GUITAR
[ 4 THINGS NO ONE TELLS YOU... THAT SOMEONE SHOULD HAVE! ]
Jeffrey B. Scott
As it turns out, there have been times in my life just to make sure it was correct. It seemed like learned I want to come in with the attitude that
as a guitarist that I wish someone had warned an unnecessary waste of time. “Can’t he hear if I am willing to do whatever it takes for the band
me about. Things I could have done differently he’s out of tune,” I thought, “and then if he is, we and congregation to enjoy and fully participate
or should have already known that I just didn’t. can fix it on another take?” But he wanted it to in worship. This means being prepared for the
Today, in an effort to maybe help you avoid my be right before we started so that as long as he question and having a solution or two in mind.
own bumbling, here is a short list of things no played correctly, he didn’t have to go back and And if I am stepping into a new environment
one ever told me that I wish someone had! fix anything for something as simple as tuning. where I don’t know the sound guy, I will usually
I followed his lead. In live settings, you don’t preempt the question by saying, “Hey, if my
ACT PROFESSIONAL always have the luxury of tuning between every amp is too loud, just let me know - I’ll be happy
Ok, let’s start with an easy one. So often, I song, but if you start out in tune and check to figure out something that makes it easy for
have been guilty of plugging in my gear, turning when you can, you can avoid the possibility of you to do your job!” This opens the door to an
everything on and just playing away. “I’m just throwing everyone else off because you have easy dialog about it and finding a solution that
making sure everything works”, I would tell a string out of tune. And if something does get works for everyone.
myself. out of whack in the context of the band, you Seriously. can rest assured it probably isn’t your fault!
But in worship environments that are usually
NEVER. STOP. LEARNING.
Finally, remember that there is always room
very time-limited, I didn’t realize how much I “TURN DOWN” ISN’T CHARACTER ASSASSINATION to improve your skill and knowledge base. Do
was wasting other people’s time. Especially for It’s almost inevitable. If you’ve never experienced read Worship Musician, do go online and watch
an analog rig, you do have to make sure that it, you just haven’t played long enough. lesson videos, do listen to things that challenge
everything is working, but limit yourself to just Someday, someone is going to walk over to you you as a musician. Don’t settle for learning
what you need to do to make noise, and value and say, “Could you turn your amp down?” This only what you need to know to get by. It’s so
others as they’re trying to do the same. Your is not an assault on who you are as a person. easy to fall into a rhythm of complacency and
sound check will go more smoothly and your It does not call into question your character, lethargy, but our God deserves your very best,
team will thank you. nor should it be considered a judgment call not just your average, mediocre, halfway-best.
on your tone as a guitarist. Unless you’re Joe Reach, challenge yourself, ask for and accept
TUNE FIRST (AND OFTEN!) Satriani or Eric Johnson, it’s bound to happen. feedback, look for ways to be better. Together,
This I learned from a studio session. There were There are definitely ways to handle the question we can raise the level of our service to see God
two of us on the session, and before every take, that does not alienate your team or leader, and glorified in our work and in our worship of Him!
the other guitarist would hit his tuner and check they should all be considered, especially in every string, sometimes re-tuning everything the context of a worship environment. I have
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December 2017
WorshipMusician.com