Worship leading with the guitar
With Andrew Ironside
Leading worship is a
privilege and a great opportunity to bring people into the freedom and liberty
of God's presence. I enjoy using the acoustic guitar as an instrument to do
this, as it is less restrictive than a piano, and gives me mobility around the
stage when using a wireless radio system. The two strengths of the acoustic
guitar are: rhythms and chords (harmonies). It is capable of being a very
percussive sound when you learn to use open chord strumming combined with
"vamping" and "muting".
With practice, a song leader using a guitar does not have to use all their ener 21321w221v gy concentrating on the next chord or what rhythm to play - it just seems to flow . but it wasn't always like that for me.
The piano/keyboard is the instrument which I feel most comfortable with. Adjusting to the guitar took quite a few months. In early 1995 God began challenging me to use the guitar as a worship leading tool, and as an alternative instrument for writing choruses.
The first time I played guitar while leading the songs I felt like a "dork" - so awkward! I spent most of the time looking at the guitar fret board trying to find the next chord instead of focussing on leading the church in praise and worship. I found all I needed was another couple of hundred song services under my belt and it started to become second nature - much like driving a car.
I encourage all guitarists to experiment and expand their knowledge of chords:
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Begin by using open chords like E or D and slide them up and down the fret board to find other positions and shapes, and where they sound their best. Then progress into variations using open sounding chords - not bar chords. Bar chords are fine for starting out, but sound "choked up" compared to open chords where the majority of strings are resonating. |
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Endeavour to learn at least one new chord a week from training manuals like "Stand Alone Tracks - Rhythm Guitar" (which includes a CD to practice along with. I have found this manual to be a most helpful and resourceful tool in developing chord knowledge. |
Take time (maybe 15 minutes a day) four times a week to practice the guitar, sharpening up your skills. Take time also to minister unto the Lord on your guitar, finding the anointing and how to release the anointing through the instrument.
David the Psalmist spent many of his early years ministering to God on his harp in the fields, looking after his Father's sheep, before he ever had the opportunity to minister and play in public. Proverbs tells us that: "A man's gift always makes room for him, and brings him before great people".
Acoustic guitar
with Barry Crowe,
Port
Just a few hints to help those on acoustic guitar:
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Tune in. Always check tuning before you start playing. Hot, humid conditions and heavy strumming can have a big affect on tuning. It's a good idea to check it more than once during the worship time. |
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Can you hear me? When playing acoustic guitar in a band situation with other amplified instruments, you will need to be plugged into the P.A. by means of a D.I. (direct injection) box. Ask your soundman to sort something out for you. |
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Put on the style! Steady strumming is the most effective way to give "body" to a song. Take care to strum in a clearly defined way, in time with the drums. Practice with a metronome or drum machine using different timing and rhythms. |
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Finger picking can add colour and variety to a song, but the delicate nature of the style means it usually works best as a solo feature. Either way, make sure you use the same set of chords (chord chart) as the keyboard player. Practice chord inversions and substitutions. |
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Try to avoid the same register as the keyboard player or you will be swallowed up in the mix. If there are more than one guitarist make sure you play in different fret positions. |
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Lastly, don't forget that the rests are as important as the notes and chords! |
Lead guitar
with Jason Hare,
Port
Playing lead guitar in praise and worship can be ver y enjoyable and rewarding. You must remember, however, that you are entering a war zone, and your guitar becomes your weapon. Your heart, NOT your volume or the amount of distortion determines its effectiveness.
Being sensitive to the Holy Spirit is of utmost importance, as well as watching your song leader and listening carefully to other band members. Your role as a lead guitarist is to compliment, colour, and support the worship leader and singers, being careful not to over-play. Lead guitar has, for many years, been recognised for its vocal and expressive qualities and a skilled guitarist will use ornamentation and creative dynamics to enhance the guitar as a worship and prophetic tool.
One of the greatest compliments I have ever received was from a pastor who told me that what I played was exactly what she wanted to say to God. As lead guitarists we need to hone our skills. It is not good being able to play a blistering solo, but not being able to play chords. Or to be able to play well in the key of A, but not Eb. Lear n all your scales, chords, and keys, and practice.
When practice time is limited, make good use of the time you have. Be organised. Know what and why you are practicing. Develop good learning habits and don't be lazy! Vary your practice to prevent boredom and take a break every 30 minutes.
Practice first the things you like least. Things that we benefit from are often the things we dislike the most. As you progress seek more challenging material so you can move on to the next level.
Listed here are seven areas which I encourage lead guitarists to practice regularly: Improvisation, chord comping, chord melody and soloing, technique, sight reading, ear training and transcribing. There are good teachers and resource material available to assist in these areas. Good soldiers march into battle with confidence in their training, equipment and leadership. A well rounded musician's ability to work with the anointing of the Holy Spirit will always be determined by heart attitude and level of skill.
These areas can be developed. Play with anointing and excellence!?
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