx in the first place! Try placing 2 fingers up to your the vibrations. neck and look for the bumpy cartilage. If you can start to “play around” with Then try swallowing and see if you feel it different tones, you can learn to discover move up. It should move down when you much about your capabilities as a singer. yawn. The larynx is much more obvious Try to sing a phrase in multiple different on men than it is on women. Once you’ve tone styles. Listen to varied singing styles found your larynx, try to track its movement and try to imitate the sound of each singer as you sing a scale. Many singers make the best that you can. This will help to open the mistake of allowing the larynx to ride up your eye to some new approaches to up as they ascend. It is important to learn singing. to keep the larynx low or neutral in the For nailing high notes safely, I find that throat so that it doesn’t create tension and placing them forward in the nose, as a squeeze the throat tightly closed. starting place, is best. This placement When you combine low larynx singing keeps pressure off the vocal cords so that with proper breath support and tone you can get more volume with less stress. placement you will begin to find your Initially you can find this area by humming true potential as a singer. This is perfect on an “N”. You should feel a slight buzz formula for expanding your range and when you place your fingers on your nose “nailin’ those high notes”! as you hum like this. If you ONLY sang in this area, it might be too pinched and Until next time, God bless! For more tips nasal sounding. But for this exercise, it join me on my Facebook page! should be the main area of focus. www.facebook.com/officialsherigould You should be able to feel LESS vibration in your throat/larynx when you place and sing in this nasal area. Play with the sound after you move your jaw down and form an “Ah” from the hum. So, to try and clarify, you should start with a hum, then drop your jaw and form the tone into an “Ah”. At that point you can try to ‘shape’
Sheri Gould is an internationally acclaimed vocal coach. With a degree from the University of Ill, she has been coaching since 1979 and leading worship since 1985. For weekly vocal tips, check out facebook. com/officialsherigould. For information on products, including instructional DVDs, check out www.sherigould.com
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EQUIPPING THE CHURCH
by Chuck Page
Protecting Your Church from the Internet Let’s face it…. In today’s church environment it’s almost impossible to do church business and run a service without the use of the Internet. Many churches have moved their line of business software to the cloud, and having an affordable Internet connection has made that possible. But with this reality comes certain dangers that every church must face. This article will address the good and bad of the Internet and offer a solution that may help the church from straying to the “dark side”. The Internet has given all of us, including churches, the ability to research quickly and thoroughly on just about any topic. I know at my church the pastoral staff uses the Internet daily for this purpose. The internet also provides access to great planning software that allows the staff to schedule worship sets, musicians, teachers, and other needs that volunteers and staff can have access to. Another productive use the Internet offers is the access to social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Now, these forms of media can also be destructive, but when used to communicate positively to the congregation they work rather well.
On the other side of the coin is the destructive use the Internet offers. Pornography, gambling, illegal sites, or inappropriate sites are just a few of the websites churches want nothing to do with. Without restrictions what stops an attendee from surfing an inappropriate site on a tablet during a service? What stops a staff member doing the same in the privacy of his or her office? Another element that can complicate this issue is the fact that the staff may need access to certain sites for research purposes, but the attendees do not need this type of access. How is this going to be regulated to keep everyone safe? The answer is the proper firewall appliance. This firewall needs to be a commercial grade appliance setup and configured by a professional IT company. Stay away from “home” versions of firewalls. They will most generally end up giving you a false sense of security and fail to provide the results you’re hoping to achieve. (Please email me if you want a list of firewalls that fit your church’s needs.) A commercial grade firewall is designed to control the user’s access to complicated
Internet scenarios. For example, when churches call on my company to help with Internet access we usually end up creating two or more networks. One network for the office staff, and at least one for the attendees. We also set different control policies for each network. The following is a sample control setup per network. Please keep in mind that all churches are different, but this will give you a general idea. Church Network: Ability to download and stream video content, the ability to download and stream audio, and the ability to research sites that may have suspect word selections. An example of this could be the word “breast”. The research, in this scenario, is on breast cancer so the word breast is needed for that type of research. We set up the church network with the ability to overrule the blocking protocol with a password. We always recommend if this feature is used that the staff put in place a procedure that mandates each staff person be accountable to another when the password option is used. Member or Attendee Network: Ability to surf the Internet in general but blocked from inappropriate sites and also blocked based on certain word selections. No ability to stream or download video. Limited ability or no ability to stream or download audio. No password overrule option. Every church that uses the Internet should consider putting in place the proper firewall solution to protect both the congregation and the staff. We can all agree that the Internet is here to stay, but we can lessen the dangers the Internet may bring by implementing this simple solution. Chuck is a partner and General Manager of GoFishMedia, LLC. He has been involved with technology for over 15 years and worship for over 20 years. He resides in Boise, Idaho with his wife Lisa. Visit: www.gofishmedia.net Send Chuck an email: chuck@gofishmedia.net
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TEAMS
By Tom Kraeuter
Reorienting for Worship
For just a moment, think about a couple of another, and, in all honesty, push us away different activities that are commonplace from worshiping God. in our culture: driving a car, and going to When we come through the doors of a a shopping mall.* church building, we need to shove those These are activities that we participate in car-driving and shopping mall mentalities regularly. They are so commonplace that aside. we take them for granted. We need to intentionally and consciously The truth is, though, that they are both remind ourselves that this is not like driving relatively new activities. The vast majority my car. I’m not in control. I can’t just go of people in human history who came wherever I want. I will go where God before us never participated in either. wants to take me. I’m going to trust Him These are things that are peculiar to our on this journey, not take matters into my current time and culture. Yet, to us, they own hands. are normal, expected activities. Further, it’s also not about consumerism. But think about them for a moment. When you drive a car, you’re in an enclosed “bubble” made of steel and glass. You can drive it just about anywhere you want to go. You get to decide the exact destination. And driving a car reinforces the idea that you are autonomous. You can go wherever you want, whenever you want, and do whatever you want to do. And it separates you from other people, even those in nearby “bubbles.” Driving that car makes you independent and free.
Our everyday, commonplace activities force us to have to reorient in order to worship.
They are much more lavish with sculptures, incense, elaborate candleholders, ornate gold crosses, and more. As they stood in that ornamented chapel, Chuck asked the priest if they could pray. “You want to pray?” responded the priest, seemingly startled by the request. Unbeknownst to Chuck, that meant that the priest – because of his tradition – had to put on his official clerical vestments, light candles and incense, and make lots of preparation just so they could pray. I’ll be honest. That seems to go way beyond anything that Jesus or any of the apostles suggested was necessary to pray. It is certainly not a demand of Scripture. At the same time, there is a positive side to such a process. It means that we are truly aware that we’re about to step outside of our self-centered lives and meet with God. That – honestly – may not be such a bad idea. And, again, I’m not suggesting that you should change your clothes and use a censer to burn incense. But in a society that is so self-focused, stopping to prepare our hearts to meet with God – and let go of self – might be just what we need.
I’m not here to indulge myself or be entertained. It’s not about me. I’m here to * Special thanks to John Jefferson Davis and his book, Worship and the Reality of focus on and worship God. So you drive your car to the shopping God, for the insights in this section. mall. The mall is a place where you can Our everyday, commonplace activities buy stuff that the media and Wall Street force us to have to reorient in order to marketers say you need to have in order worship. Kraeuter is author of 20 to establish your place in the social order, books including Worship right? Get this product and you’ll be I remember reading a book by Chuck In Heaven ... and Why cool. Wear these clothes and you’ll be Colson years ago. Chuck started an on Earth It Matters, part of the in crowd. Along with that, at international ministry called Prison Worshiping God in the the mall you can also go to the theater Fellowship, and traveled worldwide as a Hard Times and The Great and be entertained for a couple of hours. result. In the book, Chuck told of visiting Soviet Awakening. He has attended Christian The whole mall environment says, “It’s all a prison in Russia. He met the Russian Outreach Church near St. about me!” Orthodox priest who ministered there in Louis, Missouri, for more than thirty-five years. the prison, and the priest took Chuck to He and his wife Barbara have three adult Those are just two easy-to-see activities the chapel in the basement of the prison. children. from our culture that interlock with one Russian Orthodox churches are not plain and sparse as are many western churches.
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MATT MAHER promoting unity & reconciliation Matt and his band led worship for our annual Night of Worship at NAMM with over 1,000 people in attendance. In the midst of the industry craziness that is NAMM, where companies are showing the latest and greatest tools for humans to create music, we were able to take a moment to focus on the Creator of music, and the gifts He’s already given us. Matt’s heartfelt leading was so honest and encouraging, and we were grateful to be able to sit down and talk to him about his time with us.
