Church... a real gig??

[Psychicpet]

Well, I'm off to play at a new church this morning, after bluesin' it up real good last night. It's time to take the fretless to an ill-equipped PA and play songs I've never played or sung before with musicians I don't know and who are hobbyists... hey, this sounds like a real gig!?!?


......need more coffee.......

 

[basspastor]

Psychicpet,
By the time you read this it will be over. I do what you did every Sunday.
Had a good time didn't you!
Blessings

 

[Psychicpet]

Absolutely, it all went well and the best was people in the congregation coming up afterwards and commenting on how it was "worship time was alot better this morning"... mission accomplished! (no pun intended)
it's good for the fingers, good for the ears and good for the soul.


peter

 

[armybass]

and good for the soul

There ya go

 

[jubjub721]

if that is a gig
then iv had like 50 gigs

 

[Mobay45]

Well, I'm off to play at a new church this morning, after bluesin' it up real good last night. It's time to take the fretless to an ill-equipped PA and play songs I've never played or sung before with musicians I don't know and who are hobbyists... hey, this sounds like a real gig!?!?


......need more coffee.......

As Jimmy Buffet said: "It's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning."

 

[midopa]

I'm also a bassist for my church's English Ministry praise team. I feel pretty good about today's praise, as I tried my best to keep my bass simple and strong, while, at the same time, trying to match the mood and tempo of the song with various fills (not as excessive as RHCP's Around the World intro, though, as I was so keen on doing not so long ago ) and dynamics.

I've yet to hear anything from my fellow praise team members and members of the congregation, as I've heard that a bass can sound great to a bassist and even the band but sound like crud to the audience and vice versa. Hopefully, I did a good job.

 

[dlloyd]

if that is a gig
then iv had like 50 gigs

Hyperdictionary defines "gig" as:

1. [n] a booking for musicians; "they played a gig in New Jersey"
2. [n] small two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage; with two seats and no hood
3. [n] tender that is a light ship's boat; often for personal use of captain
4. [n] long and light rowing boat; especially for racing
5. [n] a cluster of hooks (without barbs) that is drawn through a school of fish to hook their bodies; used when fish are not biting
6. [n] an implement with a shaft and barbed point used for catching fish

It sounds like at least one of those

 

[basspastor]

I always think of playing the bass or any other instrument in church as a ministry, in my case an extension of my ministry.
So, look at it in this prespective, those that play in church are using their talent to minister to the attendees, and also to ones self.
Blessings

 

[spectorbassguy]

Playing bass for church service is the most rewarding playing I've ever done in my life. Especially in a rhythm driven church like ours. Our senior and worship pastors are into believing that the worshipper is more involved/engulfed in music worship when there's a full sound. They say our worship is bass-driven and make no apologies for that.

Here's our setup:

Our church seats about 425 (500 if completely packed and chairs added). Not bad for a town of less than 5,000.

Mackie 32 channel board + effects
4 stage monitor mixes (JBL/Yamaha)
Mains: 2000 watts into (4) E-V 1x15 + Horn Eliminator Speakers
Subwoofers: (2) E-V Eliminators 1x18 mounted under the stage (tons o' rumble)
Full drum kit + percussionist
Bass: Ken Smith BT5G + MMSR5 Fretless into Mesa 400+ amp to Mesa 1x15 & 4x10 cabs
Electric Lead Guitar - PRS into Mesa Studio .22 amp
(3) Keyboards: Korg Triton Pro 88, Roland RD600, Alesis QS8.1
(2) 6 & 12 string acoustic guitars
Tenor sax + Alto sax + clarinet
20-25 piece choir

The Lord blesses us indeed!

Our Sunday AM service usually goes like this:
Worship lasts about 45 minutes
Then - Announcements & prayer requests: 10-15 minutes
Preaching: 45 - 50 minutes (VERY interactive - ALWAYS biblical based with help on how the Word applies to our lives TODAY - very non-traditional)
Then usually close with an uptempo praise & worship song.

If ever in central Iowa, you're invited to attend service. We LOVE visitors!
Sunday AM church: 10:15 am
Sunday PM church: 6:00 pm
1st Assembly of God
Hwy 30 East
Jefferson, IA 50129
515-576-4587

 

[cgworkman]

a real gig!?!?

Yes church is a real gig....

I'm the musical director at my church. Everything that happens in the musical aspect falls under my supervision. I have 12 people under me in the "band". Now in know allot of churches tend to go more towards "hymnal" type, slow songs (not that there's anything wrong with those) - but that's not us. We go straight to the top. On a given sunday morning service we have about an min. hour "song service" ranging from funk, jazz, rock and even some country now and then. We have electric and acoustic guitars, me on the bass, a piano and synthesizers, percussion pit, drummer, 2 alternating lead singers, and a 6 member (what i call "mini-choir". Not to mention the "back-up" crew.......

