change can lift a song from good to great .
To help master musical timing , start incorporating a metronome into your practice routine . This simple tool will help you notice your natural tendencies to drag or speed up and keep you honest . Begin with slower tempos to focus on accuracy , gradually increasing the speed as your confidence grows . When you need a break , challenge yourself by practicing with backing tracks or recordings of different worship songs . As you do this pay attention to more than just the tempo . Notice the way these artists use dynamic changes to great effect , and even how they seamlessly transition from one song to the next . Soak it up and make notes on what you ’ d like to apply to your next worship set .
HONE YOUR CRAFT
As a worship musician , you ’ re aiming for more than just replicating parts . It ’ s important to come to view your investment in increasing your ability as an act of service , using your artistry to inspire and encourage your congregation .
But it can be tempting when keys parts get increasingly specific , to miss the forest for the trees . As you work on your craft never lose sight of the larger context of these songs . Study the lyrics , internalize the message , and connect with the emotions and concepts they convey . Your contribution is just a piece of the overall artistry your team is aiming for , but you can paint with powerful brush strokes if you better understand the overall frame . Experiment with variations in dynamics , exploring how subtle changes in intensity and timbre can convey different moods .
This is where you turn from simple duplication of someone else ’ s ideas to inspiration that springs from a combination of your influences and something more deeply fundamental to the creativity that is God-breathed in you .
As you grow comfortable with these artistic choices , they will naturally find their way into your live performances .
An effective way to develop your artistry is by recording yourself during practice sessions . Listen to your recordings and assess the emotional and musical impact of your playing . This self-evaluation allows you to fine-tune your creative choices and tailor your performance to evoke specific emotions during worship . It ’ s tempting to just ‘ riff ’ when you ’ re practicing at home , and you might lose something awesome in the moment if you don ’ t have a way to revisit it later . Plus , these recordings will double as a source of truth on how your timing is improving over time .
FEELING CONFIDENT ?
Ultimately , building confidence as a worship keys player is more than just getting ‘ better ’. It ’ s a combination of coming to terms with your limitations and strengths , operating from where you ’ re comfortable , while also ensuring you don ’ t stay where you are as an artist for too long . With some intentional effort , you ’ ll find yourself not just playing keys but leading through your artistry with a newfound sense of assurance . Keep practicing , keep growing , and your confidence will follow , one key at a time .
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 .
SundaySounds . com
92 September 2023 Subscribe for Free ...