Life is much like a musical groove (see article below about groove). We have to have all aspects in balance. However, a groove depends on more than just balance. We can have twenty different instruments all playing and in balance -- but no groove. More than balance, we need grounding. A good groove must have solid drums, bass, and rhythm. Adding something like horns is great, but utterly useless if the center is not firm.
For a worship team, our center should be Christ. Our groove should be derived from our time with Him. If we don't start there, the rest is useless. During this winter season, let us all look at our groove. Is our center solid? What can we do to improve the basics? Then we will carry the groove with us all day!
Here is an article from worshipideas.com.
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Does your praise band groove? Growing up classically, I
never knew what groove was until I became involved with
contemporary worship and was a part of a praise band.
Groove is that mysterious, magical and exciting feel that
happens when the band is all playing together at their best
and in sync. It's hard to describe, but you know it when you
achieve it.
The foundation of groove is the foundation of a band: drums,
bass and a mid-range part (like keyboard, electric or
acoustic guitar.) You must have these three elements like a
stool must have three legs. You can add additional players,
but more on that later.
I'll never forget the first time I experienced groove - I
had been at my last church about 2 years and one Sunday
morning everything came together - the feel of the band was
so exciting it almost took my breath away. I never
experienced that with classical music!
Up until that time I was struggling to find musicians every
Sunday - the musical chairs approach to a praise band. But
finally I found players that could provide a steady 3-
pronged groove foundation (in other words, they could be
counted on to show up every week!)
You can, of course, have wonderful worship without groove
(God isn't dependent on us) but it sure doesn't hurt,
either. Why not go for the gold and sound the best you can?
I've often had a warm glow after church and the rest of
Sunday afternoon, just basking in how "right" the music felt
- groove sticks with you! Groove will also get people
talking about your band.
Groove doesn't appear on command, but there are a few things
I've discovered that help prime the pump:
1. Don't continually switch musicians. Groove is partially
dependent on musicians trusting one another and anticipating
one another. This only comes by being familiar with each
other's playing. Keep the same musicians together in your
band. If you have extra musicians don't try to rotate them
in - form a second band that can rehearse separately.
2. Rehearse. Don't expect to groove if your band shows up 20
minutes before church to "rehearse." They'll be hanging on
for dear life, let alone trying to feel the music. If they
can't come to rehearsal, they can't play in church.
3. One weak musician can destroy an entire band of competent
musicians. I had several solid, professional players in my
band, but have from time to time added less than perfect
players (by saying "less than perfect" I'm being kind - I'm
talking about players who have trouble staying in the same
key as the rest of the band!) Groove starts showing up when
musicians can get beyond trying to figure out the right
notes and chords and start playing effortlessly from the
heart.
Add additional musicians carefully. When you've developed
a basic praise band that grooves, be >very<>
you let join - the wrong person can disrupt the continuity.
4. You don't necessarily need top studio musicians.
Musicians who can competently play their instrument can
together create groove. You'd be surprised at how musically
incompetent many of the top secular rock bands are - they've
simply played their own material so many times and know it
so well they sound spectacular.
A well-rehearsed praise band with average players can also
sound spectacular in time. Think of it this way: a typical
church only sings so many praise songs. After a few months
the average band will know these songs by heart, and be able
to play them from the heart.
>Bottom Line: What can you do to make your praise band
groove?
never knew what groove was until I became involved with
contemporary worship and was a part of a praise band.
Groove is that mysterious, magical and exciting feel that
happens when the band is all playing together at their best
and in sync. It's hard to describe, but you know it when you
achieve it.
The foundation of groove is the foundation of a band: drums,
bass and a mid-range part (like keyboard, electric or
acoustic guitar.) You must have these three elements like a
stool must have three legs. You can add additional players,
but more on that later.
I'll never forget the first time I experienced groove - I
had been at my last church about 2 years and one Sunday
morning everything came together - the feel of the band was
so exciting it almost took my breath away. I never
experienced that with classical music!
Up until that time I was struggling to find musicians every
Sunday - the musical chairs approach to a praise band. But
finally I found players that could provide a steady 3-
pronged groove foundation (in other words, they could be
counted on to show up every week!)
You can, of course, have wonderful worship without groove
(God isn't dependent on us) but it sure doesn't hurt,
either. Why not go for the gold and sound the best you can?
I've often had a warm glow after church and the rest of
Sunday afternoon, just basking in how "right" the music felt
- groove sticks with you! Groove will also get people
talking about your band.
Groove doesn't appear on command, but there are a few things
I've discovered that help prime the pump:
1. Don't continually switch musicians. Groove is partially
dependent on musicians trusting one another and anticipating
one another. This only comes by being familiar with each
other's playing. Keep the same musicians together in your
band. If you have extra musicians don't try to rotate them
in - form a second band that can rehearse separately.
2. Rehearse. Don't expect to groove if your band shows up 20
minutes before church to "rehearse." They'll be hanging on
for dear life, let alone trying to feel the music. If they
can't come to rehearsal, they can't play in church.
3. One weak musician can destroy an entire band of competent
musicians. I had several solid, professional players in my
band, but have from time to time added less than perfect
players (by saying "less than perfect" I'm being kind - I'm
talking about players who have trouble staying in the same
key as the rest of the band!) Groove starts showing up when
musicians can get beyond trying to figure out the right
notes and chords and start playing effortlessly from the
heart.
Add additional musicians carefully. When you've developed
a basic praise band that grooves, be >very<>
you let join - the wrong person can disrupt the continuity.
4. You don't necessarily need top studio musicians.
Musicians who can competently play their instrument can
together create groove. You'd be surprised at how musically
incompetent many of the top secular rock bands are - they've
simply played their own material so many times and know it
so well they sound spectacular.
A well-rehearsed praise band with average players can also
sound spectacular in time. Think of it this way: a typical
church only sings so many praise songs. After a few months
the average band will know these songs by heart, and be able
to play them from the heart.
>Bottom Line: What can you do to make your praise band
groove?