Tell us a little bit about what your experience them to make music and to give Him glory while at NAMM. What did it feel like to be leading they do that. I think it’s a real affirmation of the innate calling of the musician. I think whenever from the stage? we have opportunities to do that, and not just in The thing about NAMM is just how inspirational a traditional church setting, but also in the midst it is to go and see the amount of creativity that of a trade show, we should do it! people are still putting into music and into You talked to the crowd about giving back to creating instruments and products that musicians can use. It’s like a musical Disney World. It’s God in regards to the creativity you’ve been definitely refreshing, beyond a shadow of given. Will you elaborate a bit on that for us? a doubt. At the end of a day of looking at a I think for a lot of people who are in full-time bunch of gear, it’s great to be able to create an church work, for example, it can become easy environment where a roomful of musicians and to forget that a big part of what you do as a creative folks can stop and reconnect with God musician for the church is not as much about and be reminded of the beautiful fact that He’s becoming famous as it is about sowing into the source of all their creativity. And He made
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people. It’s always about other people, which is hard because, as an artist, nobody is demanding that you be selfless. But the gospel demands that. The gospel is counter-cultural, and I think the way that works in the life of a worship leader is that nothing is really about you. As a leader, one of your responsibilities is to raise up other leaders. If you’re the worship pastor at a church, you’re supposed to be working yourself slowly out of a job. At the same time, I think it’s about learning to embrace the different seasons that happen in life and learning to give God glory in all of it. It’s funny that you mentioned the moments where I spoke to the crowd, because I have always struggled with feeling like I talk too much. But
of space for the musical gear. So that was the motivation . . . . it was just a lack of space. But what came out of that was something that was functionally great. That piano shell now folds up and goes into a road case. And the Nord rides in a Pelican keyboard case. (As a side note, one of my old bass players figured out that if you take a Pelican rifle case you can convert it into a great Once we did that we brought the piano body to a company called 44 designs, which is a bass case. Of course, if you travel Internationally production design company that works with folks you are guaranteed to get stopped at customs! But that’s a whole different story) in a lot of different genres. I told them what I wanted to do, which was to take this shell and How does the Nord fit in there? Can you get make it a little more compact. Because one of to all of your controls, or are parts of it covered Let’s talk about your pseudo-piano. That’s the big things that artists like myself struggle with up by the wood and you can only see the keys? really a Nord keyboard dropped into a is portability. If you’re going to take gear and No, it’s all exposed. It just sits in the key bed distressed upright piano body so you can production equipment with you, you have to of the piano body and all of the controls are carry it easily on the road, right? keep a low footprint in the trailer because you’re Right. So basically a buddy of mine gave also bringing merchandise and sometimes the me an old Wurlizter spinet piano. He just said, P.A. equipment, so you don’t always have a lot “Hey, I don’t need this. Do you want it?” And I said, “Sure!” then people will often say to me, “I loved it when it was just you at the piano and you were just talking.” I think that the two artists that I look up to the most, as far as what I do live, would be Keith Green and Rich Mullins. There is a certain element of talking, but everyone is different, and people have different gifts. Some people’s gift is literally just their voice. But sometimes your voice is more than just the songs you sing. I think that it takes a certain level of honesty and willingness to listen to other people around you to be open to make adjustments and find the right balance. It’s been a fun ride!
I asked him if he minded if I gutted it, and he told me that was fine and to do whatever I wanted with it. So my drummer, Richard Scott, and I gutted it, which involved power tools to take off all the strings, the sound board and the frame. The frame alone is a giant piece of brass and iron that weighs several hundred pounds.
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He had recommended Natalie to me, and so had several other people. She came on one tour with us, and it was great! As far as the female singer and guitar player - you know, a lot of the songs that I write, when I’m recording them I’m always wanting a female voice to sing the backing vocals and harmonies. So it kind of started just from the necessity of it. But I think it’s also important, and important for the church to reflect, that men and women are equal but we are different and have different gifts and strengths that we bring, and the same is true in ministry. I realize that there are a lot of young people that listen to my music and come to see my shows, and it’s good for the young women to look up and see a woman up there using her gifts to glorify God. Part of what made Jesus so uncomfortable to the religious establishment is the way that He empowered women, and the way that He talked about them and showed You have a female rhythm guitar player, a preferential treatment to them. I think that even female road manager, and a female manager. now it is good for leaders in the church to be Talk to us about how that came to be. able to demonstrate that complementary style of None of that was really intentional. I met my leadership. What made you decide to use the Nord manager, Kat Davis, and I immediately knew that Callie is an amazing musician in her own right. versus a Yamaha? she should be my manager. I’ve been working She’s a fantastic singer and guitar player. She is You know, it’s interesting; I’ve found that Yamaha with her for ten years now. She had years of one of the members of the group, The Vespers, keyboards mixed with a band actually sound experience in the record industry on the label which is an amazing group and consists of two great. But Nord’s, by themselves and with just a and radio promotions side My road manager, brothers and two sisters. I played at a festival human voice, sound fantastic! Because they’ve Natalie, teaches at the Contemporary Music called Soul Fest, and The Vespers had worked got all of that weird upper mid-range thing that Center (CMC) in Nashville, which a lot of young with the same producer that I had worked with, a piano naturally has. And I think that Yamaha people come through. My front of house guy, Paul Moak, and they heard me sing a song at instinctively dials a little bit of that back because Keithon, went to school there to study live sound. Soul Fest that they thought was beautiful. I told accessible. If I had it to do again, I might try to design it a little differently, because the Nord is bright red, and if you’re in a theater, then people have a viewing angle where they can see “how the sausage get’s made”. It kills some of the mystique of it. But for the most part people have responded really well to it.
in pop music a lot of that stuff gets EQ’d out anyway. So it’s kind of a trade off. We debated for a long time about which one to use.
them that I was actually just about to reach out to them to see if the sisters would sing on my record, and they said that they would love to. So they sang on the song “Rest”, which is on my newest record Saints and Sinners, and when the opportunity presented itself for me to have a full-time female band member who could play and sing, Callie was at the top of the list. And it just so happened that her sister had just had a baby, so it worked out in the cycle of where they were at as a band at the time. We tried it out
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for a while, and she has really enjoyed it and it’s really worked out.
in ministry. It really has been my life mission: promoting unity and reconciliation through One of the things that I’ve always tried to do is people and churches working together. I think to invest in the people that I’m on the road with. I that it’s a good time now, around the five hundred think I learned this while touring with Toby Mac. year anniversary of the reformation. Martin Luther He is a genius because he surrounds himself and John Calvin didn’t have a problem with the with incredibly talented people. He himself notion of a Lectionary and the idea of a church is incredibly talented, but when you surround calendar year; the idea that God actually yourself with people who are just as talented, orders our year with the scriptures in a specific if not more so, and in ways in which you are movement that also reflects the life of Christ and deficient, it raises the bar and they help to call the life of Christ in the individual worshiper. you out. I think that some of the people who are We human beings are habitual creatures and the road with me now have way better stage we develop habits and patterns and ways of presence than I do. I’m kind of like a mannequin doing things. And there’s even the notion that that got struck by lightning that somehow started God made us that way and wants to use that animating. Sometimes I feel like when I’m up as a process of our sanctification as we live there playing guitar I’m not moving at all. And from Easter to Christmas and all the Sundays in I look at that and think that I’m deficient in the between. When you boil it down, we’re called way that I communicate with my body language, to live from Sunday to Sunday. The world was so it’s good to have other musicians who have made in seven days, and in some ways it’s that this innate ability to do that. It really is a gift. seven day cycle that circulates. Our lives are Like watching the Superbowl halftime show and marked by weeks. We still think in terms of a looking at Bruno Mars, Beyoncé, and Chris week ending and a new week beginning. Martin, and looking at the way that they have this And what marks that is literally the day of the innate ability (or maybe it’s not innate but they’ve Resurrection. just worked really hard at it) to communicate I’m really wanting to help get younger worship a song, not just with their voice, but with their leaders excited about that. I’m wanting to dive bodies, and it’s really amazing! into figuring out how to develop a resource that When you’ve spoken at conferences, what points people towards that. do you like to teach about while you’ve got When I run into worship leaders and songwriters worship team people around you? on the road, people are always asking me I think that the two things that I’m passionate where I get my inspiration. They always say about are songwriting, obviously, and the church there’s something different about my lyrics and calendar. I’d really love to see more and more about they way that I look at things. And it’s really churches embracing and consistently promoting just that idea of the week to week progression the concept of the Christian church calendar through the church calendar. So I’m really excited again. I think that the promotion of Christian about that. unity is at the heart of everything that I’ve done
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I was just at a WorshipTogether conference in Franklin, TN where Chris Tomlin gave a great talk. One of the things he talked about that concerns him about the culture of the Church today is that so much music is being written that we are losing the common songs that we have as a Church. Years ago there used to be these common songs that the whole Church was singing, and in some ways it created a pathway and an avenue for unity. And I think that one of the ways that is happening now is that God is getting different worship leaders together from different churches to write songs together. If you look at the CCLI top 25 list from 20 years ago, there were only 5 songs that were written by more than one writer. Today, in 2016, 24 out of the 25 were written by more than 1 person! So songs are being written more and more in a communal context, which I think is a really good thing. And I think it’s even a better thing if the writers are not all part of the same church because I think that music is one of the ways in which churches are going to stay connected. You are nominated for 3 Grammys this year. What did you receive the nominations for? I’m nominated for “Because He Lives” for Best Christian Performance, and I’m also nominated as a writer for “Soul on Fire” along with Brenton Brown. And the 3rd nomination is for the album Saints and Sinners for Best Christian Album. Tell us about the song that you wrote with David Crowder, “Come As You Are”. It all started with my wife. I was on the road and on my way home, and David and I had a co-writing session set up. I told him that my wife had heard an old hymn at church that she Continued on page 38
Key -
Key -
CCLI Song # 7040559 © Capitol Genesis Thankyou Music | Worship Together Music © Capitol CMG GenesisCMG | Thankyou Music || Worship Together Music For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 179545 CCLI License # 179545
CCLI Song # 7040559
CCLI Song # 7040559 © Capitol CMG Genesis | Thankyou Music | Worship Together Music For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 179545
Words and Music by Chris McClarney, Chad Bohi and Jordan Frye
God Of Miracles
and by Music byMcClarney, Chris McClarney, Chad and Jordan Frye WordsWords and Music Chris Chad Bohi andBohi Jordan Frye
God Miracles God Of Of Miracles Key -
God Of Miracles - 2
SONGchart
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SHORT-Cut capo
By Mitch Bohannon
“God of Miracles” by Chris McClarney As worship musicians we each have our own avenue toward reaching the same goal. What I mean is: Your main avenue may be vocals, drums, guitar, keys, or even cowbell! Our expression of worship may be different, but our goal of worship is the same. We worship the One who created music itself and gifted us with the ability to express it creatively. Such an awesome truth to be aware of! Ponder that for a second… There are times, as worshippers, that a song completely captivates us. It’s in those times that the Lord moves, stirs, stretches, and grows us. It happened to me at the NAMM Night of Worship. I had so been looking forward to hearing Chris McClarney for my first time, however, I had no idea that his new songs would impact me so
DM7
F#m
deeply. I quickly grabbed them on iTunes and could not wait to get home and share them with my wife. Truth be told, I wake up often during the nights and this past week, consistently, I wake up singing the chorus of “God of Miracles.” Not a bad way to wake up, but it sure makes it hard to fall back to sleep! This is such a great song to play with the Short-Cut capo, I wanted to share it with you this issue. Chris plays it in the key of “B.” I teach it in the Short-Cut key of “A” and to play with the track, place a 6-string capo on fret 2 and the Short-Cut capo on fret 4. I actually will lead the song at my church in the key of “A.” Chords in the song: DM7, F#m, E, A, D
E
A
Keep exploring new songs, shapes, and techniques with the Short-Cut capo and expand your expression of worship to the Lord!
