I totally needed this! I keep being asked to play violin with the church band but I always tell them i need the sheet music! I want to learn "Our God" (violin version) but am having trouble picking out the violin part. I think I need to let go of having to play a specific violin line of music but learn how to harmonize and feel comfortable. Very out of my comfort zone! Thank you for this video.
Same thing always with me I need a music sheet for violin every time in church I would great ful some one could help me how to play back round violin music during worship
+John K That is so true... I think it's interesting that some people who are trained to reach sheet music only, have such a hard time with improvisation and playing by ear.
ve just been appointed Worship Leader for my Christian Union next year! I currently only play the flute so I feel like I should probably learn either the guitar or the keyboard over the upcoming summer. This video was really helpful with my current playing of the flute in a worship band because sometimes it's really difficult to find the sheet music to every song. But thank you guys, you are amazing!!!
Hi Dani, Yes, one good starting point is to have the violin play the note of the chord name the band is playing. Example: if the band is playing the D chord, the violin could play the D note. The violin would want to experiment with other notes as well, but that is a good place to start. I think she talks about that at about 4:20-6:00
For fill ins, move up through the scale of the key of the song, generally playing notes from the chord while on the main beat, and while off the beat any note from the Key
I could totally relate to her because i was train to play classical music i knew chords exist but I didnt knew how to play chords on violin other that double stocks and other this what i needed
Great information, especially for someone new to violin but knows where chord root notes are and wants to be a part of the praise team. Thank you both!
Thank you for this! Really helpful tips! I'm still on the long legato notes but hopefully I transition to improvising soon! Thanks again and God bless!
I have played violin kind-of-forever, and in a worship band for the last 4 or so years. My musical knowledge is very limited, and playing from a guitar cord sheet was intimidating at first. Like Shannon, I started playing long notes from the cord. I am still learning, and working on harmonies and such. Thank you for the pointers, and it's nice to know violins in worship bands, do have a place.
Can I ask you, Jan. Since I play guitar for my worship band, I already get the sheets with the Guitar Chords on them. Can I play violin using the same Chord notes?
Hi Jerry. I have been learning the violin for a long time now, but am easily discouraged because I don't feel I make a lot of progress. more worship sections like this with the violin would really help motivate me in my violin journey. This video really inspired me, please can you do more of this..?
I highly reccomend Worship & Strings They have covers of their founder playing along with popular worship songs like “Waymaker” & “What a Beautiful Name”! She also gives incredible advice of playing with a worship band as a violinist!
Thanks for this video. It is helpful because I can relate to this so much as I am in this process of breaking away from sheet music as this sister has already. Currently in a church orchestra for the traditional service we play from the arrangements that come with the hymnal, but sometimes I do break out and have different note to play that sounds really good. At home playing ab lib along side of many UA-cam songs- all venues- to train myself to hear the key, look for complementary notes,call and response to play riffs that fit. Someday hoping to be able to play in the contemporary team. There are certain people on it- they trust each other for a certain presentation, as we do in our orchestra, so it will be a while for me to be able to play with them. With God all things are possible, so I agree DO NOT GIVE UP on breaking out from sheet music.
this is so helpful! I've been thinking to start trying playing my violin for worship session! I now know where I should try from and where to start trying from!
I am going through this transition right now. I love the advice and it is very helpful! Are there any other resources or videos about this too? I'm a little freaked out, since I was put on the spot last worship practice. Thanks!
There is room for both classically trained musicians and tablature players. We can learn from each other. Classical musicians can get some freedom and experience the liberation of improvisation and playing by ear with creativity. Tablature players can expand their playing and learn some discipline in practice and dedication.
I'm sorry about that comment.....seriously I am trying to teach my sister how to play with my worship band and this is the most helpful video I have found. Thank you
I am switching back to my old school in 10th grade and I think i'm going to join the praise band and play violin. This really helps me a lot. I'm so nervous. God bless
I play viola and wanted to add it in I know it's 5th octave down but I don't want to play the lead I wanna just be in the background adding some cool sounds and if u find any sheet music which is rare for most songs it's the lead or plays the singers notes so this helps sooo much
Thanks for making this. I have been playing Viola with my worship band for eight months, and was starting to feel badly because I'm just getting started adding my own "flair" to the music (getting past just playing the letters on the page! ) But if it took you a couple of years to get to that point, then I must be doing ok! Thank you for sharing your talents!
