practice the same number of times but intentionally play into it from the pre-chorus for the back half of those repetitions . It ’ s a mindset shift to not take these transitions for granted and one that will absolutely pay off .
TRASH CAN , NOT THAT TRASHY
Transitioning from one song into the next is probably where most people ’ s heads go when they hear the word transition . It ’ s absolutely true that intentionally crafted decisions that weave together the songs in your setlist can have a great impact and minimize distractions that can pull your congregation out of their expression of worship .
But many churches find themselves in one of two ruts . Either playing a ‘ trash can ending ’ at the end of every song , fading out , then clicking in to the next , or feeling obligated to play every single song in their setlist in the same key so they can ‘ flow ’ them all together .
Neither way is always wrong , but neither is preferable 100 % of the time either .
The truth is developing an ear and intuition for how to handle transitions between songs takes time , effort , and intentionally trying different things to see what works best for your context .
If you ’ re not sure where to start , I ’ d recommend not changing anything for a month but instead just taking note of what your band is currently doing ‘ by default ’. Imagine yourself in the congregation and try to get in their shoes . How is the way your team handles these moments encouraging , uplifting , or subtle ? What is your team often doing now that feels a bit more haphazard or thrown together ?
The first step to improving these moments is to slow down long enough to notice them , to intentionally think about and evaluate them , and then you can chart a course towards gradual , positive change .
AS THE BAND MAKES THEIR WAY BACK UP ON STAGE
‘… as the band joins me …. If the band could just play as they join me … where is the band ?!’
Hopefully you ’ ve never left your pastor hanging like that . I know I have , but nobody ’ s perfect .
The last time of transition I want to highlight is what I like to call the ‘ ins and outs ’. How are you getting into your worship setlist and how are you expected to get out of it .
The main thing holding these moments back in my experience is that there are no formal lines of communication where the pastor , announcements person , or worship leader can either ask or give requests for expectations .
Most of the time these moments can be improved ‘ overnight ’ by simply setting a clear expectation of who is expected to ask for what they want , or at least to share what they plan to do , and how the band will be led through providing that transition as best they can .
If your church uses an online service planning tool it can go a long way to simply add a row to your weekend service that specifically denotes a ) who will be responsible for the transition and b ) what the band may be expected to do to help .
GRACE ON GRACE
Anytime I write an article that ’ s focused on something so practical like this , I think it ’ s wise to center on why it ’ s worth talking about when it comes to our times of corporate worship .
When it comes to working on improving the ways we transition as a band , whether from a bridge to a chorus , from the second song to the third , or from announcements into a baptism , these moments matter because they ’ re a part of something greater than the sum of its parts . As we work to serve our local churches with excellence , we can see a multiplied impact over time as we endeavor to faithfully , diligently , and sustainably hone our craft , and improving the quality of our transitions is one piece of that puzzle . Remember why we do this as you consider where your puzzle pieces might better fit together .
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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