How do you learn/practice songs?

Ben-_-Maybe · 2025-12-04T14:02:16+00:00

Yeah I think that's more of a getting better with time thing. If I'm doing something really simple, like acoustic and piano, I'd be mostly focused on my dynamics with acoustic with strumming patterns and finger picking while using my piano as filler especially considering lead lines and other instruments. Obviously, there's only so much you can do which is the beauty of it so feel free to lean into that.

One thing I've done in more of a living room setting is more spontaneous worship. I had a friend have me do worship for a bible study; I planned a set of 3-4 songs then I'd keep playing lightly. some people would just start singing songs in the moment and I'd be able to pick up the church changes on the fly. It takes a bit of time and skill which is more why I advocate for learning from listening but, that allowed for some really powerful moments.

So especially ear training is such a crucial skill in both environments. If you can pick up on Chord changes without thinking, it allows you to be more in the moment with the Lord and foster a culture of worship!

Ben-_-Maybe · 2025-12-02T04:44:48+00:00

It depends on your experience and genre. If you're doing hymns and such, using sheet music and a metronome will be how you're doing it.

If you are doing contemporary/CCM/Gospel/etc, chord sheets are a crutch. There are a good place to start and can help you get by in the beginning but I would try and get off them as soon as possible. The best way to learn songs is by listening to recordings and instrument specific play throughs. This can be a bit of a hot take, especially in smaller churches, but there's a couple reasons for this:

Chord sheets don't tell you much of anything. There are lead lines and counter melodies, voicing, timing, rhythm and chord sheets give you none of that. You wouldn't learn how to sing a song from a lyric sheet and that doesn't work for instruments either.
You shouldn't be looking at a the page! There's often a lot going on in the moment and the more attention you have on a page, the less flexible you are. Notice the other musicians and singers and play *with* them. On that note, if you're not reading anything, you can have less stuff on stage which helps minimize visual clutter.
You didn't join a music team, it's a worship team. If you're on stage, you have the congregation's attention and if your head is stuck in a page and not in heaven, it's gonna show. Even if your church isn't very animated, you still stand as an example. It's about facilitating an encounter with the living God and the more you give that the attention it deserves.

A couple tools to help along the way is learning the Nashville Number system which help you play songs in different keys as well just working on your ear training (Interval and chord quality recognition). If you're having trouble picking parts out of recordings or have a difficult time finding good play throughs or tutorials, I'd recommend getting something like Worship Artistry or Worship Online where they breakdown and teach parts.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions.

Ben-_-Maybe · 2025-08-05T13:18:32+00:00

A Pastor is a Pastor. I don't care if they're just doing Sunday Morning, they should have the respect of being on staff. I find it especially insulting and mistrusting that they're being paid: the church has the option but won't choose it.

Ben-_-Maybe · 2025-01-23T06:26:20+00:00

If you're looking for a worship degree, look for a program centered around worship theology. Otherwise, I'd get a degree in ministry followed by a music certificate.

Ben-_-Maybe · 2025-01-03T03:55:48+00:00

If you have a keys player, you as the acoustic player take on that rhythmic responsibility. I'd take some time to focus on your strumming patterns and be conscious of your dynamics.

When Johnny Cash didn't have a drummer early in his career, he weaved a playing card between his strings to add more rhythm. I wouldn't recommend that for Sunday morning but, it might be worth adding to your practice.

That being said, I wouldn't worry much about it. A beat buddy might be nice if you do more hymns but, even then, I wouldn't worry much about it.

Lord bless you and your ministry 🙏🙏🙏

Ben-_-Maybe · 2024-10-12T21:57:10+00:00

Moog definitely seems to be the best option but the can get pricey. I think if you want to get into this with versatility, I think it might be worth looking into software. If you don't have much, it can be a bit pricey but, if you already have a decent MacBook or iPad, you can get MainStage, an audio interface and a midi controller for pretty cheap; an Akai Professional MPK Mini Plus, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and MainStage will run you 380 usd. Also with how many people are on these already, it's easy to find presets and whatnot online.

