Playing in Church.

[LeftyP]

We had a great Easter morning service on Sunday.  The church was packed (we can seat 150 people) and we played five great songs;

 

Come People of the Risen King.

See What A Morning.

Who Is This Man? (Kids' song from Emu Music)

Living Hope.

Glory To Jesus (Thine Be The Glory)

 

A good band line-up of male and female vocals, semi-acoustic guitar, bass guitar (me), oboe (my wife), drums and keyboard had the congregation singing loud enough to cover up all my mistakes!  There were fun and games for the kids while getting the Easter message across and hot cross buns and chocolate egg nest cakes with tea and coffee.  People stayed long after the service had finished for fellowship and food.

 

Then some of us met up at a church member's house for a meal in the afternoon.  The group consisted of; Three people from Egypt (our hosts), five from India (four of whom worked in London but were visiting one of our church members) one guy from Brazil with his English wife and their two boys plus five of us from the UK.  We had great food and fun games.  Our church contains people from all over the world, from South Africa and the Philippines to Asia and Eastern Europe.  A few months ago we had an afternoon get-together where the various nationalities brought food from their countries and we learned about how they were trying to adapt to the British culture.  There were some funny situations recounted.  I can recommend Filipino Chicken for lunch!  Christian fellowship at its best.  I feel blessed to belong to such a diverse yet united family.

[Richard R]

42 minutes ago, LeftyP said:

congregation singing loud enough to cover up all my mistakes!

My kind of congregation!

 

[Owen]

@Rosie C I saw this and thought of you.

[Rosie C]

3 hours ago, Owen said:

@Rosie C I saw this and thought of you.

 

 

Mmm, that looks a sweet instrument. My first one will be much more of an economy model, but if it plays well I might look at getting another made to a higher spec.

[LukeFRC]

a mandocello does not look like I thought one would look like hearing the word!

[Rosie C]

2 minutes ago, LukeFRC said:

a mandocello does not look like I thought one would look like hearing the word!

 

They do vary a lot. I've attached photos of my current two, and @Owen has likely seen my build thread for one built from an Gibson SG style guitar. 

 

 

[Nice Guy Rich]

Never let things get on top of you, our Pastor has been signed off with "mental and physical exhaustion" for the past 2.5 months, he has been signed off further and as this overlaps with his planned sabbatical, this means that we won't see him back in action until September (if at all).

 

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life ? - Luke 12:25 NIV

[Rosie C]

Sound advice!

 

We have a service tonight for the licensing of our new priest. I'm sad to see the old one leave, but change might be good. My back's playing up (again) so bass guitar instead of upright for me (again).

 

[Simon C]

A bit of an unusual service for me this evening.  The worship leader asked if I’d play bass in the 1st set and piano in the second one (the keys player left for the Youth Stream after the 1st set).  I used to do that fairly regularly but haven’t much in the last 4 years or so.  The WL also asked if I’d sing in both sets.  I’m fairly sure I haven’t played both instruments in the same service and sung before.  As it turned out I didn’t sing in the second set as I didn’t have enough time in the rehearsal to get sound levels sorted for the 2nd set.  In the second set I couldn’t hear my voice, so left all the vocals to the WL who did a good job.  We’ll get it right next time.  We got some good feed back afterwards, including from some fellow musicians, so overall we were happy.

 

i gave my Ric a runout.  It’s just had the nut re-cut and a set-up, so I decided to check it out in a live situation.  It worked pretty well.  I think my G&L L2000 will probably remain my main worship band bass, but I enjoyed playing the Ric tonight.

[SimonK]

10 hours ago, Simon C said:

A bit of an unusual service for me this evening.  The worship leader asked if I’d play bass in the 1st set and piano in the second one (the keys player left for the Youth Stream after the 1st set).  I used to do that fairly regularly but haven’t much in the last 4 years or so.  The WL also asked if I’d sing in both sets.  I’m fairly sure I haven’t played both instruments in the same service and sung before.  As it turned out I didn’t sing in the second set as I didn’t have enough time in the rehearsal to get sound levels sorted for the 2nd set.  In the second set I couldn’t hear my voice, so left all the vocals to the WL who did a good job.  We’ll get it right next time.  We got some good feed back afterwards, including from some fellow musicians, so overall we were happy.

 

i gave my Ric a runout.  It’s just had the nut re-cut and a set-up, so I decided to check it out in a live situation.  It worked pretty well.  I think my G&L L2000 will probably remain my main worship band bass, but I enjoyed playing the Ric tonight.

