WORSHIP TEAM
SERVING THE GREATER GOOD | Grant Norsworthy
Worshipping musicians! I believe that we we are sure the congregation is confident of the takes! Did someone say djembe? Not as fun for
must learn to accept several, small musical melody. It’ll sting, but just a little. the drummer perhaps, but a sadness that will
sadnesses. These will be necessary if we are to
experience, what I call, the higher joy of music.
need to be accepted.
DUAL MELODY
Knowing that something like half of our MELODY-SUPPORTING INSTRUMENTATION
There are some small, yet significant, sacrifices congregation is male and the other half female, As the instrumentalists make musical choices
that we - who are given the opportunity to and that they’ll all sing better if they hear the that serve the vocal melody of each song
lead our Church congregation to worship God notes we’re asking them to sing, our default will above anything else, there may be some
through songs - will need to accept. If it truly be to present male and female leading, melody- sadness. Playing more simply - never making
is our goal and desire to lead the people - to only voices simultaneously. We’ll probably miss sonic statements that over-complicate or cloud
help them find their own “voice” as they sing the joy of a solo voice. Another small sadness. the vocal melody - will be more important than
prayers, praises, and reminders of Gospel truths
together - we will need to make some selfless,
congregation-serving, musical choices. Initially,
we won’t like it.
We’ll need to make a clearer distinction between
the choices we would make if, on the one hand
we’re performing for an audience and, on the
other hand we’re leading a congregation to
sing as an expression of worship to God.
SONG KEY
If we choose a key for a song with congregational
sing-ability as the primary consideration, we
will experience a certain amount of sadness.
The song will probably feel less exciting
playing what and how we want. This may
If we choose a key
for a song with
involve some sacrifice of personal, individual,
musical joy.
But the pay back! I have found that if we are
congregational sing-
ability as the primary
consideration, we will
experience a certain
amount of sadness.
to us. Vocalists, especially, will experience
willing to accept these small, necessary musical
sadnesses, we are more than compensated.
In fact, we can be lavishly rewarded. We will
open the path ahead to a far greater joy from
music. Namely, the privilege of being a musical
servant who warmly invites our congregation
to connect more deeply with God and with
each other through songs. To hear the people
sing - with heart-felt passion and volume - is a
beautiful thing.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but
disappointment that the congregational key GET OFF THE MIC in humility count others more significant than
does not highlight their best register. Lead vocalists will be looking for opportunities yourselves. Let each of you look not only to
to move away from our microphones. When we his own interests, but also to the interests of
VOCAL EMBELLISHMENT sense that the congregation is singing well, we others. Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)
Leading vocalists may feel a certain loss of will realize that they don’t need the guidance personal joy as we resist the urge to sing songs of our amplified voices. As often as possible, Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone
in our individual performance style. Instead, we we will allow the congregation’s “voice” to fill would come after me, let him deny himself
will present a straighter, simpler, guiding melody the room. and take up his cross and follow me.”
that the congregation will be more able to follow
and sing with us.
Matthew 16:24 (ESV)
SONG-SERVING DRUMS
Denying the urges of their inner stadium-rock Tellingly, the choices we make within the
HARMONY VOCALS star, drummers will refrain from playing those microcosm of music have undeniable parallels
Knowing that too much vocal harmony too personally enjoyable drum fills that cut across with core truths of being a disciple of Jesus,
often can turn a melody-singing congregation the vocal melody. They’ll learn to play with solid the Christ.
into a performance-listening audience, we will timing, simple, more repetitive beats, and with hold back, stick to the melody more often and the necessary dynamic control. They’ll even use harmony vocals sparingly and only when play with hotrods or brushes if that’s what it
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July 2018
Grant Norsworthy
founder of MoreThanMusicMentor.com providing
training for worshipping musicians.
MoreThanMusicMentor.com
WorshipMusician.com