Mitch Bohannon developed the Short Cut Capo for Kyser and is a worship pastor in Louisiana. He and his beautiful wife, Noelle, have been married for 22 years and have three awesome kids! www.kysermusical. com
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Record Reviews
By Gerod Bass
Urban Rescue Wild Heart
The title cut «Wild Heart» brings forth the band›s more folkish embellishments, while showing us that this quartet can definitely 1. Recreate color outside the lines. Despite being 2. Open Hands only 5 songs deep, Urban Rescue hits 3. Kaleidoscope the mark theologically and emotionally, 4. His Name giving us a nice little teaser of what they 5. Wild Heart have in store for the Christian worship With Los Angeles as their home base, community. Never too rustic backward or newcomers Urban Rescue’s youthful driven too metallic cold, Urban Rescue is a name sound sits somewhere between Rend to watch. Collective and Hillsong Young and Free. Pearl City Worship Their first official EP release under newly We Won’t Be Silent created Rend Family Records, Wild Heart, showcases the band’s poetic writing style 1. The Answer amidst a polished pop/folk electronic 2. The One Who backdrop of instrumentation. Their sound is Saves much cleaner and subtle than their bosses, 3. Hold My Forever Rend Collective, with the themes of this 4. Love Song particular album reminding listeners that God 5. My Strong Hope is with us in the trenches of life and only He 6. Awake 7. Still can lift us up out of them. 8. Where You Are The best song on the album is 9. This City “Kaleidoscope”, which refreshingly sheds 10. His Love (Hallelujah) all probable cliché’s that could have been Sometimes it’s great to be reminded just written and sung based on the simple theme this song was based on. The song is how big God is, and that worshipping essentially a heartfelt prayer to God to allow Him through music is not just something us to see through His eyes the chaos and we do here in the States. Hyderabad, suffering that people feel and to respond as India is 8,000 miles from New York City, Christ would. Along similar trajectory is the and similarly distant in the consciousness EP opener “Recreate”: a rousing pop number of many around the world, but this City of that bears all the imprints of a future worship Pearls and its population of seven million classic, “Recreate” utters the revival cry of are in the midst of an awakening of global Christians for God to do a work of the Spirit impact. In a city of confused religions, social and economic bifurcation, and across our cities. almost two million living in slums, the light “His Name” is the central song of the album of Christ is shining through the vibrant as we are pointed to a God who is... “A music of a band called Pearl City Worship Father when your father walks away....A and their debut release, We Won’t Be friend when no one else knows your name. Silent. A light that shines when all the world goes Even though this particular church is in dark, a hand that holds you when you fall apart....” Brimming with sincere emotion India, you will not hear typical instruments and vulnerability, this gorgeous worship that might be associated with the Middle ballad allows us to see a tender side of front East. There are no stereotypical sitars or chanting on this album, rather you will man Jordan Frye›s expressive tenor. *Gerod’s Personal Picks in bold.
Overall impression Average person could learn/participate on the first hear Can be learned/adapted by a band of average skill Lyrical creativity and integrity
Urban Rescue Wild Heart Pearl City Worship We Won’t Be Silent Noel Robinson Outrageous Love Jesus Culture Audrey Assad
Let It Echo Inheritance highest marks
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find plenty of boldly declarative songs of vertical worship that are changing lives all over India for Jesus. This album is currently at the top of the Indian charts in the “religious music” genre, sitting right next to Muslim and Buddhist albums that millions are listening to. The difference, of course, is the message that people are getting about the saving power of Jesus, and it is having a huge impact in that part of the world. The overall sound of We Won’t Be Silent falls into the Millennial electronica/dance worship category that is appealing to younger audiences these days. Themes of hope, rescue, and renewal are lyrically inscribed all over these songs, and although there is nothing really groundbreaking about the style of the album, the impact it is having on people in that part of the world cannot be ignored. Prime cuts include “The One Who Saves”, which is a thumping joyride of a song declaring that the saving love of Christ changes us from the inside out. This song has been the rallying cry of Pearl City Church, and they actually have the lyrics written on their walls as a daily reminder. Similarly, “My Strong Hope” speaks confidently of the anchor that holds in the midst of turmoil. It’s a beacon to a church that’s faced profound persecution. “The Answer”, while deeply rooted in the same musical vein as “God’s Great Dance Floor”, is especially profound given the sheer number of gods that people in their city worship. This song offers truth in a world of confusion, and it is one that is relevant not just in India but around the world. “This City” is a bold call to action for God’s people to take back their cities for Jesus that is sure to get plenty of US radio airtime given it’s rock/pop vibe, while “Where You Are” is a gorgeous acoustic-led song that examines the depth of God’s love for the lost and hurting. This is a great little album, not because the arrangements are anything over-thetop special or that the ideas of the songs are anything new, but it is obvious that the writers were very intentional about the content and who exactly these songs are targeted at. What if we, as worship writers and leaders, wrote songs that specifically spoke to those that we are called to minister to? What kind of impact could we have in our neighborhoods, our city, and our country for Jesus? The music of Pearl City Church is reaching far beyond their church walls, and we should all take notice and do the same.
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Noel Robinson Outrageous Love 1. I See Jesus Lifted High 2. Awesome Power 3. Freedom 4. Rain 5. Outrageous Love 6. You Give Me Life 7. You Hold Everything 8. Let The People Say 9. I Worship And Adore You 10. Great Are You Lord 11. You Have My Heart 12. More and More Of You 13. Revival In Your Name 14. Blessed To Be A Blessing Sometimes I just need to be smacked in my spiritual face with the joy of Jesus and what He did for me to wake me up and “get my praise on”. Well, I can honestly say that’s what happened when I pushed the play button and began to ride the funky Gospel rollercoaster of a worship album called Outrageous Love, recently released by Integrity newcomer, Noel Robinson. Recorded live at House on the Rock, Tufnell Park in north London, earlier this year, this big group of southern gospel numbers features songs Noel co-wrote with various people including James Ingram, Donna Akudo, Ian Green, Nathan Curtis, and Matt Redman, as well as a track written by Grammy award winning artist Israel Houghton. In many ways, Outrageous Love has an oldschool Gospel sound to it. This is a throwback album to the days of Gospel greats such as Ron Kenoly and Andre Crouch, complete with James Brown-esque brassy horns, thumping drums, funky bass lines, and the hollering of a Spiritfilled choir. The opening track, “I See Jesus Lifted High” is a high-energy Gospel party and sets up the rest of the album well. The horns are tight and rhythmic, hovering over the B-3 undertone as Robinson sings majestically about the glory of the Lord. Most of the album follows this recipe, similarly keeping the energy and tempo up throughout. Robinson describes the song “Rain,” as a “heartfelt cry from the Bride” directly inspired by Acts chapter 2. This song brings the tempo down a bit at the beginning, giving listeners a break as he sings about the sound of revival rain coming down. As much as I loved the instrumentation and raw talent of the band displayed on this song, the lyrical content and thematic development left me a bit flat. The most intimate moment on the album comes just in time on the laid-back track, “You Give Me Life”. The guitar work is clean, the melody memorable, and they even throw in some stringed instruments that add to the overall feel of this song about how God breathes life in us. I was a bit surprised that I enjoyed a good portion of this album. I don’t claim to be a Gospel music fan, but the band is so tight and
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the horns so good that I couldn’t help but smile and keep listening ‘till the end. The lyrics are a bit light on content and theology, and some of the arrangements are dated in my opinion, but there are a few nice nuggets on this album. It will be extremely difficult for most average worship teams to pull off the sound of the Noel Robinson band simply based on the excellence of the players. I did appreciate the pure joy in worship that Noel and his band displayed throughout the album, and I am sure that it was an amazing experience for those who were in attendance. Jesus Culture Let It Echo 1. Never Gonna Stop Singing 2. Fierce 3. Alive In You 4. In The River 5. Let It Echo 6. God With Us 7. Miracles 8. Set Me Ablaze 9. Everything And Nothing 10. In Your Presence 11. I Stand In Awe 12. Power Of The Cross
driving drums. “Alive In You” is another Walker-Smith led power ballad that is well written, with its theme centering on how the love of Jesus is the only thing that makes us truly alive. Theologically, this song hits it out of the ballpark as we are reminded that we, as human beings, have no power over our own eternal destination, but that it is Christ who chooses us. Chris Quilala’s “Miracles” is the best song on the album. This mid-tempo ballad gives a glorious exposition to the miracles of Jesus during his ministry on earth and how He can still work a miracle in our lives today. The chorus of “Miracles”, while a bit repetitive, is still rattling around in my head and has that sticky quality that makes for a great worship song. Derek Johnson’s “Power in the Cross” is a slow and pensive journey to the Cross, that, while being a bit of a yawner musically, is still lyrically solid and could easily find a place in your church’s Sunday morning worship set.
