Do I really need to go to rehearsal?

[Thighbanez]

I want to ask your opinion on this.

Situation:
1. Our church has a new worship leader recently who is doing an AWESOME job! She has the choir singing like it is 40 people with just 10 members!

2. However, there is no musical direction and no guitar-specific (me) parts.

Questions
1. Since I have to improvise everything anyway, should I really keep wasting my time going to rehearsals when all I do is stand around and play along whenever the keyboardist and choir sing? I mean, I can improvise on the spot to anything at any time after a bar or so...

2. Do you think that if I told the new WL that, would she take it the wrong way?

[Bush Wiebe]

My thoughts:


1. Yes you need to go. Practice is for both sides of the group. For you and for the others. It can be very distracting when something new is introduced into the group sunday morning without the singers having heard it at practice. So, even if you don't want to go for you, you should go for them. It really makes a big difference to the quality of the music and of the group. Plus, by not going, you lose any chance you may have for future guitar parts, becuase you are never there. If you go, you can show them what the possibilities are and that may open up new guitar parts in the future. This is an opportunity to take your playing to a whole new level and to challenge yourself to find a place in the music. Also, it never hurts to practice. Even if you don't get to use it in the group, your improvising skills will improve like crazy with the added practice. And that's a good thing!

2. Yes, she will take it the wrong way

My 2 cents anyway.

[Thighbanez]

Originally Posted by Bush Wiebe

My thoughts:


1. Yes you need to go. Practice is for both sides of the group. For you and for the others. It can be very distracting when something new is introduced into the group sunday morning without the singers having heard it at practice. So, even if you don't want to go for you, you should go for them. It really makes a big difference to the quality of the music and of the group. Plus, by not going, you lose any chance you may have for future guitar parts, becuase you are never there. If you go, you can show them what the possibilities are and that may open up new guitar parts in the future. This is an opportunity to take your playing to a whole new level and to challenge yourself to find a place in the music. Also, it never hurts to practice. Even if you don't get to use it in the group, your improvising skills will improve like crazy with the added practice. And that's a good thing!

2. Yes, she will take it the wrong way

My 2 cents anyway.

Thanks for putting a positive spin on it sir. I guess I always just feel like the "odd man out" everywhere I go. However, I don't want to try and inject myself into a situation where I'm not wanted either. I'm conflicted.
I will go to the rehearsals and see what's going on. At least I guess I can say I did my part/duty. Even if I don't have any "organized/directed" place in the music.

[Berek Halfhand]

Several years ago our church went through a major upheavel in the music team. A brand new music director was brought in, and several leaders from the team left. I was asked to go to Wednesday night vocal rehearsals to help the new director become familiar with how the team was used to playing the songs in our "repitoire". Being from a big choir Baptist church, his take on some of the songs was quite different, and some of our vocalists could only do things "the way they always had".

It became a habit, and although I only occasionally sing some backups, being at the vocal rehearsal at least clues me in on any last minute changes to set lists, keys, or song roadmaps. I then pass this information on to the other band members through a web site.

With that all being said, over the past year I have started to miss more and more Wednesday nights. It started with me asking the director if he "really needed me" that night. If he said yes, I was fine with going. Otherwise I didn't.

Your situation looks fairly different though. If it is only singers, keys, and you, and you never have anything written out anyway, than as long as you are at least aware of what songs they are going to do and have a chance to listen to them beforehand, I would explain to her how you play now, and just ask the leader if she thinks it is neccessary for you to be there. If she says yes, than stick it out another month or so and see if she changes her mind. She may not be aware of how you are operating now and she may think you need the rehearsal time.

Just be respectful, answer questions, see what SHE needs as a leader.

Good luck,
-bhh

[tjalla]

Good point by the Bushed one.

Being part of the team is exactly that.

That said, you can (and IMO should) communicate to the WL that you'd desire to make rehearsals even more productive - and how that might look for you, and how it will benefit both you and the team.

Since the WL is new, and like you say doing a fantastic job - that's great! Get behind her and cut her some slack esp in this early stages. Seems her strength is vocal direction, or simply she can only implement a few things at a time.

Give it time, patience, grace and communication.

[Thighbanez]

Thank you Berek and TJalla.
You both reflect both sides of how I feel.
Due to having no instrumental leadership, I've felt less and less connected to the music.
Even knowing what I do know, I still desire to be taught and led and given a place in the music. I know that it's great that I can survive on my own...but who doesn't like being taken care of?? Isn't that the whole point of leadership?

Right now I think I will bring up the fact that TJalla mentioned to her in an email when the next rehearsal is announced. I know that she is new in the position and I don't want her to feel like I'm skipping out on her just because it's her. This has been a long time coming since dealing with the old WL who also did not direct the musicians in any fashion. I would have done the same thing within the time of the old WL, but she got demoted before I got the chance.