It looks like I need to learn scales and what does play a third above the melody mean? I am definitely going to wing it in audition and learn you both sound great I have a ways to go
+Barb Christian Wimmer By "a third above the melody" we are saying to play the note that is 2 whole steps above whatever note the melody is. Or another way to put it would be to say the third note in the scale using the current melody note as a starting note to build your scale upon. Some basic music theory would be good for you to learn. But go ahead and go for it! It's not that bad. I'm sure you can find some community education class near you that teaches this stuff. You might even find some great UA-cam videos that teach basic music theory.
I am having this exact issue I play the violin but only in an orchestra Now my husband is our churches worship leader and I would love to play but am having a hard time thank you for this video
Did you have any luck harmonizing with the guitar notes/chords? I've only played melody but my best friend and her hubby lead worship, and she's been bugging me for a long time to play.
Hello! This is a really nice video...I recently started playing by ear in the church worship band and was quite scared at first. Same case, classically trained and rarely played by ear. I'm really motivated by this video and will keep at it till I get better. :) Just one question, would it be better to play an electric or acoustic violin in the worship band, especially since louder instruments like the electric guitar and drums can overpower the violin?
Hi Joy. I have seen it work well using both an electric and acoustic violins. My personal favorite is the traditional acoustic violin. I like the warmth you get with acoustic instruments. you might need to mic the violin though if you go with the acoustic.
Thank you for the video. Very nice. I have an audition fir our church’s worship teams next week. I’m not as experienced as Shannon is on the violin. I notice that advice from other players mentioned that the accompanying instrument, in this case violin need not play through the whole song. That being said, how do you know when to hold back and when to jump in? Obviously the worship leader will offer guidance I’m sure but is there something to look for to help know the on ramp, so to speak?
I play the Irish Fiddle. I began my lessons about 1 1/2 years ago but my goal is to play for my Worship Band (I already play guitar for the band." Can you please tell me (Shannon) how long it took you to learn vibratto (it is so hard). Also, are you playing a half step below Pastor Jerry there? How would you suggest I practice that?
James Moeller well for me the vibrato took like 3 weeks to get the hang of it and the best way to learn is using music theory for your instrument it really helped me for playing on the worship team
So this works well with just a guitar, and maybe bass and drums, but then when other instruments like piano get added in, and they are all improving, it is just too chaotic for me! But when kept simple like this, then I can handle it.
+Elspeth Losch I hear ya... I tell our worship teams that sometimes the most important thing you can play in a song is NOTHING AT ALL. We need to not be afraid of silence. I think that some people get nervous performing in front of others and feel like they have to be doing something the whole time. Sometimes the most effective thing you can do is just not play for about 8 or sixteen measures and let the song "rest" for a few moments.
+Barb Christian Wimmer The name of the violin and string brands are not so important. What is important is that you choose the highest quality instrument you can afford. Some inexpensive instruments have problems staying in tune etc... I would just go online and research violin and string brands. You will find out pretty quick what brands are good and which ones to stay away from.
I am on a the worship team at my church and play keys, but I would like to learn violin. I am researching what type of violin I should purchase. Would it be better for me to purchase an electric violin for on stage instead of an acoustic? I also don't want to spend a fortune. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I totally needed this! I keep being asked to play violin with the church band but I always tell them i need the sheet music! I want to learn "Our God" (violin version) but am having trouble picking out the violin part. I think I need to let go of having to play a specific violin line of music but learn how to harmonize and feel comfortable. Very out of my comfort zone! Thank you for this video.
Me too haha
I’m in that exact scenario now. This video definitely helps.
Same thing always with me I need a music sheet for violin every time in church I would great ful some one could help me how to play back round violin music during worship
If there's a way, learn to play by ear. Once you do, anything you can hum you can play.
I learned the same way. Public school doesn't teach improvisation.
+John K That is so true... I think it's interesting that some people who are trained to reach sheet music only, have such a hard time with improvisation and playing by ear.
ve just been appointed Worship Leader for my Christian Union next year! I currently only play the flute so I feel like I should probably learn either the guitar or the keyboard over the upcoming summer. This video was really helpful with my current playing of the flute in a worship band because sometimes it's really difficult to find the sheet music to every song. But thank you guys, you are amazing!!!
