Where's the line?

[FosterF]

When does it turn from "using your gifts to praise God" into "showing off for others"? I wrote up a sweet solo for Revelation Song to use this wednesday but I don't want to seem too showy.

[Vince a]

Play it . . . everyone knows it's not about you! Something that is sweet needs to be played! And heard

[TxTeleMan]

It's what's in your heart, bro'... what's your attitude?

[jazztele]

Hard to answer without getting too theological...but as a guy who plays occasionally with a chicago gospel group, I'll quote what the group leader said to me once when he thought (correctly) that I was holding back.

"Show Him what He gave ya!"

[FosterF]

Originally Posted by TxTeleMan

It's what's in your heart, bro'... what's your attitude?

My attitude is I should do the best I possibly can. Not because I want to show off but because that what worship really is.

Originally Posted by jazztele

Hard to answer without getting too theological...but as a guy who plays occasionally with a chicago gospel group, I'll quote what the group leader said to me once when he thought (correctly) that I was holding back.

"Show Him what He gave ya!"

I love that! ^
So true man!

[scantron81]

If you felt compelled to ask, then you already know the answer. Peace be upon you my friend.

[still_fiddlin]

Short answer, practice it with the group, and record and listen beforehand, if possible.

I don't think this *has* to be theological, but it does relate to the religious/worship aspect of what we do.

To me, it depends a great deal (entirely?) on the kind of congregation and service.

If you have a congregation that actively participating in the musical part of the service, and your playing is something that simply enhances their participation (worship), it's never wrong. If it draws them away from that experience, then it's probably inappropriate for that time and place, i.e., church or service.

One good thing about [our team] having regular practice is having the chance to try stuff out and see how it feels. I found I would often pull back a bit in the regular service after working something out, usually without feeling great about the result. So, I started to record a backing track and the leads and listen and think about how that would sit in the song, and connect the parts together, e.g., building to a power bridge, or doing a release for a more open/acoustic passage. I found that helps a lot, and keeps me from having last second thoughts about whether it's right or not.

Hope this is helpful.

[BigDaddyLH]

Most of the time, "We walk in shoes too small for us."

[SamClemons]

And.....not everything, even in a worship service, has to be absolutely "worship" it is not anyway as we are all fallen creatures. Music is a gift from God and there is absolutely nothing wrong with just playing or enjoying a nice piece of music. In an old church setting, it was very common for the organist just to play some kind of prelude. Hopefully it was with a worshipful attidude, but if it was just beautiful and played well and enjoyed for what it is, that was nice too.

[BigDaddyLH]

I just posted this in another thread, but it fits perfectly here:

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." -- Ecclesiastes 9:10

[FosterF]

Originally Posted by scantron81

If you felt compelled to ask, then you already know the answer. Peace be upon you my friend.

It's not that I feel I'm doing it to show off it's that I'm afraid others may think my motives are wrong. I just feel I should give god my best. Not hold anything back.

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLH

I just posted this in another thread, but it fits perfectly here:

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." -- Ecclesiastes 9:10

That's a great verse. Thank you for that. I'm feeling like that the general consensus is if you are doing it for the right reason and it sounds nice go for it.
Thanks for the encouragement everybody!

[mrboson]

Looks like you got your answers already :).... but if I can add a little to the discourse:

Read in Exodus where God described what he wanted to be done as they built the tabernacle. Especially, chapter 31, where it describes all the artistic embellishments. The tabernacle could have easily just been a plain vanilla tent, it still would have served its purpose. But no, God asked the artisans to get creative with designs and patterns and colors to make it beautiful. I think God likes beauty.

So shouldn't it be the same in music? Obviously the simple 4 chord progression of Revelation Song played over and over through the whole song gets the job done. But you are an artisan, so embellish that baby with your gifts, bro. God loves great music too. Well maybe not a shredd-fest during worship, but I sense that wasn't where you were going....

[FosterF]

Originally Posted by mrboson

Looks like you got your answers already :).... but if I can add a little to the discourse:

Read in Exodus where God described what he wanted to be done as they built the tabernacle. Especially, chapter 31, where it describes all the artistic embellishments. The tabernacle could have easily just been a plain vanilla tent, it still would have served its purpose. But no, God asked the artisans to get creative with designs and patterns and colors to make it beautiful. I think God likes beauty.

So shouldn't it be the same in music? Obviously the simple 4 chord progression of Revelation Song played over and over through the whole song gets the job done. But you are an artisan, so embellish that baby with your gifts, bro. God loves great music too. Well maybe not a shredd-fest during worship, but I sense that wasn't where you were going....

Excellent point thank you for that!
I think that totally captures how i feel
No, no not a shred-fest ;P
I've always felt like the Revelation song was just such an amazing song because of the major/minor tonality using both D and G scales and I felt like this could definitely be used to make something amazing even more awesome. Granted the solo is a little more rockish than most things I typically play at church, I feel it's still appropriate and respectful to the emotion of the song!

Thanks again for your comment about the tabernacle. Very true man.

[FosterF]

I thought I'd share this even though it was my question :P
On my way home today I saw a sign at a church that said "Use your talents or lose them" I think that's God giving me my answer! :)

[74 Deluxe]

You got that right Fos. Now we actually play outside of the service a little, praise band jams are a cool Saturday or Sunday afternoon way to draw folks, raise a couple bucks, check out what other churches are doing and give glory to God... We've done a couple and THAT'S when we cut loose. It's also a time to have some fun like; Spirit in the Sky & Jesus Just left Chicago. So play it the best you can but just don't make those solo guitarist faces...

[FosterF]

Originally Posted by 74 Deluxe

You got that right Fos. Now we actually play outside of the service a little, praise band jams are a cool Saturday or Sunday afternoon way to draw folks, raise a couple bucks, check out what other churches are doing and give glory to God... We've done a couple and THAT'S when we cut loose. It's also a time to have some fun like; Spirit in the Sky & Jesus Just left Chicago. So play it the best you can but just don't make those solo guitarist faces...

THAT sounds like fun! I wish the band members from my church got together to jam..
Haha unfortunately I have to concentrate REALLY hard on not making those faces.. But I usually manage to avoid it ;P

[JoshuaCLS]

Every Sunday, eternity is it at stake. Give it your all and leave everything on the stage for His glory

[Jack FFR1846]

If the solo is relatively short OR is being played under a chorus/verse/bridge, then it's ok. If you're doing something that becomes the Free Bird solo in length, it's too long.

Listen to any Lincoln Brewster song. Personally, I think his solos are "just" over the line of being too showey. I also feel that he's 6 levels above any other worship guitar player.

I play in bands that are different every week and the leader changes every week. One of our leaders pulls out all of the solos. Think about the congregation. Besides other guitar players, who wants to wait for the solo to end to sing some more?

[Sikor]

In other P&W forum one of the guys said this:

"...our guitar is our voice in our worship offering" - ac30guy

And I agree with him. There is place for solos in P&W. IMO.

[christhee68]

Originally Posted by Sikor

In other P&W forum one of the guys said this:

"...our guitar is our voice in our worship offering" - ac30guy

And I agree with him. There is place for solos in P&W. IMO.

We have certain instances where we have to fill time, so we'll run through the song once the "regular" way, and if we need to extend it, we'll play through again (or just the verse or just the chorus) instrumentally with the lead guitar playing the melody.

If everyone walks off the stage and leaves the lead guitarist with the spotlight while he does and "Eruption" type solo and shoots rockets out of the end of his guitar--that may be going over the line for a church service.