New Instruments

[IAmCrossEyed]

Today I am adding two new instruments to our praise band at our church. I haven't ever done this before, and I was wondering if anyone had any tips to make this transition as smooth as possible....

By the way, the instruments we are adding are the bass guitar and the electric (lead) guitar.

[MRGREEN23]

Just do it..If you are in the position of Music Minster, or Praise and worship leader, and your Senior Pastor has given you the go ahead, then do it....

Everybody has an opinion, and some people won't like it.. It might be too loud..

But, being in music as long as I have, I have learned some things.

First, you have to be togh skinned....many people will come up to you and tell you all the negative things about the music, you just smile and say, "I'll take that into consideration", and move on.

Secondly, you have to know whose opinion to adhere to, and whose not to..

If my Pastor says to turn the bass down, or not to play the lead on a particular song, then I respect that, because he is my Pastor, but if a Sunday morning only, casual smiling christian comes up to me and suggests something, I just say, "thanks", and go on....

You do what God is telling you to do..Just make sure it is God, and not you !!!!!

Mr. Green....23

[IAmCrossEyed]

I am actually the Praise and Worship leader for our youth group. I am still in the youth, and I lead. I hope you understand what I am saying, because I don't! lol, anyway, The youth minister has given us the ok on the new instruments and everything, and really I am just wondering what kind of things I can do like helping teaching lead or what to help them get in and catch on to all the music we have been playing. We are going from being an acoustical band, to a more presence of sound with the bass and electric, so I was just wondering about tips that would make it easier to get them in.

I think you helped me out before on something if I am not mistaken...

[MRGREEN23]

Bass guitar will be easy for anyone who knows a little bit about music....

Learning where the notes are is most important...

You can't expect a greenhorn to grab it and start thumping away..

Start with the basics...Playing the notes on top of the chords, like a standard rhythm lick....Then after you have built a little more confidence, try octives, and a little thump here and there...

Pretty soon, you'll be playing entire chords and melody licks on the bass.

As far as lead guitar goes, it takes alot of sacrifice....Period...

Some things come naturally to some people. But most of us have to work really hard....

First thing to do is go and get a good amp, and a distortion pedal.. You can get a decent pedal for about thirty bucks...

But a pedal makes a boring standard guitar player sound good on power chords... Work on it...There are alot of loopholes to get you through while you are growing and getting better, so experiment a little. But don't get frustrated, it takes time....

Mr. Green....23