YOUTH WORSHIP TEAM
WHAT ABOUT SOLOS ? | Vance & Michelle Shepherd
We were recently at a large worship conference where the headliner worship artist flew in by himself and opted to use one of the bands that was already onsite leading worship . At one point in the worship set , at the high point of the song , the worship artist stepped back from the mic and nodded to the guitar player ( you know , the nod that means “ dude , take a solo , have fun , worship !”). The guitar player looked like a deer in headlights , and didn ’ t know what to do . The worship leader then gave him another bigger nod of the head ( thinking that he didn ’ t see the cue ), and then it was even more awkward . It was obvious that the guitarist did not know how to improvise a solo , or how to freely and creatively express himself on his instrument .
As a musician , a very interesting scripture passage is found in 1 Samuel 16:14-23 , which reads :
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Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul , and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him . 15 Saul ' s attendants said to him , " See , an evil spirit from God is tormenting you . 16 Let our LORD command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre . He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you , and you will feel better ." 17 So Saul said to his attendants , " Find someone who plays well and bring him to me ." 18 One of the servants answered , " I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre . He is a brave man and a warrior . He speaks well and is a fine-looking man . And the LORD is with him ." 19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said , " Send me your son David , who is with the sheep ." 20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread , a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul . 21 David came to Saul and entered his service . Saul liked him very much , and David became one of his armor-bearers . 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse , saying , " Allow David to remain in my service , for I am pleased with him ." 23 Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul , David would take up his lyre and play . Then relief would come to Saul ; he would feel better , and the evil spirit would leave him .
Isn ’ t it interesting that Saul didn ' t ask for a singer to soothe him ? He asked for a skilled musician , someone who could play well , and it was through an instrumentalist the evil spirit was cast out .
I rarely see worship services where the musicians get a chance to express their hearts of worship musically in a solo . In the music of my era , solos for the most part were a very melodic musical statement , a language of themselves . Solos were like singing , and created intense emotion that would move people . For worship instrumentalists that don ’ t sing , soloing can be a form of expressing their individual heart of worship to God . It can be their voice , as it was for David on the lyre .
At our school of music , I make it a part of our student ’ s training to learn how to solo and express themselves on their instruments . When the worship leader gives them the “ nod ”, they will hopefully be ready , willing and able to express themselves for God ’ s glory .
If you ’ re an instrumentalist that would like to enter into the world of expressing yourself through melodic solos , try this fun exercise while practicing this week for Sunday ’ s worship service : While playing along with the songs , pick out the vocal melodies by ear with your instrument . This will give you many ideas for note choices , phrasing , etc . Once you know the notes , try doing an answer / call ( meaning a repeat or echo of a melodic phrase ), after the singer sings a line . It ’ s a very cool effect ! This will really open up concepts for soloing and will be an amazing , effective training practice tool for developing melodic solos . Then you will be more able to spontaneously express your heart of worship on your worship team .
May you be blessed as you pour into or become the next generation of worship leaders and musicians !
Vance & Michelle Shepherd Founders of The Shepherd School of Music in Las Vegas , NV , where they work with youth to raise up the next generation of worship leaders and musicians . facebook . com / shepherdschoolofmusiclasvegas www . ShepherdStudiosLV . com