WOW! I AM QUITE IMPRESSED!

[itsallpeach]

Yesterday was my first Sunday at the church that I play for.  It was rather cool.  They have a Korg (like the one someone had at the union and just like Eric's).  The Pastor reallly wanted to hear the praise team do "The Presence of the Lord is Here" and I found Saxman's post in C# and practiced until I got it.  Unfortunately I only knew it in that key, but we worked it in that key and it went over WELL!  Then, they tried to shout for about 15 minutes and I had never really played shouting music in C#.  As I sat there and tried, things kept coming to me and it all seemed to go over well!

THE PROBLEM...when the preacher began to "close" his message he was in Bb and my preacher chords didn't even make ME want to get up. I was rather embarrassed and I'm going to make preacher chords my priority for this week's practice.

They only have a 6-member praise team and 0 of the 6 can really sing so I have my work cut out for me but a few friends of mine who also sing are willing to come by and help from time to time so it will be cool.  We will have an opportunity to grow together so that's a good thing.  But...I need some ideas of some songs that are easy enough for me to play and for them to sing!  Any suggestions?

[4hisglory]

HD,

Is the church traditional or contemporary.

[2octaves]

Installpeach talking about preacher chords I see Sam Tolbert made some clips on the preacher chords he posted a while back so maybe that can help you out.  Let me know if you can't find the link on his site.
Mike

[itsallpeach]

They are COGIC.  The Pastor is 33 or 34, but about 60% of the members are 40+, seasoned COGIC saints.  The other 40% are 30 and under, and most of them were asleep in church (to my disgust).  The drummer put his head on the snare and caught a cat nap during the last 15 minutes of the sermon....but that will be one of those things that I will have to find a way to tactfully fix over time.

I will look at Sam's preacher chords.  He seems to be an a-flat/b-flat preacher but the drummer and I could never get in synch.  Their former musician (or so I was told) couldn't play preacher chords so he used to play soft music behind the close of the good Reverend's sermons!  Maybe that's why....or maybe whatever he dreamed about had his mind!!

[Long Fingers]

Well Peaches...

There's many songs that are appopriate for praise and worship on the Learngospel songlist and at Sista T's site too. Many of those are simple like

~ "I Worship Thee" (Joe Pace)

~ "I Lift Up My Hands" (Israel & New Breed)

~ "Awesome God" (Helen Baylor)

~ "He Reigns" (Kirk Franklin)

~ "Great Is Your Mercy"

~ Lord I Lift Your Name on High

~ Yet Praise

those are just a few, but start there and you'll find alot. Also try purchasing Judith McAllister's album, Joe Pace's praise and worship albums, Shekinah Glory, and "In The House" series by Intergity Urban Praise, to give you a jump start in some great praise and worship songs.