SONGWRITING
SPONTANEOUS : GOING WITH THE FLOW | Kevin MacDougall
This may seem a strange topic for a column like this one , but it ’ s important to the craft of any songwriter who writes for congregational spaces . Sometimes those spaces need something no song written in advance can accomplish . They need something tuned in — of the present moment , reflective and responsive . Something spontaneous .
Not every musical prayer can be worked out in advance , and as a result , spontaneous music has long been an important element in the lifeblood of the church .
In recent history , songs from Kim Walker- Smith ’ s “ Spirit Break Out ,” to Michael Farren ’ s “ Let It Rain ,” to Elyssa Smith ’ s “ Surrounded ( Fight My Battles ),” to Marie Barnett ’ s “ Breathe ” all began in moments of spontaneous creativity . The chorus of Tony Brown and Pat Barrett ’ s “ Good Good Father ” began spontaneously .
If there ’ s a flow producing resonant works like those above , it ’ s clearly a good flow to be a part of .
CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN
When you purpose to be the kind of writer who can shepherd spontaneous music , the first question becomes , “ How can I prepare for such a thing ? How can I ensure such a moment will be received , understood and honored by my community of faith ?”
The answer is a simple one : You learn to be as intentional as possible about everything else that ’ s not the spontaneous song . You can only control so much , so you prepare where you can . When making room for a spontaneous song , you don ’ t allow everything else surrounding it to be haphazard and loose . As with jazz music , spontaneous worship is a form of improvisation . Jazz artists prepare a lot , and then craft space for improvisation . They don ’ t simply expect it to happen out of nowhere . There is an air of anticipation and mystery when you see them play . And this same atmosphere needs to inform the atmosphere of your worship services .
With a spontaneous song , you can ’ t craft the song in advance , but you can craft the space surrounding it . You can craft the liturgy and its dynamic flow , you can be intentional and expressive with how your space is set and how lighting is utilized , and you can decide on the place you want to make room specifically within a worship set or service … all to ensure the conditions are right for what you ’ d like to see happen , and that there ’ s no disconnect between your chosen means and desired ends .
You can ’ t drive the car before it ’ s time to travel , but you can check the weather and make sure there ’ s fuel in the tank .
For fruit to come in season , the soil and the water and the light must all be in harmony , ready to bring it forth . It doesn ’ t just happen out of nowhere . And if you ’ re trying to wrangle too much in the moment of a worship set , you won ’ t be able to focus on harvesting the fruit . So work out what you can in advance with the atmosphere surrounding that moment . Spend time imagining the flow and dynamics of your service . Communicate conditions , expectations , and potential response patterns with your musicians and other leaders .
Even with all of that done , you can ’ t guarantee something will happen simply because you make room for it to happen . Spontaneous music is something we can hold space for and welcome , but it ’ s not something we can contrive . Not the good stuff , anyway .
With that in mind , and before delving any further , here are a couple qualifiers :
1 . KNOW WHEN TO ABANDON COURSE Sometimes , the moment you made room for a spontaneous song to bring about has already happened . The individual-corporate expression of your congregation ’ s intimacy has already reached its peak earlier than you anticipated , and it becomes apparent that the musical portion of the service needs to be over and end on that note … Listen to that instinct . If you feel it , others do too . Just having “ more ” isn ’ t necessarily going to improve what already is .
2 . KNOW WHEN TO PULL THE PLUG This one is simple : If it ’ s not working , don ’ t force it . When you make room for spontaneous moments to happen between or after other songs , you can always move back in to one of those songs if the spontaneous song isn ’ t materializing . If you aren ’ t feeling inspired , and you aren ’ t seeing movement and passion stir among the people , maybe it just isn ’ t happening that day . And that ’ s okay . You have other options . You ’ re flexible . That ’ s the whole vibe you were going with in the first place .
IT TAKES TIME
Bearing those qualifications in mind , above all , know this : for a spontaneous song to happen , it takes time . If you want spontaneous music to be a part of the worship life of your faith community , then definitely make sure you won ’ t be pressed for time . A spontaneous moment can ’ t feel tacked on . People can ’ t feel like something wonderful was about to transpire , but you put an end to it quickly to get the next service in .
You worked hard to find the flow of the current you led others to join , so if you have to steer out of it as soon as you find it , the result will be jarring and frustrating for those who were coming along with you .
If the choice is between 1 ) having one less song