any church players here??

[Kramer]

Man I saw a great drummer last night! This dude had some chops! He was playing with Mark Schultz...used to play with Steven Curtis Chapman, didn't really catch his name but I think it was Neil Wilkinson.
bd

Hey ,that does sound kind of like his name.LOL.Actually His name is "Will Denton".He's still the full time drummer for Steven Curtis Chapman..he seems to do tours and side gigs with other artists(like mark schultz) when Steven Curtis Chapman is taking a break.....he's been with him for a long while now.He got the gig straight out of college if my memory serves me correctly......He played on a few DC Talk albums too way back on their "Jesus Freak" LP.He graduated from the same highschool as me down here in the south...he's a few years younger than me of course.

 

[bdbdbuck]

The boy has got some chops, but I guess you already knew that! Drummers like that SHOULD be playing gigs all the time, there are so few of them.


bd

 

[beaverbiscuit]

I am just the opposite. I find the music to be very uplifting. Its funny because before I became saved I used to think of contemporary Christian music as all blond haired, blue eyed people singing some very unemotional stuff. I was familiar with Gospel music which I liked because it had a lot of rhythm and feeling. Once I started to attend church with a band and choir, that did it for me. I think that I appreciate "Praise and Worship" music more than regular Christian music though.

I didn't mean to say that I don't find the music uplifting or that I would prefer to have only an organist or pianist instead of a band. I just have a hard time comparing most of the P&W tunes to, say, just about anything on Petra's Petraphonics — and that album isn't even a rock album, not really, but the songs do more for me spiritually and emotionally. But of course it's not about me, anyway — if you've read The Purpose-Driven Life you know what I mean.

I rather enjoy singing hymns more than the P&W stuff, if I'm in the congregation rather than on the stage (which is almost never these days) or if I'm visiting another church. Part of that has to do with one big hang-up I have about modern setups with overhead projections of the lyrics of the songs. Most of the contemporary stuff I don't know (although I'm learning about it by playing in the band), and I find it hard to sing the songs. But with a hymn I can pick up the hymnal and at least get an idea of the melody of the tune. It seems almost as if a psychological purpose exists for putting lyrics up on the wall or screen — to get the heads up rather than facing downward into a hymnal. And I've just never adjusted to it, I guess.

But just so you know, King Elvis, I do appreciate what P&W does in terms of making a joyful noise to the Lord. Too many churches seem to make music and thus church into a somber event devoid of life. So although I have issues, maybe they're solely of my own nature, eh?

 

[beaverbiscuit]

Yes totally, at the church that I've been playing at for a long time, the main service is mostly older folks and the music is more hymnal type stuff and I have to really hold back on what I can do on the drums and it's kinda frustrating because I like being able to just "rock out". It's definitely good for teaching "control" on the drums, but I can't really get into that style of music...

But at the new church I've been going to, their main service is way more rockish and they have a huge band: Two guitarists (one electric and one switches between electric and acoustic) , two keyboards (one of them is the lead singer and he's got an incredible voice), drums, bass, and about 5 or 6 backup singers. And they have a lot of rotating musicians, I still see new people up there that I've never seen up there before and they're all incredibly tallented. I'd really love to get in with that band!

-tkr

Thanks for assuring me that I'm not the only poor soul who faces this problem. Our drummer has the same problem, mainly because we don't have any sort of baffling between him and everything else. The band is all jammed into one corner of the stage, said corner being tiered into three levels and then the stage proper. Since someone suggested photos of our stage arrangements, I'll try to do that so y'all can see what I mean. For all my grumbling about the less-than-ideal conditions, we are blessed to have what we have, and I get to use my meager talents to serve God as best I can.

 

[eyeslikefire]

Thanks for assuring me that I'm not the only poor soul who faces this problem. Our drummer has the same problem, mainly because we don't have any sort of baffling between him and everything else. The band is all jammed into one corner of the stage, said corner being tiered into three levels and then the stage proper. Since someone suggested photos of our stage arrangements, I'll try to do that so y'all can see what I mean. For all my grumbling about the less-than-ideal conditions, we are blessed to have what we have, and I get to use my meager talents to serve God as best I can.

Beaver, we had the same problem more of less.
If you look at the picts I posted you can see that we play in an acoustic nightmare. Not only were our instruments to close together but we are also almost enclosed in a box!
Things got A WHOLE LOT better when we shielded and mic'd the drums.

 

[JoelEric26]

Church gig ? Now we are talking my language.

I spent a couple of years on the road doing the youth camp worship band circuit and then set up shop in a large metro Atlanta church as the Minister of Contemporary Worship. I was blessed with some great players. My drummer and bass player were studio quality. My 1st string lead player was an 80's shredder kid of player . . . great chops, we just had to work on getting him to groove stylistically with what we were doing. It was a blast.

Sound guys are always an issue. Our system was sweet but just remember, you could have the most expensive console in the world and if your people are not trained on it you may of well as gone with the Behringer. We finally went to a stage monitor mix with in-ears and just let the house guy focus on house sound. Made all the difference in the world. Although if you have never used IEMs they take some getting used to.

