In worship music, there are certain things that are just not that important. To study them for your own purpose is fine, if you have a musical outlet with which to experiment. In fact, Mitch Ross and I were having that conversation while watching the latest Greg Bissonette DVDs. We both noted that half of the content did not really apply to any church situation that we had ever been involved with. That does not diminish the value of the DVDs; rather, it is an issue of focus. With that in mind, I have never been asked:
1) "How fast are your single strokes?"
2) "Can you play in 13?"
3) "How's your soloing?"
4) "Do you know any stick tricks?"
5) "Double Pedal on this one?"
6) "Is that the loudest you can play?"
7) "Can you pull off a metric modulation here?"
8) "Know any good Vinnie licks you can throw in going to the bridge?"
The point is that there is a time for musical exploration and creativity. Worship music is rarely, if ever that time! That does not mean you should not strive to do your best...just know when and where that is appropriate.
Hope this helps.
Blessings,
Frank
8.28.2006
Watch Your Speech!
I once heard from my Pastor that words literally live forever. It was a tempting situation, but I waited and he said that he had read a study where scientists were attempting to extract sound waves out of walls and other materials. My first thought was, "Wow, microphone technology is becoming so sophisticated." My second thought was, "Aren't there better uses of scientist's time?"
Of course, leave it to the ever present third thought: How powerful are our words? This is how powerful:
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Proverbs 18:21
True that death and life are in the power of the tongue when it comes to Salvation, for he who confesses with HIS MOUTH that Jesus Christ is Lord shall be saved. So, because I have confessed Christ publicly, with my mouth confessing what my heart truly believes, then I am saved.
However, we can't ignore that our tongues can be both destructive and constructive in the here and now portion of our sanctification. Take the Apostle James and his wise words in chapter 3 of his epistle.
"And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." James 3:6
How often our tongues get us in trouble, whether we are trying to be funny or whether we are trying to answer questions that we have no business addressing. I have to admit that this has been a constant trouble in my life, that I must always be careful to deal with. Too many times, I have gotten myself into trouble or embarrassed another person unwittingly. Greg Laurie gave this acronym once to help guide our speech. To help me "THINK" before I speak, we must "THINK" along this line: Is what I am about to say:
True
Helpful
Inspiring
Necessary
Kind
If we followed these things, how much more would our communication be seasoned with salt and be true, according to love? Think about the next time you have a chance to deal with that musician who is not really that great. Think about the next time you deal with the people in proximity to the stage that are antagonistic toward you. Think about the next time you talk about someone who is not in the room.
"Let's let our speech be always honoring to the Lord and reflective of His heart."
Hope this helps.
Blessings,
Frank
Of course, leave it to the ever present third thought: How powerful are our words? This is how powerful:
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Proverbs 18:21
True that death and life are in the power of the tongue when it comes to Salvation, for he who confesses with HIS MOUTH that Jesus Christ is Lord shall be saved. So, because I have confessed Christ publicly, with my mouth confessing what my heart truly believes, then I am saved.
However, we can't ignore that our tongues can be both destructive and constructive in the here and now portion of our sanctification. Take the Apostle James and his wise words in chapter 3 of his epistle.
"And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." James 3:6
How often our tongues get us in trouble, whether we are trying to be funny or whether we are trying to answer questions that we have no business addressing. I have to admit that this has been a constant trouble in my life, that I must always be careful to deal with. Too many times, I have gotten myself into trouble or embarrassed another person unwittingly. Greg Laurie gave this acronym once to help guide our speech. To help me "THINK" before I speak, we must "THINK" along this line: Is what I am about to say:
True
Helpful
Inspiring
Necessary
Kind
If we followed these things, how much more would our communication be seasoned with salt and be true, according to love? Think about the next time you have a chance to deal with that musician who is not really that great. Think about the next time you deal with the people in proximity to the stage that are antagonistic toward you. Think about the next time you talk about someone who is not in the room.
"Let's let our speech be always honoring to the Lord and reflective of His heart."
Hope this helps.
Blessings,
Frank
The Value Of Recording Yourself
I played on the worship team this last weekend. I knew that I would be going in "blind" and would need some extra help. I decided to take in my iPod, with the voice memo microphone attachment. I proceeded to record the first service (which is our Saturday night service) and then took it home for processing.
Not only did I accomplish my goal of providing a resource of the tunes for myself, but I also discovered a few chinks in my own armor! It was about 3AM (NEVER, EVER ORDER STARBUCKS WITHOUT SAYING THE WORD "DECAF" AFTER 9!) and I had listened to the entire worship set. Things that I thought were so grooving were way off! I noted my tendency to accelerate into tunes where I had an opening fill. I also noted a bunch of "non-musical" noise that I tended to make when I had no idea what to do, especially thinking later that a rest would have been more appropriate.
It was a tremendous learning experience...again! And here is where it was a little different from times previous when I had done this. I did not obsess, wish I had never picked up the drums, or curse my existence! I took it in stride and recognized that I had done my best under the circumstances, but that I would correct myself within, at that time, the next few hours.
I encourage each of you to record yourself, but only if you can do so without experiencing complete mental meltdown! I think that you will be pleasantly surprised as much as you are negatively surprised.
Hope this helps.
Blessings,
Frank
Not only did I accomplish my goal of providing a resource of the tunes for myself, but I also discovered a few chinks in my own armor! It was about 3AM (NEVER, EVER ORDER STARBUCKS WITHOUT SAYING THE WORD "DECAF" AFTER 9!) and I had listened to the entire worship set. Things that I thought were so grooving were way off! I noted my tendency to accelerate into tunes where I had an opening fill. I also noted a bunch of "non-musical" noise that I tended to make when I had no idea what to do, especially thinking later that a rest would have been more appropriate.
It was a tremendous learning experience...again! And here is where it was a little different from times previous when I had done this. I did not obsess, wish I had never picked up the drums, or curse my existence! I took it in stride and recognized that I had done my best under the circumstances, but that I would correct myself within, at that time, the next few hours.
I encourage each of you to record yourself, but only if you can do so without experiencing complete mental meltdown! I think that you will be pleasantly surprised as much as you are negatively surprised.
Hope this helps.
Blessings,
Frank
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