Sneaking secular licks into worship tunes

[andycheng2002]

Country guitar licks fit in well with most worship songs--most songs are written in major and the usual pentatonic minor lead licks don't seem to fit. Also, slide guitar works good too.

Back in my previous church band, we started the song "Forever" with a fast 8th note groove in F. I used to play the intro for Judas Priest "You've Got Another Thing Coming" over it--sounds awesome! When playing bass, we would begin "They Know We are Christians" with either Parliament's "We got the Funk," or "Play that funky music, white boy." intro riff. Works good with "Victory Chant." We had a church member with the last name Crowley, and I had always been tempted to play the intro for "Mr. Crowley" when he walked up to do an announcement, but I wasn't quite that brave.

[StootMonster]

"That's Why We Praise Him" - If you start the chord progression out using the same pattern as "Sweet Home Alabama", sounds pretty good. :)

[justatwanging]

Music is music and there are 12 notes[chromatic scale] no matter what song you are playing.We are the one that has assigned "categories" to different tones, tempos,and scales.

[justatwanging]

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLH

I was waiting for someone to suggest that.

If you really want some stiff reaction play Van Halen's "Run with the Devil". I would NEVER do it but I'm sure someone might try.
The song does point out a truth that we are either running with the devil in the same direction or we are running at him head on in the opposite direction.

[livinblood]

We play at worship to worship God not to entertain. I'm sure God knows what your sneaking into songs. We should be playing a new song unto the Lord not stuff from the world played to glorify what the world is. The answer here is easy. No you shouldn't. Rom 2: 1- 2
We should be skilled in our instruments so that we can praise God. Just let the spirit guide you and you'll play the best licks ever!

[StootMonster]

Originally Posted by livinblood

We play at worship to worship God not to entertain. I'm sure God knows what your sneaking into songs. We should be playing a new song unto the Lord not stuff from the world played to glorify what the world is. The answer here is easy. No you shouldn't. Rom 2: 1- 2
We should be skilled in our instruments so that we can praise God. Just let the spirit guide you and you'll play the best licks ever!

I agree with you there. I always hear in my head when I think about writing a song that isn't where my beliefs lie, "Sing a new song unto the Lord" and that's all I need.

But as for playing secular songs in the church, nah, probably not a good idea - riffs, you might could get away with it... but it's just in poor taste considering who our collective Boss Man is. If you're like me and you USED to play in front of slobbering drunks who hoot and holler and call you "Jimi!!" everytime you go into a lead - and now you play in front of a stiff crowd of christians too embarrassed to raise their hands and worship the Lord out of fear of what someone near to them might think... you run into this strange battle of emotions. I miss the fun of getting down wit' my bad self, but I don't miss the environment. I enjoy the worship through music that I play at church, but I wish people would open up a bit and be loose...

Church is a strange animal. You have to really find a good one and then make your groove, if you know what I mean.

[cmcoram]

Originally Posted by andycheng2002

Country guitar licks fit in well with most worship songs--most songs are written in major and the usual pentatonic minor lead licks don't seem to fit. Also, slide guitar works good too.

Back in my previous church band, we started the song "Forever" with a fast 8th note groove in F. I used to play the intro for Judas Priest "You've Got Another Thing Coming" over it--sounds awesome! When playing bass, we would begin "They Know We are Christians" with either Parliament's "We got the Funk," or "Play that funky music, white boy." intro riff. Works good with "Victory Chant." We had a church member with the last name Crowley, and I had always been tempted to play the intro for "Mr. Crowley" when he walked up to do an announcement, but I wasn't quite that brave.

I played "Money" during the Offering once! My Pastor couldn't stop laughing!

[StootMonster]

Originally Posted by cmcoram

I played "Money" during the Offering once! My Pastor couldn't stop laughing!

That's pretty doggone funny right there!

[bobthecanadian]

In regards to the topic... who really cares? Get over it and just make some music. Sheesh!