I know church bands can be frustrating but I found that people will step up if you raise the bar. I had some guys that had never played a written rhythm chart (actual charts, not just words and chords) in their life and threatened to quit on me when I tried to introduce them. I encourged them to stick it out and push themselves. They did and in time we were able to do some really interesting arrangements, with real breaks and solos in them.

Right now I am not on staff at a church but am attending another one that has great sound, good players, and a real edge to their arrangements. They are out there guys.

Soli Deo Gloria
Joel

 

[Scooter B]

Although if you have never used IEMs they take some getting used to.

I absolutely understand the benefit of the IEM for stage volume but I also absolutely can't use them either.

When I tried to rotate in with a new band after the merger and they used these it was a complete train wreck and I could not sleep for three days I was so upset.

In theory it should have been great...every IEM monitor board had a minimixer to custome mix your own level but there was a major latecy issue and as a bass player I really need to feel the thud of the kick drum (either real or in the monitor) to lock in and all I could get was a tiny click instead of a thud.

They were using electronic drums wich can be okay through a monitor but the IEM's they had just had no bass and my bass guitar sounded like it was coming out of a tiny AM radio.

Then I could'nt get the darn things to stay in.

I was supposed to play two Saturday Night services and four Sunday morning services but after crashing and burning the first two on Saturday night and the worship leader was very frustrated I told him he would obviously prefer someone else...man that was an awfull feeling I almost sold everything.

Now they don't use the IEM or electronic drums and I am thinking why didn't you do that before I tried to sit in....

Oh well I am waiting on God for and His timing I jsut don't think I was going click with that group although they are all top notch players...I am just not that perfect or polished.

I don't think I will ever play wiht IEM's again though...just my experience.

 

[rustyfingers]

Me, until last night. Our new preacher doesn't do Sunday night services so we all got fired. I'd spent quite a bit of my own money on gear for this group and decided just to let the church have it. Maybe next time...

Dennis

 

[JoelEric26]

What kind of IEM's were you using. We've got Shure's and once you get used to the ambient difference of everything sounding like it is running direct instead of a "room" sound I've grown to like them. We had no latency issues at all.

. . . and as far as electronic drums we've settled on a hybrid kit, We use a real snare and cymbals and and V-drums for the kick and toms. It is a nice compromise in a worship situation and actually with this set the IEM's are better because without them you get this weird percussion mix on stage.

Of course we are blessed with a big room (about 1200) so volume is not an issue. We are even able to mic the guitar cabs as opposed to having a situation where you have to run direct (NO PODS on this stage hoorah!)

As a bass player have you ever heard of a "buttkicker?" It is a platform (like 4' by 4') that thumps in sync with a kick trigger that bassists can stand on to "feel" the groove. The drummer I play with now says he used to play at a church that had one and it was great for locking in tempos in the rhythm section. Better keep 'em away from the mic stands though or either turn those pads on!

 

[Sjonesmusic]

Wow,

How incredibly cool to see this thread!!

I am so happy to hear all of your experiences playing in church...

In 1990, I began playing guitar for my church in St. Louis, after a fellow musician had asked me to "sub" for him on guitar. The funny thing was that I had just been praying again that week, after a long time away from God. I had thought of returning to church, and had thought of going to Grace, as I had already attended in the past, for some time. I had also asked God specifically, to give me the chance at playing professionally, to be able to live on income only from playing music. This guitarist had only picked up the gig earlier in the week and found himself double-booked, only to call me at the last minute to fill in.

I did not take this to be coincidence. I knew right away, that God had a plan, and I heard His Call. Immediately, I re-dedicated my life to Him after many years living for myself.

This phone call and subbing "gig" is exactly what God used to bring me back to Him.

Ironically, the long-time staff guitarist at Grace left within 6 months of my first weekend service, and had used me as his sub, many times to that point. When he left, I was his obvious replacement.

In 1995, the Music Director at the time left to move back to Texas and recommended me as his replacement. I am still serving in this position, but don't misunderstand, it's not about position, or title, but of giving back to God, what He's given me, and being privileged to serve along side so many unbelievably talented and servant-hearted people.

What happens every week is that we open a door through which people can experience Christ, through our music, our drama and our Pastor's message...

Each week, I am privileged to be a small part of a large team that listens to God, and tries to follow His Will, giving our gifts back to Him and allowing an atmosphere through which people can find Christ, know Him better, or worship along side fellow believers...

We have 4 services on the weekend, one mid-week...serving about 3-4000 a week...

(If you have found such a place, and it speaks to your heart...listen...and like many have said...it is a chance to give back what He has given to you...)

As the arranger, I am really fortunate to write and play in many different styles for many different instruments and vocals...I have learned more about playing and writing from having been a part of this enviroment, than from any other place or experience...all of the tech, musicians and vocalists are world-class and are a dream with which to work...

Spiritually, (which is what it's all about), it's been amazing...to worship God to exalt Christ and give others the chance to do so...there's nothing that compares...

Here's a sampling of what I do with my team...

