The Importance of Teaching
Dec 9, 2009 Youth Worship
When working with my youth worship team I often find myself emphasizing rehearsing the songs. After all, we generally have one event or another to prepare for so that means creating a songlist, and working up that music to perform or lead with.
I have realized, however, that there is a huge benefit to teaching, and not just rehearsing. When I first started to teach guitar lessons I told myself that I wanted my students to learn why a chord was what it was, what the names of the notes they were paying etc… Instead of just “play this chord”
I believed by teaching them how to learn to play guitar, then they could continue to learn whether I was teaching them or not.
The same thing should be true for worship teams. We should work with them to teach the basics of chord structures, rhythms, balance, tone, song structure, etc… So that they begin to recognize these things.
What’s cool is that when your group starts to learn these things, they begin to play musically together. You don’t have to explain every part of every sing, but they begin to feel it.
For us this has resulted in more productive rehearsals, and more enjoyable ones too.
So what basic lessons would you teach a beginning praise band?
Tags: band, Event, guitar, How To, lessons, Music, praise, rehearsal, sing, song, Songlist, Songs, Team, work, Worship, worship team, worship teams, youth, Youth Worship
The Right Key is One Key to Stong Vocals
Nov 30, 2009 Worship Planning, Youth Worship
There are many ways you can help your worship team vocalists sing strong with confidence. One thing I discovered this past year is that the right key is the key!
Last year I would introduce a song usually by listening to the cd then having the band try it and vocals sing. Many times they would like the song, however the vocalist would be struggling trying to sing out of their range, or flipping octaves between verse and chorus. Since the music was printed and we had already worked on learning in the original key, it was hard to change keys and we usually just struggled through.
This year we tried something different. This year every new song we introduced to the vocals first. After they learned the basic tune we found the key that best suited their voices. I made a note of the key and then during the next week would print music accordingly.
I have really noticed a difference in a few key areas:
1. They enjoy it more- When they are comfortable with the key they don’t have to worry about how they will hit the notes, and less worry means more fun.
2. They are stronger- Since we chose a key that fits their range they are more confident and sing out.
3. They get more done- Since we no longer take time out in rehearsal searching for keys with the whole band, and transposing music 2-3 times we get more done, learn more music and get better as a band.
What tips do you have for developing vocalists?
Tags: band, CD, Difference, help, listen, Music, New Song, rehearsal, sing, song, Team, tips, vocals, voices, work, Worship, worship team, youth, Youth Worship
What Should I Sing?
Jul 10, 2009 How To, Worship Planning, Youth Worship
When I am a guest worship leader at a camp, or retreat, one of the hardest things I deal with is figuring out what songs I should sing. This seems like a small thing, but I can’t help but think, “Are they going to know these songs?” or “What songs mean the most to them?”
Here are three ideas about how to choose songs in that situation:
1. Talk to leaders and participants ahead of time if possible. When you first are contacted about leading worship, ask about what songs they use. Find out if they use hymns or worship songs, gospel, cutting edge, emerging? Ask what the worship service is like at their church or churches? Do they have a band, or is it more acoustic? This doesn’t mean you have to change your style, but this information can help you to choose songs that are more representative for the group.
2. Have a suggestion box- The first time I tried this I was skeptical about it. I was leading worship for a college work camp and the program director put out a suggestion box in the back. She told the group that if they had any suggestions for worship to put them in and we would try to accommodate them. It turned out working great. The song suggestions they had let me know what they were familiar with, and by their choices told me what they were needing to hear. We were able to use most of the songs, many of which I was already planning on anyway. Some of them were ones I did not know, but learned, and not only used there, but have used many times since and have become a regular part of my repertoire.
3. Well I don’t have a third one.. what would you suggest?
Tags: band, camp, choose, Church, College, guest, help, How To, Music, question, retreat, Service, sing, song, Songs, work, Worship, Worship Leader
Experiencing Jesus’ Passion
Apr 7, 2009 Youth Worship
This week we are using Experiencing Jesus Passion Transformation Stations from Group Publishing. I like setting up an experience like this because it gives a different opportunity to worship. There is no bulliten, no songs, no liturgy, no sermon. Just a self guided tour that helps you to reflect on the passion and death of Christ, and what that means for you.
