Playing Electric in a Retreat setting

[eedwards]

There was an old thread similar, but not exactly like this; I did search.

I have been asked to play at a church leader retreat (15-30 people) for the church of a friend of mine. It is an honor to be asked, but I'll be praying for the folks listening to my singing. :)

My off-the-spine instinct is to go with the acoustic for this, and that is what I will most likely do. However, I have been toying with the idea of using the Tele and a vocal mic at lower volume; letting the amp fill the room with a bit of reverb and tremolo, but otherwise super-clean. I play the Tele most of the time, and think it would sound good. I don't do much lead, mainly just the chords.

My concerns are as follows:

1. Will it sound too hollow or will it fill in better than the acoustic?
2. Will it add to the music and spirit or detract?
3. Is it too showy / am I doing this for me rather than them?

Here is my question for you: Has anyone led a small group like this with just an electric and how did it go?

[callaway]

I think it can work. I've seen people do it because it's all they had (and that was an Epi hollowbody direct into a PA) and while the several guitarists there probably thought, "oh, this could be better", I guarantee no one else cared.

I can also see it being a very cool, happening type of thing if you are very good (very good) with arrangement more advanced than just straight-ahead chord strumming.

Having said that, I would choose acoustic 99% of the time. It's just simpler, less distracting, easier to sing to for simple chord-strumming.

[elmatt]

Although I am more of an electric player rather than an acoustic player; when I am leading I prefer the acoustic. However, I do not see leading on the electric as being a problem especially if that will make you more comfortable. Something to take into consideration is the crowd that will be attending this retreat. Will the electric be something that would be easily accepted or will it seem odd with this particular group?

[Parma_TeleMon]

I've led home group worship with an electric before, and it worked - just had to be cognizant of the volume. It probably wouldn't hurt asking whomever is in charge of the retreat about their opinion. Properly done, it could come off as WAY cool.