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[jlynnb1]

You are right...that's why I listen to alot of different music.

These Prince licks won't be able to save me all the time! 

truf right derrrr

[SanctifiedGuitar]

AMEN   What the name of the chruch you pastor

I'm an apostolic man of God. I do not hold the position (fold) of a pastor.

Warning: One of Lucifer's goals is to gain control of all music again. Beware if he tempts you into playing for him.  But Jesus said, (Matt. 16:18).

[jonesl78]

i just think there is a very narrow view of what it is to play guitar in "black gospel" music, and that as styles become more intertwined, a guitarist will need to be much more well-rounded that what is typically called for. as the guitar becomes more and more prominent, guys won't be able to hide behind a wah-wah and some minor pentatonic licks. i just wanted to have some dialogue on the subject....

 As I am learning how to play, I purposely listen for the placement of the guitar tones in a recording. It seems as if their is not much going on except for what you have mentioned above. For example, if I were a drummer, it would be easy to observe and/or listen to a random recording and understand the role and options of the drummer while picking up some chops along the way. The same goes for bass. However, the role of the guitar in some of these recordings seems at times to be non-existent.   

[T-Block]

Well, my 2 cents on this subject is:

Gospel music is music purposely designed to give praise to God.

Gospel guitar playing is music purposely designed to give praise to God on the guitar.

If more people would be original instead of listening to what's out now, there would be more variety of how the guitar is used in gospel music.  Just because it is being used as a filler instrument in the mainstream gospel stuff out now don't mean it can't be a main instrument.

I don't really follow trends, I like to start my own.  If I had a guitar player at church, please believe he/she would hold just as much musical weight as a keyboard, organ, drum, or bass player.

[Gibby]

If more people would be original instead of listening to what's out now, there would be more variety of how the guitar is used in gospel music.  Just because it is being used as a filler instrument in the mainstream gospel stuff out now don't mean it can't be a main instrument.

I don't really follow trends, I like to start my own.  If I had a guitar player at church, please believe he/she would hold just as much musical weight as a keyboard, organ, drum, or bass player.

I agree with what you're saying.  That's what happened to me at the church i'm at right now. The first MOM I was under didn't really care what I did, but the one i'm under now is like "i'mma need you to learn this...". He was also willing to work with me and help me with certain progressions.***AND OF COURSE I WAS STUDYING, PRACTICING AND SHEDDING ON MY OWN*** And that made me a better musician. 

I will be honest, some musicians act like the church can't function without them (mainly drummers and organists  ).  And with the guitar not being a primary instrument, guitar players are overlooked sometimes. 

[taiko]

Well, my 2 cents on this subject is:

Gospel music is music purposely designed to give praise to God.

Gospel guitar playing is music purposely designed to give praise to God on the guitar.

If more people would be original instead of listening to what's out now, there would be more variety of how the guitar is used in gospel music.  Just because it is being used as a filler instrument in the mainstream gospel stuff out now don't mean it can't be a main instrument.

I don't really follow trends, I like to start my own.  If I had a guitar player at church, please believe he/she would hold just as much musical weight as a keyboard, organ, drum, or bass player.

However there is a problem. As gospel musicians we also play in order to lead a church. An institution which holds on to institutions and traditions. About half of the church don't believe in what we do and it is a valid debate topic when it is brought up how do we bring honor to God through Praise and Worship. The other side of the debate will ask if our hearts and mind are on God if a bassline sounds like what plays in a club on Friday night.

With those traditions in mind what must stop and ask ourselves twice before introducing something new. Now after years in the woodshed we might not think of what others hear when we pull that blues or funk lick out to use but members of the congrgation will not receive the message we intended.

But then I suppose that has been a problem long before David was leading praise and worship in Saul's court.