[SoVeryTired]

My take on it, as a worship leader and someone involved in team management:

Yes, you need to go. It wouldn't take much of a misunderstanding for you saying you don't need to go to be taken as arrogance by the WL.

What I would do in your shoes is arrange an informal chat with the WL to talk through how you can give your best, whether that be receiving some more direction from her or more advance notice of the songs so you can come prepared to rehearsal, and get her view on your role within the team, what you do well, what she'd prefer you don't do etc. I think it's good to have this sort of chat in the early days so you don't get off on the wrong foot and then carry on misunderstanding each other.

I understand the frustration to some degree, having served under WLs who don't really understand music and arrangements as much as vocals. It can be easy for them to just assume the band will look after themselves. I'm moving from a WL role into more of a music director role to release other gifted people to lead worship and to act as a 'translator' between non-instrumentalist WLs and the band, in preparing songs, rehearsal and on a Sunday.

[SoVeryTired]

...or what tjalla said more succinctly while I was posting!

[BHelmuth]

Is there a need for a "Band leader" That works with the WL to take care of the other side of things? If yes, could you be that person?

[Thighbanez]

Okay everyone, Email sent. Please pray for me.

Good Morning,

I would like to ask your opinion or view on my role within the team, what I do well, what you would prefer I don't do, etc. As the newly appointed District and DT Worship Leader I would like to get this information square in the early days so things don't get off on the wrong foot and then carry on in misunderstanding.

I did not receive much musical direction in the past and have mostly figured out things on my own...good or bad, sometimes with Wayne's help. If you have any input regarding my playing, I would greatly appreciate it. I know what I know...but I don't know what you or anyone else knows, and I would like to fit into the musical atmosphere better. My desire is to make the rehearsals and performances as productive as possible and reduce distraction as much as possible. I don't have any knowledge of Gospel music besides what we play at DT as I come from a purely "Rock" background, and of course there are no other guitarists in our district to fellowship with. I think that receiving the songs ahead of time is giving me ample time to understand the song and figure out where I can play in them as they are not inherently "guitar" type songs.

You are doing a FANTASTIC job and the Choir is sounding better than ever! I just want to be able to contribute properly and let you know that I am available to be taught, corrected, instructed and guided by you whenever you have anything at all to lead me with.

God bless you sis, keep up the great work!

I'm nervous...

[SoVeryTired]

Originally Posted by Thighbanez

Okay everyone, Email sent. Please pray for me.



I'm nervous...

Don't be - I think that was well worded in a humble spirit. What I described as 'music director' and BHelmuth as 'band leader' is a useful role to keep in mind in your discussions, whether that be you or another musician.

[tjalla]

+1

Good stuff Thighbanez. What SoVeryTired said about not getting off on the wrong foot - I think you've flipped that around and made it clear that you want to get off of the right foot. Having the team barracking for her can only spur your WL along to do things as best as she possibly can.

A suggestions - perhaps coming from a rock background, and playing tunes that are not inherently guitar type songs: are there any comparable music - i'm talking any genre/period here - that is similar and has guitar that you can draw ideas from?

[Thighbanez]

Originally Posted by tjalla

+1

Good stuff Thighbanez. What SoVeryTired said about not getting off on the wrong foot - I think you've flipped that around and made it clear that you want to get off of the right foot. Having the team barracking for her can only spur your WL along to do things as best as she possibly can.

A suggestions - perhaps coming from a rock background, and playing tunes that are not inherently guitar type songs: are there any comparable music - i'm talking any genre/period here - that is similar and has guitar that you can draw ideas from?

Most of the time I'm just trying to figure out where I can play in the song and do something that fits...like in this video:


Only a few songs that we sing/play have guitar in them from the original artists. There is one that the team worked on that actually incorporated me into it. I'll post it below.

[mrboson]

Your email should yield a positive outcome. And if/when it leads to further discussions about your role, maybe you can be willing to assume more of a musical leadership role for her. While she plays keyboard, my assumption from what you have said is that she plays more as an accompaniment for her vocals, not necessarily with any musical arrangements in mind. Perhaps that is something you can think of. A big part of that will be creating her trust in your abilities to take the musical parts beyond accompaniment, and I really think with a rock guitar background, you have the tools to do that. It will probably mean working one on one with her and developing a musical rapport with her, but outside of full band rehearsals.

This works! I've done it before in a similar situation, and the WL and I really eventually hit it off and reached a point of practically reading each other's minds during service, and times when we had a full band going I was the defacto musical director, with the other musicians taking cues from me while I took the cues from the WL. We were able to easily go improv whenever the WL or I wanted and it was smooth. (Past tense because I am at a different church now but that WL and I are really good friends to this day).

