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Worship Team Builder (Outline)
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BARE BONES BASICS (aka: what you need)
STEP ONE
1. The Call
2. Guitar or keyboards
3. One strong vocalist
4. Great songs
5. a PA system
STEP TWO
6. A rhythm section (Drums, bass guitar, electric/acoustic guitar, keyboards)
SONGS
1. Find “doable” songs
2. Hooks and Choruses
3. Can the congregation sing it?
4. A great song will carry average musicians
LEAD SHEETS
1. Melody, chords, and lyrics
2. Players (musicians) who can follow chord charts
SONG ARRANGEMENTS
1. Know your musicians
2. Keep it simple
3. underplaying vs. overplaying
4. Let the song carry you.
SOUND STUFF
1. PA
2. Size - Sanctuary size
3. Cost
4. Sound person (mixing)
WORSHIP
1. Order of worship
2. Fast songs or slow songs
3. Prayer
STEP ONE
1. The Call
First and foremost you will need to prayerfully discern whether or not you and your church has been Called by the Lord to pursue contemporary worship. I will not go on about this but its importance cannot be overstated.
2. Guitar or keyboards
In order to sound “contemporary” you will need to employ some of the elements of contemporary music. Although the Drums and the Bass guitar are staples of the contemporary sound - the most fundamental instrument that you will need is either a guitar or a keyboard. A “harmonic” instrument to play chord structures that you and your congregation can sing over.
3. One strong vocalist
You will need at least one strong vocalist. This is not necessarily someone who sings sweetly or perfectly in tune, but someone who sings OUT. Who projects. Who has a sounds a little bit like all of those singers on the radio.
4. Great songs
Search, search, search... for great songs. You will never regret your time and effort. One of the main reasons we put together this site (graciescafe.com) was to help worship leaders find good “doable” songs. A good song can carry average musicians.
5. a PA system
You will need a PA system. Speakers, Amps, Mixing boards and mics. They come in all shapes and sizes. We will address PA’s further in the “Sound Stuff” section.
STEP TWO
6. A rhythm section (Drums, bass guitar, electric/acoustic guitar, keyboards)
If your church can find the players (instrumentalists)... cool. You’re on your way to a contemporary sound. A basic contemporary rhythm section consists of: Drums, Keyboards, Guitar and Bass guitar.
1. Find “doable” songs
Again, search for “doable” songs. Songs that both your team can perform well and the congregation can relate to and sing to. (I’m assuming that lyrically your songs will be the inspired Word of God)
2. Hooks and Choruses
A hook is just what the word sounds like. If ya wanna catch a fish ya gotta have a hook. It “hooks” the listener while the Lord reals them in. A hook is also a good chorus - although it can just be a catchy line.
3. Can the congregation sing it?
Stay away from multiple time changes and acrobatic melodies. A good rule of thumb is that if the congregation isn’t singing along by the third time through - it’s probably too difficult for them. (If this happens you may lose their attention and the chance for them to have an intimate encounter with the Lord.)
4. A great song will carry average musicians.
Even great musicians cannot make a bad song sound good.
1. Melody, chords, and lyrics
Everyone on your worship team needs to be on the same page - so to speak. Because of the variety of musicianship level on most worship teams, simple lead sheets are the best charts to use. Many trained keyboard players have never learned how to read and play “chords” . Encourage all of your musicians to pursue this skill.
2. Players (musicians) who can follow chord charts
Many players, too, only play by ear. Some are extremely accomplished. Again, encourage them to learn to follow a basic chord chart. They will grow musically and you will benefit from having everyone “on the same page.”
1. Know your musicians
Stay away from making your arrangements more difficult that your musicians skill level. Stay away from trying to recreate the exact studio sound on a popular CD. (They spent thousands of dollars on the best studio musicians to achieve that sound. Your team is apt to become frustrated at their inability to recreate the CD sounds) Also, stay away from most “music book” arrangements. They usually don’t sound contemporary and are best when used as guidelines to finding your own arrangements.
2. Keep it simple
Simple Rhythm section parts will allow the song the needed room and space to breathe - and allow space for the Holy Spirit to work.
3. underplaying vs. overplaying
Notes need space to become musical. I always encourage musicians to underplay (less notes as opposed to more notes.)
4. Let the song carry you.
Simple parts. Sparse instrumentation. Tasteful note selection. Let a good song carry you to new musical and spiritual heights.
1. PA
Yup. You need a PA. A sound system.
2. Size - Sanctuary size
They come in all shapes and sizes. The appropriate PA for you will depend upon the size of your sanctuary and the size of your worship team.
3. Cost
From about $1500 to over 100 grand for a custom design in a mega church. A good place to start researching PA’s is at musicians friend.com. Ask questions, compare answers and prices.
4. Sound person (mixing)
A sound person (one who “mixes” the various instruments and vocalists and the PA’s mixing board can make or break your sound. If you have a lot of musicians and vocalists it is a good idea to hire a pro sound person.
1. Order of worship
Where do we sing? Where do we pray? When does the preacher - preach?
Orders of worship vary from church to church. I will give you a workable order - but it is just one of many ways to design your own service.
* Gathering music (Set your mood)
* Open with three to five praise songs. (I like a couple of fast tempo, a medium and then a slow tempo to help set up a prayerful attitude.)
* followed by prayer.
* Scripture readings
* message from pastor.
* contemplative music
* Final word or prayer from pastor or worship leader.
* two or three praise and worship songs
OK. I’m oversimplifying. But this above order works as a guideline for many churches who insert their own variations within its structure.
For a more in depth look at these worship team buliding tools click below to read excerpts from the book "If ya wanna catch a fish, ya gotta have a hook". (© 1998 Dean Krippaehne)
If ya wanna catch a fish, ya gotta have a hook
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