 

Yes I also quite like switching instruments for different songs. We have a teenage drummer so when he goes out for the youth meeting I've been switching from bass to cajon which works quite well (or "the box" as random people in the congregation call it). Mind you next week they've asked if I can play something on acoustic guitar as well during communion, but I'm not quite sure I can get all the gear in for three instruments given I couldn't possible not use two pedal boards...

[bass_dinger]

On 27/02/2024 at 08:44, GoodShowSir said:

And another for the KZ ZS10's, which I got after reading the IEM thread from a recommendation. My wife has some too and loves them, she plays the flute.

I got a pair for my birthday, and like them for home practice. 

 

On my recommendation, the leader got a set to try out, and used them within 2 hours of them arriving - zero stage volume for him!  On that recommendation, another leader got a set.

 

I need to make a little box for the IEMs and the jack extension lead, to protect the kit.

 

I won't be able to try them until June, but I am pleased that others (especially the guy with the loud amp) now have IEMs too.

 

 

[SimonK]

Last Sunday for a while as going away for a couple weeks and have a lot of children's cricket coming up (for my sins I am junior coach at our cricket club). As mentioned above I played the Cajon for a few songs this week, and do rather like sitting on it when also playing bass at it gives some rear-end feeling! Really digging the new Genzler preamp especially the mid boost "Curve 2" as it slices through the mix like a knife (perfect for some slap and pops at key moments!):

 

[Nice Guy Rich]

Our Worship Team is so low on bodies nowadays, that there’s one Sunday coming up soon where I’m the only person down to play.  I’m going to embrace this moment and play a solo acoustic set, just me singing and playing acoustic guitar….I’ve got some songs in mind but, what songs would you play?

[bass_dinger]

3 minutes ago, Nice Guy Rich said:

Our Worship Team is so low on bodies nowadays, that there’s one Sunday coming up soon where I’m the only person down to play.  I’m going to embrace this moment and play a solo acoustic set, just me singing and playing acoustic guitar….I’ve got some songs in mind but, what songs would you play?

Stuff that the congregation know (so that you won't be singing solo, but instead, starting the congregation off with something that they respond well to).

Stuff that you can play easily (no hymns with a chord change on every beat!)

Stuff that speaks to you  (so that if nobody else joins in, you are still praising alone).

Stuff in your preferred key (so that you are not struggling)

Bit of reverb, bass up a bit, and all that remains is to select the songs..

[Rosie C]

11 hours ago, Nice Guy Rich said:

I’ve got some songs in mind but, what songs would you play?

 

Some of my favourites are 10,000 Reasons, Waiting Here for You, and the Lord's Prayer set to Paul Simon's Sound of Silence. 

 

[Nice Guy Rich]

I'm getting the set together and so far the shortlist is;

1. Mighty To Save
2. Jesus, Lover of My Soul
3. So Will I
4. Holy Sprit
5. Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)
6. The Heart of Worship
7. Faithful One
8. No Longer Slaves

I'm more than confident, and able, to do it but, I still can't help but feel frustrated that I'm the only person free that week.

 

Edited May 28 by Nice Guy Rich

[SimonK]

I think a lot of worship leading is being sensitive to the congregation. The nice thing with playing on your own is that you can change the set/arrangement fairly quickly in response - e.g. if everyone is looking around choosing something a bit more upbeat, but if they are looking like they are getting into it you can play something more sensitive. The key is to not try to be a full band - if it is just you focus on the things that one person can do well.

[Nice Guy Rich]

Found out yesterday that my `solo' Sunday is not going ahead after all, despite me saying that I was happy to play it solo and strip it back to basic, honest, no-frills worship, one of the Church Elders decided otherwise......that'll be the Elder that doesn't like anybody getting more attention than they do (even God himself).

 

Looks like my time to move on I think.

 

I'm off to another church on Sunday to have a chat with their Worship Pastors....watch this space. 

[bass_dinger]

On 31/05/2024 at 14:54, Nice Guy Rich said:

Looks like my time to move on I think

Make sure it's for the right reasons - not just an opportunity to play music,  but a church which lifts, supports and nurtures you.

 

Let us know how it goes 

[bass_dinger]

Here is a hypothetical situation for church bassists to comment on.

