WORSHIP PRACTICE TIPS: PERSONAL PREPARATION (PT 1)
PRACTICE IS PERSONAL
Maybe you've heard the phrase "Practice is Personal". This means that learning a song and preparing it on your own time is what is expected before people come to rehearsal. This habit of personal practice is absolutely essential to insure that a rehearsal goes smoothly. If rehearsal is smooth, Sunday morning worship is more likely to be distraction-free and more fun and meaningful for everyone involved.
For years, I made this practice a part of our expectations for being part of the worship team, and I told new members about the expectation. Over time, I found that telling people it was their responsibility to come to rehearsal well-prepared only had a nominal effect on them. But one day, a "lightbulb" moment (cue “Despicable Me”) happened to me.
I had informed people that they needed to practice on their own personal time, but had never explained exactly what that meant, looked like, or how to practice effectively.
I've spent years in voice, piano, guitar and other music lessons, and over time, I have learned tips and tricks for effectively practicing. However, your average person serving in the ministry may never have been taught any of those skills. Sure, you may have some people who have had formal training, but that's not always the case.
In addition to this, I also realized that this expectation has implications beyond the musicians on stage. It also has a direct impact on some of those in the technical ministry. However, I'll have to write a separate post on that because there are just as many questions that only apply to techies.
So I've been gathering resources, making notes, and have put together this post to better help team members prepare themselves individually so that they can more effectively serve each other, our congregation, and God through their gifts.
Passive Listening
Passive listening is what most people think of when they think of practicing. Passive listening is when you pop the CD in the car or put your headphones on and listen through your phone or iPod. This is a great place to start getting familiar with the music, but doesn't really qualify as practice. Practice requires intentionality. So go ahead, listen away, and absorb the general characteristics of the song, but don't stop there. Go to the next step.
Before I start with my list, I like that David Santistevan says to grab a cup of coffee and a snack! I agree. After that, pull out a piece of paper and start listening critically.
Critical Listening (First and Second times through a song)
I think there's more than one reason that the book of James says we should be "quick to listen, slow to speak". We can learn a lot just by listening to other’s conversation. That principle applies to music as well. So put the instrument down, settle in, and ask some of the following questions.
Personal Impression: What two words would you use to describe this song? Do you like it or dislike it? Do you agree or disagree with the sentiment of the song? Why or why not? How does this song make you feel? What band or style does this sound like?
Lyrical Composition:
Theme: What is this song about? What lyrics stand out? What don't you understand? Is there a related Bible passage? What is the emotional tone of this song?
Theology: What is the artist trying to say (his intended meaning)? Is there a theological bent? How might this song be misunderstood?
Text: What is the phrasing (look at punctuation)? Where should you take a breath or hold the note in the phrase? Is there any repetition? Is there repetition with slight variance (and where)? Are the pronouns directed to people or to God (horizontal or vertical)? Are the pronouns singular or plural? These questions are posed because the answers will determine whether we look to God or at the congregation.
Technique: Are there words paired with a pitch that might cause intonation problems (flat, sharp, nasal)?
3. Musical Composition:
Tempo/Time Signature/Beat- What are the suggested BPM (beats per minute)? Does it speed up or slow down within the song? Does the song change time signatures? Is it fast, slow, or medium tempo? Is it syncopated or straight? Where are the strong beats or pulses? What is the groove or feel?
Melody/Harmony- What voice has the melody? What range is the melody? At any point in the song is it necessary to jump down or up an octave? Are there parts where the harmonies or melodies need to be simplified? Does that switch or change at any point in the song? What voice(s) have harmonies? What tonality is it (major/minor/both/modal)? Is there a riff or hook? Does the riff or hook stay the same or change during the song?
Form/Structure- Is it a typical verse, chorus, verse, chorus? Is it hymn structure? Does it have a bridge? Are there instrumentals or solos?
Dynamics/Range- Is this overall a quiet, medium, or loud song? What is the quietest part of the song? Where is the biggest part of the song? Where are the crescendos and decrescendos? Are there breaks or punches? Are there swells? What is the overall shape of the dynamics?
Tone/Timbre- Is the tone bright, dark, muffled, airy, focused, or expansive? Is it harsh, flat, vibrato (fast or slow), mellow, or full?
4. Effects: Is there delay, reverb, flanger, phaser, chorus, distortion (if so, what kind?), tremolo, wah, compressed, envelop, octave, or filter?
5. Instrumentation Characteristics: What instruments are involved? How many instruments are there? What is the main instrument(s)? What are the drums, guitars, keys, pads, rhythm and vocals doing individually? Where are the places where instruments lay out or play very little? Are there any parts that are impossible to play live (loop, track, or omit)? Are there parts that only a single instrument plays? Are there parts that are doubled? Are there any places where the instruments compete or overplay?
6. Personal Instrument Characteristics: What is the tone of my instrument? What effects patches do I need to set up? What is my particular instrument doing? Is there a way that I can personalize this song, but keep it recognizable?
Note Taking (Third and Fourth times through a song)
After you have jumped fully into the elements of a song mentally, it's time to make sure you make good notes on what you heard. These notes can be translated into practicing on your instrument. If you’re a band leader, these notes will help you lead rehearsal and your team in alignment with their parts. The notes can be as technical or simple as you need them to be. I’ve listed below some possible ways to take notes. There is no right or wrong way to do it as long as you DO IT and it's effective in helping you remember what you need to do in rehearsal.
It's easier to illustrate this, so I've attached a cheat sheet for various ways to take notes on your chord chart. In addition, I'm attaching a chord chart of mine that I have marked up when acting as band leader.
At this point, you're really ready to pick up your instrument and start wrapping your voice or instrument around the song.
