Memorizing Everything

As a worship leader, do you require that everyone memorize the music each Sunday? As in, no music stands on stage?

If yes, on the average, how often is at least one of your chosen songs the first time one of your team members is playing it?

I play electric about 1.5 times per month. A new song is introduced to the congregation between 4 and 5 times per month. So, as a team member, odds are there are 2 or 3 songs I've never played before on a Sunday.

Our worship leader is asking us to memorize everything. I think this is too much to ask. Knowing the chords, where the leads come in, what tone/effect to switch to when, is a lot of info. I practice A LOT. I usually spend about 30 minutes per song before practice, and then an hour per song practicing before Sunday. I can't imagine practicing any more than that. I have a day job, of course.

On stage, I really am attentive to not staring at the music stand... I know what that looks like out there. I lead sometimes too, and have gotten in the habit of being detached from the music stand as much as I can.

Am I being unreasonable in thinking this is too much to ask?

Let me add this... to be fair... there is another electric player who goes without charts almost every Sunday. I don't know how he does it. I guess he's really good at memorizing. Maybe I'm the odd one out, and I need to really buckle down and actually pay attention to memorizing the chords and all. I've never tried to do that. I figure, if it doesn't just come, then it's not a song I've internalized enough to memorize.

When I was younger, I played in bands where I was lead singer and guitar player, and memorized 4 hours of songs. But, I played those songs all the time, and they were basically the same songs all the time. Now I'm only in the band a couple times a month, and the songs are changing more.

Talk to me.

Ha ha. I'm trying to figure out the 1.5 times per month...

I think that if you are on a full time worship band that plays every Sunday with lots of practice, then memorizing might be reasonable. Unfortunately I would be in the same situation as you. I play two Sundays per month and we seem to constantly be learning new music. So much new music that when we play an old song everybody in the congregation thinks it's a new song. I would not want to have to memorize music.

I am wondering if it is worth risking the quality of music being played in order to clean up the stage and 'look' more professional? If the idea is leading worship, the congregation should be so involved in worshipping that they don't notice music stands. From my experience, if you are trying to get an entire group to memorize music and they are making a lot of mistakes and sounding bad, no one will be able to concentrate on worshipping. When the band sounds good and is tight, that is when people can 'zone out' of what's around them and worship. With or without music stands.

We have a paperless stage so everyone has to memorise music and lyrics. I play most weeks as I play acoustic, electric and bass. Some people might play just once a month. I wouldn't say it's asking too much of anyone for two good reasons:

1. The songs for the coming Sunday are put up on Planning Center at least a week in advance, with chord charts, lyrics, MP3s and YouTube links - often more than a week in advance. Given that we usually do 4 or 5 songs, that should be plenty of time for a musician to practice at home before we bring everything together at rehearsal on a Thursday.

2. We operate from a very shortlist of songs - just 20. This was based on a conscious effort to help the congregation engage with the songs. We wondered why people tended to stand still and look blank rather than getting involved - we checked back and we'd done around 150 songs in one year. Given that not everyone comes to church every week, and not everyone has a good memory for music or lyrics, it probably felt like every song was new! So, we now just have 20 songs. New ones come in at the rate of 1 or 2 every 3 months or so. It's worked wonders for our services and for the level of engagement of the congregation. It also means that any musician and singer only has to learn 20 songs. It means that if you're not playing on any given Sunday, you've still got a defined list of pieces to practice at home. You can really work on these songs, without having to learn new stuff constantly.