(all recorded live)

INSTRUMENTALS (My arrangements)
You're Worthy of My Praise-Modern Guitar Rock w-horns

Amazing Grace-Funk/Fusion

Grace Greater Than Our Sin-Solo Acoustic Guitar

Just A Closer Walk-"Chet Atkins" Country

Power of Your Love-Dave Matthews feel

O Come Emmanuel-Tower of Power funk w-horns

Jesus Draw Me Close-Classical as Beethoven w/piano and cello (arr. Sjones)

VOCAL SONGS (I transcribed and arranged these)
The Change-by Steven Curtis Chapman-Rock

I'd Like to Thank You-by Bryan Duncan-Funk w-horns

...More HERE

Anyway...

I wish all of you the best, and hope to hear more experiences...!

Peace,

Scott

 

[flapo1]

Hi guys.

A brother from Mexico.

I play guitar and also are the music director at church. It has been great how the Lord has done so many things in my life in so little time!

We have two services, one for more traditional oriented (a choir) and one (in which I am the director, may God be praised) more contemporary with drums, keys, a guitar and bass.

I have a great time jammin' for the Lamb!

Saludos y bendiciones

 

[clifchamb]

Wow,...

Scott

Scott,

Thanks for sharing your testimony. I check out a couple of your arrangements man they are awsome!--I mean my wife thought "the Change" was right off of the album! I tend to agree.

I hope that God blesses our worship team with that kind of talent someday.

Right now I am holding down the groove with just drums, keyboards and bass.

clif

 

[JoelEric26]

Those arrangements are great Scott!

I am always looking for hot instrumental stuff for openers and closers (I believe once we would have said preludes and postludes). I LOVE the gospel piano and organ licks in Amazing Grace. Even though I usually lead from the guitar these days, my first love and favorite instrument is piano and keys. Did you play those parts as well?

The groove of Power of Your Love is a nice change of pace as well.

Do you have charts available on any of these ?

 

[dkijc]

wow..

great tunes there bro...

it is so great to see a fellow christian using their god given talents to glorify His name!
keep it up bro!!!

 

[Axe4Yahweh]

AXE!!!
its great to see you brother. I havent seen you around for a while.!!!

Mike;

Been awhile since we tore up the MP3 Clinic, huh?

I had company for about two weeks and had to get ready for a gig at the same time. Got a new band going. GOD is good!

Downloading your toon Bro. I'm on dialup so it'll take awhile.

Blessings to ya and all the Bros here!!!

BTW, any of you guys that really dig some Hard Rockin Christian music oughta checkout Mike's tune, The Test.

CR ><>

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=1352&alid=56&20030416213909#11501

 

[beaverbiscuit]

BTW, any of you guys that really dig some Hard Rockin Christian music oughta checkout Mike's tune, The Test.

That brings up a question that I have regarding musical style in the Christian context. I don't want to hijack this thread with it, but I'm not sure of the appropriate place to post a new thread. Normally I'd say the Cave but, well, I'm not looking to start a thread that gets derailed into a bunch of other rabbit trails (bashing Christianity, debate about religion or First Amendment, you get the picture).

Any suggestions as to an appropriate place to post? I'm just stoked that there are so many fellow believers here, and I want your opinions on this question.

Thanks in advance, y'all!

 

[dafduc]

I'd go with the Cave - the religion h8ers will get bored eventually... (guarantee we'll see the stained-glass altar-boy pic again, though).

 

[beaverbiscuit]

Guess I missed that one in my usual Cave digging.

Okay, I'll post over there. I'm really hoping for some input from youse guys; hopefully it will be a topic that you can relate to.

Thanks, dafduc, for the suggestion.

 

[Scooter B]

That brings up a question that I have regarding musical style in the Christian context. I don't want to hijack this thread with it, but I'm not sure of the appropriate place to post a new thread. Normally I'd say the Cave but, well, I'm not looking to start a thread that gets derailed into a bunch of other rabbit trails (bashing Christianity, debate about religion or First Amendment, you get the picture).

Beaverbiscuit,

There was a pretty actice thread in the SONGWRITERS FORUM "Does anyone here write Christian music?"...it covered a wide range of topics and drew more than a share of trash talk from "religion bashers".

It would be a good read but I will check out your thread in the cave as well.

 

[Sjonesmusic]

Scott,

Thanks for sharing your testimony. I check out a couple of your arrangements man they are awsome!--I mean my wife thought "the Change" was right off of the album! I tend to agree.

I hope that God blesses our worship team with that kind of talent someday.

Right now I am holding down the groove with just drums, keyboards and bass.

clif

Hey thanks bro!!!

Yeah, when we do anything by Steve Curtis, I go out of my WAY to get it as close to the recording as possible...what you heard on "the Change" was a live band: guitar (me), bass, drums, piano, perc...and I tracked some extra guitar parts, synth strings, and drum loops, in Protools...mixed it down to mini-disc 2-track.... with which we sync'd to, live, with a click...(my 2nd keys guy and my 2nd guitarist were gone that weekend)

Thanks for listening, I'm grateful for your time and gracious words...

Peace,

Scott