KEYS
FILLING THE EMPTY SPACE | David Pfaltzgraff
What is the most important part of structuring a worship set? Some might say the answer is obvious: the songs. Others might point to the overall theme, or the flow from one song to the next. Others still might have a completely different perspective.
But I find that what often gets missed are the moments in between.
Transitions, space left for a pastoral word, prayer, or improvised worship. These“ unscripted” moments can provide some of the best opportunities to lead a congregation somewhere new. And, having an understanding with the rest of your team about what to do in these moments can be a game changer for how everything ties together.
We’ ve all been there. Someone forgets to communicate what’ s happening after the last song, a pastor suddenly jumps on stage in the middle of the set, and now there’ s an awkward silence to contend with while everyone exchanges those classic band-member glances trying to figure out what’ s happening.
It’ s an inevitable reality for those of us who serve
in this capacity. Some might even call it a rite of passage. But what I’ ve found is that these unplanned silences can actually be incredible opportunities for connection, if you’ re prepared for them and know how to respond.
Often the keys player will get a vague instruction before a set to“ fill some empty space” or“ play under the pastor.” But how do you plan to do that well when you don’ t know if or when it will happen? Let’ s get into it.
HAVE A PLAN The secret to being able to pivot at the last moment isn’ t really a secret at all. The secret is: be prepared. Even the best musicians can attest to this. If you want to be excellent at something, you need to practice it. Again, and again.
And when it comes to filling silence in a worship set, the thing you need to practice is the unknown. Filling space at the last moment. Improvising on the fly. Paying attention to the flow of the service and being ready to take over as the only musician playing at any point in time.
The best way to get better at filling silence is to practice filling silence.
The good news? This is something you can do at home without the rest of your band. By practicing these moments on your own, you’ ll feel more comfortable stepping in when everyone else drops out. You’ ll be better equipped to lead the team through these moments instead of simply trying to survive them.
So how exactly do you practice something that, by definition, is unknown? Let’ s get practical.
HOW TO SOLO PRACTICE If you want to practice filling empty space, you need to simulate the scenario for yourself. Now, that doesn’ t necessarily mean having someone stand next to you and pray or give announcements while you practice at home, although it certainly could if you wanted to!
You need to get comfortable continuing to play when everyone else stops.
If you’ re practicing along with a track or the audio of a song, decide ahead of time where you’ re going to end and what you’ re going to
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