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Worship Team Music Essentials

Some tips and techniques on improving music playing inside worship teams. Includes tips on arranging and band dynamics.

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Ryan Gatchalian
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502 views21 pages

Worship Team Music Essentials

Some tips and techniques on improving music playing inside worship teams. Includes tips on arranging and band dynamics.

Uploaded by

Ryan Gatchalian
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Introduction to Better Playing: Introduces the four main rules for enhancing worship team playing skills.
  • Rule No. 1: Less is More: Explores the importance of minimalism in worship music to better engage the congregation and support the worship leader.
  • Rule No. 2: Watch Your Dynamics: Focuses on the importance of dynamics in music, highlighting techniques for managing volume and intensity.
  • Rule No. 3: Let It Breathe: Stresses allowing space in music for reflection and highlights the balance between playing and silence.
  • Rule No. 4: Honor Thy Genre: Emphasizes respecting the stylistic elements unique to each music genre during performances.

BETTER

MUSIC TEAM TRAINING WORKSHOP 101


BETTER PLAYING: FOUR RULES
RULE NO. 1: LESS IS MORE
RULE NO. 2: WATCH YOUR DYNAMICS
RULE NO. 3: LET IT BREATHE
RULE NO. 4: HONOR THY GENRE
RULE NO. 1:
LESS
is [often]
MORE
RULE NO. 1: LESS IS MORE
(ITS NOT ABOUT US)
As worship team leaders, our main goal is
to ENGAGE EVERYONE in
WORSHIP, not to showcase
our talents or even our music
RULE NO. 1: LESS IS MORE
(ITS NOT ABOUT US)
As musicians, our secondary goal is to
SUPPORT the WORSHIP
LEADER, not to overpower or
overshadow his/her voice
RULE NO. 1: LESS IS MORE
(INSTRUMENTATION MATTERS)
ALL instruments playing ALL throughout
the song is NOT a very good idea
RULE OF THREE
CLASHING TIMBRES
LISTENING FATIGUE
RULE NO. 1: LESS IS MORE
(INSTRUMENTATION, TEXTURE, AND DYNAMICS)
RULE NO. 1: LESS IS MORE
(INSTRUMENTATION TIPS DURING REHEARSALS)
TIP 1: SECTION arrangements
TIP 2: MOST IMPORTANT SECTION first
TIP 3: RULE OF THREE
TIP 4: LAYERING technique
TIP 5: HOOKS
TIP 5: Apply TIPS 2-4 to the next important section
(and so on)
TIP 6: SUPER-INSTRUMENT technique
RULE NO. 1: LESS IS MORE
(IMPROVISATION TIPS DURING SERVICE)
TIP 1: PLAY IN THE POCKET
TIP 2: Use distinct instrumental color/timbre
TIP 3: Occasionally use a DROP CHORUS at
the end of a song (needs signaling and
planning)
RULE NO. 1: LESS IS MORE
(BUT NOT ALWAYS)
IF LESS IS MORE [might]
result in a DRY and DULL sound,
REINTRODUCE your instrument
in the music.
RULE NO. 2:
WATCH
your
DYNAMICS
RULE NO. 2: WATCH YOUR DYNAMICS
(BECAUSE DYNAMICS IS EVERYTHING)
Articulations (staccato, accents, arco, etc.)
Tempo changes (accelerando, ritardando)
Reinterpretations (rubato style, legato style, etc.)
Volume/loudness changes (crescendo,
decrescendo)
Texture changes (mono -> homo -> poly)
Song breaks
RULE NO. 2: WATCH YOUR DYNAMICS
RULE NO. 2: WATCH YOUR DYNAMICS
TIP 1: Analyze the song lyrics, looking for
emotional highs and lows
TIP 2: Listen to other musicians
TIP 3: Listen carefully to WHAT the worship
leader is doing or saying
TIP 4 (important): Stay alert on the leading of
the Holy Spirit
RULE NO. 3:
LET
it
BREATHE
RULE NO. 3: LET IT BREATHE
(I CANT HOLD BACK ANYMORE)
BEST EXAMPLE: Orchestral arrangements
WORST EXAMPLE: Excessive jazz comping (at
least, in a worship setting)
RULE NO. 3: LET IT BREATHE
(I CANT HOLD BACK ANYMORE)
Playing in the pocket should not be used all the
time
Time to pray? Time to stop.
RULE NO. 4:
HONOR
thy
GENRE
RULE NO. 4: HONOR THY GENRE
Different genres have different
STYLES, IDIOMS, and TRADITIONS
regarding
RHYTHMICAL PATTERNS and
INSTRUMENTATION
WRAP-UP: FOUR RULES
RULE NO. 1: LESS IS MORE
RULE NO. 2: WATCH YOUR DYNAMICS
RULE NO. 3: LET IT BREATHE
RULE NO. 4: HONOR THY GENRE

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