Worship time

Kaela4Jesus · 04-09-2004, 04:06 AM

During our praise and worship time- when the congregation goes into worship, the musicians tend to play a progression of chords eg: G Em Am D and G F Am G
These are the only 2 we know so far. i was wondering what you guys do at your churches and if any of you all have any suggestions on any new progressions!

**Sean** · 04-09-2004, 06:28 AM

I have no idea what your talking about. Normally during musical worship bands use songs. Each song will have its own set of progressions. I really have no idea what your talking about. Do you just play those two progressions over and over and over for every song?

Jay Tea · 04-09-2004, 08:05 AM

Are you talking about kind of a free-form, spontanteous worship, where the musicians just play some progression over and over and the congregation...I don't know...does whatever they want?

Our church doesn't do anything like that.

Jay Tea · 04-09-2004, 09:15 AM

Just thought of something...I think what you're looking for is called an ostinato--a progression that can repeat ad nauseum. One of the more famous is found in Pachelbel's Canon in D (and Blues Traveler's Hook). In D, it's D-A-Bm-F#m-G-D-G-A.

Kaela4Jesus · 04-10-2004, 04:23 AM

Ok guys wat i was talking about was this....... You know how after a song the congregation goes into worship????? We do use songs it's just that after the worship songs we play just some music for the congregation to worship to- that's wat i was talking about! let me know if u guys get that!

Rev. Bill · 04-10-2004, 07:15 AM

I think I understand the point of the post. There is no right way or specific progression which is more conducive to this purpose than another (well, maybe you shouldn't jitterbug around the circle of fifths with a ton of secondary dominants or tritone subs).

Here's a couple of options to consider.

Whatever you play, whether it be a specific song, progression, or a simple chord or two, you need to make sure you transition to the new key (if it's changing) in an appropriate manner (go up or down chromatically, use the circle of 5ths, whatever is best). Because without vocals, any key change will be more noticeable - if you don't get there smoothly, you will definitely "jar" people.

The other thing to consider is how skilled your musicians are. If they can't adapt or play by ear, you may need to agree on a chord sequence ahead of time. Otherwise tell them to follow the lead instrument.

Sometimes the simplest way to keep something going in the background is to play the chord changes from either the last song or another well known worship song. You can change the tempo, arpegiatte chords which are usually strummed, etc. By using the last song, you keep the option of going back in to the song WITH vocals and having some hope the congregation will follow. But in any event, so long as the song is familiar to the band, they will correctly be able to identify the structure and anticipate the changes even if you do modify things like the style and and tempo.

**Sean** · 04-10-2004, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaela4Jesus

Ok guys wat i was talking about was this....... You know how after a song the congregation goes into worship????? We do use songs it's just that after the worship songs we play just some music for the congregation to worship to- that's wat i was talking about! let me know if u guys get that!

I have no idea what your talking about. Putting a whole bunch of question marks and stressing "WORSHIP" doesn't really explain what your talking about. "WORSHIP" isn't a verb in the sense that you're using it.

Jay Tea · 04-10-2004, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaela4Jesus

You know how after a song the congregation goes into worship????? We do use songs it's just that after the worship songs we play just some music for the congregation to worship to

Are you talking about kind of a free-form, spontanteous worship, where the musicians just play some progression over and over and the congregation...I don't know...worships however they feel led?

ryanspeer · 04-10-2004, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaela4Jesus

Ok guys wat i was talking about was this....... You know how after a song the congregation goes into worship????? We do use songs it's just that after the worship songs we play just some music for the congregation to worship to- that's wat i was talking about! let me know if u guys get that!

Yes, I think I understand what you're referring to. "Spontaneous worship" as it's sometimes called. In other words, you're not playing an actual "song" in that sense, but are just creating music that provides a vehicle for others to pray to, sing in the spirit to, etc. Kind of like providing an "ambiance" for people to worship God with their own words?

There is no set pattern that you have to play and that works better than others. If the chord progression you and your worship team are playing work well for you, then there's really no need to dump it in favor of another one. Sometimes my college worship team plays somewhat complex patterns such as what you described, and sometimes, it's as simple as going back and forth between the I and IV chords with an occasional changeup by throwing in the V chord as well. There's no right or wrong way to do it really. As long as it's not distracting and helps lead others in their own private times of worship while still in the corporate worship setting.

snizzle · 04-10-2004, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaela4Jesus

Ok guys wat i was talking about was this....... You know how after a song the congregation goes into worship????? We do use songs it's just that after the worship songs we play just some music for the congregation to worship to- that's wat i was talking about! let me know if u guys get that!

Ok, that bother me A LOT. After the song they go into worship?? Not during the song? Not before the song? Not their whole lives? I'm probably reading way too far into this and i'm not that big on the whole 'emotional' faith thing anyways. If you play the right chords long enough you can pretty much get the congregation to do whatever you want.

Anyways, now that my rant is over. IMO the best thing to do is just to pick a song and play the chords surrounding it. It depends with the mood you are going for, etc. One of my faults as a musician, is i notice everything. When i'm praying and there's music going on, i can't focus on anything but the music and where the song is going. So make everything as seamless as possible. It's impossible to pray or worship when the band is doing a really sloppy job.
-shane

Luke · 04-10-2004, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay Tea

Are you talking about kind of a free-form, spontanteous worship, where the musicians just play some progression over and over and the congregation...I don't know...does whatever they want?

....................

Luke · 04-10-2004, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaela4Jesus

Ok guys wat i was talking about was this....... You know how after a song the congregation goes into worship????? We do use songs it's just that after the worship songs we play just some music for the congregation to worship to- that's wat i was talking about! let me know if u guys get that!

Uh...what the heck? After a song the congregation is supposed to "[go] into worship". I'm scared to know what that looks like. What does "[going] into worship" require exactly, and why exactly is this a good thing for your church to be doing?

Jay Tea · 04-10-2004, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke

....................

You know...it's the time where feathers mysteriously fall out of nowhere and stick to the oil that has appeared on your skin. And gold dust appears on your skin. And your fillings all change to gold, probably in the shape of crosses.

georgeo · 04-10-2004, 09:31 PM

You have run into the problem all the other musicians in the world, from Caveman Urgh to Mozart to Orff to Cobain...there are only two chord progressions with which to work.

Shredcheddar · 04-10-2004, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanspeer

In other words, you're not playing an actual "song" in that sense, but are just creating music that provides a vehicle for others to pray to, sing in the spirit to, etc. Kind of like providing an "ambiance" for people to worship God with their own words?

Oh, wonderful, an emotional backdrop should really enhance the Holy Spirit, shouldn't it?

That sounds vague and empty to me.. "a vehicle for others to pray to, sing in the spirit to".. are we just spilling spiritual jargon now?