Know Your Role: Musical Development Pt.2

Last week I wrote about some elements that are important in creating musical development.   Development is the means in which we cultivate interest and emote responsiveness from those listening.  

Today, I'd like to discuss the importance of knowing and understanding one's musical role in a worship team.   Each musician's role may vary depending on the instrument they play, the arrangement of the song, and the other instruments present.  Musical development can only occur when everyone in a team plays their role. 

For musicians to know and play their role well in a worship team, it takes both preparedness and humility.  
- Preparedness begins with the bandleader effectively communicating what’s expected for Sunday and then each musician taking ownership of their part in practice and preparation.  
- Humility is seeking to do what’s best for for the team and leading others in worship rather than playing to the fullest extent of one's skill or creative level. 

For the bandleader, it's important to be aware of which role each instrument is providing.  Today, I won't discuss all the instruments in a typical worship team, but instead focus on two of the most important.  I've also asked a couple of my musical peers to contribute their thoughts as well.

Drums 

Source: Wikipedia

Maintaining tempo is obviously the primary goal of the drummer/percussionist.  However, my friend and fantastic drummer Johnny Simmons has some great insight about why it's so important for drummers to keep time: 

       I like to say I'm in charge of where the words go. I have to define the time in such a way that 2000 singers can naturally feel where each syllable of the lyrics falls. Of course I do the same for the band with note placement, but my main concern is the singing.

This is a great reminder that as a band, rhythmic accuracy is necessary not only for instrumental unity, but also for ease of singing.
     

Secondly, drummers must establish and maintain the "groove" or rhythmic pattern in each song.  The groove will determine musical style and unify the rest of the rhythm section. 

Finally, drums are key in dynamic growth.  Johnny writes: 

I can provide a vehicle for the worshiper to invest emotion in his singing through dynamics, rhythmic complexity ("complex" does not NECESSARILY mean "busy") and the judicious use of fills.

Drums are the most obvious when it comes to growth in volume, but as Johnny states, it's important to be judicious and to shy away from being "busy" so as not to distract from what's being sung.    

Keys

Source: Wikipedia

For most styles of worship music, keys are critical for both accompaniment and lead parts.

My friend Ben Sieben is a highly skilled keyboardist who studied piano on a graduate and post-graduate level.  I get to play with him every Sunday and he does a great job in filling his role as a keyboardist/pianist within a band setting.   Ben writes: 

As a keyboardist in the supportive role, I see value in blending, often to the point where my instrument is hardly noticeable, but is still contributing to the sound of the band. Also in that supportive role, it's my responsibility to be aware of what's happening around me.

In order to blend, I would advise keyboardists to stick to simple accompaniment patterns and to be discriminating when selecting which sounds to use.   Often times, worship songs in pop/rock genres feature organ or synth parts that may feel simplistic to skilled musician, yet they are critical in creating an appropriate texture for a song.  As keyboardist, do not to underestimate the role of these simplistic parts as they often act as a "glue" that brings the instrumental texture together. 

Many proficient keyboardists have studied classical piano and have the ability to cover bass, harmony, and melodic parts simultaneously.  However, when functioning as part of a large ensemble, it's important to stay away from playing parts already covered by other instruments.  Sticking to one part may feel very restrictive if one is used to being a self-sufficient accompanist (it's easy to add a lower bass line or double the melody).   However, when anyone steps out of their musical role, they are inhibiting someone else from fully embracing theirs and are not contributing to musical development. 

In addition to accompanying, keyboardists are often required to play a "lead" or signature part of a song.  It's very common for songs to feature a recognizable melody or arpeggiated piano pattern.  In regards to playing lead, Ben writes: 

When a song calls for the keyboard (usually piano, in this case) to take a more primary role, "what I actually play" becomes much more important. If it's an introduction to a song, worship leaders need me to be specific with my melodies, and sometimes even chord voicings, in order for them to feel comfortable.

Ben makes a great point - even while taking on a lead roll, it's still an instrumentalist's job to support what's being sung.  

My final word advice to keyboardists would be, lead from a place of simplicity and tastefulness.  Be intentional in your playing and the sounds you choose.  Lastly, be willing and able to switch from being "the glue" that holds the texture together to the instrumental leader.  

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Once again, for any team member to fill their role both preparedness and humility is required.  Each of these comes from decisions that we all make on a daily basis and each requires a certain level of self-discipline.  No matter which role you play, take ownership of your part and hold yourself accountable for it.  Humble yourself and know that He is the one who gifted you with talent and it's by His grace that we freely enter into worship.    

Next time I'll discuss the other instruments in a typical band and singers setup, so be looking for that! 

Once again, thanks for reading and I hope this is beneficial to you.  Feel free to comment or send me a message thesamjones (at) gmail (dot) com.