the biggest moment of a bridge .
Still , this position benefits from subtlety and preplanned execution . Visualizing yourself as a boundary line that does not rise above the rest of the band but rather neatly surrounds them can be a helpful litmus test for times when you ’ re not sure if you ’ re adding too much or too little .
In my experience , this role can be quite challenging to execute well , as even week to week where exactly the sonic boundaries should be drawn can vary widely , influenced by the setlist , the mood , and especially by the other players in your band . For example , you ’ d need to outline an advanced lead electric guitarist quite differently than you would a passionate , but intermediately skilled rhythm guitarist , should you find yourself with only one or the other on a given weekend .
HAT THREE : THE LEAD
If you haven ’ t guessed it by now , the third hat is the ‘ fun one ’ by most keys players ’ estimations . Like many good things then it naturally follows that it ’ s often also appropriately worn least often .
In this position , the keys player is able to not just outline the rest of the band , but to clearly serve as the lead instrumental voice for a song or an entire set list .
Here the emphasis is on not just chord and melodic choices but also on their prominence in the mix . In a modern worship context sound choice is even more important for this role than the previous two . Anyone who ’ s played “ Alive ” by Hillsong Young & Free over the last six years with that signature saw lead played instead by an acoustic piano sound knows what I ’ m talking about .
At the same time that sound choice is paramount for the lead role , it ’ s vital when playing this position to yes , stand out from the rest of the band as appropriate , but only so far as serves the song and your team musically . In essence , it ’ s alright to have an extra bit of flash on your cap when it ’ s your hat to wear , but if it ’ s covered front to back in purple sequins the rest of your band better also have been given a few minutes each with the bedazzler before service .
The pitfall in this role is a timeless one . It can be so fun and exciting to lead the team sonically that you can lose sight of how well everyone is following you . As the leader , your job is to chart the path forward sonically while also making sure everyone is able to match your pace .
This might look like simplifying some of your lead parts so that when the teenage guitarist is sitting in on lead guitar with the Sunday band , they don ’ t seem dwarfed in comparison to your sound . Or , when your all-star weekend team is prepping for that epic Easter service you may
find that you very well can get away with adding in that extra cool arpeggiated sound you ’ ve been dying to incorporate .
BALANCE IT
Whichever hat you find yourself wearing most often , it ’ s a great idea to intentionally push yourself to try on the others from time to time . Before doing so talk to your team ’ s leadership to explain what you hope to accomplish and get their support to make it happen .
At the end of the day the keys role in any of these three positions is all about balance . Balancing what you bring with what the band and the song needs and also balancing what you can reliably pull off with the primary focus always remaining on helping to lead your congregation in worship .
Happy hat wearing !
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 .
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