Praise band woes.

sabertooth181 · 06-14-2006, 11:16 PM

I would like some advice on how I should handle this situation. I play in a band for youth group on Wednesday nights. I play electric guitar, there is an acoustic/lead vocalist, another electric guitar, drums, and a girl is fixing to start pllaying keyboard.

The first problem is that the other electric guitarist only wants to play solos the whole time. He is too loud, and his tone is not always especially good. He is talented with lead work, but he needs to work on something more subtle. Out of the two of us, I am the stronger player in the worship setting. What he does forces me to just play backup rhythm. If I did anything else it would step on his toes. When he has been gone, I have been able to expand what I do, and I think the music sounds better as a whole.

The second problem is the girl wanting to play keyboard. It seems like two guitars and a keyboard all playing chords would be way too busy.

The only solution I can think of is for either me or the other electric guitarist to play bass. This would eliminate some of the business and would prevent me and the other electric guitarist from stepping on each other's toes. The church has an old bass, and I can play along okay on it. The only thing is that if I go to bass, the electric guitar department would hurt. It makes more sense for the other guy to play bass because as it is, my playing is better suited for the worship environment. Too bad he doesn't want to play bass. We are the same age, and I feel out of place trying to tell him what to do. Our worship leader seems to be oblivious to the problem. I don't know what to do.

**thesteve** · 06-15-2006, 12:23 AM

you should begin with prayer, then approach your worship leader with your concerns and ideas reading the music. i would say that with an acoustic, drums, keys and two electric guitars, someone needs to bite the bullet and pick up the bass. Heck, one of you might pick up the bass and decide that you really like it.

Tony · 06-15-2006, 08:26 AM

I think you're right in suggesting that one of you play bass. Maybe you and the other guitarist could trade Wednesdays as to who plays.

That's a start at least. After you get comfortable playing together, then you can bring up the subject of playing lead more appropriately.

Anderich · 06-15-2006, 03:04 PM

I definitely don't have the same experience as some people on this forum but i'll offer my $0.02 Cdn.

I agree with what has been said regarding your electric guitar problem. Playing together as a team or ensemble requires specific adjustments. Someone on this forum said "Never play 100%". He needs to have that mindset, like you said, of contributing to the total sound and making the other people sound better (for the most part).

Yes, having one of you play bass would definite help the overall sound. However, in the meantime I would suggest having your keyboardist focus on filling out the bottom and take on the role of the bass. This can be achieved by playing down in the lower octaves and also pounding out those root chord changes that the bass would normally handle. IMO, the keyboard is the most humbling instrument to play in a lot of situations. You never really get the opportunity to "be heard" and anytime the song gets ramped up it's lost in the sound of the drums and electric guitars. However, I think it is absolutely vital for a band and to me it is more important than everything except maybe the rhythm guitar. I would say at least 90% of the time when I play, I'm simply using pads or some layered strings setting to give the song a fuller sound. It should complement and not compete with the rhythm and lead guitars.

nix · 06-15-2006, 04:07 PM

I know a team that has 2 drummer, 3 guitarists, 2 keyboardists, 1 base and you can't count on you hands how many singers there are..... it works for them... but it's about being considerate.

Rich* · 06-15-2006, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nix

I know a team that has 2 drummer, 3 guitarists, 2 keyboardists, 1 base and you can't count on you hands how many singers there are..... it works for them... but it's about being considerate.

sounds like the Hillsong United band!

nix · 06-15-2006, 04:57 PM

lol.... yeah they do but not the team I'm thinking of...

Anywa, if you have concerns, speak to the guy yourself and your worship leader. It's generally up to the worship leader what he wants. A worship team is a team, not a one man band.

Dave H · 06-15-2006, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich*

sounds like the Hillsong United band!

Nah, they're more like that times 4 of everything!

GibsonGuy05 · 06-15-2006, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich*

sounds like the Hillsong United band!

or lincoln brewster

sabertooth181 · 06-16-2006, 06:12 PM

Thanks for the input. I am starting to think I will just have to play bass for a while. It may just be a temporary situation though.

Hopeful · 06-17-2006, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GibsonGuy05

or lincoln brewster

Most of the times I've seen him, it's a three piece band.

But, back on subject, Paul Baloche has a series of DVD's that talk about how to get the most balance out of your team and what each person's role should be. I recommend your electric guitarist take a look at the Electric Guitar DVD in the Modern Worship Series set by Paul. It might help with his obvious overplaying and volume - if he is teachable.

saxcop · 06-17-2006, 08:42 PM

take turns playing base. Take turns playing lead on songs. I've been in that two lead guitar battle thing before, though not in a worship band. Be direct. I agree with all the other suggestions as well.

**nbfan** · 06-17-2006, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxcop

take turns playing base. Take turns playing lead on songs. I've been in that two lead guitar battle thing before, though not in a worship band. Be direct. I agree with all the other suggestions as well.

it's bass.

saxcop · 06-17-2006, 10:31 PM

thanks spelling police

Humility · 06-19-2006, 10:31 PM

i know how you feel. i've been there myself, in both positions. I used to be the electric guitarist playing only lead, and then i've been there as the person playing electric with a concern for the person playing only lead.

i say to take the bass for the time being, in the end, the biggest need will be that. if you dont have an electric playing the rhythm its not that big of a deal, but if you dont have a bass, your missing a BIGGER part of the sound.

and i'll state the obvious....dont get consumed about the music.

God bless, Jim