 

Let us say that you are on the rota for a particular week, and on the same week,  the Young People Band is playing a single song.

 

The day comes, and it's time for YBP to play their song. They jump up on stage, and the bassist doesn't have a bass with him.  His assumption was that it would be supplied  - and he is looking at your Wal / 57 P bass / Harley Benton / Skip Rescue. This is news to you - you were not involved in the arrangements. 

 

Do you let them use your bass (or guitar, or saxophone, or violin etc)?  How does one react?  

 

Is the bassist like the 5 virgins who did not prepare the oil for their lamp? Or, having been asked for your coat (Cort?), do you hand over your shirt too?

 

Discuss  - extra marks for real-world examples!

 

 

[LukeFRC]

1 minute ago, bass_dinger said:

Here is a hypothetical situation for church bassists to comment on.

 

Let us say that you are on the rota for a particular week, and on the same week,  the Young People Band is playing a single song.

 

The day comes, and it's time for YBP to play their song. They jump up on stage, and the bassist doesn't have a bass with him.  His assumption was that it would be supplied  - and he is looking at your Wal / 57 P bass / Harley Benton / Skip Rescue. This is news to you - you were not involved in the arrangements. 

 

Do you let them use your bass (or guitar, or saxophone, or violin etc)?  How does one react?  

 

Is the bassist like the 5 virgins who did not prepare the oil for their lamp? Or, having been asked for your coat (Cort?), do you hand over your shirt too?

 

Discuss  - extra marks for real-world examples!

 

 

If the church is so large you don't know the other bass players in the church I would expect they bring their own and you take yours with you (and let them use rig) 
If your church is smaller you probably know the kid and know if you can trust him or her

[Richard R]

I would let him/her use my bass, provided they did not have a large buckle. If they did then that would have to come off or shirt untucked. But I would also have a quiet word with them afterwards and say that it is VERY bad manners to assume you can play someone else's instrument.

 

I would also quietly enjoy watching them try to play a 35" 5 string.. 

[SimonK]

1 hour ago, bass_dinger said:

Here is a hypothetical situation for church bassists to comment on.

 

Let us say that you are on the rota for a particular week, and on the same week,  the Young People Band is playing a single song.

 

The day comes, and it's time for YBP to play their song. They jump up on stage, and the bassist doesn't have a bass with him.  His assumption was that it would be supplied  - and he is looking at your Wal / 57 P bass / Harley Benton / Skip Rescue. This is news to you - you were not involved in the arrangements. 

 

Do you let them use your bass (or guitar, or saxophone, or violin etc)?  How does one react?  

 

Is the bassist like the 5 virgins who did not prepare the oil for their lamp? Or, having been asked for your coat (Cort?), do you hand over your shirt too?

 

Discuss  - extra marks for real-world examples!

 

 

 

I'd let them play my rig but would watch them like a hawk. Then afterwards I'd offer to loan one of my seldom used (and cheap) basses, telling them they will have to work their way up to one of my Stingrays and not to expect to borrow it again! Mind you if it was my electric guitar rig I would refuse as it's too complicated for someone to just walk up and use without having a bit of understanding - or if I was feeling mischievous I would put my Freq-out on it's minimum sensitivity and then sit back to watch the fun... but that might be a bit mean...

[Nice Guy Rich]

On 01/06/2024 at 19:43, bass_dinger said:

Let us know how it goes 

 

I have officially left my church, I threw the hand grenade this morning and I'm now waiting for the dust to settle.

 

My reasons for leaving were never just about playing guitar, I just couldn't work with people that are self-centred, that never listen to the songs in advance and turn up late for EVERY single rehearsal and service, the level of disrespect displayed by others infuriated me constantly.

 

The new church is amazing and I know that we will be supported and encouraged like never before.  

[SimonK]

52 minutes ago, Nice Guy Rich said:

 

I have officially left my church, I threw the hand grenade this morning and I'm now waiting for the dust to settle.

 

My reasons for leaving were never just about playing guitar, I just couldn't work with people that are self-centred, that never listen to the songs in advance and turn up late for EVERY single rehearsal and service, the level of disrespect displayed by others infuriated me constantly.

 

The new church is amazing and I know that we will be supported and encouraged like never before.  

 

I'm sorry to hear that - mind you I hope you symbolically sawed one of your guitars in half on stage instead of leading worship to make the point, as one of the (ex)worship leaders at my previous church did. Many years later I still very much respect him for doing that!