That second point in particular may be a major culture shock to many. It was to me at first, and when I heard of other churches that did it I wasn't exactly on board. But I came round to the idea and I think it's one of the most positive moves we've made in all the years I've been part of the worship team. I used to be the guy that would make a specific point of bringing a new song every time I led, and playing the two or three newer songs that had been introduced recently, until I realised that it's not just about me.

no music stands on stage for appearance sake ??? IMO, the music comes first, then appearance ... pro musicians use charts all the time ... Count Basie and Glenn Miller didn't make their bands memorize everything ... http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2vG48evWDA/TixGOkPA_6I/AAAAAAAAAGA/ScuylgfLUhQ/s400/Count-Basie-and-Orch.jpg

no music stands on stage for appearance sake ??? IMO, the music comes first, then appearance ... pro musicians use charts all the time ... Count Basie and Glenn Miller didn't make their bands memorize everything ... http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2vG48evWDA/TixGOkPA_6I/AAAAAAAAAGA/ScuylgfLUhQ/s400/Count-Basie-and-Orch.jpg

If I have music in front of me, I look at it - even if I don't need to. Personally I much prefer memorising as it frees me up to worship.

I am pro-stands. I just don't fixate on them when I'm playing. I'm more playing off of the notes I've made for myself on the chart rather than the rote chord changes. I also don't bother memorizing all the little guitar parts in the song. I go for song form and dynamics - just the parts essential for leading a congregation in worship.

No music stand is unreasonable to me. You cannot expect everyone to memorize everything. I personally "memorize" everything and have never used chord charts. Sometimes its memory, most of the time my ear remembers for me. I tried to get my worship team to do the same but they simply cannot learn to do it; since our set list isn't set in advance it is even tougher for them. I just remember.

If you know the songs your doing a week in advance I would think any musician should be able to memorize the songs, but if someone needs charts just in case, I don't see why it should not be allowed.

no music stands on stage for appearance sake ??? IMO, the music comes first, then appearance ... pro musicians use charts all the time ... Count Basie and Glenn Miller didn't make their bands memorize everything ... http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d2vG48evWDA/TixGOkPA_6I/AAAAAAAAAGA/ScuylgfLUhQ/s400/Count-Basie-and-Orch.jpg

Good point.

A lot of musicians can only play by reading because of how they learned. I play by ear which makes memorization easy. My keyboard player cannot hear a simple progression if it slapped her in the face, but she can play the heck out of it when she reads it. I still can't fathom how she doesn't hear things but its true. Its important to know your worship team musically so you do not make silly rules.

We use stands. We rotate our team and play 5+ songs a week with one practice. So any week I play there will always be a few songs that I have only played a couple times a year, and maybe a new song I've never heard or played.

Personally I think the congregation will have more on their mind than if I have a music stand.

Doesn't sound reasonable to me. I "get" the sentiment that playing memorized is "better," but it's unrealistic for most churches where they don't have a band of pros playing every week.

For me, we have too many songs. Even if I memorize something, chances are I'd get to re-memorize it the next time it shows up on the playlist. My short-term memory is poo, so when I learn something anymore, if I don't play it at least once a month, it's practically a brand new song next time :). Heck, I've worked out a key change, intro, whatever, before service, and half an hour later, "never happened." (Hence my packing post-it notes for temporary notations in my charts.)

P.S., IMO, they are called "charts" because their purpose is more like a map that a book. Everyone should be encouraged to learn their part, chord forms, leads, etc., sufficiently so they are using the chart just to keep track of dynamics, repeats, etc., but not have their nose buried in it when they are playing. If you are following along with every chord change, you can't really be as involved in making music.

A lot of musicians can only play by reading because of how they learned. I play by ear which makes memorization easy.

The 18 piece big band is not going to play music by ear. Those professional musicians don't use music because that's the only way they can play. They use music because they are playing intricate multi part harmonies with melodies and counter lines that are moving from player to player.

Try taking a song that is easy to memorize by ear. Then create a compelling five part guitar orchestration, record it, play it for five guitarists, and ask them to memorize the different parts it by ear. Oh, and then have them play it immediately with about 90% accuracy.

Reading music does not inhibit a person’s ability to memorize any more than the ability to read books is a hindrance to memorizing a speech or dialog for a play. But memorizing is an ability that can be developed and some people choose not to work on that.

