GUITAR
[ THROWN IN THE DEEP END | Jeffrey B. Scott ]
More than once, I’ve had to show up on a That’s the idea. Take a note that’s in the chord you can strum downbeats with power without
Sunday and, through no fault of my own, ‘wing and move with the changes. If you repeat notes having to be precise with the chord changes.
it.’ I’m sure this has never happened to any of it will sound more purposeful, so if you need to Try this at home to get the hang of it, but even
you, my dear readers! If it has, you can relate use this tool, be prepared to repeat yourself. spending only a few minutes playing along with
to the sweaty palms and nervous laughter that
a song you know, you’ll be able to catch the
ensue internally as phrases like, “This is going SECOND POSITION to be fun!” sarcastically dance across your I’ve mentioned this particular approach in brain. The reality exists for some of us that we previous articles, but it works so well for the Of course, when you have the time to rehearse
walk into the worship rehearsal with absolutely unrehearsed scenario that it bears repeating! well, DO IT. We owe the Lord our best offering
everything in place, but when we don’t, we As a matter of fact, the last time I played on a when we come to worship, and that includes
need a plan of action to help navigate those Sunday, I used this very technique to make it being prepared as fully as possible. Don’t shrug
treacherous waters. through a setlist filled with unfamiliar tunes. your responsibility to come ready. But when
idea with no problem.
you need to be flexible, I hope you can add
On those rare occasions, here are some of my Example: in the key of G, place your first finger these tools to your toolbox and be more able
go-to strategies to still play with skill and be an on the fifth fret of the D string, your 3rd finger on to take on the challenge of any unrehearsed
addition to the worship experience. the 7th fret of the G string and your pinky on the moments that come your way!
8th fret of the B string. Muting the other strings,
PADS strum these three notes together. That’s your A note to worship leaders: I’ve always been
A nice delay-and-reverb-soaked tone can be root chord, G (no 3rd). From there, you can lift taught that the Spirit can move a week in
a great addition to nearly any song, especially your 3rd finger and barre with the index finger advance just as easily as He can in the moment,
if there is ample additional instrumentation to across the 5th fret, and those three notes make and if you really want to give your team the
carry the song forward. As an electric player, your IV chord. Back in the first position, slide opportunity to worship fully, you need to allow
this is a remarkably useful tool when I don’t the pinky finger down a fret to the 7th fret, and them the time it takes to prepare adequately.
know a song particularly well. A root and fifth that becomes your V chord. This article is built on the reality that we don’t
in the key of the song can lend itself to the
always get adequate prep time, but wouldn’t it
overall feel without needing to know the chord With these 3 positions, and more importantly, be amazing to see what could happen if we did?
changes perfectly. without moving your hand, you can add to the Why not try it next week and see what happens
sonic landscape of the song without having in your team and in your congregation?
SINGLE-NOTE MELODIES to know each chord. Because the chords are
Paired with a dark reverb, a single-note melody not spelled out in full detail, you can cover any
can add some color to the song as well. of the conventional variants along the way. It
Remember “Our God” from Chris Tomlin? can be especially useful for an upbeat song, as
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February 2018
Jeffrey B. Scott
Jeffrey lives in Nashville with his wife and 3 kids
(and 1 dog child) and plays guitar for American
Idol winner David Cook.
WorshipMusician.com