I really enjoyed this album from start to finish. Every song is just different enough to keep things interesting, and its plain to see that Jesus Culture has grown up both musically and theologically. Jesus Culture has replaced Hillsong in recent This is a well-written and artistically beautiful years as the most popular brand of youthful collection. and energetic praise music, with their songs Audrey Assad now being sung by old and young in churches Inheritance around the world. Their latest release, Let It Echo, has been hailed as Jesus Culture’s best sounding 1. Ubi Caritas album to date. The new record radiates energy 2. Holy, Holy, Holy and passion from the first song to the last and 3. Be Thou My Vision captures the raw essence of powerful and moving 4. I Wonder As I Wander worship of the church located in Sacramento, 5. How Can I Keep From Singing? California. Let It Echo includes 12 new songs 6. Oh The Deep Deep Love Of Jesus featuring Kim Walker-Smith, Chris Quilala, Bryan 7. Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet 8. New Every Morning & Katie Torwalt, and others. 9. It Is Well With My Soul Now, before you begin to think this is just another 10. Even Unto Death collection of over-used Christian phrases covered 11. Abide With Me up by the endless musical minutia released by the CCM worship community over the past few Audrey Assad has always been able to years, I can assure you that this is not your typical separate herself as a true Christian artist with Jesus Culture album. These songs are much more her out-of-the-box writing techniques and unique mature in nature, both in arrangement and lyrical singing style that has vaulted her to the top of content, than any of their previous albums. It the CCM charts all over the world. She writes, was clear to this reviewer that this album is a sings, and performs as no other, and expresses much deeper and bigger collection of songs than her vigilant faith and endearing vulnerability through songs that are Scripture-breathed and anything they have done before. passionately performed. Inheritance, her second One of the things I noticed about this album was Kickstarter-funded project, takes us back to that, unlike other live worship albums, the lead Assad’s childhood and the songs that she grew female singers do not just sing the quiet, pretty up with in her Plymouth Brethren community. ballads. Kim-Walker Smith carries lion’s share of This collection from Assad is a unique the songs, and really showcases her powerful vocals on some of the more heavy tunes, which combination of re-worked classic hymns and originals that together showcase a beautiful in and of itself was refreshing. mix of high-church traditionalism and modern The album kicks off in classic Jesus Culture emotive worship. Normally, I would question the style with the raucous, crowd-pleasing anthem, “blended” nature of an album such as this, but “Never Gonna Stop Singing”. Kim Walker-Smith Assad’s cut-above vocal skills are what keep the leads the album by singing about just what Jesus album moving along seamlessly. did for His people when he crossed the divide between heaven and earth to save us. The Some of the better cuts include the chorus is very catchy and the bass lines are super congregational classic, “Holy, Holy, Holy,” as funky as they hover over the electronic pads and Continued on page 52
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FOH Engineer
By Kent Morris
Lightning Rod: Opinions and Gear When you are trying to solve a technical issue, where do you turn? For all the benefits of the Internet, there are many caveats. The opinion of someone with decades of experience and vast know-how carries no more weight online than a newbie with a camera and a vibrant personality. Knowing what to do and whom to trust is difficult. In worship technology, there are methods and products best suited to creating a successful experience and, unfortunately, some that end with a negative result. Here, then, are a few thoughts on how you can hone your art and craft by discerning the best advice
and services available: Understand there is no perfect piece of equipment. The Shure SM58 was introduced in 1966, making this its golden anniversary. Despite half a century of change and advancement in the audio industry, the SM58 has remained the first choice for live sound. However, such accolade does not mean the SM58 is a perfect mic. Its polar response is odd, it has an antiquated design and it cannot compete with modern stage condensers in many areas of performance. Since 1966, there have been vast improvements in construction materials, such as neodymium magnets and thin Mylar diaphragms, and Shure just introduced the KSM8 Dualdyne dynamic mic at NAMM 2016, so the bar has been raised yet again. The SM58 remains at the top because it doesn’t break easily and everyone knows how to use it and EQ it. It’s just that simple. In spite of its shortcomings, its ubiquity ensures its ubiquity. All gear has an application and use. Many Facebook forums dedicated to live sound quickly devolve into nasty threads of insults and counterpunches revolving around a brand or product. The truth is all products have their place. The key is knowing it. A Behringer X32 console fits perfectly in a contemporary worship environment in a moderate-sized church or as a secondary mixer in the remote campus of a larger facility. To claim it has the same mic pre-amps as an XL4 is absurd, since excellence costs what it costs. But the X32 does have reasonable pre-amps designed by a good team using what they could within a highly constricted price range. The same principle holds true in video projectors, high frequency compression drivers, and LED lighting fixtures. Put the appropriate technology in each space
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and seek to maintain an equilibrium in and among the AVL disciplines. Spock and Dr. McCoy were both right. Logic and emotion each play their parts in decision-making. There is no logical reason to choose one color of guitar over another; that is the role of emotion. Conversely, the aesthetics of a flown primary speaker are inconsequential since the cabinet will be too far away from the congregants for them to consider the finer points of its grille design. So, the key is to use the more relevant discipline each time and not use self-delusion to rationalize an unwise purchase just because “it looks cool”. People matter more than gear. Every item we use in worship will one day turn to dust, but the souls touched by the gear will not. It makes sense, then, to focus our energy on what remains. As techs, our natural inclination is to retreat to the safety of the booth, thus avoiding as much human interaction as possible. However, it would serve our churches and us better to engage the people who complain about the volume and ignore our requests for a new processor. They respond out of their lack of knowledge, so it falls to us to educate them in a loving manner and to acknowledge their concerns. A little grace on our part can go a long way toward a new mixing console.
Kent Morris is a 35 year veteran of the worship technology arena with a passion for excellence, balanced by the knowledge digital is a temporary state.
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PERCUSSION
By Mark Shelton
Rhythm Triangle The triangle part looked simple. Several days before the recording session, the producer had given me access to sheet music and recordings so that I could prepare. As I listened to the recordings, I realized that a “simple-on-paper” rhythm triangle part was clocking in at tempode-impossible. No matter how I practiced and experimented, the down/up motion coupled with the open/close technique was more than I could handle at that breakneck speed. I made it through the session by recording a short segment and letting the engineer use “copy/paste” to complete the remainder of the passage.
(Loop #2 is the safety loop--a.k.a. “the clunk stopper.”)
Rhythm triangle parts consist of repeated rhythmic figures that usually include ringing (open) and muted Besides executing the correct rhythm, this hand (close) tones. One hand holds the triangle and plays a role in tone production. Both the section controls the open/close sounds while the other of the striker used and the point of contact on the hand maneuvers the beater to play the rhythm. triangle influence the timbre. Experiment to find the best tone quality to complement the character The Holding Hand of the music being played. The subdominant hand usually holds the triangle and makes the movements that mute the tone or Basic Patterns allow ringing. You can either suspend the triangle Practice the notated patterns paying careful After playing in symphony orchestras, concert with a clip and hold onto the clip or remove the attention to the open (o) and close (+) markings. bands, chamber ensembles, jazz groups, and clip and suspend the triangle with the upper Observe the down (D) and up (U) symbols in pattern # 5 and # 6. worship teams, I had encountered the world’s corner over your curled fingers. (see photo) most difficult triangle excerpt. I’m grateful that The palm and fingers are used to gently squeeze Number 6 is a traditional Brazilian triangolo there were enough triangle chops in me to crank the triangle for the closed sound. pattern given to me by my former student Pablo out a smidgen of notes for the digital editor to With the “no clip method,” you will loose Motta from Belo Horizonte, Brazil manipulate. some resonance on the open tone, but you will When you have these patterns under control, Allow me to offer some advice on playing have more control of the instrument as you move compose a few of your own and find the right rhythm triangle (including the down/up technique between sounds. (I favor the “no clip method.”) musical moment to add some rhythm triangle to that helped me out on that hypersonic recording). a song. The Rhythm Hand We generally think about the triangle supplying The rhythm is normally played by the more Watch my video tutorials on rhythm triangle a few well-placed dings to the musical fabric and Cajun triangle at www.youtube.com/ rather than taking on a timekeeping role. While agile dominant hand. Slow to moderate tempo marksheltonmusic. the triangle does a great job as a coloristic patterns should be played on the outer area element, it can also be effective as a groove of the triangle leg that is across from the open An active freelance musician, Mark’s corner (see photo). When the speed increases percussion work can be heard live and instrument. and the note values decrease, the “inside-down/ on recordings with Gateway Worship. Pay close attention to “Barlow Girl” by up” technique can come to the rescue. Place the A member of the Texas Commission on Superchick. Do you hear the rhythm triangle? beater inside the triangle near the bottom closed the Arts Touring Roster, Mark performs frequently as a percussion soloist. Yep, the ding in the mix. You can find those corner and use a down/up motion. The beater Mark’s compositions are published bright tones in electronica, smooth jazz, and can strike the bottom leg on the downstroke and by Per-Mus Publications, HoneyRock, & Heritage Music Press. Check out more of Mark’s educational pop music. The rhythm triangle technique is also tap the nearby side leg on the upstroke. materials at www.percussionforworship.blogspot. used to produce the chanky-chank grooves of com. the Cajun “tee-fer” and the “triangolo” parts of © 2016 Mark Shelton Productions Percussion For Worship Brazilian music. Gear Invest in great sounding instruments--that includes triangles. Build a collection of triangles along with an arsenal of triangle beaters. Simply changing the striking implement can make a significant change in the tone of the triangle. Make sure to have a couple of suspending clips rigged with two loops.
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“Matt Maher” Continued from page 24
the basic heart of the Good News. The lines, “Come out of sadness, from thought sounded like a Crowder song, wherever you’ve been”, and “Come (and I thought in my head, “Why doesn’t find your mercy”, became the basis for it sound like a Matt Maher song?”). It was the song. And we basically wrote these called “Come, Ye Disconsolate”, and I verse couplets using the original lyrics as thought to myself, “David is gonna love guide. David showed the lyrics to Ben this”, because he loves big ideas and big Glover, who is a really good staff writer words that are also profoundly simple at and producer with Capitol Records, and the same time. There was a line in it that Ben sat down and just started singing this was the line that my wife thought sounded chorus. And as soon as I heard it I said, like Crowder, which was “Earth has no “Oh my goodness, that’s amazing!” sorrow that Heaven can’t cure.” You never really know. Songs don’t I knew that what David was shooting for always come out, especially in a with Neon Steeple was this whole idea collaborative model and long-distance of the Blue Ridge Mountains and small songwriting. You don’t always know what mining town Christianity from the front you’re going to get. So for it to all come porch, with a bluegrass twist to it. So he together like that, I think we all knew that and I were sitting on two Cracker Barrel the song was special. rocking chairs on the front porch of my When I started singing it live, one night house and we started writing the song I just started into the chorus. And this was based on this hymn. The hymn writer was maybe a year after the song had been Thomas Moore, who was a Catholic, and released, and I hadn’t really sung it yet he was kind of a strange man. He was live. And then I sang it one night and I was born in Ireland in 1779 and was mostly immediately struck with this overwhelming a poet and a writer, and then in 1804 he sense of, “You’re an idiot! Why haven’t went to Bermuda as a government official, you been singing this song?” Ever since which is just so random. And he hated the then, I think I’ve sung the song every night. work so much that he turned his job over How long has Saints and Sinners been to a deputy, went to America, and then out now? And how has it been doing for eventually back to England. By the time you? he got back to England he learned that the deputy that he had left in charge had It’s been out since St. Patrick’s Day last run away with the proceeds of his ship year, so March will be one year. And and cargo, and now Thomas Moore was it’s been successful. The thing about an legally responsible for £30,000 (British album, and making music for a living, pounds sterling). He died at the age of 73 is that you have to kind of have these and just kind of lived an odd life. different purposes behind why you do So David and I talked about the whole things. Sometimes there’s art that you make notion of “invitation” and how it’s at where you’re just saying, “This is who I am
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and I’m going to make a statement and I don’t really care what people think.” And it is what it is. I think the idea of this record was a great idea, but recently I’ve been thinking about how I could expound more on some of the themes and ideas on the album. So I’ve been thinking about that for the next record, because I have one more album to do on my record deal. What are some of the things that go into making an album, specifically Saints and Sinners? We really tried and wanted to have this album explore the notion of the tension between the Saint and the Sinner, and how does that interact with music that’s digitally made versus music that’s made in an analog environment. Paul Moak is, of his own volition in Nashville, trying to make and create music the way that it’s always been made and created, and not in such a sterile environment. I always struggle with the whole process of making an album. If I made a record and there were no hiccups and there were no problems and I didn’t doubt myself or any of the songs, I almost wouldn’t trust the whole process. And this record was no exception. When we finally turned in this record, I probably could have spent another month in the studio working on it. But it’s kind of cool that I didn’t get to and that I was forced to stop. It was a great record and it was the right record to make at the time, and I’m excited about writing for and making the next one. Visit www.mattmahermusic.com
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NAMM Is Looking for a Few Good House of Worship Buyers Are you the buyer or purchasing decision–maker for a house of worship? Are you searching for music, pro audio and sound products that can take your worship services to the next level?
Then you belong at Summer NAMM. At Summer NAMM, you’ll find everything you need to create a production worthy of your message. In addition to having access to the latest music products and sound innovations, you can also attend free pro audio educational sessions at TEC Tracks, and connect with your comunity through networking events, daily performances and nighttime entertainment.
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GuiTAR GRAB BAG
By Jeffrey B. Scott
Are You Performing Or Leading? There’s so much that goes into preparing for a Sunday worship experience. Once you’ve gotten the set list, you have to make sure your gear is in order; Learn that new song; Figure out that lead line or solo; Change your strings; Program that patch . . . Whatever it takes to be ready, you’ve got to get there. But this is something that I’ve been challenging myself on recently: once I’m standing in front of the congregation on Sunday, am I leading or just performing?
Be Prepared It should go without saying, but let’s say it: if I’m not well-prepared, I’m going to be focused on playing a part instead of leading or engaging in worship. I should know the songs, what I’m going to do next, and where we’re going throughout the set list. Be Focused
Right now is what I have. This Moment. This song. This experience. I need to I believe in excellence as a value for the be HERE, in this moment, not worrying worship experience. Actually, to be more about anything else. I am trying to limit accurate, I believe in excellent execution distractions for my congregation, and I during the worship experience. And I need to do the same for myself. want the moments that we have together Be Forgiving to be engaging. But how do you draw that line between truly engaging worship I’m human. I will mess up. I will hit the (not engaging IN worship, we’ll talk occasional wrong note. But I have to move about that in a minute) and an excellent on. I can’t get stuck there, beating myself up for the rest of the song or set list. If I’m “performance”? focused on myself and the wrong note I just Believers the world over have a dim view hit I will have lost the opportunity to focus of someone who’s “performing” worship. on Jesus. Let it go. Forgive yourself. (Unless We’ve all seen it, and it definitely feels it causes a train wreck, I can promise you, awkward. It’s like a guy singing about his the congregation has already forgotten it!) favorite dog dying and smiling while he Be Loved does it; It’s just weird! But, to paraphrase Tom Jackson, we’re all excellent readers As believers in Christ, we are called of body language, no matter how well His “Beloved”, and I’ve heard it talked we can evaluate the quality of a musical about many times, that we need to take endeavor. There will always be a that word apart sometimes and just “be disconnect between the congregation and loved”. Christy Nockels sings a beautiful someone who is using the worship time as word picture, “Be loved, He loves you”. his or her moment to shine. So in your moments of playing, remember But we also have a disconnect with His grace and love have been solidified in the congregation if we are unwilling to Christ. Nothing you can do changes that engage with them during our worship in either direction. experiences. If we close our eyes at the Remember The Audience beginning of a worship time and open For this context, I’m talking about both them at the end, are we really leading? the people you are leading, and The “But that’s what worship looks like, isn’t One you’re leading them to. They haven’t it?” sweated over the set list, they haven’t Well, I’m not so sure it does. I’m not so poured hours into learning songs. They sure that The Worship Guitarist is standing walked in off the street, most of them still in his one spot, looking down at his with no expectation of this moment. This pedals and never moving, or closing his is possibly the point where we can take eyes from the beginning of the set till the last that stereotype and revamp it. Even great reverb tail dies. But that’s the thing we’re performers know their audience, and wrestling with, especially as guitarists who we should be more attuned than that as are stereotyped as egomaniacal. How do worship leaders. So be aware of the we engage and be engaged in worship, congregation, be aware of their mindset as you enter worship. And remember without it feeling showy or inauthentic? that they need to see a worshiper fully Here’s some general ideas that I’m engaged in worship AND someone who personally wrestling with… can help them get to where you already are. Think of yourself as someone who’s
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holding the door for them to enter the greatest party of all time - you’re excited, you want them to come in and see! And remember The Audience of One as well. He’s already there, already ready for the offering of worship. And I want to draw as many people into His presence as possible, because He is worth it! Be Comfortable. Be Honest With all the aforementioned ideas in place in your heart, this last part is the practical application of that: what it really looks like. I want to be engaging as a worship leader, so that, as I call our congregation to worship the Almighty God, they follow me willingly, not just because I happen to be the guy with the mic! I want it to be easy for them. And I want to acknowledge that there may also be people in the room who don’t know me, but they ought to be able to trust me in that moment as well. So if I’m awkward, if I’m not prepared, if I’m distracted by my gear or pushing buttons, then they’re not going to be comfortable. But being honest about who I am as a worshiper also comes into play now. If I’m naturally inclined to be demonstrative in my worship, should I hold back? Should I stand still? NO! Of course not! I should enjoy the process of worshiping Jesus. David is our greatest example in scripture of someone who didn’t care what people thought. But remember I said I’m wrestling with these things? Because after many years of leading worship, both as the leader and as a backup musician, I still don’t know that I’ve worked it all out. We have to take all these things into consideration every time we stand on a platform and work out the balance of what is right for each situation, still using whatever we have to draw people to Jesus. Pray that we get it right most of the time!
Jeffrey B. Scott lives in Atlanta, GA with his wife and 3 children, and is dead-set on delivering his best for God’s glory. He’s a guitarist, vocalist, producer and songwriter. Check out his new EP, Highest Heights, available now on iTunes! Twitter: @jeffreybscott Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeffreybscott
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The Band By Tom Lane
Focusing Passion Over the years I’ve learned that talent and passion alone do not guarantee success or a bright future. A common denominator among many of the most successful people in any field is the amount of focus and dedication given to their passion. Some of the most gifted people I’ve known do a number of things really well, yet struggle to be focused enough make any one of them really pay off. Sometimes being able to pursue many options can keep us from one that may stand the greatest chance of making room for us.
moment not unlike Neo in the movie The Matrix when he saw the grid for the first time and realized it wasn’t reality that he’d been living in all his life. We only find true freedom when we come to peace with the fact that God is not holding us to the standards of men, or even our own design, but to His standard of holiness and righteousness; which are not performance or works based in the least! He is anxious to help, give grace, show compassion, support, and to love us—this is the reality.
