Here's a dumb question, but I want to know so here it goes..

[momuzik]

I feel you on that. I think I'd rather transpose (if needs be) and continue to flow in the spirit of praise and worship than to shut the music down because I don't know that particular key. Afterward, I would go home and learn that key.
To be honest, to transpose or not to transpose is a personal decision. Unless you're a musician paying attention, no one would know you are transposing except you (until you sit down at an acoustic).
I can see where transposing could become a crutch, but if any musician was honest with themselves and sincere about learning, they would practice in all keys - inspite of an occasional transposed song. 

[Rjthakid]

First off, I'm not trying to attack anyone here...but this is something that always bugs me when this issue is brought up.
Maybe I’m the only one but it feels like in this issue the actual ministry aspect is trumped by the musical aspect.
I know as well as anyone here the need and the fruit of practicing and being fluent in all keys. Believe me.

But.
You’d seriously fumble around the keyboard or just drop out completely?
Some of you guys would really hinder the praise/worship because you don’t want to “front?”
And font to who? Other musicians? I mean whose approval are we really playing for now?

I agree with you to an extent.  If you're a beginner (playing for only a few months) and you can only play in certain keys, then transpose instead of embarassing yourself and hindering the Praise & Worship, because it's about GOD and NOT about us.

But at what point do you say "I'm beyond that"?

You CAN'T be playing for 2 years, 5 years, 7 years, and still use that excuse. 

You can't be able to absolutely RIP Ab and look like a fool in E (which you won't if you try to learn Israel songs.  They're in E alot).

If you practice EVERY DAY in EVERY KEY then that excuse no longer applies.  Who are you fronting to?  You're fronting to YOURSELF. 

Here's something that helps me.  When I sit down to practice, I think "what key have I been neglecting?"

THAT'S the key I concentrate more heavily on for that day.




"Transposing: It's like a man doing girl push-ups"

[T-Block]

But.
You’d seriously fumble around the keyboard or just drop out completely?
Some of you guys would really hinder the praise/worship because you don’t want to “front?”
And font to who? Other musicians? I mean whose approval are we really playing for now?

Well, for one if the spirit is there, and the praise and worship is real, u really don't need any music.

Second, what about the instruments who don't have transpose?  Should they stumble through and mess up the flow, or stop and according to you, mess up the flow?  It's a lose/lose situation all because u neglected your practice.  Now, it's coming up to bite u in the behind when u really need it.

Non-musicians put so much pressure on the up-and-coming musicians instead of letting them take their time and practice and get better at their instrument before just pushing them up because there is no musician.  Then, once they do get up, people expect them to be able to play any and everything.

If u can't do it, then don't do it.  Period.

[Ladyn]

Well, for one if the spirit is there, and the praise and worship is real, u really don't need any music.

EXACTLY!!!!!!!! Some of the most precious times in the presence of the Lord I have seen came when there was no music; just a singer singing a hymn etc. 

Is the flow always dependent upon the music? I don't think so. I would not fumble around to mess up something. 

Non-musicians put so much pressure on the up-and-coming musicians instead of letting them take their time and practice and get better at their instrument before just pushing them up because there is no musician.  Then, once they do get up, people expect them to be able to play any and everything.

This is a big problem!!! I don't play at my church yet ( I will be next month), but we have run into this problem in our church.  I refused to be pushed somewhere I know I should not be.  Our musicians are not able to really play much because of their limitations when it comes to just about everything! I teach the vocal parts, and I have to get on the keyboard and actually play the parts for us because our keyboardist can't.  She could do it if she took some time to really understand chords. 

Time and patience are what every Christian musician should pray about.  You need ample time to practice and yes study. You also need the patience to let your abilities grow!!!! There is no way you are going to sound like Richard Smallwood in only 1-2 years of playing, but you can grow steadily each year as you are patient and willing to put in the time practicing. 

JMHO

Nichole