We've done cover songs such as Prince's "the cross" to Victor wooten's version of amazing grace. There are hours of preparing each week (we have 3 services a week by the way...).

Music in church doesn't have to be 2nd rate. You always have some band members that don't take things as seriously as they should - but you have that if your playing in a bar band too!!

When allot of people mention a church band - most of us think "oh they probably suck". But church bands can be as professional and as loud as any rock band. So many Christians bring reproach to other Christians by having 2nd rate music, etc.

I've played with a many bands over the years both live and in the studio - I take what I do very seriously - and when it comes to "church music" I bring that same attitude to the group. There's no reason that Christians can't play rock or jazz or whatever - as long as you have the right motive and you do your best.

I will say, however, that I've played allot of different kinds of music - and some of the gospel stuff we do is the hardest material I've encountered! But at the same time, some of the most effective things are the simplest!

 

[spectorbassguy]

" I will say, however, that I've played allot of different kinds of music - and some of the gospel stuff we do is the hardest material I've encountered!"

Amen Brother! When we work up an Israel Houghton, Joe Pace, Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker, etc. tune it takes HOURS upon HOURS of practice. And every band member is expected to practice the material at home. Def keeps our musical priorities in check during the week. About the only secular music I listen to anymore is the occasional Steely Dan CD.

"Music in church doesn't have to be 2nd rate."

A second AMEN Brother! In fact, when you listen to a lot of the garbage (IMO) on the radio today, it really makes you know that the Lord blesses those who use their gifts faithfully for His glory.

"You always have some band members that don't take things as seriously as they should - but you have that if your playing in a bar band too!!"

Sure there are some difficulties on the Praise and Worship team, but EVERY secular band I've ever played in ended on less than desirable terms. As long as we keep our priorities straight and get over ourselves, the worship ministry plays in one accord and sounds AWESOME (especially to God).

"But at the same time, some of the most effective things are the simplest!"

Again, AMEN. The most recent example of this in our church is a number from "The Lion of Judah / Calvary's Lamb" program we performed at Easter. It's called "Please Forgive Me" and def brings a tear to everyone's eye.

BTW, what church and where are you from, cgworkman?

God Bless!

 

[Psychicpet]

the "real gig" part is highly sarcastic,I was merely poking some fun at every other person who thinks playing in church isn't a "real" gig because as we all know and have shared , it is a real gig.

peter

 

[cgworkman]

the "real gig" part is highly sarcastic,I was merely poking some fun at every other person who thinks playing in church isn't a "real" gig because as we all know and have shared , it is a real gig.

peter

yes i know - i was just adding to it!

 

[basspastor]

I LOVE IT!!!!

I KNEW I WASN'T OUT HERE ALONE.

Blessings

 

[midopa]

Hm... You guys have it made! Practices, lotsa nice gear, etc! My church rents the White Memorial Seventh Day Adventist church (but we're Christian Presbyterian, PCA) in L.A., Cali. and we've got only minimal equipment - the kind you'd see in a really cheap studio.

Also, we don't have practice. It's just playing the songs right there on the spot, which does has some interesting possibilities, but not the coordination and precision available through even minimal practice.

And the members of my congregation and my praise leader aren't really guys and gals that'll jam loud, perky, funky music on Sunday morning.

What churches do you guys go to? I'm wondering if this is merely a demographic kind of thing. As for me, I'm part of a Korean Presbyterian church that has a separate English Ministry for those primarily speaking English (comprised of college students and older adults).

 

[spectorbassguy]

"What churches do you guys go to?"

First Assembly of God - Jefferson, IA

Pentacostal all the way, baby!

My guess is that a majority of the "loud, perky, funky music" that you hear will be in Pentacostal churches. Yeah, we're the kind that raise hands, jump and sing praises unto the Lord, and make no apologies for it. Speaking in tongues is usually reserved for Sunday night service which is geared for the Believer while Sunday a.m. services are geared towards everybody.

Read Psalm 150 and you'll see our motto!

God Bless!

 

[Psychicpet]

I'm part of the Vineyard church. Here's some Vineyard tunes:

www.vineyardmusic.com

 

[jubjub721]

wow
considering that i want to be a minister thats pretty cool.
hey basspaster
what denomination are u

 

[Lync]

I play Mass now and then at a Catholic church. No bass though, I play acoustic guitar. Even that is progressive for us Catholics!

Lync