I think it should be a matter of choice. I, for one, get more distracted when I'm reading from a stand. I can't multitask. When given charts, I start to use them as a crutch, and begin thinking and playing straight from the sheet (even if it's a simple song I know by heart). For me, playing is less distracting than playing AND reading.

But once again, that's just me. I have been blessed with a great memory. I memorize any new songs during rehearsal, then the folder goes away for the night.

However, there are others (such as one of the other guitarists), who need the sheets there EVERY week. For me, that is not a problem at all.

Besides, many female worship leaders are often WAY more distracting for the congregation than a few music stands. ;)

The 18 piece big band is not going to play music by ear. Those professional musicians don't use music because that's the only way they can play. They use music because they are playing intricate multi part harmonies with melodies and counter lines that are moving from player to player.

........

I get that my friend and I understand that a jazz band is completely different than a worship band in most places. In my short time I've come across enough folks who; although they can still play by ear, really rely on those charts to truly perform. I was trying to see things from all angles and take nothing away from that sweet jazz band.

I think it should be a matter of choice. I, for one, get more distracted when I'm reading from a stand. I can't multitask. When given charts, I start to use them as a crutch, and begin thinking and playing straight from the sheet (even if it's a simple song I know by heart). For me, playing is less distracting than playing AND reading.

But once again, that's just me. I have been blessed with a great memory. I memorize any new songs during rehearsal, then the folder goes away for the night.

However, there are others (such as one of the other guitarists), who need the sheets there EVERY week. For me, that is not a problem at all.

Besides, many female worship leaders are often WAY more distracting for the congregation than a few music stands. ;)

Hey, hey now! LoL!!!

I think you can't fully listen to the other members of your band if you spend your time staring at your sheets. Music is about sharing... You can't share with your band neither your audience if you don't care about them. Try to memorize, you'll see that it's all about practising, it will be easier and easier...

I think it should be a matter of choice. I, for one, get more distracted when I'm reading from a stand. I can't multitask. When given charts, I start to use them as a crutch, and begin thinking and playing straight from the sheet (even if it's a simple song I know by heart). For me, playing is less distracting than playing AND reading.

But once again, that's just me. I have been blessed with a great memory. I memorize any new songs during rehearsal, then the folder goes away for the night.

However, there are others (such as one of the other guitarists), who need the sheets there EVERY week. For me, that is not a problem at all.

Besides, many female worship leaders are often WAY more distracting for the congregation than a few music stands. ;)

Haha sad how true that is!

I can see the reason for not having a music stand, I know the weeks that i have memorized everything I feel more worshipful. But for some reason I am only able to do that with guitar. I started with keys and moved to guitar, and for me it is more difficult to remember all the chords for keys, and I don't think i've gone a week without a stand for keys. but when i play lead on guitar, it is much easier to remember the lead parts, because they are melodies. It is more work to memorize the music, but once you've memorized it, it frees up your mind for other things.

Apologies if I offended anyone with what I said. But I think for the reasons I mentioned, it's fair in my setting for people to be expected to play from memory. There are lots of reasons why it would or wouldn't for each church, based on style of music, number of songs or hymns, complexity of arrangements, size of group, where the group is located, style of service and style of leading.

But to quickly counter the Glenn Miller argument...I would say though that we're much more of a rock band than a swing band - and I haven't seen many rock bands with music stands! :)

Anyway, must dash. Off to a bible study involving no music at all!

We always have a music stand. Although I can see how it could be a benefit to do without, it should be an individual choice.

I don't look at the chart all the time because I do play by ear and can hear the changes. It's usually only for the first verse and chorus that I need it. I would not want to do without it.

Hey guys, I'm new here so I hope my chiming in didn't bother anyone. This is really a blessing reading your posts because we have been tasked with trying to do the same thing in our church by removing the stands. I personally sit on the fence with this subject. I can read music (very slowly) but I was diagnosed with dyslexia as a young person so I have had to learn everything by memorizing chords, scales, and song progressions. Notes, chord charts, and other things only confuse me more by looking at them so the lack of a stand doesn't really bother me. The draw back to this is a worn out iPod and many HOURS plugged into learning composition, fill, leads, and chord progressions on many different songs each week. However, I do see where a music director would want no stands on the stage. We have a VERY talented musician in our band, but he can not drag his head up from the music stand. If something goes array on stage we sometimes have to catch up to wherever he is on the particular song.