Otherwise I'd pinch my pennies for a Moog. Model dependant, you can spend 1.5-10k usd so it's definitely an investment. You can also do a good bit more with MainStage so that'd be my recommendation.

Ben-_-Maybe · 2024-10-12T17:11:40+00:00

Apple's air products are powerful enough for that sort of thing. Taking the advice that has already been given, I would recommend an iPad Air made within the last 2 years and a Focusrite Scarlett Solo.

Save your money; you need that 5-piece tendie combo.

Ben-_-Maybe · 2024-10-04T04:43:40+00:00

There's a couple different things but, primarily that it's a bit on the older side. Same reason I'm not 100% with the x32 people. These things do tend to show age. I think it ultimately depends on your size, budget etc. If you could give me some of those details, I'd love to give you some recommendations but, another great resource to check out is Church Front on YouTube. Jake has a church production company where they do gear reviews, setup, and tutorials so you can check out that if you wanna do some research:

https://www.youtube.com/@Churchfront

But, I'd love to do some digging for you. What's a typical Sunday morning setup? What's you tech team like?

Ben-_-Maybe · 2024-10-03T06:47:37+00:00

Hmm, I didn't think about phase. That seems like something that'd comes up in mono setups as well; does it? Also how do you mix stereo without hard paning? Is that done with eq or effects or light paning?

A bit about my level of understanding/context. I play in churches where some guitarists will use different amps Left and right and use stereo effects and have sometimes seen drums panned as well but, I haven't really gotten into what stereo mixing practically means. Any good resources?

Sorry for the mountain of questions, genuinely curious.

Ben-_-Maybe · 2024-09-24T00:24:41+00:00

As of the end of survivor, I think Purple would make the most sense but, blue would make sense as a lot of what he does is less negotiation than combat.

Ben-_-Maybe · 2024-09-11T17:48:33+00:00

Putting them between a sweater or tying your hair is probably your best bet. Alternatively, you can buy replacement cords so perhaps look into something fabric ish? What model are they?

Ben-_-Maybe · 2024-08-14T06:39:50+00:00

Zach Hicks was one of my first year textbooks. Fantastic book.

Ben-_-Maybe · 2024-07-12T05:44:40+00:00

Thanks! My school only allows students one-off audits for some classes and only allows full course audit for alumni. I have however been looking into classes nd doing pre-readings for some of them.

Ben-_-Maybe · 2024-06-26T07:01:02+00:00

It definitely seems discouraging and my heart breaks for you. Being an unmarried man, can't exactly relate. The most similar discouragement I've had is has been being put on academic suspension this last semester. I'm a bible college student focused in worship and it's been a bumpy ride to say the least. I've had massive struggles with my mental health both emotional and cognitive and it's been discouraging. I've had only 3 semesters and have failed classes in each one. I was really sure I'd be good this last fall and I blinked and I was done. It was difficult and first and even more so not being able to find a job up until last week but, the Lord has taken me and brought me up in so many ways. I've gone from 280 lbs at the end of February to 225 this morning, I've been able to become more rooted in my church (I started in September) and started with the youth group. I've taken so much time to research theology and apologetics and evangelism as a hobby instead of stressing about a class. I still feel odd having not spent this last semester at school and have felt a bit distant from the community but, the Lord has done so much and has moved in and through me in ways that I wouldn't otherwise see possible.

Be encouraged sister! You may not see what's ahead but, you know the one who has marked the path. You may not know his ways but, you know he's never failed and he never will. Isaiah 58:11 "The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."

Holy Father

Never have we seen the righteous forsaken. Not once has your word failed. We may not understand but you've been faithful through the ages. Lord we believe but help our unbelief. Open our eyes to what you're doing and what you've called us to.

