My musical influences don't really fit anywhere.

[mrboson]

I don't seem to fit in very well with today's P&W musical genre. BTW, this isn't a complaint or a rant, just thinking out loud how fitting my musical tastes into what is being served up today is getting to be a challenge. It's not that I don't like the music, I actually do, but sometimes when I let my guard down and play my influences, I sure do get some funny looks.

My musical formative years - during high school and college - were in the 80's, and my influences were Sonic Youth, Psychedelic Furs, Smiths, some of the early INXS stuff. By the early 90's my favorites became the Pixies, and later Collective Soul. I totally skipped the grunge thing (maybe this is debatable, but I don't consider Pixies grunge. And I did not take to Nirvana), and to be honest I couldn't even tell you what happened from the later 90's until now in secular music.

In Christian music, there is really nothing that stands out to me as musically inspirational, although there are lots of bands and artists that I really like.

This past Sunday I think I subconsciously did some Collective Soul style riffs and actually got away with that. I think another song got a little Pixies "Is She Wierd" style, and that one got me some strange looks.

[Snowwizard]

If you were at my church we'd try to figure out how to fit you in... I try to ignore most of what goes on in Modern P&W.

But the reality is that if you want to do Tomlin and Hillsong stuff (gag) then you have to rip off U2.

[bawdyli'lmonkey]

This is a problem in a lot of bands if they let it be.

Keyboardist wants to play classically.
Lead guitarist wants to be either Santana (ad lib non-stop), Satch, or EVH.
Bassist wants to be Rocco Prestia or Victor Wooten.
Drummer wants to be John Bonham.

Etcetera. I've played with people who play to their influences relentlessly. Sometimes they fit, others they don't. I think we all have problems, sometimes, fitting ourselves into the situation. So do comedians, a room full of them are gonna spin a different perspective on each joke, some may conflict. But most of them have the joy of a solo act... Comedians, in concert, can't (or shouldn't) always be funny, and we can't, or shouldn't, always play to our inspirations, you know? Don't feel bad.

[GoldieLocks]

Yep, this is always an issue. Although most church players are happy just to strum 4 chords.

Since 100's of church song are just a few chords: I play them in any style I want. Blues, country, Jazz, Rock, folk, punk...you can do anything with a few chords. The tricky part is getting the singers to not be so uptight and traditional.

I try to make everything sound like the Black Crowes. Sometimes it works.

[mrboson]

I didn't mention the U2 influence, on purpose. I kinda go out of my way to go the other direction from that as much as I can, and not because I hate it. U2 was my favorite when I was 15. I'm 44 and now I'm just bored with it. But I don't go out of my way and clash with the worship band. When they do the U2 thing, my mind tends to wander.

[TelecasterBreen]

Look man God works through MUSIC not genre so try and play some riffs in the same key of some songs you might like or use an instrumental maybe as the intro to a service. Do some dynamic stuff that a band your fond of might do. Cuts, hits, ect.

[Snowwizard]

MrB,

Monkey is right about styles and influences. I have a keyboard player who lives in Michael W. Smith from 20 years ago. It's just not going to fly anymore than my love for hard rock when I was at a church that was big on Maranatha type stuff.

Ultimately we are musical servants. I have a feeling the collective soul stuff would work just fine (also REM if you can did it) but we have to line up with the program. As a music director I try to find a place for guys like you. I've found a place for my MWS wanna be keyboard player. But we are all to be submitted to one another and that includes our musical tastes. I like experimental electronic music, my brothers church has a worship band that does just that. It wouldn't fly in the rural/suburban setting my church is in where country is king. That being said... Some of my most creative times were at the Maranatha style church because I had to figure out how I could work within the system. My brothers church has next to no rules and some of their bands really suck because of it.

[SoVeryTired]

There is no single style that's better for worship music than another - but it does help when the band are playing the same style!

[ChickenKiller]

These are a few songs that are NOT u2 sounding and they "sort of" have a Collective Soul feel? "Shine" ??? Hey I am trying for ya man. ha ha

Ok, Decemberadio may NOT be a P&W SONG, but the other 2 do work in P&W

Rick Pino Fire of the Holy Ghost:


Decemberadio Satisfy Me:


Lincoln Brewster Let your Glory Shine:

[rhoydotp]

Originally Posted by SoVeryTired

There is no single style that's better for worship music than another - but it does help when the band are playing the same style!

double-truth!

[black_doug]

What I found is that the style is whatever the WL wants it to be.

[electrablue]

Originally Posted by Snowwizard

If you were at my church we'd try to figure out how to fit you in... I try to ignore most of what goes on in Modern P&W.

But the reality is that if you want to do Tomlin and Hillsong stuff (gag) then you have to rip off U2.

I used to complain every time a new Hillsong song came up on a Sunday set list. I told our worship leader the next time "Take it Alll" showed up my rotation, I quit. It never did.