IMO I personally feel that it shouldn't matter if he/she is looking at a stand or starring at the ceiling. There are positive attributes to both, charts clearly outline the desired composition and produce a more accurate resemblance, no charts usually equate to more versatility and awareness to what's going on in the timing and overall flow of the song, because you are more observant to others when you're not only focused on a chart.

What do you guys feel could help both circumstances? Me, with becoming more song specific and others from becoming more involved in the worship?

Thanks for all your viewpoints. Good info... some stuff I hadn't thought about.

Given that there may be some good come out of it, and also the fact that my Worship Leader is asking me to do it, I'm going to give memorization a shot within the next couple months.

iPad, Deepdish Gigbook app, iKlip, Cicada Page Flip.

I love to play everything memorized. But it doesn't do much good because the WL makes his own arrangements of the songs. I practice by playing along with the MP3 clips we are given, and that's what I memorize. But the MP3's never match the WL's own arrangement, and the PDF's never match anything except it tells us the correct chords to play. Then he changes it sometimes at Sunday morning rehearsal. I absolutely hate it when that happens. It's hard enough to get a team of 6 or 7 day job people with kids to play the songs well enough to to not be a distraction. But then changing what we've learned an hour before the service is just asking for trouble. He doesn't seem to care though. I cant even get him to post the songs on planning center more than a day or so before Tuesday rehearsal.

But the few times when I was able to play all the songs from memory, I had a ton of fun while the rest of the team stands on stage like The Darling Boys frozen in headlights. I will do anything to keep from having to look down at that piece of paper, but it's easier for me cuz I can play the song a few times and remember it. That's what I did way back when with all those classic rock tunes. So I started saving the MP3's in a folder on my basement studio computer. Then I load up 10 or so in media player a few times a week and just jam with them. That way I already know them or remember them when they come up in the rotation.

What makes me chuckle (when I'm in the audience) is when the A/V guy doesn't change the slides fast enough and the singers don't have the words memorized, then the singing stops until the slide changes. (The singers rely on the slide projector for lyrics, they dont have stands) I've not experienced anything else that tempts me to think the worship team is not sincere, but not knowing the words gets my funny bone every time. It's most awkward when it happens at the very beginning of a song, and then they start singing with the second or third or fourth line of the verse. It's a guaranteed way to get first time visitors to think "amateur hour." Odd thing is, the guy running the slides has been doing that task for years, and he still makes that mistake every Sunday, and they still keep expecting him to figure it out and get it right.

But I agree, the lyrics are much harder to memorize. Odd that I can remember all the words when I'm singing along with the radio, but on stage I cant think of the next line. Good thing I'm only the guitar player!

If I had to memorize all the music we do....I would just have to quit. It is impossible. I have 250 songs in my playbook right now and add more all the time. I can fake it on bass, but cannot memorize all the words. We often play request or go as the spirit leads with no chance to memorize the piece.

We use stands. We rotate our team and play 5+ songs a week with one practice. So any week I play there will always be a few songs that I have only played a couple times a year, and maybe a new song I've never heard or played.

Personally I think the congregation will have more on their mind than if I have a music stand.

Yes, exactly. When I was in the praise band, there were 3 - 5 "new" songs every week, and only one 1 hour rehearsal...which is when we would get the new songs.

I think you can't fully listen to the other members of your band if you spend your time staring at your sheets.

Really? Who told you that? Last I checked, I don't use my ears to read with.

Music is about sharing... You can't share with your band neither your audience if you don't care about them.

:shock: This is not sound reasoning. At all.

Who told you that using a chart to aid your memory equates to not caring about the congregation?

