GUITAR
[ ROCKING SECOND | Jeffrey B. Scott ]
Many of us guitar playing types aspire to be One producer I know will double the bass part multitracks.com, allows you to preview tracks
worthy of a certain label, that of “lead guitarist.” exactly with a guitar to layer that part above for the songs they sell as a way of demoing the
And many of you probably deserve that title! and fill out more of the sonic space. final product. If I’m finding a part particularly
But there are times that a solid rhythm is a far
difficult or hidden in the full mix of a song, I’ll log
more valuable commodity, and one that is sadly If there isn’t a part to follow, using open chords onto their site and listen to the individual guitar
lacking when we focus on the wrong part. and letting it ring out will fill up space as well. parts. This gives me an in-focus, isolated take to
listen to and helps me find that elusive gem!
Here’s the challenge: if we have aspired to
and built up skill for that lead guitar role, it’s
sometimes difficult to see a need for anything
else. But the common catalog of worship
written today still needs that valuable base to fill
out the song and let the worshiper experience
the full measure of the writer’s and producer’s
intentions.
If you find yourself in need, here’s a couple of
key concepts to focus on!
[ In a worship band (If your church doesn’t use Multitracks, it’s
setting, the application is your leader to check out a product called
worth looking into. If they already do, ask
pretty clear: make others RehearsalMix - a “part-up” mix of the song
your highest priority, while your part is brought up in the mix.)
doing your part to the best There is a spiritual side to this. Philippians
where you still hear the whole song, but
of your ability, serving the 2:4 says, “Let each of you look not only to
team in the process. ] of others.” In a worship band setting, the
your own interests, but also to the interests
application is pretty clear: make others
STAY LOW
your highest priority, while doing your part
to the best of your ability, serving the team in
First-position chords are always a go-to when
DO SOME RESEARCH
the process. Laying down your lead chops for
there’s another player filling the melody/lead
a weekend might be just the thing to help your
role. That lets the melody shine through and fills If I don’t know a specific part, there’s a little trick team hit the next level, and I hope this will help
up space in the critical areas of the spectrum. I use from time to time. The website resource, you get ready to rock second!
Joel Willis / Elevation Church // Photo: @BlueAmberPhotography
42
August 2017
WorshipMusician.com