Challenges Worship Teams Face in Small Churches -- Part 4
Posted on February 2, 2011 with 1 comment
So, I'm going to my first bass lesson tomorrow. I'm going back to the same instructor I've had for my guitar for the last 2 years, Dave Lopez. I like his teaching style, and I'm sure I'll like his bass teaching too. In the past decade, I've learned the drums, guitar, jazz piano, back to guitar, and now bass. Oh, and of course, voice. I'm always taking voice lessons, although I don't actually go see my voice teacher Guy much more than 3 or 4 times a year these days. For about 3 years, I was going to him once every other week to really get my voice in tune, and a few years ago he declared that I was ready to just go for "maintenance mode," so that's what i do now. We always record our lessons so that I can practice along with the CD as I drive around town. In actuality, I have a lesson with Guy every day!
I wish every person on the worship team took music lessons.
I know, I know, you're thinking that I'm a "professional musician" and you're a working professional with no spare time for any lessons. I know you're busy. I know that you are doing all you can to even show up for the rehearsals and barely make it on Sunday mornings for worship leading. Your plate is very full. I get that. But guess what -- so is mine! I'm a wife and a stay-at-home mom with a part time career in music. I drive the kids around in the afternoon and help them with their homework while fixing dinner for the family.
I just think that we all could fit in one 30 minute lesson once a week or every other week for a short period of time -- maybe 3, 6, or 12 months? -- to get better at our craft. After all, we're the ones entrusted by God to use our gifts to lead His people during worship. Doesn't He deserve our best? Many of us are still playing off of what we learned during our youth group days, the last time we had any extra time to do something like learn musical instruments. We still play chords and rhythm patterns that reflect that period in our lives -- the 60's, 70's, or the 80's -- and we're in sore need of updating. Most of my lessons are about $25 - $50 for a half an hour, and I just end up practicing about 15-30 minutes a few times during the week. Not a lot, but enough to get my skills up to speed. I bet you can do that, too.
Many people get offended when I tell them that they should take lessons. Quite the contrary! If I say that to someone, I actually mean that they have a lot of potential and that it's worth their time to get even better. Why wouldn't you want to get better? I'm not really sure, because I'm always on the look out for ways improve. I'm a little addicted to it, actually!
Music lessons aren't just for our kids. Yes, we old dogs can still learn new tricks. I hope you'll look up the nearest music store and inquire about music lessons for grownups. You'll be on your way to excellence -- excellence for God.
I wish every person on the worship team took music lessons.
I know, I know, you're thinking that I'm a "professional musician" and you're a working professional with no spare time for any lessons. I know you're busy. I know that you are doing all you can to even show up for the rehearsals and barely make it on Sunday mornings for worship leading. Your plate is very full. I get that. But guess what -- so is mine! I'm a wife and a stay-at-home mom with a part time career in music. I drive the kids around in the afternoon and help them with their homework while fixing dinner for the family.
I just think that we all could fit in one 30 minute lesson once a week or every other week for a short period of time -- maybe 3, 6, or 12 months? -- to get better at our craft. After all, we're the ones entrusted by God to use our gifts to lead His people during worship. Doesn't He deserve our best? Many of us are still playing off of what we learned during our youth group days, the last time we had any extra time to do something like learn musical instruments. We still play chords and rhythm patterns that reflect that period in our lives -- the 60's, 70's, or the 80's -- and we're in sore need of updating. Most of my lessons are about $25 - $50 for a half an hour, and I just end up practicing about 15-30 minutes a few times during the week. Not a lot, but enough to get my skills up to speed. I bet you can do that, too.
Many people get offended when I tell them that they should take lessons. Quite the contrary! If I say that to someone, I actually mean that they have a lot of potential and that it's worth their time to get even better. Why wouldn't you want to get better? I'm not really sure, because I'm always on the look out for ways improve. I'm a little addicted to it, actually!
Music lessons aren't just for our kids. Yes, we old dogs can still learn new tricks. I hope you'll look up the nearest music store and inquire about music lessons for grownups. You'll be on your way to excellence -- excellence for God.