As a professional who works 60+ hours per week with a family, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to memorize all of the new music (3-4 new songs each time I play) each week. I would have to bow out. Although I play with the sheets most sundays, I have 90% of my parts committed to memory. If I had to recommend memorization to cover the last 10%, I would bow out. I am sure many other professionals would have to do the same to ensure quality would not suffer.

I guess you have to ask yourself: to what end does requiring memorization result?

I recommend giving people the option.

I'm guessing that most of you guys just play and leaving the singing to others. In our tiny church with our tiny team, most of us sing AND play. I have no problem memorizing and/ore hearing chord changes, riffs and (for the most part) the layout of a song. It's the words that I have the most problem memorizing.

Serious question to those who are having to learn 2,3 or 4 new songs each time they play - can the congregation keep up with this?

I still have memories of joining two seperate churches in the past ten years and as a congregation member I had no problems picking up on urban gospel in the first or CCM in the second. The lyrics were on the screen and the simple verse, chorus structure came easier then the verses 1,3 & 5 from hymn 316 that I remember from my youth

Serious question to those who are having to learn 2,3 or 4 new songs each time they play - can the congregation keep up with this?

So far our congregation isn't required to memorize so they just read the lyrics off the screens. I will say it does inhibit people’s ability to share with the others in the pews with them, but I still believe they care.

So far our congregation isn't required to memorize so they just read the lyrics off the screens. I will say it does inhibit people’s ability to share with the others in the pews with them, but I still believe they care.

Our congregation don't have to memorise! :)

I still have memories of joining two seperate churches in the past ten years and as a congregation member I had no problems picking up on urban gospel in the first or CCM in the second. The lyrics were on the screen and the simple verse, chorus structure came easier then the verses 1,3 & 5 from hymn 316 that I remember from my youth

Hey Jhengsman, fancy meeting you here!

I started over on the acoustic guitar forum Istill drop by here every now and then

Serious question to those who are having to learn 2,3 or 4 new songs each time they play - can the congregation keep up with this?

The congregation is not learning that many new songs...I am. I'm on a monthly rotation for the last 9 months.

I don't think my band could play without charts because they don't practice enough to memorize the music. But that's a whole nuther topic. But what really bothers me is that they never look up from their music. I like to look at the other members of the band when we are playing to exchange energy, etc. It's more fun. I usually have 90% of the music basically memorized. That's because I practice a ton.

Originally Posted by Inthefade View Post
I think you can't fully listen to the other members of your band if you spend your time staring at your sheets.

You have apparently never played in an organized concert band, stage band, or orchestra, otherwise you'd see this statement to be absurd.

I love to play everything memorized. But it doesn't do much good because the WL makes his own arrangements of the songs. I practice by playing along with the MP3 clips we are given, and that's what I memorize. But the MP3's never match the WL's own arrangement, and the PDF's never match anything except it tells us the correct chords to play. Then he changes it sometimes at Sunday morning rehearsal. I absolutely hate it when that happens. It's hard enough to get a team of 6 or 7 day job people with kids to play the songs well enough to to not be a distraction. But then changing what we've learned an hour before the service is just asking for trouble. He doesn't seem to care though. I cant even get him to post the songs on planning center more than a day or so before Tuesday rehearsal.

But the few times when I was able to play all the songs from memory, I had a ton of fun while the rest of the team stands on stage like The Darling Boys frozen in headlights. I will do anything to keep from having to look down at that piece of paper, but it's easier for me cuz I can play the song a few times and remember it. That's what I did way back when with all those classic rock tunes. So I started saving the MP3's in a folder on my basement studio computer. Then I load up 10 or so in media player a few times a week and just jam with them. That way I already know them or remember them when they come up in the rotation.