[tjalla]

Originally Posted by electrablue

I used to complain every time a new Hillsong song came up on a Sunday set list. I told our worship leader the next time "Take it Alll" showed up my rotation, I quit. It never did.

Give yourself a pat on the back.

Did you take up the issue of this inappropriate song with your pastor/music director? Or is it ok for your church to be singing it, as long as its not on your shift?

What was 'standing your ground' was just being yet another bandmember to have to tip-toe around. Maybe try leading a song, let alone a whole worship set - knowing your band doesn't have your back, or that someone is only onstage because you've adhered to their personal preferences, or worse, threats.

Personally that song grates me too, but if the leader is all-in, so am I. Bring your all, always. Otherwise, let someone else bring theirs

[mrboson]

Some interesting directions this thread has taken...

I appreciate the posts that looked to encourage me to blend with the program. That is, in fact, what I enjoy. It is a challenge sometimes, but I don't mean that in a bad way. Sometimes the MD wants my guitar to sound like Tomlin's band's leads, and if that is the request, I am happy to oblige. But when he doesn't specify, I am likely to work my sound in, for whatever it is worth.

I definitely do not condone rebellion from team members, in whatever form it takes. When it starts to go there, someone might want to consider taking a break for a while.

[SoVeryTired]

Originally Posted by tjalla

Give yourself a pat on the back.

Did you take up the issue of this inappropriate song with your pastor/music director? Or is it ok for your church to be singing it, as long as its not on your shift?

What was 'standing your ground' was just being yet another bandmember to have to tip-toe around. Maybe try leading a song, let alone a whole worship set - knowing your band doesn't have your back, or that someone is only onstage because you've adhered to their personal preferences, or worse, threats.

Personally that song grates me too, but if the leader is all-in, so am I. Bring your all, always. Otherwise, let someone else bring theirs

+1

We're very careful about our song selection, trying to select songs that will work well with the congregation musically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally and any other -ally that is appropriate! If someone on the team has a problem with the content of a song they should discuss it with the worship pastor and either come to an understanding of why we're doing that song or we stop doing it if their issues are valid and strong enough.

If someone says "the next time we do that song, I'm off"... au revoir!

[SoVeryTired]

Originally Posted by mrboson

Some interesting directions this thread has taken...

I appreciate the posts that looked to encourage me to blend with the program. That is, in fact, what I enjoy. It is a challenge sometimes, but I don't mean that in a bad way. Sometimes the MD wants my guitar to sound like Tomlin's band's leads, and if that is the request, I am happy to oblige. But when he doesn't specify, I am likely to work my sound in, for whatever it is worth.

I definitely do not condone rebellion from team members, in whatever form it takes. When it starts to go there, someone might want to consider taking a break for a while.

The 'blending' thing is hard - I say this as someone with an indie/alternative sort of taste in music who found myself in a mostly gospel band when I first joined this church. It's good for us as musicians though to be stretched in different directions. What we play on a Sunday doesn't have to be what we listen to and play all week though!

[electrablue]

Originally Posted by tjalla

Give yourself a pat on the back.

Did you take up the issue of this inappropriate song with your pastor/music director? Or is it ok for your church to be singing it, as long as its not on your shift?

What was 'standing your ground' was just being yet another bandmember to have to tip-toe around. Maybe try leading a song, let alone a whole worship set - knowing your band doesn't have your back, or that someone is only onstage because you've adhered to their personal preferences, or worse, threats.

Personally that song grates me too, but if the leader is all-in, so am I. Bring your all, always. Otherwise, let someone else bring theirs

My issue was it turned into a "performance" song. We did it week after week and the congregation just sat on their hands listening to us. Plus I couldn't stand the song. LOL! It was too frantic.

[DADGAD]

My influences are classic rock guitarists. If you want to hear the likes of Jimmy Page or Ritchie Blackmore on a WT, stop by sometime!

[elihu]

Originally Posted by GoldieLocks

I try to make everything sound like the Black Crowes. Sometimes it works.

I shoot for Bobby Womack...cause i ain't good enough for Cornell Dupree yet.

Originally Posted by tjalla

Bring your all, always. Otherwise, let someone else bring theirs.

There's a tag line for someone...

Every pro i've ever met plays for the song, then the vocalist...guess that makes them third in line. Us P&W guys, we're at least fourth!

[SoVeryTired]

Originally Posted by electrablue

My issue was it turned into a "performance" song. We did it week after week and the congregation just sat on their hands listening to us. Plus I couldn't stand the song. LOL! It was too frantic.

I've come across songs that have that effect. They sound great, we play them well and... nothing from the congregation. If after a few attempts at doing the song (on Sundays close together) it doesn't work, it should be retired.

If you're not in the position to choose the songs then a quiet word with the WL might be in order. "You know that song that you like? No-one out there seems to."