The beauty in loving God and trusting him with our lives is that He does far more that we could ever imagine and it’s always better than what we can do ourselves. He’s very aware of our deepest passions, talents, and desires. He longs to fulfill and bless, but He does know best. That’s what Godly wisdom is - His best! But it’s not what all of us ask for or even want. The first prayer we really should pray is to desire His wisdom—the wisdom from heaven. Then choose to live by that wisdom and uphold it as the standard. Crazy as this may sound to musicians and creative people, it’s the only way to hit the mark we are made for and to be at Honestly, I don’t feel like I’ve accomplished peace while doing it. But it won’t happen near as much as I might have were I more by osmosis, it requires action and choice disciplined. I don’t live in guilt and shame on our part. over it, I’m just extremely aware that it’s Focusing passion is not just being been true in my life not just creatively, but dedicated to an art or talent. First, we also relationally. So I’ve had to really work should decide on who we believe the at being more focused, committed, and source is. If we don’t really believe it disciplined. I’ve learned the hard way that has an origin, then we’re more likely to good opportunities don’t always equal be driven by passion alone and do any success, and may rob me of something and everything we want with it—we are else vitally important. Everything comes totally free to choose to do it our way. But at a cost—you give up something to get if we believe it comes from and belongs another thing! The Lord is gracious to let us God, then we are to be guided by a very choose what we want, but every choice different compass: one that points to Him has a consequence and price. Wisdom first and desires to please Him. It’s really to make good choices is a treasure worth about what happens with talent when acquiring! it’s invested wisely and flourishes through Here’s the good news, James 1:5 says: surrendering it back to the Creator. That’s “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him the focus we want to have and pursue. Here’s a key verse! Prov. 2:5 “A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of understanding draws it out.” Creative people aren’t typically short on passion, but more often they lack the discipline and wisdom to draw it out. Sadly, some do, only to focus it on their own ambition, void of the knowledge and hope that they are created for more than just themselves. But the principle is still true regardless, because it’s wisdom that originated from God. The encouraging thing is that it can be done! There is a way, and God is not against our efforts to draw out the plans in our hearts.
ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” I ask for it regularly! We don’t need to live in condemnation for what we don’t get done or can’t do, but to learn from mistakes and bad choices so as to not repeat them. Eventually it started making more sense to me and I had a
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COMBO PACKAGE
Nashville, TN is home for Tom Lane though he is involved in ministry and music around the world. As a singer, songwriter and guitar player, Tom has been teamed with many worship leaders and artists. He continues to record his own work, lead worship, and writes regularly for various worship publications worldwide.
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MINISTRY
By Rick Muchow
7 Secrets of Spirit-Led L.E.A.D.E.R.S. Part 3 Spirit-Led Leaders Adapt to Change Spirit-Led Leaders do more than listen to the Word; they apply it to every part of their lives. In other words, they do what the Bible teaches. The Word of God is called a lamp to the believer’s feet and a light to their paths. Using an energy metaphor: obedience to God’s Word is like a breaker switch controlling the power to a lamp; when the switch is on the lamp has power. Spirit-led leaders keep the switch on.
step to adapting to change is to have a positive attitude toward it. Understanding the benefits of trying new things, being stretched, and trusting God will help with embracing change; especially difficult change.
to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” Eccl. 3:1-8
Every season has its purpose and benefit. When we are connected to God in authentic relationship we will benefit, in some way, from every change. SpiritNot only does working through change led leaders learn to adapt to change and with a joyful heart help the leader to grow, keep on serving because they worship but change is a part of God’s creative their God and not their circumstances. design. For example, God created Spirit-led leaders might pray this prayer: seasons. We usually associate seasons In this series, we are discussing The Seven with weather, however seasons can also “Seasons come and seasons go, but Secrets using the acronym: L.E.A.D.E.R.S.! relate to life, like time and events. God forever your promises are true. I believe The first two Secrets: Learn to See (Leaders emphasizes the importance of seasons in your sovereignty. I believe you are Discern) and Envision the Future (Spirit-Led as the same word season (as used in watching over me. Through the seasons, Leaders Dream). This month we uncover Ecclesiastes 3) is used 70 times in the I want to be close to you, God.” the third secret: Spirit-Led Leaders Adapt Kings James Version of the bible. It’s this seasoning of Spirit-led leaders that make Adapting to change is like a ballroom to change. them effective in ministry and their worship dance. When the music changes the real dancers stay on the floor. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus once pleasing to their maker. said, “The only thing that is constant is Secret #3: Spirit-Led Leaders Dance Consider this verse: “For everything there change.” As it turns out, change is a vital component of self growth. Get comfortable is a season, and a time for every matter with being uncomfortable and you will find under heaven: a time to be born, and a there is no limit to what you can achieve. time to die; a time to plant, and a time In the book of James we read, “Count it all to pluck up what is planted; a time to joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of kill, and a time to heal; a time to break Rick served as Pastor Of various kinds, for you know that the testing down, and a time to build up; a time Worship at Saddleback Church with Rick Warren of your faith produces steadfastness. And to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to for 24 years. Rick let steadfastness have its full effect, that mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast encourages and equips you may be perfect and complete, lacking away stones, and a time to gather stones worship leaders through together; a time to embrace, and a time Coaching, Speaking, in nothing.” James 1:2-4 to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, Writing and Leading Worship. Change is easier to deal with when and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a His book, The Worship Answer Book you realize it is a necessary part of life. time to cast away; a time to tear, and a is available on iTunes, GooglePlay and Spirit-led leaders do more than deal with time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a Amazon). change; they embrace it. Not all change time to speak; a time to love, and a time www.Rickmuchow.com Facebook: Rickmuchow band is good, easy, or comfortable. The first Twitter: @Rickmuchow
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POINT-AND-SHOOT MIXING
With TouchMix you don’t need to be an experienced sound engineer to sound like one. In the hands of an experienced photographer, a modern DSLR camera can create stunning images in any number of shooting conditions. But see the presets for portraits, landscapes, close-ups and more? The camera is pre-programmed by experienced professionals so that anyone can get a quality image in just about any condition. Just point and shoot. The camera knows what it needs to do to give you a great shot. Same with TouchMix. It’s one of the most advanced digital mixers ever made, with features that rival consoles costing thousands more. But its real genius is how the Presets, Wizards and Simple Modes put all that power to work easily and seamlessly to deliver you an amazing mix that will have everyone convinced that you are a professional sound engineer. How? Just like the DSLR, our own team of pony-tailed professionals* put everything they learned over decades of mixing live sound into TouchMix so that whether you’re a pro or not, you’ll get NYLH[ YLZ\S[Z X\PJRS` LHZPS` HUK VU `V\Y ]LY` ÄYZ[ NPN 5V V[OLY TP_LY JHU THRL [OPZ JSHPT and that’s why we say that TouchMix is Simply Genius.
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MINISTRY
By David Gauthier
Is Worship Music? Recently I read a job description for the position of Church Worship Director for a medium sized church (700 people) in the Midwest. In the three page job description the word “worship” was used 45 times and the word “musical” twice. Never was the actual word “music” used. And yet clearly the position called for someone who was skilled in music on either the guitar or keyboard as well as being a skilled singer, which was specified on page three under qualifications. For a full two pages the word worship was substituted for the word music the majority of the time. “Houston, we have a problem.”
the level of congregational participation rather than the sense of devotion, love, and faith in action that congregation may be expressing? If the essence of worship has nothing to do with music then why are we equating music with worship?
