GUITAR
FULL-TIME GUITARIST? WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW
TO BE A FULL-TIME WORSHIP GUITAR PLAYER. | Chris Rocha
I can honestly say that I live a very fulfilling than you can’t expect to be taken seriously in production that’s exalting God’s name and
life because I play music for a living. Every a professional setting. God deserves the best blessing congregations in other churches.
single time that I start to hear myself complain from us so do your best to become that. He’s because I’m tired or I have a lot of songs to worth it.
Sometimes we have to move to other cities
learn, I remember what I’m actually doing full
that support music and offer more opportunity.
time. I’ve heard stories of people stumbling Something else that’s needed is your willingness I grew up in a little town called Robstown close
through life trying out all kinds of different jobs, to be flexible and moldable. It’s not about us, to Corpus Christi, TX. If I stayed there I would
crossing their fingers wishing that they’d run it’s about God so be respectful and be willing to not have had the chance to go full time. When I
into a job that they would love. That definitely submit to your music director, pastor etc. I’ve turned 20, I moved to Beaumont, TX to a church
wasn’t my case. seen time after time musicians expect other that had the resources to hire me on. Since
people to adjust to them and expect special then I haven’t taken a job that wasn’t a music
Since I was a 9-year-old kid I remember going treatment. If your goal is to become a traveling position. I currently live in the Houston area and
to sleep at night imagining myself playing musician you have to understand that you’ll be see that this city offers a lot of opportunities so
concerts at stadiums and arenas for God. I’m with the other musicians on stage for maybe that musicians can go full time.
one of the lucky ones that actually gets to do an hour in most cases, but you’ll be hanging that on a consistent basis and will never take with them for the next 23 hours of the day. I’m aware that this particular subject can be
it for granted. I’m currently traveling a lot with Sometimes music directors prefer a flexible and a very controversial one. Musicians fall in a
Miel San Marcos but before that I was a full- easy-going person instead of a talented one, if very interesting category; other professions
time church music director so I have a great the talent comes with a bad attitude. like lawyers or doctors don’t have to choose
understanding of those two worlds. I get asked
whether to be Christian lawyers or Christian
a lot, “Chris, how can I become a full-time guitar Learn to balance the spiritual with the getting doctors. I had to deal with this when I was
player?” There are several expectations that I paid part. There are many churches that younger and I prayed about it. I heard a clear
believe you need to meet and achieve that. appreciate the talents that musicians can bring voice from God that said, “Stay close to me and
and honor them through paying them. my church and I will also make sure that you’ll
The first and the most obvious is the skill Sometimes we can take getting paid for never be in need of money”. Take that as you
required to use your instrument in a way that granted and not see that we’re honoring may, but I strongly believe that God takes care
you can edify the musical environment you’re God through our instrument. I know that in of his children. Whether your goal is to go full-
in. Whether the song calls for an ambient Latin America getting paid at a church is not time or just do it as a hobby, God will support
setting or it calls for a lot of energy you need common, so I recommend musicians to look you and honor you.
to be able to create that. That takes a lot of into other ways of getting paid. Recording time practicing, learning your instrument and productions is also great way to make a living. perfecting your tone. If you can’t play properly Nothing feels better than being involved in a
94
January 2020
Chris Rocha
Lives in Houston, TX, and is the guitarist and
producer for Miel San Marcos
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