We are running this for an entire week from 5:00-8:00 pm in our youth center.
What other worship experiences do you provide during Holy Week?
Working With Youth Bands: Point and Play
Mar 27, 2009 Youth Worship
Here is a little exercise we use with our youth band to work on playing together, keeping rhythm, following a leader and learning to listen to other parts. We took a repetitive section of a song, in our case we used the first part of “Undiginified” and we made sure everyone knew it. Then I told them that I had an on off switch. When I pointed to them they should play if they weren’t playing or stop playing if they were. I started off pointing to the drums and bass, then added guitar, keyboard etc. Then I switched off the drums to see how the rest of the group would keep beat. We played for about 10 minutes with this and I let my vocalists take a turn at telling members when to play or not.
It was something simple to do, but they really had fun.
What fun exercises do you use with your youth praise team?
Tags: band, drums, guitar, Team, work, youth, Youth Band, Youth Worship
Appreciating Your Worship Team: Social Media
Mar 15, 2009 How To, Youth Worship
There are many ways to let your worship team know you appreciate them. Some of these include sharing a meal together, or even giving a CD as a gift. One more I way I thought of today is to use social media.
The beauty, and sometimes curse, of social media is that whatever you put up, most anyone can see. Services like twitter and facebook are a great way to get a message out to alot of people at one time. Why not use this means to show your appreciation to your worship team. This morning our youth band led worship and did a great job. As I was getting in my car I just posted a short twitter that said “Couldn’t be more proud of the youth band, they did a great job.” My goal was that when this posted to my facebook account that some of the youth band members would see it. What happened was that other church members who were there also chimed in and left comments like “Yeah they were great.” So my simple twitter/facebook update actually prompted others to show their appreciation too.
Is this the only way to show appreciation… no. But here are some of the benifits I have seen:
1. It is immediate- A handwritten card may be more personal, but by the time you write it, mail it, and they receive it, 3 days could pass by. I was able to send out this message immediately.
2. It is global- Write a note to one person showing your appreciation and that one person will see it. Write it on something public like twitter or facebook and many people can see it, and chime in too.
3. It encourages others- When you share your appreciation on a public site like facebook then it prompts others to share their appreciation too.
4. It’s easy- No pens, envelopes, stationary, or desk was involved.
5. It gets to the point- When I write a letter alot of times I end up rambling not knowing what to say. Using a text or twitter makes me say what I want to quickly and concisely.
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Tags: Appreciate, band, CD, Church, facebook, fork In the Road, Team, twitter, Worship, youth, Youth Band
Youth Bands: Who provides the equiptment?
Jan 19, 2009 Youth Worship
Our bass player was playing at practice three weeks ago when her strap came off and her bass landed right on the input jack, busting the jack, solder joints, and a good portion of the body of the bass. I was not sure if the bass would be repairable or how long it would take to fix or for her family to replace.
So I got to thinking, “Do many youth programs and bands have instruments that belong to the church for the kids to play, or do all the kids play/bring their own gear? Our band uses all my gear including my PA, drum set, bass amp, and guitar amp and effects, but they play their own instruments (I play left handed). So, what do the rest of do with their youth bands? Do I need to look into buying some instruments and equipment through and for the church?
Jason Huffman is the youth director at Palestine FUMC. He shares his own thoughts about ministry and more on his blog.
Tags: band, blogs, Church, guitar, jason huffman, Thoughts, youth, Youth Band
The Worship Community-Engaging Youth in Worship
Dec 3, 2008 Worship Planning, Youth Worship
Last month I was fortunate enough to be asked to write a few things about engaging youth in worship. Here are the links to the first two of my contributions to the community:
1. Engaging Youth in Worship-Opportunities to Respond which talks about providing hands on ways for youth to respond in the worship service.