for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Rev 4:6b-11
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the harp and they were holding golden bowls mercies of God, to present your bodies full of incense, which are the prayers of a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable God’s people. 9 And they sang a new to God, which is your spiritual service of song, saying: worship. And do not be conformed to this “You are worthy to take the scroll and world, but be transformed by the renewing to open its seals, because you were of your mind, so that you may prove what slain, and with your blood you purchased the will of God is, that which is good and for God persons from every tribe and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 language and people and nation. 10 You May I ask a question? When did this NASB have made them to be a kingdom and happen? And why? OK, that was three Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of priests to serve our God, and they will questions. But it begs to be answered. our God and Father is this: to visit orphans reign[b] on the earth.” Have we gone too far by equating music and widows in their distress, and to keep 11 Then I looked and heard the voice of with worship? Is worship music? Is music oneself unstained by the world. James many angels, numbering thousands upon worship? Is it synonymous? Actually, 1:27 NASB thousands, and ten thousand times ten no. We certainly hope that people are How did we go down this slippery thousand. They encircled the throne and worshipping while they are singing the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a but there are no guarantees of that. An slope? Here’s one side of the story: loud voice they were saying: individual is the only who can make the In the book of Revelation chapters 4 decision to worship. A worship leader and 5 are some scenes that describe the “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to and band can put the music out there and intense and eternal worship of God as receive power and wealth and wisdom present the opportunity to worship, but it is witnessed in the Sprit by the Apostle John. and strength and honor and glory and up to the individual to decide to worship praise!” In the center, around the throne, were and enter in. You can lead a horse to four living creatures, and they were 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven water but you can’t make him drink. covered with eyes, in front and in back. and on earth and under the earth and on Many pastors recoil at the idea that only 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the sea, and all that is in them, saying: the singing is worship in the context of the second was like an ox, the third had a what is called a “worship service”. And face like a man, the fourth was like a flying “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb rightly so; if only the singing is worship, eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures be praise and honor and glory and power, what are the other elements called such as had six wings and was covered with eyes for ever and ever!” 14 prayer, confession, offering and scripture all around, even under its wings. Day and The four living creatures said, “Amen,” readings if not worship? (There is a move night they never stop saying: and the elders fell down and worshiped. to use the term “service of worship” rather Rev 5:8-14 “‘Holy, holy, holy than “worship service” in referencing [b] The poetic text from these powerful is the Lord God Almighty,’ congregational gatherings. I don’t think passages describing what is commonly who was, and is, and is to come.” changing the terminology helps the called heavenly worship has been put to 9 discussion). Whenever the living creatures give music and turned into songs yet only one is A comment often heard is “that church has glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on actually said to be a song; the others were the throne and who lives for ever and ever, spoken. That is not to say they shouldn’t good worship” or, “the worship is really 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before be available to be “melodized” or are good” or, “their worship isn’t very good”. him who sits on the throne and worship off-limits to turn into songs, but only that Can we ask the question “How does this him who lives for ever and ever. They lay in the Revelation record they are spoken sit with the One we are worshipping?” Can you have bad worship? How about their crowns before the throne and say: rather than sung. The result is that it is easy 11 mediocre worship? Doesn’t this prove that “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to assume that what is going on around what is actually being referenced is the to receive glory and honor and power, the Throne 24/7 is musical worship music, how good the band may be and Continued on page 52
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Ministry + Artistry = Profitability? Creating your MAP™ By Scott A. Shuford
Four Tips for Digital Marketing on a Tight Budget If, like most artists, you’re on a tight budget, marketing can seem daunting. It can feel expensive, overwhelming, and even discouraging. Here are some tips for independent and signed artists to keep you fiscally responsible and effective:
what your audience is engaged with, so you can change your targeting efforts to what your audience wants and needs. You can read more about the 80/20 rule in a great article at http://www.entrepreneur. com/article/229294. It makes good sense, particularly with a small budget. By Utilize social media! targeting the music fans (your customers) who are bringing in the majority of Although this seems like an obvious revenue, you are being responsible with solution, it is actually a great way for your both your time and money! Why waste “small business” to advertise with a limited time and resources trying to please every budget. Facebook has become a paid customer, when you can better direct and advertisement arena, but in the grand use your limited resources. scheme of things their prices are relatively low, so if you are trying to find good, Consistency in every area low-cost solutions, Facebook is a match. Perhaps try paying for a few ads and Remember that even if you use “free” looking at what works best, and tailoring advertising, such as Instagram, equal effort your efforts accordingly. Research done must be put into it to ensure your brand is in 2014 shows that faith-based brands constant across platforms. Especially if you do 3% better on Facebook versus Twitter rely primarily on social media platforms and Instagram (IDM Digital Marketing for exposure and marketing, you will need Council, 2014). Not sure where to start? to put extra effort into each account to FrontGate can manage your social media make sure they all “match” and express ad campaign. your brand and faith values, whether it’s a paid advertisement or not. Cross-channel Look at what works best marketing is also a wise way to spend your time. If you don’t see customers in While we are on the topic of what works, Instagram converting, then consider using use your Google Analytics to determine
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media buying
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visit FrontGateMedia.com
the same message on another platform to achieve better results. When you do pay for marketing, use the best there is Did you know FrontGate is #1 in reach to Christian music fans? FrontGate is the largest web and events group and marketing service in the Faith-based market. The reason for that is simple; we deliver the faith-based audience better than anyone else because we have the largest group of market-leading entertainment sites and events at our immediate disposal, all of which can be used to benefit you. We are the only media group that was founded for the purpose of marketing your project, rather than to publish content. We exist for one reason: to drive the people you want to the place you want them to go. That’s a great reason to invest your money where you will actually see results. If you’d like to know more, then tell us more about your project via the Contact form on our web site at www.FrontGateMedia.com
Scott has led classes for us at CMS and NAMM as well as teaching on marketing for the Gospel Music Association, Christian Leadership Alliance, and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Scott is the Chief Engagement Officer at FrontGate, which provides marketing strategy, online promotions, public relations, and social media marketing to reach the Christian audience. Get more marketing and social media tips at FrontGate’s blog www.FrontGateMedia.com.
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WORSHIP TEAM TRAINING by Branon Dempsey
The Three R’s Your Band Needs To Know Clues for better playing as a team
As musicians and singers we love to play and sing. If there’s a song or chart, we’ll go after it in a heartbeat. But what happens musically when we get there? Do we fill up all the space and step on other’s toes, which can cause a 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? You may have five people or fifteen, but no matter the size of your worship team 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.
five band members. Would each of them in the band for the same common reason: play less or more? Each would play less to joyfully and skillfully play to God (Ref. (1/5) in order to make room for the entire Psalms 33.3). pie. When our emotions get in the way, they Using a ratio is a great tool to use, as can derail the music and the leading of it will help musicians (and singers) not fill worship. Settle your differences off stage. every musical gap or whole. Don’t let the time of worship (or Green Relationship: We need to communicate Room) be the only place you connect. 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.
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 If I am a drummer, my best go-to person unity and oneness. to learn from would be the bassist. If you Ratio, Relationship, and Respect is the are a guitar player, you may want to triad for making music that is pleasing understand more of what the drummer is to God. Make great music together by doing. By understanding each member of making greater the love of Christ in your your team, you develop an appreciation leadership. People will be better led in of what they do and how they play. worship by the sound of your heart first, This gives you further insight as to how then your instrument second.
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 possess our musicianship, while making the most of every opportunity. It’s not only God who they communicate musically. It will also hears us, but the people around us. help you answer the questions such as: Ratio: If you were to divide your band what are their strengths, what are their evenly like slices to a pie, each person weaknesses, how do they avoid the should own their own space. To help keep curve, and how well do they recover from a person from playing over everything, mistakes? we create musical slices. This is not a new For me, I love to learn about each concept, but it is a proven method that person’s musical characteristics. It not only works. helps me implement the ratio method, Let’s say we have a three-piece band: but it helps me be more sensitive to their Bass, drums, and guitar (or keyboard). playing/singing. I know when to hold Each person owns 1/3 of the pie while back or when to put more in. I also learn playing to the music. Together, they to add the right dynamic and texture. complete the pie. Instead of each person Simply, my job as a team member is to playing at 100%, each will knock it down to 35%. What you have is a general help support what they are doing. My mission is to help them be the best. If I can balance to the band based on the song. provide consistency and dependability There are ebbs and flows; one instrument on my part, then I am doing my job to may take on the leading role, while the esteem my team member in Christ better other two may compensate. Depending than myself. on the song sections, each instrument may play a larger or lesser role. In example, Philippians 2.3 reminds us: “Let nothing when the lead vocal is present, the other be done through strife or vain glory; but in instruments adjust their dynamic and lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.” playing to support the singer.
Let’s say we make the pie larger, adding Respect: It doesn’t take a lot, but it goes a more people to the mix. Now we have long way. Love your teammates. They are
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Branon Dempsey is the CEO/Founder and Training Director of Worship Team Training® a ministry providing live workshops and online resources for local worship ministries. Branon holds an M.Div in Worship and BM in Music Composition/Performance and is an instructor with Christian Musician Summit, a writer for Worship Musician Magazine, Shure Notes as well as other worship publications. Branon is a Training Partner with Yamaha Corporation of America | Worship Resources, and the Expert Panel for Shure Microphones; Contributor for Creator Leadership Network, Christian Musician / Worship Musician Magazine / Christian Musician Summit and a partner with Compassion International. Artist/Teacher Endorsee through Line 6, D’Addario, Proclaim Church Presentation Software, iSing Worship, Promark Drumsticks and Jim Hewett Guitars. Visit: www.WorshipTeamTraining.com Copyright 2016 Branon Dempsey | Worship Team Training® | Administered by For His Music. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States of America. www.worshipteamtraining.com
Product Review By Eric Dahl
Hydra – a guitar stand of Mythical Proportions! In ancient Greek Mythology Hercules second labor was to defeat Hydra a creature that was terrorizing a local village. In this story the Hydra guitar stand, by D & A Guitar Gear, is our hero as it provides increased stability and security for our instruments on stage and in the studio. Church and Worship stages are notorious for providing minimal space for musicians and their music gear. The benefit of a multi-stand like the Hydra is that you won’t need multiple stands in that limited space. At the heart of the Hydra are six well-padded legs providing more stability than any stand on the market, so our precious instruments won’t fall over even when a guitar is removed or if the stand is bumped. There are also three foldable spacers that extend out to keep your instrument’s body from swinging or hitting the center of the stand. The most impressive feature of the Hydra is it’s three locking heads that are transparent in the front and padded in the back where your
instrument rests. The heads are gravity activated so when you rest your instrument neck in them it locks around the fretboard and when you lift up it releases. Set up and breakdown of the Hydra is simple and fast thanks to the quick release heads and the bottom collapses in on itself for easy storage and transport. D & A Guitar Gear backs up the Hydra with a lifetime and wall mount guitar hangers - to check warranty and the street price on this model out their entire line visit them at is $149.95. Besides the Hydra, D & A offers single stands, fold up gig stands www.heydna.com.