Hi Dani,
Yes, one good starting point is to have the violin play the note of the chord name the band is playing. Example: if the band is playing the D chord, the violin could play the D note. The violin would want to experiment with other notes as well, but that is a good place to start. I think she talks about that at about 4:20-6:00
Hi what if the guitar is playing let’s say for example a D6 or D9 chord would the violin also play the D note?
Basically have the chords printed off and play any note from the chord being played :)
For fill ins, move up through the scale of the key of the song, generally playing notes from the chord while on the main beat, and while off the beat any note from the Key
thank you so much ! I'm in the church band and I play the violin this really help. God bless you guys !!
God bless you guys! Keep on worshiping.
+SpiriTruth Worship - Moses Piano Music Thank you! :-)
I could totally relate to her because i was train to play classical music i knew chords exist but I didnt knew how to play chords on violin other that double stocks and other this what i needed
Great information, especially for someone new to violin but knows where chord root notes are and wants to be a part of the praise team. Thank you both!
Thank you for this! Really helpful tips! I'm still on the long legato notes but hopefully I transition to improvising soon! Thanks again and God bless!
I have played violin kind-of-forever, and in a worship band for the last 4 or so years. My musical knowledge is very limited, and playing from a guitar cord sheet was intimidating at first. Like Shannon, I started playing long notes from the cord. I am still learning, and working on harmonies and such. Thank you for the pointers, and it's nice to know violins in worship bands, do have a place.
Can I ask you, Jan. Since I play guitar for my worship band, I already get the sheets with the Guitar Chords on them. Can I play violin using the same Chord notes?
Jan can you direct me to a web site that has worship material ..thank you
Hi Jerry. I have been learning the violin for a long time now, but am easily discouraged because I don't feel I make a lot of progress.
more worship sections like this with the violin would really help motivate me in my violin journey. This video really inspired me, please can you do more of this..?
how's your improvement now?
I highly reccomend Worship & Strings
They have covers of their founder playing along with popular worship songs like “Waymaker” & “What a Beautiful Name”! She also gives incredible advice of playing with a worship band as a violinist!
Beautiful! I love the violin & guitar.
Thanks for this video. It is helpful because I can relate to this so much as I am in this process of breaking away from sheet music as this sister has already. Currently in a church orchestra for the traditional service we play from the arrangements that come with the hymnal, but sometimes I do break out and have different note to play that sounds really good. At home playing ab lib along side of many UA-cam songs- all venues- to train myself to hear the key, look for complementary notes,call and response to play riffs that fit. Someday hoping to be able to play in the contemporary team. There are certain people on it- they trust each other for a certain presentation, as we do in our orchestra, so it will be a while for me to be able to play with them. With God all things are possible, so I agree DO NOT GIVE UP on breaking out from sheet music.
this is Francesca not Bob- wrote on my husband's page
this is so helpful! I've been thinking to start trying playing my violin for worship session! I now know where I should try from and where to start trying from!
I am going through this transition right now. I love the advice and it is very helpful! Are there any other resources or videos about this too? I'm a little freaked out, since I was put on the spot last worship practice. Thanks!
There is room for both classically trained musicians and tablature players. We can learn from each other. Classical musicians can get some freedom and experience the liberation of improvisation and playing by ear with creativity. Tablature players can expand their playing and learn some discipline in practice and dedication.
I'm sorry about that comment.....seriously I am trying to teach my sister how to play with my worship band and this is the most helpful video I have found. Thank you
I am switching back to my old school in 10th grade and I think i'm going to join the praise band and play violin. This really helps me a lot. I'm so nervous. God bless
Really helpful to me as I'm just starting playing violin with a worship band
Just learning violin on my own and my goal to play someday with my worship team at our church
You are welcome. I'm glad the video was helpful. :-)
I play viola and wanted to add it in I know it's 5th octave down but I don't want to play the lead I wanna just be in the background adding some cool sounds and if u find any sheet music which is rare for most songs it's the lead or plays the singers notes so this helps sooo much
really enjoyed this video thanks!