[livinblood]

Stootmonster, Church is really a tough crowd! I'm sure there are so many people that want to break free but don't because they are afraid. I see the looks all the time and it's especially tough in a small church, believe me. I have never learned any secular licks I just learned to play guitar so I could worship God. Of course I am influenced by secular music because well sadly there wasn't as much christian music available as there is now back when I first was learning. I was never bitten by the bug to learn some lick or something. But anyways, I enjoy worshiping God and I thank him for choosing me and giving me this gift. Sometimes I wonder what kinda riffs and licks are being played in heaven! ;)

[Jeff_K]

Originally Posted by bobthecanadian

In regards to the topic... who really cares? Get over it and just make some music. Sheesh!

Do you make snarky comments on all threads that don't interest you, Bob?

[Jeff_K]

You know, I really had no idea this topic would cause such polarity and I kind of wish it would just die. Ambivalence and discord was not the intention at all. Perhaps "sneaky" was the wrong way to put it...not sneaky in some nefarious way. I don't think God really cares if we use secular licks or not if it's in the mode of worshipping Him. So yeah, I guess I'm kind of with Bob The Canadian. I've had enough of this topic and holier than thou thumping about scriptural musical direction and the evils of the wah pedal. What Bob said: sheesh. I guess I'll stick to the other forums. Ironically, I was NOT expecting the judgmental attitudes in this forum.

[guitarworship83]

Originally Posted by mrSlush50

When you play "I Am Free," you can literally play "Where the Streets Have No Name." It is the exact same song. Intro licks, verse, bridge, everything. Seriously. I'm surprised their was never a law suit.

You can also use Streets when playing "Did You feel the mountains tremble"

[daverockgtrist]

Originally Posted by guitarwrench

Lord Let Your Glory Fall - use the Sweet Child of Mine riff played really slow in between the verses.

We Want to See Jesus Lifted High - use as many Journy Anyway You Want it riffs and solo's in this song. It's like it's the same tune.

...guilty pleasure....I've been known to break up Everything that Has Breath and Our Love is Loud with the Don't Stop Believin' rhythm lick during instrumental breaks [c'mon, man! It's I-V-vi-IV in E, how can you help it???]

[Jayson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaL8EXCLKz4

First off, Wilco is awesome. Secondly, even though this is a secular song (written by a non-believer), I think something like this is appropriate, as long as you're taking the tune and playing it for God. As for sections of secular songs inside worship songs, I've never encountered it, and I'm not sure. But I thought the above was beautiful.

[1962guitargeek]

Originally Posted by 07 road house

amazing grace to the rhythm of house of the rising sun

I met an older guy who does Amazing Grace ....





...to the rhythm of Gilligans Isle


Last night we had a guest band, some old friends, come and play. Did the pot luck dinner thing, great time.

They opened with Open The Eyes of my Heart, ala Panama by VH

It was kickin!

They also did some Skynard tunes with Christian lyrics. Three guitar attack and all.

They called it "Skinning Lynard....."

[telepicker52]

[We had a church member with the last name Crowley, and I had always been tempted to play the intro for "Mr. Crowley" when he walked up to do an announcement, but I wasn't quite that brave.[/QUOTE]

That's a good one! HA!

[toneslinger]

As for playing licks that have been used in secular songs in church, big deal. Music itself is neither moral or immoral, it is amoral. They are just notes. It is the lyrics that take on the morality or lack of morality. If it sounds good, play it.

PS. Notes are notes. If it has wah and distortion or not, still just notes. If you are playing your best for Him and your best means it sounds better with effects, go for it. God honors your best.

[StootMonster]

Originally Posted by toneslinger

As for playing licks that have been used in secular songs in church, big deal. Music itself is neither moral or immoral, it is amoral. They are just notes. It is the lyrics that take on the morality or lack of morality. If it sounds good, play it.

PS. Notes are notes. If it has wah and distortion or not, still just notes. If you are playing your best for Him and your best means it sounds better with effects, go for it. God honors your best.

Be careful, you're making sense.

[thatbobguy8]

Ok guys. haven't been on in awhile but here goes. I have added part of the fat albert theme song into You are mighty. On the chorus I use part of the song that goes na na na gonna have a good time. The guitar part fits perfect! Only me and the bass player know. Man is it fun.