or teaching through YouTube is something THE PLAYING Transitions is another big one in worship bands.
that’s really piques my curiosity because I do [WM] The last time we spoke you mentioned In Rock bands you end the song, people clap,
that – I’m still a student. I get on YouTube and that you’re a ‘meat and potatoes’ kind of and sometimes there’s ten or fifteen seconds of
there are a lot of great guitar players and great player. If one were to reduce shred guitar to nothing. They go wipe their face, grab a drink
teachers out there. That’s something that was being described as technique, speed, and of water, or whatever. I’ve been to shows for
always on my heart – to share what I’ve learned flash, what are some of the words you would bands I love and they’re got zero transitions.
in some way. I’d never done that until recently use to describe the essence of worship guitar? The song ends, lights out, then the next song
where I tried to put most everything I know into
a course in one package.
comes on.
[Daniel] I would say feel would be a big one.
I mean F E E L. I am from Texas so not to be This might not be true for every worship band,
[WM] Is this content that you come up with confused with F I L L (laughs). So much of what but Chris spends a lot of time working through
while you’re on the road, something you’ve you’re doing is about playing what is important transitions, so I think transitions is a big word.
been inspired to do while you’re at home, or a for the moment. I’m constantly looking at our keyboard player or
combination of the two?
at Chris, trying to figure out how I can help them
Serving the song is another one, finding what’s move into the next song or chord progression
[Daniel] Some of both. A lot of it happens appropriate to play. You want to match the seamlessly.
when I’m on the road, we’ll come off stage moment, find the guitar part that fits the song. sometimes and I’ll quickly send myself an If it’s a big song and everyone is going crazy, I think communication is another one, because
email, or voice memo. Some sort of note for or maybe people are dancing, if it’s a moment it’s not always rehearsed. With a band that is
something I’ve thought of in a moment of like that, then maybe stretching out and doing carefully thought out and rehearsed ahead of
prayer, on the road, or on tour. Some sort of more runs or licks is appropriate. time, you almost don’t have to communicate
spontaneous thing I will play that’s instinctive
on stage at all. You know your parts and
to me. Some little solution I’ve come up with But if it’s a gentle song that is more of a prayer or everything is the same every night. With church
over the last eighteen years of touring. I’ll jot more tender, that’s when I back off of the notes music and worship music, we’ll take a left turn
those down so I have a collection of ideas and and do more atmosphere. So atmosphere sometimes and you really have to communicate.
thoughts. Occasionally, I’ll teach a guitar clinic would be another word. You’re looking at the drummer, looking at the
at a church conference or something, and
those notes also become a part of the course.
keyboard player. We have a tightly knit band, so
Tone! So much of what I do when I get to the we communicate pretty well, but I’m constantly
venue and I first get my guitar out is to figure looking over at Chris thinking, “Is he playing
An example would be a trick I learned for when out how I get the sound I want out of these amp something differently than he normally is? Are
my guitar is a little bit out of tune but I needed and pedals. we about to go somewhere else?” I’m trying
to keep playing. I’ll keep my tuner on in my
to really keep an eye out. So communication
volume pedal loop. So if I’m doing something
like a single note line I can pluck the string up
at the 12 th fret and look and see if it’s in tune.
Rehearsal!
I’m kind of tuning and playing at the same time
as opposed to having to hit your tuner and
you kill your signal, ruin all the ambiance and
atmosphere, and any kind of flow you had. It
just helps to keep everything glued together.
That’s a huge part of what I do in the band.
When Chris is doing a fingerpicking thing, I
might be filling up space with some sounds or
a couple little melodies. That’s when I go, “OK,
I need to be tuned up for the next song, but I
can’t stop playing.” So with an idea like that, I’ll
come off stage and think that could really help
people. I jot it down in my phone and keep a log
going so I have a little library of ideas.
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August 2018
WorshipMusician.com