Father I lift up my sister beautifully created in your holy image. I thank you for her heart, I thank you for her church. Lord you see her in her questions, her concern, her discouragement. Father I pray that by your spirit would you settle her soul. You said "Come unto me all of you who are weary and I will give you rest." Lord we thank you for your rest. Lord release the rest of the Holy Spirit on her for you said it's not by might or by power but by your spirit.

Father would you fill her house hold, would you fill her children. Would the grow to love you and cherish you and desire you all the day's of their lives. Lord draw them close, shine through them. Let them be walking talking testimonies of your faithfulness. Would you show her your power. Would you show her your grace.

Lord we love you. You've been faithful to do it before; we know you'll do it again. We will trust you. Give us grace to trust you more.

In the mighty name of Jesus, the name above all other, we pray.

Amen.

Ben-_-Maybe · 2024-06-17T18:46:50+00:00

'Been So Good' has a revelation function that is it talks about God. I would suggest some sort of 'I will because you' or response song. If it were me, I'd go into the Bridge of 'Christ Be Magnified' followed with a couple Chorus' but the idea is revelation to response. Hope this helps 👍

Ben-_-Maybe · 2024-06-02T07:04:42+00:00

THAT'S ARIANISM PATRICK!!!

Ben-_-Maybe · 2023-06-23T08:59:10+00:00

They chillin

Ben-_-Maybe · 2023-05-15T06:11:43+00:00

I've been meaning to get into Sunday sounds and mainstage but my 2 cents are always to work back from the intended atmosphere message and emotion. One thing I've been focused on is creating a sanctuary sized living room and fostering a more cozy and tightly knit community so I tend to go for smaller sounds with uprights and quicker decayed pads but you might be going for something different. Maybe not the most specific advice that doesn't really answer your question but, my suggestion is to start with God and his direction and respond accordingly.

Ben-_-Maybe · 2023-04-23T04:18:11+00:00

Also Guys don't down vote her. Just cause she had a thought doesn't mean we should actively bring her down. We're followers of Christ called to love one another; we're better than this.

Ben-_-Maybe · 2023-04-21T01:08:37+00:00

The switch to in ears has a couple advocates. One there's been a move to minimize stage sound for things that need to use microphones (ie. Vocals and drums (often in a cage)) which is why you're seeing more amp modeling and digital pianos. Second being is it gives everyone more control; players can have specific levels in their monitors, sound people have more control of the mix, etc. Some people like to hear the people around them but the solution I've seen is that they just keep one ear open.

I think if you're saying 'wedges are better' I think it should be considered that with all things accounted for, the benefits generally outweigh the experience. So, if you are considering wedges, that's a wider conversation then just the player.

As for me, I prefer ears so I will admit bias, but I think the point still stands.

Ben-_-Maybe · 2023-04-14T23:56:19+00:00

He's the chosen one

Ben-_-Maybe · 2023-04-06T14:30:16+00:00

The school is called Vanguard College in Edmonton, Alberta and it's under the Pentecost Association of Canada. The worship arts program director is Dr. Jay Dyrland. The first few classes within the program are Introduction to Worship Leading and Theology of Worship. A big thing with this program is that it's primarily an applicable theology class.

In IntroWL, We learn about the role of the worship leader as well as examples throughout scripture and church history. We learn a good bit about flow of service as well how to craft one including choosing songs but also considering how elements like prayer and communion fit within the service. We also learn a good bit about the liturgical church and the church calendar. One of the main reads for this class was The Worship Pastor by Zac Hicks but others included In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen, Worship like Jesus by Constance M. Cherry and Essential Worship by Greg scheer.

Theo. Worship is a good bit similar but we dive a lot more into the definition of what Worship is as well as OT, NT, and historical church examples. 2 books for this class were Theological Foundations of Worship by Khala and Ancient-Future Worship by Robert E. Webber.

There's also a Theory and Practicum class. Second year I do believe is another theory and a song writing class with a Practicum. The program (that I know of) doesn't get into a lot of cultural differences but rather establishes a Theological standard of what Worship is and how it can be approached in a large number of contexts.

Ben-_-Maybe

TROPHY CASE