Thank you for the kind comments. I'm glad you liked the video. :-)
Thanks for making this. I have been playing Viola with my worship band for eight months, and was starting to feel badly because I'm just getting started adding my own "flair" to the music (getting past just playing the letters on the page! ) But if it took you a couple of years to get to that point, then I must be doing ok! Thank you for sharing your talents!
Oh that’s just “lovely”! ♥️♥️♥️
Just beautiful!
thank you for sharing this video i need this too
It looks like I need to learn scales and what does play a third above the melody mean? I am definitely going to wing it in audition and learn you both sound great I have a ways to go
+Barb Christian Wimmer By "a third above the melody" we are saying to play the note that is 2 whole steps above whatever note the melody is. Or another way to put it would be to say the third note in the scale using the current melody note as a starting note to build your scale upon. Some basic music theory would be good for you to learn. But go ahead and go for it! It's not that bad. I'm sure you can find some community education class near you that teaches this stuff. You might even find some great UA-cam videos that teach basic music theory.
God bless guys.. keep worshiping the Lord
I am having this exact issue I play the violin but only in an orchestra Now my husband is our churches worship leader and I would love to play but am having a hard time thank you for this video
Did you have any luck harmonizing with the guitar notes/chords? I've only played melody but my best friend and her hubby lead worship, and she's been bugging me for a long time to play.
Wonderful, glory to God
Hello! This is a really nice video...I recently started playing by ear in the church worship band and was quite scared at first. Same case, classically trained and rarely played by ear. I'm really motivated by this video and will keep at it till I get better. :)
Just one question, would it be better to play an electric or acoustic violin in the worship band, especially since louder instruments like the electric guitar and drums can overpower the violin?
Hi Joy. I have seen it work well using both an electric and acoustic violins. My personal favorite is the traditional acoustic violin. I like the warmth you get with acoustic instruments. you might need to mic the violin though if you go with the acoustic.
Okay thanks for the advice.
I shall continue eagerly in hope of getting better.
God bless you!
Just the idea I needed. Thanks!
Thank you for the video. Very nice. I have an audition fir our church’s worship teams next week. I’m not as experienced as Shannon is on the violin. I notice that advice from other players mentioned that the accompanying instrument, in this case violin need not play through the whole song.
That being said, how do you know when to hold back and when to jump in? Obviously the worship leader will offer guidance I’m sure but is there something to look for to help know the on ramp, so to speak?
totaLLY AMAZING
I play the Irish Fiddle. I began my lessons about 1 1/2 years ago but my goal is to play for my Worship Band (I already play guitar for the band." Can you please tell me (Shannon) how long it took you to learn vibratto (it is so hard). Also, are you playing a half step below Pastor Jerry there? How would you suggest I practice that?
James Moeller well for me the vibrato took like 3 weeks to get the hang of it and the best way to learn is using music theory for your instrument it really helped me for playing on the worship team
she is amazing
always wondered
How do you know what notes to play? I can't find the harmony part for my violin for our worship music. Do you just do it by ear??
Super tips
So this works well with just a guitar, and maybe bass and drums, but then when other instruments like piano get added in, and they are all improving, it is just too chaotic for me! But when kept simple like this, then I can handle it.
+Elspeth Losch I hear ya... I tell our worship teams that sometimes the most important thing you can play in a song is NOTHING AT ALL. We need to not be afraid of silence. I think that some people get nervous performing in front of others and feel like they have to be doing something the whole time. Sometimes the most effective thing you can do is just not play for about 8 or sixteen measures and let the song "rest" for a few moments.
I have heard described, that, "music is the space between the notes"; this is where it really occurs, - and I agree.
thanks for this video it helps a lot
Nice
What kind of violin and strings do you have if I may ask and do you think that is important
+Barb Christian Wimmer The name of the violin and string brands are not so important. What is important is that you choose the highest quality instrument you can afford. Some inexpensive instruments have problems staying in tune etc... I would just go online and research violin and string brands. You will find out pretty quick what brands are good and which ones to stay away from.
I am on a the worship team at my church and play keys, but I would like to learn violin. I am researching what type of violin I should purchase. Would it be better for me to purchase an electric violin for on stage instead of an acoustic? I also don't want to spend a fortune. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Elyse acoustic with pick up sounds gr8
really useful
HHayyyyy
I she single? :)