Over the years I’ve tried to streamline our rehearsals. Part of it is knowing that folks have other things they’re involved in. Like being with their family. But the other part is that sometimes we just don’t have a lot of time to rehearse. So I’m always looking for ways to maximize that time. At the WorshipGod08 conference I led a seminar called “Band on the Run” that tried to address this issue, covering topics including context, feel, instrumentation, and structure. The seminar was also designed to help churches that were less familiar with arranging songs for a band.
Below is a video of the seminar that lasts about 75 minutes. You can download a copy of the notes here. You can also download a Quicktime version of the video here. You’ll have to register to be a member of Vimeo, which requires your name, email address, and password. Once you’re a member, you’ll be directed to the original source for the video. A Download option is located in the lower right hand corner of the page.
Band on the Run from Sovereign Grace Ministries on Vimeo.
Bob,
There are great thoughts. I pray many music leaders make use of them. I have found that for less experienced players, learning to study recordings of “the big boys” is one of the best ways to get better. There is listening and then there is really listening. I have found that I have to help my guys really learn how to listen and dissect a recording. I might tell a less experienced drummer to play every note part just like the drummer on the recording (assuming he has the ability) and then once he can play it like the studio guy then he can add his own “voice”.
z
Wow, thanks for posting this video.
I’m a bass player at small church in Oregon and this is exactly what our worship team needs to hear. We have been struggling to play as a team ever since I started playing with them for about a year now. Going from a hymn/choir based worship team to more of a band based team requires some direction, and that direction we have been struggling to implement.
thank you,
eric
Thanks for putting this on video Bob. The notes are also very helpful. Thank you.
Would like to ask question on how the monitors are set up? I notice that there are no amps for the instruments? Everything is to the P.A. and back on headphones and in-ears in your case?
I’m asking because, on the first key thing to remember, “lIsten to others as much as yourself.” We may have the amps and instruments, but what’s lacking in hearing one another sometimes is the set up of the monitoring. Thanks for any help!
Roy,
Yes, we were using in ear monitors, and I would agree that the monitor set up is crucial to being able to hear each other.
Nicely done, Bobster.
thank you so much, bob. unfortunately couldn’t make WG08 so i’m lucky to have this video.
so many practical, easy-to-implement and important points – i really liked your point about practicing spontaneity during rehearsal and just overall seeing the set as a producer. feel like it will help my team!
Thankyou so much for posting this video. You have covered so much in this talk and continually came back to the importance of serving the Saviour, serving each other and serving the lyrics in the roles within a church music team.
Would be quite interested in seeing/hearing your ideas related to the addition of vocalists. Some churches are not only blessed with a number of musicians as you mentioned but also singers. Some ideas on vocal harmonies added into the mix would be great.
Keep up the great teaching on worship and music.
Dear Bob: This was so helpful – as a lay worship leader and beginner musician, this video provided excellent information that was not only didactic, but also experiential so I could picture how to use the information both as a leader and as a musician.
Thank you Bob,
This is a wonderful seminar. This is exactly the sort of information I need to present to our worship team so we can progress. We are still fairly new as a team and I am very new as a leader, so resources like this are truly a blessing. We are currently going through your “Heart Attitudes of the Worship Team” during our devotional time prior to practice but we will be going through “Band on the Run” after we finish that.
Bob,
Thanks for putting this up, it is so helpful. Is there a place where I can download this video to have it and use it in various contexts?
Thanks.
Dan,
I added download instructions in the original post. Thanks for asking.
Hi there.. thanx for this.. it’s very helpful!
Can i ask what is the title of the song
Praise the Lord with the instruments..
thanx!
Justine, that’s from our Psalms CD. You can check it out at the Sovereign Grace Music site. You can also download a free MP3 of the song there. Thanks for asking.
This is such a helpful workshop! I would commend every worship band I’ve ever met to watch it!