The Futre of Gospel Guitar

[funkStrat_97]

What role will the guitar play in the futre of gospel music?  Are we moving to the age midi and keyboards?  Could this mean that we'll see fewer guitar players (and perhaps even other live instrumentalists) on the gospel stage?  Just a few years ago, a typical gospel band would consist of a keyboardist/pianist or two, drums and bass.  No one was looking for guitar players until the wah wah was "rediscovered" by porducers in both the R&B and Urban Gospel genres.  Now technology has made it possible to produce some very good samples and midi files of a variety of guitar sounds.  You can even run keys through a wah.  Sow what do you think?  Will the guitar be the insturment of choice of just a handful of devoted musicians?

[Rown]

I think the true musicians,are now in gospel music.The guitar will never be put out.It have, it own sound,check out some quartet,you can not replace that sound with midi,or anything.Do not worry,the guitar is here to STAY

[mt_spiffy]

Gospel is making a resurgence in gospel as the line between gospel praise & worship and CCM praise and worship is being blended.  Israel is the most known example, but listen to everything from Kirk Franklin to Donald Lawrence and you will find some guitar-based songs.  Also, a lot of R&B nowdays when played live is guitar based.  I was listening to Jubu playing on a Destiny's Child cut recently.  Lil Charlie was one of the producers on Jamie Foxx.  Guitar is still very much in the mix.

And I disagree guitar ever went anywhere in gospel.  The difference is that it's not a necessity the way organ and piano and drums are.  You can have a gospel band without the guitar, you cant without the keys. 

[dafretboy]

I agree with Rown. I've heared new songs with guitar emulated parts played on a keyboard an I can recognize it. Close ,but it can't replicate the sounds of using a pick. There is also no replacing a glorifying solo from the real deal!

[funkStrat_97]

I do think that technology will advance to the point that keys will be able to produce more acurate guitar sounds.  HOWEVER: a live guitar is like a fire breathing dragon.  There is a feel and an attitude that the guitar has that is like nothing else know to man.  Maybe they can get away with some light rhythm fills now and then, but there is nothing that will ever replace the IN YOUR FACE funk of a guitar.  Could you imagine someone trying to cop Eddie Van Halen's 'Beat It' solo on a keyboard?  No way, it aint gonna work.

[gtrdave]

Nothing will replace the guitar.
Keyboardists tried before a few times and it was bad...anybody remember the Keytar? 

The guitar may not be the dominant instrument in Gospel...something I'm sure that Jonathan Butler would disagree with...but it will always be a necessary instrument.

[Prody]

And I disagree guitar ever went anywhere in gospel.  The difference is that it's not a necessity the way organ and piano and drums are.  You can have a gospel band without the guitar, you cant without the keys. 
[/quote]

I disagree with this statment because I went to see the Canton Spirituals last year, and there were about 6 or 7 other groups on before them.  The only one's that had a keyboard player were the Canton Spirituals, not even The Pilgrim Jubilees had a keyboard player,,,,,they all ran two guitars and a bass, (drums of course) and sounded fine.

[funkStrat_97]

And I disagree guitar ever went anywhere in gospel.  The difference is that it's not a necessity the way organ and piano and drums are.  You can have a gospel band without the guitar, you cant without the keys. 


I disagree with this statment because I went to see the Canton Spirituals last year, and there were about 6 or 7 other groups on before them.  The only one's that had a keyboard player were the Canton Spirituals, not even The Pilgrim Jubilees had a keyboard player,,,,,they all ran two guitars and a bass, (drums of course) and sounded fine.

Just to clarify things a bit; these statements are directed towards modern or contemorary urban gospel which has a lot more in common with modern R&B, hip-hop, and NeoSoul.  As such, you'll find that the guitar does not play a dominant role in most cases and is considered to be expendable.  I've seen quite a few gospel bands comprised only of bass, keys, and drums.  Even in some tradional gospel settings, the guitar is a secondary instrument.  Quartet music is where you'll find lots of guitar driven songs. 

[mt_spiffy]

What he said.

[funkStrat_97]

Ultimately, I think that the futre of Gospel guitar depnds on inovative players.  While there are many great guitarists within the realm of Gospel and Christian music, none are known outside of the Christian community with the exception of Phil Keaggy (you could probably include the current guitarist for P.O.D. but I think that Keaggy has more widespread appeal).

[mt_spiffy]

Ultimately, I think that the futre of Gospel guitar depnds on inovative players.  While there are many great guitarists within the realm of Gospel and Christian music, none are known outside of the Christian community with the exception of Phil Keaggy (you could probably include the current guitarist for P.O.D. but I think that Keaggy has more widespread appeal).

Maybe not to the public as solo artists, but among the industry . . . the guys that play gospel (Spanky, Jubu, Dubose, etc) are some of the most sought after musicians in the industry, for everything from R&B to movie soundtracks, outside of gospel!

[alexmguitar]

What are some of the cd's that Spanky, Jubu, and Dubose, play on? I think Dubose plays on Soul seekers, what other cd's are these guys on?

[gtrdave]

Don't forget that you can find some of these cats on non-Gospel records as well.

Jonathan Dubose was the guitarist on Harry Connick's "She" record. It's a pop/funk/blues/r&b disc straight out of New Orleans.
I listened to that record for years, loving that guitar playing but not even knowing who it was.
All I had to do was read the credits to see it was Dubose.

Other guys...Paul Jackson Jr. is all over the place as well as the Helen Baylor and Justo/Abraham records I've heard him on.

[kwilson27278]

 I think that guitar will never go away! It's not as as strong as it once was but keyboards will never replace the true sound of a Fender Strat! There is a place for every instrument in a band as long as it's done correctly. We see it done in country western music all the time, Three or four guitars with steel guitars and keyboards. What we need to know is how to play together! This is coming from a long time Guitar player.

[Cherri]

Interesting topic here. Good points...