What makes me chuckle (when I'm in the audience) is when the A/V guy doesn't change the slides fast enough and the singers don't have the words memorized, then the singing stops until the slide changes. (The singers rely on the slide projector for lyrics, they dont have stands) I've not experienced anything else that tempts me to think the worship team is not sincere, but not knowing the words gets my funny bone every time. It's most awkward when it happens at the very beginning of a song, and then they start singing with the second or third or fourth line of the verse. It's a guaranteed way to get first time visitors to think "amateur hour." Odd thing is, the guy running the slides has been doing that task for years, and he still makes that mistake every Sunday, and they still keep expecting him to figure it out and get it right.

But I agree, the lyrics are much harder to memorize. Odd that I can remember all the words when I'm singing along with the radio, but on stage I cant think of the next line. Good thing I'm only the guitar player!
Your worship leader sounds like our music pastor, he might not even get the songs up before Sunday, I think he tries a little harder on weeks that I play so I can practice since I cant come to practice on Tuesdays since I'm 80 miles away at school and come back on weekends.

I mean just WOW!!!!:mrgreen:

My experience is so TOTALLY different from what you guys are talking about!!!! I HAVE NEVER PLAYED FROM WRITTEN MUSIC IN CHURCH!

It would be such a pleasure to see a sheet of music of ANY type that I would probably cry from joy. Virtually everything I played every sunday for 9 years was by ear. Songs would come up out of the blue, a guest singer would ask for accompaniment(sp), the worship leader would start a song no one had ever heard before and we had no overhead lyrics to keep us on track.

How, do you play like this you ask. With a wing and a prayer. You reduce chord progressions to their simplist format and listen very carefully to everyone around you.

After a few years you have multiple songs under your belt, you get a feel for how the flow goes and you just play. I have played for 6 churches and never gotten written sheet music or charts. The only music stands are on the pianos or organs. If you get charts to practice to and an mp3 in advance you are so very fortunate.

We use chord-charts and note stands always.
In out song-list there is for sure over 100 songs
and every sunday there is a different set list.
And usually set list is created really late.
Sometimes just before the service :eek:

I became pretty good at playing songs from chords-charts :lol:

We have a horn section that is BY THE BOOK when it comes to their music. They read it and live by it. As long as they're in the praise band, I don't ever see us going paperless :)

Outside of that... I play about twice a month. It's been mostly bass but recently it's been about half and half. Honestly, I'd just quit if I were asked to memorize everything. When you figure in the rotation of songs, I might not see a song on a particular instrument for months. I don't have the time to memorize songs I play every few months for both bass and guitar. I'd rather spend that time with my wife and daughters.

Plus, if I didn't have a stand, I'd just look at the floor. I've never been one to look at "audience" members. I love to play, but I'm not a "showman". So it wouldn't matter either way.

Good luck. And let us know how it works for you.

If I may, quite a few of the scenarios described above (big band, ensemble or orchestration settings aside) are more administrative issues than memory.

If your team has a culture of getting the songs with barely 24hrs notice, charts are fair.

But if the WL wants everyone else as committed to the moment and song as they are (or should be), then mid-week notification of songlist including variations to keys or arrangements, is not unreasonable.

One thing over the years that helped me memorise was getting a thorough knowledge of theory. Suddenly all songs start to look alike, and you just need to remember the differences. Knowing a 1 4 5 progression for example, makes playing in different keys easy and natural.

I use mine to hide behind so the little children aren't frightened :}

Since when does a performance help people to worship better? Personally i'm sick of seeing a generic Rock/pop concert everytime I visit a church. I would like to do the David Letterman setup with my church band sometime. Just the band off to the side making great music.

The Brian Setzer Orchestra still uses sheet music after a decade of performing many of the same songs: in NO WAY does it interfere with the entertainment value. If someone is a boring musician with a music stand - I guarantee you they would be boring without one as well. Either you feel the music or you don't.
I always lay my music stand very flat and off to the side alittle. It shouldn't cover your entire instrument or face. It should only be there as a guide.

After learning 100's of church songs...many start to sound very much the same. No reason to memorize them. There's always more being added to the pile. Throw a piece of paper in front of me with chords on it: and i'll play it in 10 minutes. If someone can't do this, then go home and practise. :twisted: