@@droidfan no, but they don't record music together anymore, and modern Christian artists kinda lack something when compared to the older guys and gals.
Is worship music really for us meant to excite us? The whole purpose is to sing unto the Lord in glorification in him, not us...even if the person singing or playing isn't talented. Boring or exciting is simply subjective.
I think it's all about having a balance. I believe music ( and the ability to create, innovate, participate and respond to it) is a gift given to us God. I agree that we can take it too far and use it to glorify ourselves. I don't like unnecessary showing of skills either. This video also calls that out too. But I think many musicians are lazy. I see this in my community. I think we should be really putting in the effort and let the music serve the song as best as we can. (Some details below) Whether musicians mention it or not, musicians slowly become aware of the mechanics of what makes a good song. Like we can become aware of the mechanics of good housekeeping, relationships or communication. Travis is sharing the mechanics of a song. Our heart is important no doubt. But skill/talent is also important (and should not be ignored and have any person fill in the position if there are talented believers). For instance, in 1 Chronicles 15, David appoints Levite music leaders and a singer as worship leaders "because" they were skilful. God cares about our skill too. The Levites were a generation of priests and partook in all the temple activities (administration, worship, sacrifices). They had music leaders and singers in the tribe too which suggests that their skills would have compounded over generations. God does care about skill and the time, discipline and effort invested into it. Yes, times have changed and we are no more in need of mediators as we have Christ. But if there are good skilled Christian musicians who have a genuine heart to serve, we should allow them to participate and equip others with the skill God has allowed them to culitivate. Music can be an effective and powerful means of outreach and sanctification. The church should be active and intetional in investing into it's music ministry.
@@b_d_vn9651 while I agree, I have concern about the use of God caring about talent part. While the Lord does bless us with specific gifts which are meant to be used to the fullest and not be squandered. Does The Lord discredit those without singing talents? Of course not. I cannot sing a lick but if I volunteer to sing a song unto The Lord on the pulpit, he will surely be pleased. Our standards of what is talent aren't the same as God's. However, yes, the music can be used to attract the masses but that is also what our testimony can do as well. Ultimately, I want to hear music pleasing to my ear and my soul. It needs to fill my spirit. It's like some of these talented rappers, when I listen to some of these brothers I get convicted because I don't feel right listening to some of it. They are talented but they are choosing to glorify positivity over God's message.
@@synistawun4201 Brother, I agree with your statement. The Lord's standards are different from us. But the Lord's perspective is way wider than ours. I made the post above because some pastors say they don't care about the worship leaders' talent "at all" as long as they have the heart, which I think is a dishonest statement. Maybe we can allow them if they would get better. Would you allow someone who can't speak coherently at all become a pastor just because he is an ardent believer? People would have a hard time understanding the message and that might become a barrier to our sanctification. Btw, God's perspective of worship is not simply confined to the services but to everything that goes behind the scenes. I do think the Lord also is pleased in the effort we put in to become better communicators, musicians, singers, etc. What people do behind the scenes is also a part of worship. Wouldn't God not appreciate the services of people who cook for the church staff, clean the church, raise funds for the church, etc. People can serve God with the gifts they have. Btw, we don't have to sing in public to praise God. We can do it anytime, anywhere. Furthermore, I don't believe that you can't sing at all. Music/singing is not inborn or anything like that. But rather it is a skill that compounds with deliberate practice and effort. So if you love to sing, you can become even better. Yes, testimonials are one of the most powerful means of outreach. But not all people have groundbreaking testimonials which would impact unbelievers to convert. But some do have good musical skills that can be used to serve God in the church or outside the church. About contemporary hip hop music, I do have issues with some artists. I don't like the direction they are taking either. But there always have been false teachers ever since the early church. There are also lots of good theologically sound, biblical hip hop songs too.
The simplicity isn't the problem. It's the fact that everything, especially the bass work, sounds the same. No one has an identifiable sound. Back in the day, secular or spiritual, you knew who folk were from the first few notes. Whether it's Motown, Philly, Chic, or Timothy Wright, Hez, Donald Lawrence; they all had a sound! God gave us different gifts and different voices. But it appears that we all want to sound either like everyone else, or like the hot thing of the moment!
This is the honest truth. I try explaining this to musicians I’m around. Back in the day, we knew who was playing because they each had a sound that separated them from the next guy. I personally found that it doesn’t get boring for me because I listen to the entire band. I knew where to place my embellishments.
As a lead guitarist, I can verify this unequivocally. Back in the day, a hundred different players produced a hundred distinctly different sounds. A variety of stylistic preferences, attacks, melodic sensibilities, and influences combined with a variety of guitars, amps, and pedals to create a sound that was unique to each player. But for some time now, nearly every lead guitarist is going for a transparent overdrive with a big, creamy reverb and a dotted eighth note delay with a lot of feedback (multiple echoes). I dug the sound at first, purchased all the gear necessary to pull it off, and learned the styles of players from Hillsong, Gateway, Jesus Culture, and Bethel Music, among others. And the sound persisted... and persisted... and persisted. Suddenly I realized that everything we were playing sounded --- not the same, per se, but very similar. Lately I have been introducing some old gear into the new gear, and putting some bluesy and jazzy licks back in my playing, as appropriate. (Not to glorify me, mind you. (Yuck!) But to glorify the one who gave me a passion for worship music in the first place.) So for instance, I'll try something like using a big fat fuzz pedal sound instead of the transparent overdrive; and I'll use it ALONG WITH the new gear. And instead of playing exactly what the guy did on the recording (which was fine, by the way), I make it my own. It doesn't sound like the same old stuff we've been hearing for the last couple of decades; AND it doesn't really sound like anything that's been done before that, because it's combining the old with the new in brand new ways. There are a nearly infinite number of possibilities! New ideas + old ideas + creativity + boldness = exciting new sounds. Go for it, my friends! All glory to Jesus!!!
@@bishopbass73 You are exactly right I play CCM music right now and it is soo borning. Honestly as much as I don’t like it I would like it more or appreciate it more if they would switch up the songs every song has the same beat or the same rhythm almost the same and I just can’t connect with it even though lyrically it talks about who God is and that always getting something from him but it’s just to me it’s just I don’t really care for it and it’s as a drummer for me it’s really complex it’s very very easy but it’s also complex at the same time something so simple can be so hard I will never understand how something so incredibly easy can be so hard to play tennis the placements you can have a fast song they have 16 different elements in the same song first it slow then as fast and the rhythm changes then I hope I chip other things by the time Sunday comes I forget how the song goes I just can’t connect with Christian contemporary music for some reason I can’t vibe with it
All these people saying "god and worship come first" are missing the point. It is impossible not to feel mechanical and going through the motions playing through the same 4 chords over and over and over again. It isn't about being performative, it is about losing the joy of playing, the joy of worship, because of the monotony of CCM. For everyone who thinks differently, that you could be happy playing endless quarter notes on the triangle so long as it is in pursuit of worship. I challenge you to try it.
Ohmygosh, man, this is exactly my heart and thought process too. I’ve been on a CCM team, consistently, since 2001 so I know exactly what you mean! As a songwriter and a creative, the monotony of it all drives me INSANE. So, one of my ultimate life-goals is to start a community movement of others like me that have a passion and skill for writing a new wave of worship music that is musically more complex and engaging yet NOT distracting as well as have lyrics that hit you hard and resonate yet don’t rhyme and is not all about “you”, the congregant member. I’d love to connect and see who else is out there who wants to get the ball rolling. (Also- the Snarky Puppy b-roll, I see you, man, I see you! Haha)
Solid perspective. Musically more complex and engaging is contemporary Gospel music. With the links and runs in Gospel music it is an insightful form of musicianship.
I was practicing along with some worship music and my wife (not a musician) came by and said, oh you're playing that depressing music again. It really struck me what has happened to worship music. There used to be joy not just in the lyrics, but also the music. These "reverent" rounds as they sound like musically do not feel joyful. It's a very dreary trudging feeling. I get it sometimes that's how we feel and singing that way has sort of a comfort, not unlike a sad song. But Loving the Lord is about Joy coming in the morning, (not the mourning), from all that He has done for us. Personally I think a little more Gospel backbeat in Worship music would be a great thing. Just something that feels like the Light is among us.
I’m a drummer who finds most worship music very boring. One of the ways I fix that is by NOT constantly playing toms and playing old school meat and potatoes. There’s so much much more to work with playing kick, hi hat, and snare due to those pieces each producing distinct sounds than being on toms and kick which all sound the same.
Playing with rhythms and substitutions breaks it up!!! CCM is very open like old sheet music giving musicians guidelines you don’t have to play it that bland as long as you land where you’re suppose to your good!!! This makes more sense in my mind and when I’ve done it!!!
Growing up I had special ed classes.. (I struggled with it) I hated reading because the teachers forced it on the students daily.. and also because a lady once told me I read like a third grader (when I was in sixth grade).. I was devastated!! I couldn't wait until I finished school and told myself I'm never reading again!! but as I got closer to God.. he showed me the complete opposite of what that teacher did.. he didn't force me.. he didn't insult me.. instead he encouraged me.. he was patient with me.. Now I like reading out loud to him with confidence!! Had I not read I would've never knew who my true super hero is!! I fell in love with him through reading about what he did for the world!! He died for our sins!! He's my world!! I'm a lover, follower and fan of his!! He saved my life and he can save yours too!! When people throw lemons at you turn to Jesus Christ of Nazareth he will love you back to life!! God bless you!! Revelation 1:3, 1 John 5:1-3, Timothy 2:15 KJV BIBLE
A lot of churches take a minimalist approach to music because they feel it can be distracting to people by drawing attention to the band ….. away from God…
Worship music is boring???? I come from a 3rd generation of Jazz musicians in my family like my father before me. I was born again in Jesus Christ. with all due respect, whoever said "Worship music is boring" should NEVER play or be playing at the moment on a worship group NEVER. Real & True Worship members know and feel that worship music is everything and any other type of "music" is trash.
The Real Answer: Remember that you’re worshiping the creator of all the universe who loves you enough to send his perfect son as an atoning sacrifice for all your imperfections. Remember that and worship will NEVER be boring again!!!
Worship music is boring???? I come from a 3rd generation of Jazz musicians in my family like my father before me. I was born again in Jesus Christ. with all due respect, whoever said "Worship music is boring" should NEVER play or be playing at the moment on a worship group NEVER. Real & True Worship members know and feel that worship music is everything and any other type of "music" is trash.
The worship music today is so boring and manotonous. I find myself going back to older music. I was always a person that remained current, but I cannot listen to todays worship.
Oh men. I was today in Hillsong Church... And something I literally decided not to do: using pads, they just always use. Pads pads pads. Drum and bass. Ac. guitar is not heared (only sometimes), electric guitar plays ambient swells.. So all we have some moody low-end, drums and pads. That's it...
Worship music is boring???? I come from a 3rd generation of Jazz musicians in my family like my father before me. I was born again in Jesus Christ. with all due respect, whoever said "Worship music is boring" should NEVER play or be playing at the moment on a worship group NEVER. Real & True Worship members know and feel that worship music is everything and any other type of "music" is trash.
As a gospel musician raised in a pentecostal church I found it extremely refreshing to play CCM. I admit I added some nice transition chords in some of the songs however I feel like CCM gives me a break from all the extra and lets be honest sometimes in Gospel churches the music at times takes away from the true worship moments. I love the way we have blended a lot of the music, but there is a place for all of it and sometimes all the atmosphere needs is one note at a time. Just one musicians opinion.
If you have good musicians with you then put to good use dinamics to spice it up ...tell your singer to sing out of her/his comfort zone...improvise ....create a turn around, mix songs on the same key and move those half or a whole step if the singer is able to manage with that, tell all those suggestions to your music director ...and bye bye boredom...have a blessed night everyone!
the worship goes to God. The priority is to worship Him in spirit and in truth, with a clean heart, so He accepts our worship. Anything else is secondary my friend.
Just try and understand. All he wants is to improve the experience. You call it secondary, fine....he wants to improve the secondary. He wants to make the secondary less boring. Obviously, as a musician he is speaking about the music side of the experience. Your comment is just missplaced. Maybe you mean well, but it’s just off.
That’s what lazy musicians like to say. Yes, worship him in spirit and in truth. But you shouldn’t neglect improving in the talent the Father gave you. Don’t be lazy.
The reason why CCM sounds boring, in my humble opinion, is that we've taken a language with its diversity and complexity, the variety of interactions and try to industrialize it. What I mean by that is trying to make it as simple and effective as possible, while requiring minimal effort hence the same 4 pop chords. The same mindset actually as worldly pop music... Saying that we want people to focus on God and not the music is cap and I wonder if the people saying that actually understand what music is and the role it plays. Try to take English for example and get rid of any complexity in the vocabulary or grammar, etc and see what kind of novels or poems you'll end up with... Just my 2 cents
We’ve a great drummer and I’m a veteran bassist. I don’t care what is going on around us, because between the two of us, we cover some ground. The singers get their pitch from the bass and they can hear me loud and clear. I take liberties because no one else is. There’s a lot you can do within the realms of good taste and if you have the sonic space to do it
It ain’t never boring to me? 🤷🏽♂️ When I play I never do play CCM the way it is recorded. 1. I don’t know how to do all the main stage mess. 2. It just sounds and feels better when you put your own heart into it.
I think worship music becomes boring when we kind forget the true purpose behind it, or when we compare worship music to something else. If God didn't create music we wouldn't be playing anything in first place (CCM, Gospel, Rock, Pop, Hiphop). Lucifers job was to use music to Praise God only, when he used for his own glory, that's where everything divided. That's when music became part of the world,
For me...2 part (octave) melody makes Worship Music boring. As someone who listens to and plays all kinds of Gospel (old and new) I honestly tried to give Worship Music (i.e. Christian Contemporary) a chance. Can't get past the singing....I appreciate the message just not the delivery. Lots of Gospel artist who do some Worship Music makes it more enjoyable for me. Reason? 3 part harmony versus 2 part (octave) melody.
I’m gonna be honest and straight forward. What I think is boring is the flashing lights.. the fog… the crazy amount of electric guitar… the weird riffs… the amount of time spent practicing for a song vs the amount of time spent in a REAL prayer meeting before service praying for the anointing.. thats what I think is boring!! Beats so fonky nobody can clap to. What ever happen to the Old simple songs that was all about Jesus, and the blood, and Calvary, and Gods mercy and Grace?? Whatever happened to musicians who got up to play and were already sweating because they had been praying their guts out for the anointing… nowadays there are many that spend so much time on getting just the right beat so that “worship songs isn’t so boring” and less time seeking God! We don’t want concerts, we just want anointed singing and playing so that we can all worship God together. The old songs will NEVER get boring to me!! Not trying to offend… I just want the old paths. Just my opinion!
We need room for constructive criticism. Unfortunately it will often be perceived as negativism and then the dialog stops, and that will leave some creative people to leave. God gives you gifts and talents, and you have learn to use them right and wisely. And churches need to trust musicians instead of stuffing everything into a mold. God can handle the talent he let you have, I'm sure he loves when you use it to his glory. We need room to move, both intellectually and musically. The world is open to talent but doesn't want to glorify God. But letting talent shine in a worship setting seems to be a hard thing to make room for. I find that hard to understand. I want to take what the devil stole and bring it back to Gods house, and that includes good rhythm, spontaneity and enthusiasm. I have tried to walk this talk, but found it difficult and disappointing at times. But when the services were laid in prayer I laid aside the things that could be improved and went into a worship mode/mentality and enjoyed it. Though I play music for God, music in not the most important thing, being in the word and hearing solid teaching is more important to me. I don't have to play music, worship doesn't have to involve music. But when it does, it should reflect both the body united and the talent we are bestowed. IMO.
I find myself going back to the older hymns cause they carry so much weight. Especially the modern renditions of them. I play electric guitar at my church and those songs are my favorite.
I primarily play bass and we definitely do CCM. I definitely love playing bass though, I make it interesting or “not boring” by the notes I choose to use, subtle embellishments and fills when they serve the song, even whole sections of a moving bass line. Transition notes and slides up or down add a lot too. Also on stage engagement with the congregation and the “feel” of the music helps too.
I totally disagree with people that say guys like Sharey Reed or Corey Henry are performing or not anointed. They only say this because they don't enjoy it or don't get the depth of it musically. Being very skilled doesn't mean you're not anointed. I believe in giving God your 💯. Some are more gifted than others. As long as you give your 💯 to the Lord
Facts, its like the story of the talents. It wasn't the amount that was given but how it was used. If you get a gift, use it and don't put in the ground
This is really great stuff here, but what I came to realize when services went online was that if you don't have a sound engineer with a good ear, you have nothing. All those carefully crafted parts you made to add to the song, don't really matter if no one can hear them. On stage I can get "my mix" with in ear monitors but it's frustrating when I hear the end result.
I'm with you Travis! I totally agree about the building up of the songs - make people confident with the song before doing anything crazy! And I also agree about us sometimes becoming a little bit boring when we play worship music. I think it is completely fine to pursue your God given creativity. At the same time I also agree that you should not take too much focus during worship not to distract people from seeking the presence of God in worship. That said I still feel that being creative and putting in great sounding details and small well places licks or groovy bass patterns just adds the experience of being part of worship. For me as a musician I feel like these creative additions to worship is MY way of being part of praising God since I don't find it easy to sing along while playing my bass. Keep the videos coming Travis! :-)
Psalm 33:3 Sing to the Lord a new song. Play SKILLFULLY with a shout of joy. There is nothing wrong with glorifying the Lord with all your heart and skill. It's not always overplaying. It can be passion. Where do we play with passion and skill? In the world? No! We give it to Christ. We glorify Him with everything we have. All this fear of overplaying is from Satan. Don't hide your light under a bushel! Put it on the lampstand. It is all for Jesus!
Brother.. Keep in mind that it is not about "showing what God gave us" but rather doing all that we do for God. No matter what you're doing even if it is just playing a triangle, don't worry if people are impressed or NOTICE your playing. But worry if God is receiving your worship. Because it's all about Him.
So truee I'm a drummer and many times they'll have to tell me to lower the volume on the way I play but I can control my dynamics. I just feel like I play low sometimes and other times harder. Perhaps investing in a drum shield and mics will do it.
Worship music is boring???? I come from a 3rd generation of Jazz musicians in my family like my father before me. I was born again in Jesus Christ. with all due respect, whoever said "Worship music is boring" should NEVER play or be playing at the moment on a worship group NEVER. Real & True Worship members know and feel that worship music is everything and any other type of "music" is trash.
Sometimes CCM = less is just less. Current CCM is beginner book 1 (think Hot Cross Buns - no bridge, no hook, just plain unflavored yoghurt). Without some CCM bands demonstrating better musicianship newer ones believe Book 1 is the only book. Proof: they ALL sound Book 1 and copy that elementary level of long tied whole tones with the rare excitement of a half note. So exhausted with good lyrics and boring music. Cannot wait for the Bruno Mars of CCM to show up and bring back some substance and quality to CCM.
@@JunkMailBoxStuff Yes, less is just less. When you think of God's goodness, saying thank you to him is just not enough and for musicians, playing less is not enough. But us church musicians must avoid overplaying.
@@piratepudge7453 My view of CCM being boring Book 1 has nothing to do with overplaying. You cannot put together a nice brass section of church musicians to play a massive amount of hippie 4-chord max, guitar-strumming, overly repetitive CCM. 🤮
And basically what happens is, as the congregation is listening, learning, then joining in, the band starts making music WITH the worshippers as the band expands and opens up with more licks and themes. John 17 - unity - great ideas man!
This video comes from a perspective that music comes first, when it is not. God and worshipping Him comes first (though I do agree a lot of CCM lacks musical identity and richness). I lead worship in my church and we try to balance the repertoire with today music but also 90's and early 2000's as well as good old hymns. But I prefer worshippers in the band that are musicians and not the typical church musician.
I've been in this space, (Bass)of trying to add stuff to a song to lift it, add variety, steer it. Sometimes to bring people toward God, and sometimes cause I was utterly, utterly, utterly BORED. Yeah, you can get all your placement right, and really lift a song. I have no doubt God will smile on your diligence and servant heart. But if it's poorly written in the first place, you've just spraypainted a dog.
Now, worse than worship is Brazilian Pentecostal music, here is a sadness, search for the artist as Cassiane, Rose Nascimento, Lauriete....you will see that worship will sound incredible near these Brazilian Pentecostal singers.... musicians suffer here...not to mention the playback plague...they prefer to put backing tracks than use the musicians of the congregation...sad ....lol!!
Man, here in Brazil we are in a constant war...worship really is very tedious...three chords and that old beat...ding...ding...ding...pick always down.. ..I don't know if I expressed myself well...lol!!!
Worship is strictly about God and who God is! Not about people or musicians. Worship music should be about worship God,not for musicians to shine. Satan tried to steal Gods glory and look what happened! Read your word. Shine during praise but worship,Strictly about God and who he is alone, Period!
I totally disagree!!!!! If all I had to play is two notes for the entire song and God is glorified I fulfilled my mandate and mission that justifies God giving me the gift in the first place. The objective is to remove our flesh and give ALL glory to God and if we can't be satisfied with doing that then we're opening a door to darkness, ambition and bringing the smell of your flesh into a most sacred and holy experience. That being said, I've learned a lot from you and will continue to learn, but my objective is to bring glory to God and my mission would be fulfilled.
Sometimes CCM = less is just less. Current CCM is beginner book 1 (think Hot Cross Buns - no bridge, no hook, just plain unflavored yoghurt). Without some CCM bands demonstrating better musicianship newer ones believe Book 1 is the only book. Proof: they ALL sound Book 1 and copy that elementary level of long tied whole tones with the rare excitement of a half note. So exhausted with good lyrics and boring music. Cannot wait for the "Bruno Mars" artists of CCM to show up and bring back some substance and quality to CCM.
if you are performing for God...HOW IS IT BORING... i think you should meditate and ask the holy spirit for guidance... i bet you.. you are pkaying for YOURSELF and not for GOD!
Contemporary Christian Music was started to draw sinners who liked different genres of music and the Christian musicians would make songs about God /Christ to these genres of music the saved musicians were the musical contemporaries of unsaved but then hillsong came along started doing boring songs for the saved and forgot the unsaved....bring back the real CCM....ya dig? ....nothing can beat a PENTECOSTAL CHOIR secular or sacred...ya dig?
It’s painful. All the songs are the same. It’s dumbed down pop music, just like the world. Where’s the creativity? Where’s the tension and release? Where’s the modulations? The non diatonic chords? It’s lazy and boring like you said. People can handle some extended harmony if you feed it to them. I’m a musician so I play music, but I don’t listen to this stuff.
When is worshipmusic boring and when is it distracting? When you don’t understand what y’all are doing. This is happening during a worshipsong: You stand before the throne of God. People’s singing is unto Him: a prayer in the form of a song. Musicians accompany the people’s singing, this prayer. So worshipsongs are all about content. The accompanied music has to underline the content. Not line through it. Musicians have to know and understand what the song’s about. Only then they can make arrangements. The tips in this video are very useful but only if you understand the content of the song you are accompanying. And even then... The musical aspect of boring worship music has to do with the CCM compositions and how today’s music has lost melody. Melody is the skeleton of a song that includes chords, harmony, rhythm, colour, atmosphere. Do we have to go back to the 70’s? No, but if you compose worshipsongs, pay more attention to a strong melody that can stand on itself.
I disagree. The worship music that I’m playing is not boring. The Holy Spirit needs to be involved and that could NEVER be boring. I think I know what’s wrong with your Worship sessions.
Bro, you’re on to something. The truth is, There is nothing wrong with practice. It’s needed. But when it’s overly choreographed, you lose the freedom to express your self as the anointing moves through you. It’s almost like we as Pentecostals are becoming too programmed as we have been critical of other denominations for doing. When I was growing up on church, Inrelember anointed worship services that brought the house down and our band (which I was not a member of at the time) was legendary. I was fortunate enough to be able to learn from some of the best apostolic musicians I’ve ever heard. Fast forward, and my 10 year old is playing bass, and I see him watching a certain bass player at church, and I have to tell him not to, because the individual can not play by ear. Playing by ear on its self is a dying art. I’m seeing musicians with zero creativity in a denomination widely known for being the most expressive as the anointing moves. I’m shocked at how many we have now that merely memorize the entire song and chord changes because they can not play by ear. Pentecostal musicians are also known for being spontaneous with the ability to improvise. But I’ve seen so many young guitar and bass players get completely lost if there is a visiting singer. And sadly many can’t even play any of the old songs we’re we to ever revert to something like amazing grace or other old songs at any time. There just seems to be no room for feeling and we have become way too programmed. I feel like we quench the spirit by doing so. I partially blame UA-cam for some of this with a wide variety of bass and guitar lessons with all the right licks at your fingertips, and never having to learn to actually play and adapt in a song or to improvise as I’ve stated. I fear ritualism through programming as it becomes more and more choreographed and every move predetermined. What’s really bad is that in love concert, Pentecostals have become more sticklers to being choreographed than country and pop artist bands, because at least they deviate some from the recorded versions etc.
In 3 to 4 years of worship playing I only had one opportunity to stretch out as a musician, and I did it to praise God, but that's all the room I was to expect. Even the one time, the sound didn't embellish it and only a few people noticed it. Before you start hating, I know what worship is about and the presence of God is the focus, and it's wonderful to be in his presence and forget yourself and serve via music. But that still doesn't change that formula 6-4-1-5 songs with no modulations are not the most challenging things to play as a musician.
There’s too many people on worship teams that play an instrument but they’re not musicians. Just because I can drive on the freeway that doesn’t make me an Indy driver. Just because I can cook breakfast in the morning, that doesn’t make me a chef. And just because you can play some chords on the guitar or keyboard that doesn’t make you musician. Genuine creativity and worship music has really been dumb down because of this. I’ve been a musician for almost 60 years, and it’s incredibly sad to see what is now called music.
I can't stand modern Christian music. I'd rather listen to old stuff that's not afraid to be interesting like Billy Joe Shaver or the Louvin Brothers, anything that is actually music and not drivel.
Worship music is boring? Doesn't even sound right. They that worship must worship in Spirit and in Truth. Worship music is boring, no music played out of flesh is boring.
As a guitarist i don't like the continuous building the song towards the ceiling. It is so predictable. Sometimes as a musician you just have to sit in the pews and receive the music.
You are exactly right, Travis!!! There's no harm in upping the creative ante. Speak your mind, bro. No need to be politically correct, either. I remember a while back at a Hispanic church when our pastor who was, and still is, a musician asked why the musicians of the world were the trendsetters and not Christian musicians. According to the Bible, we are the salt of the Earth. We serve the most high God who created music and we have a direct line to Him through Christ. So...
Great video. The only issue with the CCM craze is that it literally all sounds alike. And you have a lot of highly skilled musicians that have spent years learning their craft only to lose a job to a person that's only been playing for like a year. The church doesn't have to pay an experienced musicians in these cases too because the music being played doesn't require a lot of skill. Gospel music used to have character and was distinct. Distinct by music and by the artist who recorded it. Just my take on it.
Worship music is boring???? I come from a 3rd generation of Jazz musicians in my family like my father before me. I was born again in Jesus Christ. with all due respect, whoever said "Worship music is boring" should NEVER play or be playing at the moment on a worship group NEVER. Real & True Worship members know and feel that worship music is everything and any other type of "music" is trash.
Gospel music in most churches, is simply to entertain. No theology is present; no true purpose other than create superficial and sentimental emotional experiences. A bass line or a certain instrument should not be the focus. The majority of CCM become more about the sound. Sing out to God personally and wholeheartedly ( voices not amplifiers), thanking Christ for HIS greatness and Worship will be honoring to God. Isnt that what truly matters?
This video is amazing! These concepts couldn’t have been articulated any better. I pray this video gets out to every worship bassist, musician, singer etc. VERY well done, my brother! What’s even more amazing to note is that you didn’t even have to grab your instrument. Anyone who’s played in this context (especially those coming to CCM from a gospel background) just knows and understands from experience everything you elaborated on- from placement to dynamics to tone and how they all interconnect and play off each other. I’m definitely going to pass this video along! Great job!!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾
Well said sir! Very musical in your approach to worship music which can be monotonous. Sometimes it’s hard to tell one song from the other. And if the songs are in the same key and same tempo the only way to keep them separate in my mind is to sing the lyrics as I play. Well done sir! Well done! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Worship music is boring???? I come from a 3rd generation of Jazz musicians in my family like my father before me. I was born again in Jesus Christ. with all due respect, whoever said "Worship music is boring" should NEVER play or be playing at the moment on a worship group NEVER. Real & True Worship members know and feel that worship music is everything and any other type of "music" is trash.
@@internet2055 "worship music" can be monotonous. Not "worship" is boring. Big difference in what they're talking about. You can play amazing grace in all different genre.
@arthurels5832 you are correct worship music can "feel monotonous" yes ...to non beleivers!!! but again, for born again Christians worship music is NEVER monotonous .......so it all boils down to which of the 2 types of hearts is listening to the music, a non beleiver heart or a born again heart.
worship is not about being entertained, once we say this type of worship is boring or entertaining, thats when we start making it all about ourselves…Worship is all about praising God. God sees the heart not how fancy and good ur band and music is….nothing against y’all just a reminder..praise the Lord for all y’all talents and God bless
Worship is unto God but not unto men. What you might consider boring might be pleasing to God. How many of us worship leaders or instrumentalist ask ourselves after each ministration if God was pleased with it? God isn’t really interested in talented people but those that seek to please Him.
Worship music is boring???? I come from a 3rd generation of Jazz musicians in my family like my father before me. I was born again in Jesus Christ. with all due respect, whoever said "Worship music is boring" should NEVER play or be playing at the moment on a worship group NEVER. Real & True Worship members know and feel that worship music is everything and any other type of "music" is trash.
You’ve kinda nailed it. Here in Australia, for the most part, they like a certain style of music that is pop/rock oriented. It seems to really work well here because that’s what people here like. (Again I’m being a generalist here rather than an an absolute as there are many exceptions). For those not brought up in this tradition it can seem alien and potentially dull. I’ve sat through services as a member of the congregation and once the song has finished I still couldn’t sing back a section to you as I don’t get the feel or movement of the song. What do you do? Take what you can from the moment, say the lyrical content and when you go home drop one something that you prefer.
1) maintain an attitude of confession, and point our hearts to God 2) remember that he is glorified by our use of the talents we’ve been given 3) use those talents to wash the feet of the congregation you serve 4) learn inversions
Worship music is boring???? I come from a 3rd generation of Jazz musicians in my family like my father before me. I was born again in Jesus Christ. with all due respect, whoever said "Worship music is boring" should NEVER play or be playing at the moment on a worship group NEVER. Real & True Worship members know and feel that worship music is everything and any other type of "music" is trash.
This entire video missed the whole point of worship. Entirely. Do you know who the Levites were? Their purpose in the church? Their position and how much theory and training they went through to be worth to lead worship? You've missed the entire point.
Bro the info is good for dynamic wise for learners, but as a worshipper or Christian men you say you are, be careful how you state your words because this video you titled can mislead other lives from worshipping the "right way" to God.... ""Sometimes is not about us worshippers our techniques and skills but to draw Gods people to his presence with our simplicity"". Blessings🙏
How to make worship not worship. And today fellowship is not the same when the apostle did it. Men in the Bible fellowship by gathering reading scripture and praying, but modern church now create activity or camping trips, and throw pot luck or a dinner trip to Danny's, a prayer at the beginning and at the end equivalent to worship in the Bible.
We all miss Ron Kenolly and Abe Laboriel
They died?
@@droidfan no, but they don't record music together anymore, and modern Christian artists kinda lack something when compared to the older guys and gals.
Tom Brooks, Chester Thompson, Justo Almario, Alex Acuña, Abraham Laboriel
@@TonyGellaDrums don’t forget Paul Jackson jr
The old Hosanna Music was also really good
I love playing worship music.. I’m a Christian 1st and to be frank playing worship songs is my favorite!!! 🏆🏆🏆
Good video, Great Advice
Is worship music really for us meant to excite us? The whole purpose is to sing unto the Lord in glorification in him, not us...even if the person singing or playing isn't talented. Boring or exciting is simply subjective.
I think it's all about having a balance. I believe music ( and the ability to create, innovate, participate and respond to it) is a gift given to us God.
I agree that we can take it too far and use it to glorify ourselves. I don't like unnecessary showing of skills either. This video also calls that out too.
But I think many musicians are lazy. I see this in my community. I think we should be really putting in the effort and let the music serve the song as best as we can.
(Some details below)
Whether musicians mention it or not, musicians slowly become aware of the mechanics of what makes a good song. Like we can become aware of the mechanics of good housekeeping, relationships or communication. Travis is sharing the mechanics of a song.
Our heart is important no doubt. But skill/talent is also important (and should not be ignored and have any person fill in the position if there are talented believers). For instance, in 1 Chronicles 15, David appoints Levite music leaders and a singer as worship leaders "because" they were skilful. God cares about our skill too. The Levites were a generation of priests and partook in all the temple activities (administration, worship, sacrifices). They had music leaders and singers in the tribe too which suggests that their skills would have compounded over generations. God does care about skill and the time, discipline and effort invested into it. Yes, times have changed and we are no more in need of mediators as we have Christ. But if there are good skilled Christian musicians who have a genuine heart to serve, we should allow them to participate and equip others with the skill God has allowed them to culitivate. Music can be an effective and powerful means of outreach and sanctification. The church should be active and intetional in investing into it's music ministry.
@@b_d_vn9651 while I agree, I have concern about the use of God caring about talent part. While the Lord does bless us with specific gifts which are meant to be used to the fullest and not be squandered. Does The Lord discredit those without singing talents? Of course not. I cannot sing a lick but if I volunteer to sing a song unto The Lord on the pulpit, he will surely be pleased. Our standards of what is talent aren't the same as God's. However, yes, the music can be used to attract the masses but that is also what our testimony can do as well. Ultimately, I want to hear music pleasing to my ear and my soul. It needs to fill my spirit. It's like some of these talented rappers, when I listen to some of these brothers I get convicted because I don't feel right listening to some of it. They are talented but they are choosing to glorify positivity over God's message.
@@synistawun4201 Brother, I agree with your statement. The Lord's standards are different from us. But the Lord's perspective is way wider than ours.
I made the post above because some pastors say they don't care about the worship leaders' talent "at all" as long as they have the heart, which I think is a dishonest statement. Maybe we can allow them if they would get better. Would you allow someone who can't speak coherently at all become a pastor just because he is an ardent believer? People would have a hard time understanding the message and that might become a barrier to our sanctification.
Btw, God's perspective of worship is not simply confined to the services but to everything that goes behind the scenes. I do think the Lord also is pleased in the effort we put in to become better communicators, musicians, singers, etc. What people do behind the scenes is also a part of worship.
Wouldn't God not appreciate the services of people who cook for the church staff, clean the church, raise funds for the church, etc. People can serve God with the gifts they have. Btw, we don't have to sing in public to praise God. We can do it anytime, anywhere.
Furthermore, I don't believe that you can't sing at all. Music/singing is not inborn or anything like that. But rather it is a skill that compounds with deliberate practice and effort. So if you love to sing, you can become even better.
Yes, testimonials are one of the most powerful means of outreach. But not all people have groundbreaking testimonials which would impact unbelievers to convert. But some do have good musical skills that can be used to serve God in the church or outside the church.
About contemporary hip hop music, I do have issues with some artists. I don't like the direction they are taking either. But there always have been false teachers ever since the early church. There are also lots of good theologically sound, biblical hip hop songs too.
And that's y it's one of the reasons why I don't listen to certain gospel music.......puts me to sleep too quickly
Step number one, stop playing an all white bands LOL
The simplicity isn't the problem. It's the fact that everything, especially the bass work, sounds the same. No one has an identifiable sound. Back in the day, secular or spiritual, you knew who folk were from the first few notes. Whether it's Motown, Philly, Chic, or Timothy Wright, Hez, Donald Lawrence; they all had a sound! God gave us different gifts and different voices. But it appears that we all want to sound either like everyone else, or like the hot thing of the moment!
This is the honest truth. I try explaining this to musicians I’m around. Back in the day, we knew who was playing because they each had a sound that separated them from the next guy. I personally found that it doesn’t get boring for me because I listen to the entire band. I knew where to place my embellishments.
As a lead guitarist, I can verify this unequivocally. Back in the day, a hundred different players produced a hundred distinctly different sounds. A variety of stylistic preferences, attacks, melodic sensibilities, and influences combined with a variety of guitars, amps, and pedals to create a sound that was unique to each player. But for some time now, nearly every lead guitarist is going for a transparent overdrive with a big, creamy reverb and a dotted eighth note delay with a lot of feedback (multiple echoes). I dug the sound at first, purchased all the gear necessary to pull it off, and learned the styles of players from Hillsong, Gateway, Jesus Culture, and Bethel Music, among others. And the sound persisted... and persisted... and persisted. Suddenly I realized that everything we were playing sounded --- not the same, per se, but very similar.
Lately I have been introducing some old gear into the new gear, and putting some bluesy and jazzy licks back in my playing, as appropriate. (Not to glorify me, mind you. (Yuck!) But to glorify the one who gave me a passion for worship music in the first place.) So for instance, I'll try something like using a big fat fuzz pedal sound instead of the transparent overdrive; and I'll use it ALONG WITH the new gear. And instead of playing exactly what the guy did on the recording (which was fine, by the way), I make it my own.
It doesn't sound like the same old stuff we've been hearing for the last couple of decades; AND it doesn't really sound like anything that's been done before that, because it's combining the old with the new in brand new ways. There are a nearly infinite number of possibilities!
New ideas + old ideas + creativity + boldness = exciting new sounds. Go for it, my friends! All glory to Jesus!!!
Slap that bass even on slow songs !
TAKE. RISKS.
@@bishopbass73 You are exactly right I play CCM music right now and it is soo borning. Honestly as much as I don’t like it I would like it more or appreciate it more if they would switch up the songs every song has the same beat or the same rhythm almost the same and I just can’t connect with it even though lyrically it talks about who God is and that always getting something from him but it’s just to me it’s just I don’t really care for it and it’s as a drummer for me it’s really complex it’s very very easy but it’s also complex at the same time something so simple can be so hard I will never understand how something so incredibly easy can be so hard to play tennis the placements you can have a fast song they have 16 different elements in the same song first it slow then as fast and the rhythm changes then I hope I chip other things by the time Sunday comes I forget how the song goes I just can’t connect with Christian contemporary music for some reason I can’t vibe with it
All these people saying "god and worship come first" are missing the point. It is impossible not to feel mechanical and going through the motions playing through the same 4 chords over and over and over again. It isn't about being performative, it is about losing the joy of playing, the joy of worship, because of the monotony of CCM.
For everyone who thinks differently, that you could be happy playing endless quarter notes on the triangle so long as it is in pursuit of worship. I challenge you to try it.
Ohmygosh, man, this is exactly my heart and thought process too. I’ve been on a CCM team, consistently, since 2001 so I know exactly what you mean! As a songwriter and a creative, the monotony of it all drives me INSANE. So, one of my ultimate life-goals is to start a community movement of others like me that have a passion and skill for writing a new wave of worship music that is musically more complex and engaging yet NOT distracting as well as have lyrics that hit you hard and resonate yet don’t rhyme and is not all about “you”, the congregant member.
I’d love to connect and see who else is out there who wants to get the ball rolling. (Also- the Snarky Puppy b-roll, I see you, man, I see you! Haha)
Solid perspective. Musically more complex and engaging is contemporary Gospel music. With the links and runs in Gospel music it is an insightful form of musicianship.
I was practicing along with some worship music and my wife (not a musician) came by and said, oh you're playing that depressing music again. It really struck me what has happened to worship music. There used to be joy not just in the lyrics, but also the music. These "reverent" rounds as they sound like musically do not feel joyful. It's a very dreary trudging feeling. I get it sometimes that's how we feel and singing that way has sort of a comfort, not unlike a sad song. But Loving the Lord is about Joy coming in the morning, (not the mourning), from all that He has done for us. Personally I think a little more Gospel backbeat in Worship music would be a great thing. Just something that feels like the Light is among us.
I’m a drummer who finds most worship music very boring. One of the ways I fix that is by NOT constantly playing toms and playing old school meat and potatoes. There’s so much much more to work with playing kick, hi hat, and snare due to those pieces each producing distinct sounds than being on toms and kick which all sound the same.
The problem is all the songs use the same chord progressions, it's way too formulaic. The music is written so novice musicians can sound good.
Yes, that same 1-6-4-5 progression makes me fall asleep in church. Mostly in CCM.
Playing with rhythms and substitutions breaks it up!!! CCM is very open like old sheet music giving musicians guidelines you don’t have to play it that bland as long as you land where you’re suppose to your good!!! This makes more sense in my mind and when I’ve done it!!!
If the song only has three chords, I'm putting nine in there
Yep
Growing up I had special ed classes.. (I struggled with it) I hated reading because the teachers forced it on the students daily.. and also because a lady once told me I read like a third grader (when I was in sixth grade).. I was devastated!! I couldn't wait until I finished school and told myself I'm never reading again!! but as I got closer to God.. he showed me the complete opposite of what that teacher did.. he didn't force me.. he didn't insult me.. instead he encouraged me.. he was patient with me.. Now I like reading out loud to him with confidence!! Had I not read I would've never knew who my true super hero is!! I fell in love with him through reading about what he did for the world!! He died for our sins!! He's my world!! I'm a lover, follower and fan of his!! He saved my life and he can save yours too!! When people throw lemons at you turn to Jesus Christ of Nazareth he will love you back to life!! God bless you!! Revelation 1:3, 1 John 5:1-3, Timothy 2:15 KJV BIBLE
A lot of churches take a minimalist approach to music because they feel it can be distracting to people by drawing attention to the band ….. away from God…
Worship music is boring????
I come from a 3rd generation of Jazz musicians in my family like my father before me.
I was born again in Jesus Christ.
with all due respect,
whoever said "Worship music is boring" should NEVER play or be playing at the moment on a worship group NEVER.
Real & True Worship members know and feel that worship music is everything
and any other type of "music" is trash.
The Real Answer: Remember that you’re worshiping the creator of all the universe who loves you enough to send his perfect son as an atoning sacrifice for all your imperfections. Remember that and worship will NEVER be boring again!!!
Well the Bible does say Sing a NEW Song that means even the creator is creative
Because we all need to put God first, not the music 🙈
Worship becomes boring when we are not focusing to God
Worship music is boring????
I come from a 3rd generation of Jazz musicians in my family like my father before me.
I was born again in Jesus Christ.
with all due respect,
whoever said "Worship music is boring" should NEVER play or be playing at the moment on a worship group NEVER.
Real & True Worship members know and feel that worship music is everything
and any other type of "music" is trash.
The worship music today is so boring and manotonous. I find myself going back to older music. I was always a person that remained current, but I cannot listen to todays worship.
Oh men. I was today in Hillsong Church... And something I literally decided not to do: using pads, they just always use. Pads pads pads. Drum and bass. Ac. guitar is not heared (only sometimes), electric guitar plays ambient swells.. So all we have some moody low-end, drums and pads. That's it...
First of all, worship music is no for musicians, is not to make you feel good.
Worship music is to God, so the congregation worship god as a community
Worship music is boring????
I come from a 3rd generation of Jazz musicians in my family like my father before me.
I was born again in Jesus Christ.
with all due respect,
whoever said "Worship music is boring" should NEVER play or be playing at the moment on a worship group NEVER.
Real & True Worship members know and feel that worship music is everything
and any other type of "music" is trash.
As a gospel musician raised in a pentecostal church I found it extremely refreshing to play CCM. I admit I added some nice transition chords in some of the songs however I feel like CCM gives me a break from all the extra and lets be honest sometimes in Gospel churches the music at times takes away from the true worship moments. I love the way we have blended a lot of the music, but there is a place for all of it and sometimes all the atmosphere needs is one note at a time. Just one musicians opinion.
Your right, sometimes the church needs to learn to worship without one heap of excitement
It's refreshing at first, then it begins to get stale. Who wants 1-6-4-5 progression on each and every song.
I agree! Keep it easy and not over complicated trying to pack in so many riffs,runs, and chords progressions. Lol
Don’t get me wrong I love a little extra from time to time but only when it’s done well. CCM provides the canvas for the singers to paint.
@@nukeman444 lol. That's True.
If you have good musicians with you then put to good use dinamics to spice it up ...tell your singer to sing out of her/his comfort zone...improvise ....create a turn around, mix songs on the same key and move those half or a whole step if the singer is able to manage with that, tell all those suggestions to your music director ...and bye bye boredom...have a blessed night everyone!
the worship goes to God. The priority is to worship Him in spirit and in truth, with a clean heart, so He accepts our worship. Anything else is secondary my friend.
Just try and understand. All he wants is to improve the experience. You call it secondary, fine....he wants to improve the secondary. He wants to make the secondary less boring. Obviously, as a musician he is speaking about the music side of the experience. Your comment is just missplaced. Maybe you mean well, but it’s just off.
That’s what lazy musicians like to say. Yes, worship him in spirit and in truth. But you shouldn’t neglect improving in the talent the Father gave you. Don’t be lazy.
Exodus 35 : 35 .....God is the originator of skill and hence we must worship with skill too.
The reason why CCM sounds boring, in my humble opinion, is that we've taken a language with its diversity and complexity, the variety of interactions and try to industrialize it. What I mean by that is trying to make it as simple and effective as possible, while requiring minimal effort hence the same 4 pop chords. The same mindset actually as worldly pop music... Saying that we want people to focus on God and not the music is cap and I wonder if the people saying that actually understand what music is and the role it plays.
Try to take English for example and get rid of any complexity in the vocabulary or grammar, etc and see what kind of novels or poems you'll end up with...
Just my 2 cents
We’ve a great drummer and I’m a veteran bassist. I don’t care what is going on around us, because between the two of us, we cover some ground. The singers get their pitch from the bass and they can hear me loud and clear. I take liberties because no one else is. There’s a lot you can do within the realms of good taste and if you have the sonic space to do it
It ain’t never boring to me? 🤷🏽♂️ When I play I never do play CCM the way it is recorded. 1. I don’t know how to do all the main stage mess. 2. It just sounds and feels better when you put your own heart into it.
I think worship music becomes boring when we kind forget the true purpose behind it, or when we compare worship music to something else. If God didn't create music we wouldn't be playing anything in first place (CCM, Gospel, Rock, Pop, Hiphop). Lucifers job was to use music to Praise God only, when he used for his own glory, that's where everything divided. That's when music became part of the world,
For me...2 part (octave) melody makes Worship Music boring. As someone who listens to and plays all kinds of Gospel (old and new) I honestly tried to give Worship Music (i.e. Christian Contemporary) a chance. Can't get past the singing....I appreciate the message just not the delivery. Lots of Gospel artist who do some Worship Music makes it more enjoyable for me. Reason? 3 part harmony versus 2 part (octave) melody.
I’m gonna be honest and straight forward. What I think is boring is the flashing lights.. the fog… the crazy amount of electric guitar… the weird riffs… the amount of time spent practicing for a song vs the amount of time spent in a REAL prayer meeting before service praying for the anointing.. thats what I think is boring!! Beats so fonky nobody can clap to. What ever happen to the Old simple songs that was all about Jesus, and the blood, and Calvary, and Gods mercy and Grace?? Whatever happened to musicians who got up to play and were already sweating because they had been praying their guts out for the anointing… nowadays there are many that spend so much time on getting just the right beat so that “worship songs isn’t so boring” and less time seeking God! We don’t want concerts, we just want anointed singing and playing so that we can all worship God together. The old songs will NEVER get boring to me!! Not trying to offend… I just want the old paths. Just my opinion!
We need room for constructive criticism. Unfortunately it will often be perceived as negativism and then the dialog stops, and that will leave some creative people to leave. God gives you gifts and talents, and you have learn to use them right and wisely. And churches need to trust musicians instead of stuffing everything into a mold. God can handle the talent he let you have, I'm sure he loves when you use it to his glory. We need room to move, both intellectually and musically. The world is open to talent but doesn't want to glorify God. But letting talent shine in a worship setting seems to be a hard thing to make room for. I find that hard to understand. I want to take what the devil stole and bring it back to Gods house, and that includes good rhythm, spontaneity and enthusiasm. I have tried to walk this talk, but found it difficult and disappointing at times. But when the services were laid in prayer I laid aside the things that could be improved and went into a worship mode/mentality and enjoyed it. Though I play music for God, music in not the most important thing, being in the word and hearing solid teaching is more important to me. I don't have to play music, worship doesn't have to involve music. But when it does, it should reflect both the body united and the talent we are bestowed. IMO.
I find myself going back to the older hymns cause they carry so much weight. Especially the modern renditions of them. I play electric guitar at my church and those songs are my favorite.
People really don't get the point of this. Forsure can tell most aren't musicians either.
I primarily play bass and we definitely do CCM. I definitely love playing bass though, I make it interesting or “not boring” by the notes I choose to use, subtle embellishments and fills when they serve the song, even whole sections of a moving bass line. Transition notes and slides up or down add a lot too. Also on stage engagement with the congregation and the “feel” of the music helps too.
I totally disagree with people that say guys like Sharey Reed or Corey Henry are performing or not anointed. They only say this because they don't enjoy it or don't get the depth of it musically. Being very skilled doesn't mean you're not anointed. I believe in giving God your 💯. Some are more gifted than others. As long as you give your 💯 to the Lord
Facts, its like the story of the talents. It wasn't the amount that was given but how it was used. If you get a gift, use it and don't put in the ground
This is really helpful and can be applicable not only for bassists and other musicians, but also even for singers.
This is really great stuff here, but what I came to realize when services went online was that if you don't have a sound engineer with a good ear, you have nothing. All those carefully crafted parts you made to add to the song, don't really matter if no one can hear them. On stage I can get "my mix" with in ear monitors but it's frustrating when I hear the end result.
I'm with you Travis! I totally agree about the building up of the songs - make people confident with the song before doing anything crazy! And I also agree about us sometimes becoming a little bit boring when we play worship music. I think it is completely fine to pursue your God given creativity. At the same time I also agree that you should not take too much focus during worship not to distract people from seeking the presence of God in worship. That said I still feel that being creative and putting in great sounding details and small well places licks or groovy bass patterns just adds the experience of being part of worship. For me as a musician I feel like these creative additions to worship is MY way of being part of praising God since I don't find it easy to sing along while playing my bass. Keep the videos coming Travis! :-)
Reason #1, Most worship bands have little or no time to rehearse
swap the word "time" with the word "discipline" and you've nailed a big reason
I’ve found that the bands/teams/leaders don’t take the time.
@@arguy2021 that’s a good one 👍
@@garrett3300 kinda ouch isn’t it?
@@xheadlessx It is TOTALLY painful. Scripture tells us to play skillfully and many WL don’t quite grasp that…
I was waiting for that part where you choose a typical worship song and implement what you shared so far...
Psalm 33:3 Sing to the Lord a new song. Play SKILLFULLY with a shout of joy.
There is nothing wrong with glorifying the Lord with all your heart and skill. It's not always overplaying. It can be passion. Where do we play with passion and skill? In the world? No! We give it to Christ. We glorify Him with everything we have. All this fear of overplaying is from Satan. Don't hide your light under a bushel! Put it on the lampstand. It is all for Jesus!
Yes!
Bottom Line, CCM needs more Rock and Funk influences...
Brother.. Keep in mind that it is not about "showing what God gave us" but rather doing all that we do for God. No matter what you're doing even if it is just playing a triangle, don't worry if people are impressed or NOTICE your playing. But worry if God is receiving your worship. Because it's all about Him.
Great video. Playing in a Hispanic church it gets to be the same issue for me too at times
Go to Hispanic Apostolic or Baptist... They'll have what you're looking for 👏
I feel you, most of my band members are not as dedicated as me
So truee I'm a drummer and many times they'll have to tell me to lower the volume on the way I play but I can control my dynamics. I just feel like I play low sometimes and other times harder. Perhaps investing in a drum shield and mics will do it.
Bass player here. Perfect timing!!!
Worship music is boring????
I come from a 3rd generation of Jazz musicians in my family like my father before me.
I was born again in Jesus Christ.
with all due respect,
whoever said "Worship music is boring" should NEVER play or be playing at the moment on a worship group NEVER.
Real & True Worship members know and feel that worship music is everything
and any other type of "music" is trash.
U know what else can make ur worship less boring? Having a relationship with God.. God bless!
@Mavors well cos' u come not to worship, but to enjoy the music.. Might as well just go to a club or something..
A lil bit boring....
I've almost went to sleep playing some songs
CCM: Less is More.
Gospel: Hold my Bible!
Sometimes CCM = less is just less.
Current CCM is beginner book 1 (think Hot Cross Buns - no bridge, no hook, just plain unflavored yoghurt).
Without some CCM bands demonstrating better musicianship newer ones believe Book 1 is the only book.
Proof: they ALL sound Book 1 and copy that elementary level of long tied whole tones with the rare excitement of a half note.
So exhausted with good lyrics and boring music. Cannot wait for the Bruno Mars of CCM to show up and bring back some substance and quality to CCM.
@@JunkMailBoxStuff Yes, less is just less. When you think of God's goodness, saying thank you to him is just not enough and for musicians, playing less is not enough. But us church musicians must avoid overplaying.
@@piratepudge7453 My view of CCM being boring Book 1 has nothing to do with overplaying. You cannot put together a nice brass section of church musicians to play a massive amount of hippie 4-chord max, guitar-strumming, overly repetitive CCM. 🤮
And basically what happens is, as the congregation is listening, learning, then joining in, the band starts making music WITH the worshippers as the band expands and opens up with more licks and themes. John 17 - unity - great ideas man!
This video comes from a perspective that music comes first, when it is not. God and worshipping Him comes first (though I do agree a lot of CCM lacks musical identity and richness). I lead worship in my church and we try to balance the repertoire with today music but also 90's and early 2000's as well as good old hymns. But I prefer worshippers in the band that are musicians and not the typical church musician.
I've been in this space, (Bass)of trying to add stuff to a song to lift it, add variety, steer it. Sometimes to bring people toward God, and sometimes cause I was utterly, utterly, utterly BORED.
Yeah, you can get all your placement right, and really lift a song.
I have no doubt God will smile on your diligence and servant heart.
But if it's poorly written in the first place, you've just spraypainted a dog.
Now, worse than worship is Brazilian Pentecostal music, here is a sadness, search for the artist as Cassiane, Rose Nascimento, Lauriete....you will see that worship will sound incredible near these Brazilian Pentecostal singers.... musicians suffer here...not to mention the playback plague...they prefer to put backing tracks than use the musicians of the congregation...sad ....lol!!
Man, here in Brazil we are in a constant war...worship really is very tedious...three chords and that old beat...ding...ding...ding...pick always down.. ..I don't know if I expressed myself well...lol!!!
Worship is strictly about God and who God is! Not about people or musicians. Worship music should be about worship God,not for musicians to shine. Satan tried to steal Gods glory and look what happened! Read your word. Shine during praise but worship,Strictly about God and who he is alone, Period!
I totally disagree!!!!! If all I had to play is two notes for the entire song and God is glorified I fulfilled my mandate and mission that justifies God giving me the gift in the first place. The objective is to remove our flesh and give ALL glory to God and if we can't be satisfied with doing that then we're opening a door to darkness, ambition and bringing the smell of your flesh into a most sacred and holy experience. That being said, I've learned a lot from you and will continue to learn, but my objective is to bring glory to God and my mission would be fulfilled.
1 second in the video, short answer: go back to the late 80s and all 90s, when Christian music was soulful and many virtuosos were around.
Sometimes CCM = less is just less.
Current CCM is beginner book 1 (think Hot Cross Buns - no bridge, no hook, just plain unflavored yoghurt).
Without some CCM bands demonstrating better musicianship newer ones believe Book 1 is the only book.
Proof: they ALL sound Book 1 and copy that elementary level of long tied whole tones with the rare excitement of a half note.
So exhausted with good lyrics and boring music.
Cannot wait for the "Bruno Mars" artists of CCM to show up and bring back some substance and quality to CCM.
if you are performing for God...HOW IS IT BORING... i think you should meditate and ask the holy spirit for guidance... i bet you.. you are pkaying for YOURSELF and not for GOD!
Contemporary Christian Music was started to draw sinners who liked different genres of music and the Christian musicians would make songs about God /Christ to these genres of music the saved musicians were the musical contemporaries of unsaved but then hillsong came along started doing boring songs for the saved and forgot the unsaved....bring back the real CCM....ya dig? ....nothing can beat a PENTECOSTAL CHOIR secular or sacred...ya dig?
It’s painful. All the songs are the same. It’s dumbed down pop music, just like the world. Where’s the creativity? Where’s the tension and release? Where’s the modulations? The non diatonic chords? It’s lazy and boring like you said. People can handle some extended harmony if you feed it to them.
I’m a musician so I play music, but I don’t listen to this stuff.
When is worshipmusic boring and when is it distracting? When you don’t understand what y’all are doing.
This is happening during a worshipsong:
You stand before the throne of God. People’s singing is unto Him: a prayer in the form of a song. Musicians accompany the people’s singing, this prayer.
So worshipsongs are all about content.
The accompanied music has to underline the content. Not line through it. Musicians have to know and understand what the song’s about. Only then they can make arrangements. The tips in this video are very useful but only if you understand the content of the song you are accompanying.
And even then...
The musical aspect of boring worship music has to do with the CCM compositions and how today’s music has lost melody. Melody is the skeleton of a song that includes chords, harmony, rhythm, colour, atmosphere. Do we have to go back to the 70’s? No, but if you compose worshipsongs, pay more attention to a strong melody that can stand on itself.
So much great information, thank you bro and I like the way the video was taken from multiple places
I disagree.
The worship music that I’m playing is not boring.
The Holy Spirit needs to be involved and that could NEVER be boring.
I think I know what’s wrong with your Worship sessions.
Bro, you’re on to something. The truth is, There is nothing wrong with practice. It’s needed. But when it’s overly choreographed, you lose the freedom to express your self as the anointing moves through you. It’s almost like we as Pentecostals are becoming too programmed as we have been critical of other denominations for doing.
When I was growing up on church, Inrelember anointed worship services that brought the house down and our band (which I was not a member of at the time) was legendary.
I was fortunate enough to be able to learn from some of the best apostolic musicians I’ve ever heard.
Fast forward, and my 10 year old is playing bass, and I see him watching a certain bass player at church, and I have to tell him not to, because the individual can not play by ear. Playing by ear on its self is a dying art. I’m seeing musicians with zero creativity in a denomination widely known for being the most expressive as the anointing moves. I’m shocked at how many we have now that merely memorize the entire song and chord changes because they can not play by ear. Pentecostal musicians are also known for being spontaneous with the ability to improvise. But I’ve seen so many young guitar and bass players get completely lost if there is a visiting singer. And sadly many can’t even play any of the old songs we’re we to ever revert to something like amazing grace or other old songs at any time. There just seems to be no room for feeling and we have become way too programmed. I feel like we quench the spirit by doing so. I partially blame UA-cam for some of this with a wide variety of bass and guitar lessons with all the right licks at your fingertips, and never having to learn to actually play and adapt in a song or to improvise as I’ve stated. I fear ritualism through programming as it becomes more and more choreographed and every move predetermined.
What’s really bad is that in love concert, Pentecostals have become more sticklers to being choreographed than country and pop artist bands, because at least they deviate some from the recorded versions etc.
In 3 to 4 years of worship playing I only had one opportunity to stretch out as a musician, and I did it to praise God, but that's all the room I was to expect. Even the one time, the sound didn't embellish it and only a few people noticed it. Before you start hating, I know what worship is about and the presence of God is the focus, and it's wonderful to be in his presence and forget yourself and serve via music. But that still doesn't change that formula 6-4-1-5 songs with no modulations are not the most challenging things to play as a musician.
There’s too many people on worship teams that play an instrument but they’re not musicians. Just because I can drive on the freeway that doesn’t make me an Indy driver. Just because I can cook breakfast in the morning, that doesn’t make me a chef. And just because you can play some chords on the guitar or keyboard that doesn’t make you musician. Genuine creativity and worship music has really been dumb down because of this. I’ve been a musician for almost 60 years, and it’s incredibly sad to see what is now called music.
Need better song writing ala Ron Kenoly with Abraham Laboriel,
Neil Stubenhaus with Take 6 on It’s Gonna Rain, Bebe and Cece Wynan, etc.
Worship from your heart and it will be less boring
I can't stand modern Christian music. I'd rather listen to old stuff that's not afraid to be interesting like Billy Joe Shaver or the Louvin Brothers, anything that is actually music and not drivel.
That’s why sometimes I hate playing at church. And I do it just because I love my God. Otherwise I’d be playing secular music.
Worship music is boring? Doesn't even sound right. They that worship must worship in Spirit and in Truth. Worship music is boring, no music played out of flesh is boring.
As a veteran musician I agree some worship music DOWN RIGHT boring especially when it’s the whole service there has to be a balance
As a guitarist i don't like the continuous building the song towards the ceiling. It is so predictable. Sometimes as a musician you just have to sit in the pews and receive the music.
Yo. Finally. Someone said it.
You are exactly right, Travis!!! There's no harm in upping the creative ante. Speak your mind, bro. No need to be politically correct, either. I remember a while back at a Hispanic church when our pastor who was, and still is, a musician asked why the musicians of the world were the trendsetters and not Christian musicians. According to the Bible, we are the salt of the Earth. We serve the most high God who created music and we have a direct line to Him through Christ. So...
Your pastor asked a really important question 💯✊🏽
@@mattp2real Yessir!! But, over the years I've seen some Christian musicians that are beasts. The younger generation is killing it, too.
Take the noise out of gospel music , listen Charlie Wilson I am blessed , clean , clear and modern approach to music
Sorry to say thise but to assist at church Sunday won’t make u a Christian worship music it’s about God not entretainment people
Great video. The only issue with the CCM craze is that it literally all sounds alike. And you have a lot of highly skilled musicians that have spent years learning their craft only to lose a job to a person that's only been playing for like a year. The church doesn't have to pay an experienced musicians in these cases too because the music being played doesn't require a lot of skill. Gospel music used to have character and was distinct. Distinct by music and by the artist who recorded it. Just my take on it.
Worship music is boring????
I come from a 3rd generation of Jazz musicians in my family like my father before me.
I was born again in Jesus Christ.
with all due respect,
whoever said "Worship music is boring" should NEVER play or be playing at the moment on a worship group NEVER.
Real & True Worship members know and feel that worship music is everything
and any other type of "music" is trash.
@@internet2055 Haha i really hope this is sarcasm😅
Have you considered Gospel music? traditional? just a thought'
Worship music isn't meant for us,its meant for GOD,it doesnt matter how we feel.
Less boring? Is it not to get people into the presence of the Lord and once there how is worshiping Him even remotely boring?
Thanks alot Travis.This has really been helpful
You are one of my fav bassists...I love you Man of God
The title got me hooked
Handel messiah is the peak.
Jamaican music here and most of the churches her has lively worship so much that I hope sometimes they slow down
Ive been preaching this for many years!!
Gospel music in most churches, is simply to entertain. No theology is present; no true purpose other than create superficial and sentimental emotional experiences. A bass line or a certain instrument should not be the focus. The majority of CCM become more about the sound. Sing out to God personally and wholeheartedly ( voices not amplifiers), thanking Christ for HIS greatness and Worship will be honoring to God. Isnt that what truly matters?
I disagree, it’s not always about entertaining in gospel churches
This video is amazing! These concepts couldn’t have been articulated any better. I pray this video gets out to every worship bassist, musician, singer etc. VERY well done, my brother! What’s even more amazing to note is that you didn’t even have to grab your instrument. Anyone who’s played in this context (especially those coming to CCM from a gospel background) just knows and understands from experience everything you elaborated on- from placement to dynamics to tone and how they all interconnect and play off each other. I’m definitely going to pass this video along! Great job!!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾
Well said sir! Very musical in your approach to worship music which can be monotonous. Sometimes it’s hard to tell one song from the other. And if the songs are in the same key and same tempo the only way to keep them separate in my mind is to sing the lyrics as I play. Well done sir! Well done! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Worship music is boring????
I come from a 3rd generation of Jazz musicians in my family like my father before me.
I was born again in Jesus Christ.
with all due respect,
whoever said "Worship music is boring" should NEVER play or be playing at the moment on a worship group NEVER.
Real & True Worship members know and feel that worship music is everything
and any other type of "music" is trash.
@@internet2055 "worship music" can be monotonous. Not "worship" is boring. Big difference in what they're talking about. You can play amazing grace in all different genre.
@arthurels5832 you are correct worship music can "feel monotonous" yes ...to non beleivers!!!
but again, for born again Christians worship music is NEVER monotonous
.......so it all boils down to which of the 2 types of hearts is listening to the music, a non beleiver heart or a born again heart.
worship is not about being entertained, once we say this type of worship is boring or entertaining, thats when we start making it all about ourselves…Worship is all about praising God. God sees the heart not how fancy and good ur band and music is….nothing against y’all just a reminder..praise the Lord for all y’all talents and God bless
This sounds like a misunderstanding. The music can be engaging for the audience AND glory to the lord AT THE SAME TIME.
This would make a lit podcast!🔥🔥🔥
Worship is unto God but not unto men. What you might consider boring might be pleasing to God. How many of us worship leaders or instrumentalist ask ourselves after each ministration if God was pleased with it? God isn’t really interested in talented people but those that seek to please Him.
Worship music is boring????
I come from a 3rd generation of Jazz musicians in my family like my father before me.
I was born again in Jesus Christ.
with all due respect,
whoever said "Worship music is boring" should NEVER play or be playing at the moment on a worship group NEVER.
Real & True Worship members know and feel that worship music is everything
and any other type of "music" is trash.
Holy Avioms.
because hearing a chorus 150 times gets boring maybe?
I'm sorry that us worshipping our God is boring to you. 🙄
Too much words... any practical example ?
Hillsong found a formula and everybody followed suit. There you have it.
You’ve kinda nailed it. Here in Australia, for the most part, they like a certain style of music that is pop/rock oriented. It seems to really work well here because that’s what people here like. (Again I’m being a generalist here rather than an an absolute as there are many exceptions).
For those not brought up in this tradition it can seem alien and potentially dull. I’ve sat through services as a member of the congregation and once the song has finished I still couldn’t sing back a section to you as I don’t get the feel or movement of the song.
What do you do? Take what you can from the moment, say the lyrical content and when you go home drop one something that you prefer.
1) maintain an attitude of confession, and point our hearts to God
2) remember that he is glorified by our use of the talents we’ve been given
3) use those talents to wash the feet of the congregation you serve
4) learn inversions
Worship music is boring????
I come from a 3rd generation of Jazz musicians in my family like my father before me.
I was born again in Jesus Christ.
with all due respect,
whoever said "Worship music is boring" should NEVER play or be playing at the moment on a worship group NEVER.
Real & True Worship members know and feel that worship music is everything
and any other type of "music" is trash.
@@internet2055 Musics original intention was for worship, the fall messed everything up, including music.
This entire video missed the whole point of worship. Entirely. Do you know who the Levites were? Their purpose in the church? Their position and how much theory and training they went through to be worth to lead worship? You've missed the entire point.
Bro the info is good for dynamic wise for learners, but as a worshipper or Christian men you say you are, be careful how you state your words because this video you titled can mislead other lives from worshipping the "right way" to God....
""Sometimes is not about us worshippers our techniques and skills but to draw Gods people to his presence with our simplicity"".
Blessings🙏
How to make worship not worship. And today fellowship is not the same when the apostle did it. Men in the Bible fellowship by gathering reading scripture and praying, but modern church now create activity or camping trips, and throw pot luck or a dinner trip to Danny's, a prayer at the beginning and at the end equivalent to worship in the Bible.