By Eric Dahl
Levy’s New Pro Series Gig Bags Will Have You Singin’ in the Rain! Winter Namm 2016 reveled some great new products that manufacturers introduced for musicians like us. Levy Leathers introduced the new Pro Series CPS “Backpacker” gig bags which are available in acoustic (CPS-20), electric (CPS-7) or bass (CPS-8) configurations. The most forward thinking feature is a rain cape with elasticized binding that is located in a pouch at the bottom of the bag. The rain cape is attached inside of the pocket so after you use it, just roll it up tuck it away and zip it for the next severe weather use. The staff at Levy have secretly dubbed this gig bag the “007” and it’s easy to see why with our review model. Every inch of space is purpose minded starting with the headstock pocket designed for string and battery storage, the second pocket underneath is for straps or cables, the middle larger pocket for
laptops, iPad, books or music (it also includes a removable see thru zipper bag for valuables) and the base pouch is for effect pedals. Guitar protection is maximized inside the CPS with a padded neck stabilizer and Velcro neck support to minimize movement. Plus I like the rubberized string shield so your guitar strings at the headstock won’t damage the bag. The lining has one inch foam padding with a poly lining. On the backside of the bag are fixed shoulder pads with a stabilizer strap and they zip back into it for concealment. Besides the rain cape the next best feature is a hidden compartment under the back straps for keeping valuables out of site when traveling. Street price for the CPS-7 is $149.95 and you can check out their entire line at www.levysleathers.com. For the worship musician or music student, I
haven’t seen a better multi-function gig bag on the market for the money with this much useable space. Eric Dahl resides in Nashville TN with his wife and daughter. He is the author of “B.B. King’s Lucille and the Loves Before Her” and he does a weekly TV gear review show called the FOX 17 Rock and Review.
WORSHIPMUSICIANMAGAZINE.COM MAR/APR 2016
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Editor’s Corner Continued from page 7
intermission and the joy and freedom in the room was quite evident. Our headliner this year was Matt Maher and band, and he was the correct choice again to close the night. Thoughtful lyrics, great music (Matt has quite a few well known songs now that the crowd entered into) and a stage presence that is so honest and vulnerable about who God
is, both in our lives and in the music we for next years Night of Worship @ do. The audience was in the moment the NAMM. Maybe you should plan on coming? NAMM does want worship whole way through. leaders, sound techs, and musical gear A local pastor friend of ours, Holland purchase influencers to come to this Davis from Calvary San Clemente, CA, generally industry gave an invitation for Christ and closing only convention. prayer. The audience hung out for quite a while thanking us for doing the event, Consider it! talking to each other, and hanging around In His Grip, the artist merch tables. You could tell they Bruce & Judy got a lot out of it. Thank makes my joy complete. We are already brainstorming
Dummer’s Perspective Continued from page 10
them to only know one approach to playing drums. This not only applies to I am playing. Each one! I always say, drum grooves, but also to drum sounds “Give every song its honor. Do your due and production. How we make the kit sound with drum sizes, heads, tuning, and diligence.” more, affects the musicality of our playing. I recently bought the book “The Drummer’s I never think of music as a “one way works Bible” for my students and myself to use as for all”… or “my way is the only way”. I’m an encyclopedia of drum styles. I know always looking for ways to improve to be technically they will need to know how more expressive. to play a variety of grooves and I don’t Join me in the journey. As a friend of mine want them or me to be a one trick pony. Even though most of them are involved in said, “I don’t dream about it, or talk about modern worship music, I’m not allowing it, I just do it!”
“Just DO IT!” – Blessings, Carl Carl Albrecht has been a professional drummer & percussionist for over 25 years. He has played on over 70 Integrity Music projects; Maranatha Praise Band recordings & numerous other Christian, Pop, Country, Jazz & commercial projects. He currently lives in Nashville doing recording sessions, producing, writing and continuing to do various tours & seminar events. Visit his website: www.carlalbrecht.com or send an e-mail to: lmalbrecht@aol.com.
with current styles and traditions. Audrey Assad is indeed an artist who has painted a beautiful musical picture of the darkness Assad turns this ancient worship piece into of sin that we live in while proclaiming the “Even Unto Death”, an Assad original, a Sarah McLachlan-esque slice of dreamy saving light of Christ, and I was thankful to pop-folk with her ethereal phrasing is a touching piece that further reveals listen to this album. Go get it. accompanied by forceful percussions and Assad’s heart for God as she professes echo-y backings. Another stand out classic undying faith in Christ despite life’s storms Gerod Bass is a ministry hymn is “Abide With Me”, which is and persecution, while “New Every veteran who has been probably the most radiostripped down to just a piano, a cello, and Morning”, serving God’s people through her heavenly voice as she winds her way friendly contemporary pop song on the worship and youth ministry for through this intimate and powerful offering album, reminds us that God knew us over 20 years. Since 2009, before the dawn of time and His love he has been living his dream that ends with an intense orchestral tag. never changes. serving as the minister of While I enjoyed most of the arrangements worship and Jr. High at Our Savior Lutheran Inheritence separates itself from most of the old hymns on this album, “Jesus’ Church in Tacoma, WA. He’s a singer, guitarist Blood Never Failed Me Yet” simply took my modern hymn albums because this and recording artist who has a passion for demonstrates originality, impacting lives for the sake of the Gospel. Find breath away. The powerful background of collection creativity, and an out more, including his newest album release at pounding drums, orchestral musing, and forethought, even some African instruments is artistically understanding of the different shades his website, gerodbass.com. of traditions and how they can dovetail Record Reviews Continued from page 32
Is Worship Music? Continued from page 46
when in fact the majority is spoken. This gives credence to the practice of spoken confessional, prayer, scripture, creeds and congregational responses in services. As a worship leader, out strongest desire should be that the people connect to God through their singing. The songs we choose and the order we place them in are presented in order to invite and
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stunning. Assad’s dreamy vocals help create a theatrical feel as we are drawn deeper into God’s story.
allow the congregation to grab hold of the truths in the songs and express their love, prayers, hopes, failures, triumphs and devotion through the music. Melody, rhythm, tempo, dynamics and flexibility all serve to that end. But they are not the goal. They are tools of the trade in service to the building up of the house of God, the spiritual temple made not with hands but with every living stone offering spiritual sacrifices. 1 Pet 2:5, Acts 7:48
David Gauthier is a musician, worship leader and songwriter with (gulp!) over 40 years worship leading experience as well as 26 years with CCLI in sales, marketing and publisher affiliation. As a former music director at five churches, worship leader at camps, conferences and retreats, guest leading at churches of nearly every denomination, and a veteran of rock, R&B, blues and swing bands, he brings a wealth of experience to the subjects of worship leading and band leading. He can be reached via e-mail at dcgauthier@gmail.com.
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A Few Moments With…
John Nicol
Seven Ways To Kill A Great Worship Song Have you ever heard your favorite worship song get butchered during a worship service? You have to assume that the person doing the butchering isn’t purposely trying to wound your soul. But you’re still more than a little tempted to go “Kanye” the mic from them. A poorly executed worship song during worship isn’t just a painful listening experience for the worshiper; it’s poor stewardship. Dan Wilt says this about worship songs: “Songs are a place we go to meet with God. Songs are more than melodies and words; they are places where we speak to God, and God speaks to us.” So if we’re leading worship songs, it stands to reason that we serve people by making each song the best “place” it can be.
to use dynamics. Dynamics in music are 6. Over-Repeat It like mountains and valleys on a hike. I grew up in Iowa. Hiking in a cornfield— I’m all for lengthening some of the not interesting. Hiking along the bluffs “radio mixes” of worship songs. Those of the Mississippi River—amazing. Use arrangements are great for listening, but, for live worship, the song requires more dynamics. space for people to engage. However, we have to be careful that we don’t overstay our welcome by dragging out the song too long. Over-repeating the song can cause people to move from worshiping with wonder to wondering when it’ll be over.
A poorly executed worship song during worship isn’t just a painful listening experience for the worshiper; it’s poor stewardship.
7. Over/Under Rotate It
If a song kills (in a good way), our tendency is to do it again. And soon. Our best songs fall victim to over-familiarity because we rotate them into our worship services too frequently. The flip side can also happen: a great song can fall flat because we don’t rotate it enough. It’s humbling to think about: There’s an art to planning songs in with each song we lead, we’re a way that keeps them fresh but still stewards of a potentially lifefamiliar. If you want to learn more changing experience. We have about that, you can check out my the ability to encourage it or kill book The SongCycle: How to Simplify it. So let’s talk about the ways we might be 4. Over Sing it/Over Play It Worship Planning And Re-Engage “killing” our worship songs. Overplaying a worship song is like Your Congregation on Amazon or at overcooking a steak—it doesn’t necessarily 1. Wing It WorshipTeamCoach.com. render it inedible, but it might as well be. As musically competent worship leaders, Instruments and voices step all over each So the danger in a short article like this we too often believe we’re good enough other. The melody gets lost. Dynamics get is too much diagnosis of the problem and to just “wing” a song. But good stewards forgotten. And the sound tech is expected too little remedy. If you want to dig deeper to make this hot mess sound like Spotify. take the time to prepare and invest. into possible remedies, I deal with several 2. Rush It/Drag It Tempo issues affect everyone. The leader goes into “foot-stomping” mode to try to get the team back on. The band and vocalists can’t worship while they’re attempting to figure out who to sync up with. And the congregation, whether they realize it’s a tempo issue or not, knows something isn’t right. 3. Flatline It You can get the lyrics, notes and rhythms right but still kill a song. How? By failing
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5. Over-Embellish It On most worship recordings the artist will embellish the melody to make the song more dynamic as it builds to the end. But when the worship leaders in my church do those same embellishments, many people stop singing. They’re either not sure what to sing or they just can’t sing it at all. So we don’t NOT do those parts. We just make sure another vocalist is prominent on the melody so the congregation can follow him or her.
of these issues in articles and posts on my site. Go to worshipteamcoach.com/band to find a handy index to all those posts.
Jon Nicol is a worship pastor and the founder of WorshipTeamCoach.com, a site designed to help worship leaders build strong teams that lead great worship. He lives and works in the Mansfield, Ohio area with his wife, Shannon, and their four kids.
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