MANDO
[ ARRANGEMENT THIEVERY CASE STUDY: GREAT ARE YOU LORD | Tyson Bryant ]
Mandolin players are often asked to play on
Sunday mornings when the set list contains
precisely zero songs that were recorded with
mandolin parts. How is a mando player to "fit in"
to the arrangement when a mandolin was never
a consideration by the original artists? I call the
approach that I use "Arrangement Thievery" and
outlined the concept in the Nov/Dec 2016 and
Jan/Feb 2017 issues of [WM], but sometimes
there is no substitute for hands-on examples.
To briefly recap, there are four primary roles that a Here’s how this works: during my preparation for string parts you can steal during the softer
mandolin can function as, and each corresponds time, I make a grid (sometimes mentally, and sections and consider playing multi-note pad
to equivalent roles that other instruments fill in sometimes an actual one you can hold in your tremolo as the dynamics grow—there are some
the arrangement. Very often there are so many hand) that contains all the potential places especially high notes that the organ plays during
instruments and elements in a given song's studio that I can fit into the arrangement. Then, when the live version that work admirably as a mandolin
recording that a mandolin player can "steal" some worship practice comes, I listen for which of tremolo.
of those parts to play them on the mandolin. Those those potential parts are not being played by their techniques, and the most common instruments “natural” instruments so that I can cover them.
Playing a rhythm part is also a no-brainer as the
dynamics grow, but if/when you play them, be
that they steal from, are Tremolo (pads/strings),
Lead (electric guitars/keys), Rhythm (drums, VERSES - The verses (as well as the intro/ sure to play them purposefully and precisely. Find
guitars), and Cross-Picking (piano, guitars). turnarounds) are full of string parts, which makes that snare drum and make sure your accent is
this an easy selection. Mostly these aren’t pads. always tracking along with it.
For this month's issue, we are going to step They are actual instruments (cello, viola, etc.) with through the exercise of identifying the different specific notes and riffs that you can duplicate. So, we’ve listened through the song over and
elements of a song that we can "steal" from Those instruments typically won’t be in your over with these different parts in mind, and
other instruments to play on the mandolin. live arrangement and are a perfect fit for your now the parts are my palette of options. Which
This is identical to my typical Sunday worship mandolin. You’ll hear the acoustic guitar play specific options I choose for Sunday morning
preparation process, but I've formalized it all into some arpeggio style parts in the verses, and will depend on what the other instruments are
a grid in order to keep track of the different parts. those sound great on a mandolin. For something playing, and what the Worship Leader's vision
The song is “Great Are You Lord,” which as of this a little different, you can copy the vocal harmony is for our interpretation of the song. Sometimes
writing sits in the top 5 on the CCLI charts. and accent lines on the verses. This especially I don't know for sure which of these parts will
adds a nice touch if you don’t have a lot of be open for my mandolin until I arrive at mid-
vocalists for your set. week worship practice, but at least my palette is
In my preparations, I’m using both the album
prepared. True, this kind of preparation requires
version of the song, which is in my church’s
Planning Center system, and the Official Live I would also draw your attention to the second that you understand the arrangement from the
Concert version. Not only is this a great worship verse on the studio version of the song. The perspective of every instrument in the band—not
song, but it makes my mandolin happy that it is guitar plays down strums with a gentle tremolo just your own. But that level of understanding on
in the key of A! effect pedal. If you are feeling adventurous you your part can only help your team create the best
could dial a similar effect up on your mandolin music possible on Sunday. Listen carefully. Play
pedalboard and recreate that same element of passionately. Happy Thieving!
interest to the arrangement.
CHORUS/BRIDGE - The choruses and bridge hold
similar options for a mandolin. Listen carefully
76
May 2018
Tyson Bryant
Grew up in a bluegrass family but has spent the
last 20+ years adapting mandolin techniques to
modern worship. He rotates between mandolin,
guitar, and cajon at Graham Emmanuel Baptist
Church in Graham, Washington.
WorshipMusician.com