radio edit when performed live. It’s common for I’m not complaining or diminishing how NEW YEAR, NEW YOU
these touring bands to evolve and change the impactful pianos and pads can be. After all, I If you’re inspired by any of the three ideas
arrangements of their most performed songs spend my days designing new piano and pad above, remember that slow and steady will
over time as the band grows and they strive to sounds for people to use. My point is this: if always win the race. I mention the importance
surprise and continually engage their audience. you’re looking to freshen up your keys sounds of communicating your ideas/changes to your
sometimes you don’t need to reinvent the team’s leadership in advance in almost every
As worship musicians, we can achieve a similar ‘piano and pads’ wheel, you just need to add article, because I can’t over-emphasize that
effect in a simple, scale-able way. The next time an additional texture on top. keeping your worship leader in the loop on your
creative tweaks and changes is vital to pulling
you have a band practice (with your leader’s
those changes off.
permission) just ask your guitarist, “Hey, would Because many church bands now perform to a you like to play this keys lead line instead of metronome or click track it can be pretty easy me? I can cover the guitar part if you show me to add a time-synced, rhythmic sound like an I pray that during these winter months your
what you’d normally play”. arpeggiated or side-chained synth sound to our creative expression is re-kindled and widened
keys parts without losing the glue that is the as you seek to serve, complement, and inspire
It’s a fun challenge to swap roles and a simple, basic piano and pads sound. Whether you’re the members of your worship team and your
low stakes way to change up arrangements using software like MainStage or Ableton Live church congregation. Here’s to a new year!
without losing what makes the song memorable or a hardware workstation keyboard… there to your congregation. are simple ways to pre-determine the tempo of
your patch and layer in time-based effects to
ADD SOME RHYTHM
great effect.
For us keys players many songs consist of
diamond-ing simple chords on the downbeat Taking the time to experiment with adding just
with a piano and a pad or two. This is our bread a little bit of rhythm on top of your go-to sounds
and butter. We do this well. We do this a lot. A will freshen up both the sound of your patches
lot. A lot. and your approach to playing those keys
parts live.
January 2020
David Pfaltzgraff
Founder
and
Lead
Sound
Designer
at
SundaySounds.com, a site that resources worship
keys players and guitarists around the world.
David currently resides in Des Moines, IA with his
wife and two boys. He enjoys volunteering in his
church’s worship ministry, old synthesizers, and a
good super-hero movie.
SundaySounds.com
Subscribe for Free...
135