2. Engaging Youth in Worship-Give them Ownership which stresses the importance of not doing worship for the youth but having them be involved in planning and implementing the worship service.
The Worship Community is a great place to find thoughts, ideas, and encouragement for worship leaders check out the worship community.com While there you can read and learn from a wide variety of talented, dedicated worship leaders who share their insights with you.
Tags: Fred McKinnon, the Worship Community, Thoughts, Worship, Worship Leader, youth, Youth Worship
Working With Youth Bands: Change it Up
Oct 29, 2008 How To, Youth Worship
Today in our youth band we were playing Blessed Be Your Name. Since we knew the song very well I decided to use the song for an experiment. I started the intro but was playing the song in 6/8 instead of 4/4. It took on a swing/waltz type feel. The band came in and played along. The drummer picked up the beat, the bass player automatically adapted his part and with a little help, the singers sang along. Why did I do this? I really don’t know. But I learned a few things.
1. Try New Things- We tend to get into habits of playing. We always play a certain pattern, riff, or solo. Changing the time signature forced us to try different things.
2. Out of the Comfort Zone- Playing something in such a different way forced the band to pay attention. they were not sure what’s coming next and had to be more alert.
3. Encourage Adaptivity- Playing in the different time signature also forced our group to adapt. The singers had to figure out how the words and syllables best fit playing in 6 instead of 4. Our drummer had to adjust his pattern to go with the new time.
4. Shake Up a Familiar Song- When we finished one of our singers turned around and said, “I am not sure what we just did… but I liked it!” We didn’t make a decision then but we just may do it that way sometime who knows?
So I encourage you to change things up. Try songs in new keys, time signatures or chord patterns. You may never actually use the song that way when you lead worship but it will help to stretch your band on their instruments and encourage them to not just focus on the way we have always done it.
How have you changed songs like this?
Youth Worship: Making Your Job Easier
Oct 23, 2008 Youth Worship
This used to be the way I did things when I was leading the youth worship team.
1. Find a song that the youth wanted to do.
2. Type up the lyrics
3. Use my awesome ear training skills to figure out the chords
4. Transpose the key if needed for the vocals to sing
5. Rehearse with the band
6. Create a powerpoint slide from the lyrics
6. Repeat
I guess I have done it that way for the longest time because there was really no other way to do it. There were some song books that went along with some CDs but they usually contained the full piano sheet, not really easy to use for a guitar player. So I continued listening to songs, chording them out, and my computer began to become filled with pages of these creations. That was until now…
Now there are many resources that come out with everything provided for you. There are many out there from different companies. I started out using SPIN or Student Praise Interactive Network. They provide CD’s with split tracks along with lyric sheets, chord sheets, piano parts and powerpoint or media shout ready lyrics.
Recently I have started using Vertical Music Worship Tools. These provide pretty much the same thing like split tracks, lead sheets, guitar parts etc. They also include a DVD that contains videos of each instrument playing their part. This is great for demonstrating how to play a certain song on a specific instrument. This Vertical Music resource creates its arrangements from a specific artists CD. The most recent one I received were arrangements from Lincoln Brewster’s “Today is the Day” CD.
As I said before there are tons of resources like this that are now becoming available. The ones I mentioned are just the two that I have been most familiar with. I suggest these because while it is great to be able to sit and chord out song after song, is it really the best use of my time? There are still many opportunities for me to hone my ear training, music transcribing skills like when I am writing songs, or when those songs come along that I don’t have a resource for. By using these resources though I can drastically cut my arranging time down.
Oh.. I don’t have powerpoint lyrics or split tracks but I do have the lead sheets for several of my songs available for you to download. Check out all my free resources on my resource page or by clicking on free stuff
Tags: band, CD, Chords, Free, Free Stuff, guitar, How To, interactive, Media Shout, Powerpoint, Resource, resources, Songs, Team, video, work, Worship, youth, Youth Worship
