SOUND TECH
[ DEFINING THE TERMS | Nicole Hickman ]
Think back to the first time you practiced with VOCALIST’S MICROPHONES would be electrocuted if they unplugged an
your worship team. The musicians you had Show new team mates how to turn their mic instrument cable from a DI box!
looked up to are now right in front of you, on and off. It’s the seemingly simple stuff that casually getting their station set up, easily is nerve racking!
STAGE FLOOR BOXES AND THE SNAKE
engaged in conversation while setting up the
Who on your team is ready to understand
most complex pedalboard you have ever seen. What about mic technique? Try setting up how the instruments on stage connect to the
As an acoustic guitar player, you fumble to get opportunities for them to go to the front of board in the back? Who is eager and ready to
your guitar out, realize you left your favorite pick house and listen to what they sound like learn how to get the team plugged in right for
in the car, and all the while wondering if your through the speakers. Singing on a mic is like practice? If that’s you, ask to learn!
capo is cool enough to hang with this crowd…. learning a new instrument. Cultivate time for
singers to grow with a microphone in hand.
PLANNING CENTER
Being new to a worship team can be absolutely I love me some planning center, but I didn’t
terrifying! Yet I’ll be the first to admit that as get all its glories at first! Have you shown the
a 20 year, dare I say, worship team veteran, I
often forget how nerve-racking it is to be new,
not to mention how confusing and downright
overwhelming musical equipment and jargon
can be!
How do we bridge the gap as a team, making
sure no one is te rrified on a weekly basis? Glad
you asked!
If you’re newer… get to practice early, stay
late, and ask lots of questions! Write down
terms and gear you don’t understand, and
find a teammate willing to help clear up any
confusion.
If you’ve been on the team awhile, become
If you’re newer…
get to practice
early, stay late,
and ask lots of
questions! Write
down terms and
gear you don’t
understand...
team how to really maneuver around within
the platform? Do they know how to access
the YouTube video’s, mp3’s, and charts you’ve
meticulously added to each song? Do they
know they can ask you for alternate key charts?
Do they know when the set-list for the week is
finalized so that they can start practicing?
WHY X, Y, OR Z?
Does your team know how to soundcheck and
what the sound tech needs during that time?
Do they know why you use a metronome/click?
How about rehearsals? Do new members know
what the leader expects from them when they
show up to practice?
These are just a few of the areas and items I
the kind of mentor you either had or wished
could remember being legitimately intimidated
you had when you first joined the worship
by at first! But how exciting is it to think that as
team! When the new teammate needs help, DI BOXES, XLR CABLES (MIC CABLES), AND we serve to bridge these gaps for our team, we
explain enthusiastically, show them kindly, INSTRUMENT CABLES not only set up an environment of undistracted
and celebrate with them as they begin to Nearly every musician on the team will need worship, but give our team the tools to continue
understand! to understand the uses, differences, and how to step confidently into their calling. We may
to plug in most of these items. Show newer just give a few of them the tools to replace us in
So, what categories of musical equipment musicians how this equipment works, and a few years and that’s a beautiful thing!
and terms often create gaps in team members assure them they won’t get shocked! I don’t understanding? Below are a few of those items know how many newer musicians I’ve come I remember initially staring blankly at. across who were genuinely concerned they
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May 2018
Nicole Hickman
Nicole is a 20 year worship team member/leader
veteran, and five year full time touring drummer/
guitarist/vocalist for Christian Pop artist Holly Starr.
She loves sharing tips, insights, and wisdom she has
picked up from many amazing people along the
way!
WorshipMusician.com