SOUND CHECK
SETTING A BASELINE ON BASS GUITAR
A few issues back I mentioned how I saw a need in our small local church ’ s worship team for a bass player , and that I might precariously raise my hand to volunteer some as my schedule and ability allowed . Let ’ s break this down a bit …
1 st My Schedule : I have been working my way through a series of live events and publication releases that is fuller than my usual stack of spinning plates . God is faithful however and has helped me walk through each one successfully . ( He is so good !)
2 nd My Ability : When it comes to playing bass , I have not played bass for 50 years . Yes ! I know it sounds crazy , but it is true . And the truth is that I was not that good of a bass player then . Ha ! I was a beginner .
But the fact remained that I saw a need for a bass player at my church . They haven ’ t had a bass player for years and they wanted to add bass to the Chris Tomlin song “ Jesus Messiah .” I started practicing with the chord chart and I also had a private lesson with one of our worship leaders who patiently played the piano part with me looking over his shoulder . We ran through the song several times . That helped ! I went to a full-band rehearsal and made a few mistakes and then the during the Sunday morning pre-service run through - I only made one mistake . So next I was supposed to be ready to play after communion at the end of the service . Right ?
I sat in the congregation waiting for what seemed a much longer sermon than usual . ( It wasn ’ t , but it just felt that way – forgive me for saying that Pastor !) Judy reached over to hold my hand and asked , “ How come your hand is so clammy ?” She later said it hasn ’ t been like that since our wedding day – Ha ! It was clammy because I was nervous . Then my hands really started sweating .
Finally , I was called up to pick-up the bass , put the strap over my shoulder and turn on my bass amp . I was just trying to remember to breathe , remember the notes for the different parts of the song ( verse , chorus , bridge , ending ), and then sync-up with the kick drum and hi-hats .
The song kicked off and before you know it , I was hitting the last note . Then as the congregation was dismissed the piano player , drums and I went back into the chorus to “ play them out ” as folks left . When it was over , it was a huge relief , and it was also fun !
The Bottom Line : God was faithful yet again to me . It must have went well-enough as the same worship leader asked me to join them again for Easter . Well , time to practice …
In His Grip ,
Bruce & Judy
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