[Thighbanez]

Originally Posted by mrboson

Your email should yield a positive outcome. And if/when it leads to further discussions about your role, maybe you can be willing to assume more of a musical leadership role for her. While she plays keyboard, my assumption from what you have said is that she plays more as an accompaniment for her vocals, not necessarily with any musical arrangements in mind. Perhaps that is something you can think of. A big part of that will be creating her trust in your abilities to take the musical parts beyond accompaniment, and I really think with a rock guitar background, you have the tools to do that. It will probably mean working one on one with her and developing a musical rapport with her, but outside of full band rehearsals.

This works! I've done it before in a similar situation, and the WL and I really eventually hit it off and reached a point of practically reading each other's minds during service, and times when we had a full band going I was the defacto musical director, with the other musicians taking cues from me while I took the cues from the WL. We were able to easily go improv whenever the WL or I wanted and it was smooth. (Past tense because I am at a different church now but that WL and I are really good friends to this day).

I'm sorry, perhaps I mistakenly wrote something misleading. The WL only sings. The keyboardist is the one that I have worked with in the past (when he was into church) to learn instrument music with. He is no longer available to practice with as he has joined a few secular bands and doesn't practice church music anymore. Not that he has to, he's the pastor's son and the "Titled" keyboardist for the church. He only plays for our church on sundays, district events and rehearsals. The drummer also plays with him and is not involved in our church outside of sundays.

I would be more than happy and able in assuming more of a musical leadership role, but the keyboardist would never let that happen unless the Pastor told him to take a step back (youth and ego issues), and I doubt that would happen unless the guy left the church or something.

[tjalla]

Duuuude!

Cornell Dupree
Chalmers "Spanky" Alford
Jonathan Dubois Jr

Start there - there's YEARS to digest in soulful, tasty (yet informed) R&B rhythm guitar that'll fit this context - especially Spanky. Maybe check guitar parts on Israel Houghton tunes too.

This is one area of playing I'd really love to get under my belt.

[Thighbanez]

Originally Posted by tjalla

Duuuude!

Cornell Dupree
Chalmers "Spanky" Alford
Jonathan Dubois Jr

Start there - there's YEARS to digest in soulful, tasty (yet informed) R&B rhythm guitar that'll fit this context - especially Spanky. Maybe check guitar parts on Israel Houghton tunes too.

This is one area of playing I'd really love to get under my belt.

Funny you should mention them. I did a short cover of Israel Houghton's "Let the redeemed of the lord (Say So)" this past sunday with my son on vocals!

I have heard of Spanky Alford and Jonathan Dubois Jr but all the videos of them I've seen on youtube don't exactly "Teach" anything in a way that I can see clearly and learn unfortunately.

I haven't ever looked up Cornell Dupree, I'll try him out today!

[sax4blues]

I'll tell you what happens in our worship team. We rotate several players/singers and some of us play multiple instruments (me drums/guitar/bass). What this means is people play/sing 2-4 times a month.

But... most everyone comes to Thursday rehearsal every week. It is not required at all, but people feel like they are part of the band and if we are learning a new song or preparing for a special service it's good to be there.

Also, most everyone has made their way into the regular rotation by being just coming to rehearsal on a regular basis. I know a couple people not in the band who express frustration that no one is putting them in the rotation or inviting them to come. I always tell them the same thing, you just need to come and show you are interested, then you will fit in.

So yes, if you want to be in the band, be in the band. My prediction is the more you show up the more your part will become integral to the band.

[rokdog49]

I always go. I like to play the guitar.

[Thighbanez]

Originally Posted by sax4blues

I'll tell you what happens in our worship team. We rotate several players/singers and some of us play multiple instruments (me drums/guitar/bass). What this means is people play/sing 2-4 times a month.

But... most everyone comes to Thursday rehearsal every week. It is not required at all, but people feel like they are part of the band and if we are learning a new song or preparing for a special service it's good to be there.

Also, most everyone has made their way into the regular rotation by being just coming to rehearsal on a regular basis. I know a couple people not in the band who express frustration that no one is putting them in the rotation or inviting them to come. I always tell them the same thing, you just need to come and show you are interested, then you will fit in.

So yes, if you want to be in the band, be in the band. My prediction is the more you show up the more your part will become integral to the band.

Very good points. (rokdog49 & Sax4Blues)
A shut mouth doesn't get fed...and a guitar that isn't played can't be heard.

Well, No email response to my letter...even though she sent the latest Rehearsal letter out today after I sent my letter.

I know she must have it, I sent it to both of her email addresses including the one she sent the Choir Rehearsal email from...