[funkStrat_97]

i just think there is a very narrow view of what it is to play guitar in "black gospel" music, and that as styles become more intertwined, a guitarist will need to be much more well-rounded that what is typically called for. as the guitar becomes more and more prominent, guys won't be able to hide behind a wah-wah and some minor pentatonic licks. i just wanted to have some dialogue on the subject....

Gospel music has always been a piano/Hammond/keyboard driven genre with big time support from the bass and drums.  All too often, the guitar is seen as redundant and often inadequate to hold court with the piano.  As modern forms of gospel are more a reflection of popular black music, this gives a little more opportunity fo the guitar to shine...and often in a very limited context.  So for the guitarist in gospel to really break through requires more creativity.  Here are a few areas that I think will help:

*TONE - the guitar is almost always too clean or has lots and lots of distortion (for the occasional solo or lead line).  While all tones have their place, a slightly gritty tone that can growl when needed and cleans up when played softly adds life and can be distinct without being overpowering..........of course, there's nothing wrong with overpowering guitars .

*LICKS/KNOWLEGE - learn to play something else besides just running up and down the pentatonic scale...YES; YOU CAN PLAY SOME OF THE SAME LICKS THAT ARE PLAYED BY THE GUITAR GODS AND GODDESSES OF THE WORLD...because gues what?  They really aren't gods.  They are normal (well many of them are - a few are actually kinda wierd but that's another story) people and have just taken the time to learn how to do something.  And learn new ways to approach cords too.  There are things that a guitar can do that no keyboardist will ever be able to duplicate.

*MUSICIANSHIP - knowing when not to play or when to back down is equally important as having a great tone and killer chops.  You have to work together as a team with other musicians and NEVER have a competitive approach to things.  This is old-school advice, but it's true. 

This is only the tip of the iceberg as to what is possible.  As the song goes; 'free your mind and the rest will follow'. 

[JayP5150]

These Prince licks won't be able to save me all the time! 

Or EVER lol. j/k 

I can't believe I didn't see this. I'm actually out the door, but I'm going to hit this back later and throw in my 2 pennies.

[JayP5150]

...guys won't be able to hide behind a wah-wah and some minor pentatonic licks.

You forgot "gobs of compression..."   

I read through the above finally, and I have to agree with a combo of what Trackman and SanctifiedGuitar said, actually.

[lilBB]

here's something to ponder on the subject (merely for the sake of argument) ...

how do you handle an instrument that, in order for you to be a well rounded player, requires you to listen to all types of secular music with secular themes and messages??

almost as if saying, in order to be an effective Gospel Guitarist (even lacking a definition of GG), you will listen to Jimi, Satriani, Guy, Clapton, Muddy, Allman, Prince, etc. etc. etc. (or whoever influenced you, i doubt they were a noted Christian musician)

of course some of us can listen to the music and ONLY take away the musical appreciation piece and nothing more... but maybe not all of those starting out.

this is a tricky instrument that honestly requires arguably more strength of character to play for God's glory than others.

[taiko]

here's something to ponder on the subject (merely for the sake of argument) ...

how do you handle an instrument that, in order for you to be a well rounded player, requires you to listen to all types of secular music with secular themes and messages??

almost as if saying, in order to be an effective Gospel Guitarist (even lacking a definition of GG), you will listen to Jimi, Satriani, Guy, Clapton, Muddy, Allman, Prince, etc. etc. etc. (or whoever influenced you, i doubt they were a noted Christian musician)

of course some of us can listen to the music and ONLY take away the musical appreciation piece and nothing more... but maybe not all of those starting out.

this is a tricky instrument that honestly requires arguably more strength of character to play for God's glory than others.

I don't know if the community of church musicians is different from the church as a whole, but with up to 2/3 of people being converts to Christianity and from other Christian communities where differing ideals of what is acceptable you can be exposed to the different styles. However you may miss the name brand performer and just pick up from someone influenced by Jimi, Santrini, Clapton etc....

[funkStrat_97]

here's something to ponder on the subject (merely for the sake of argument) ...

how do you handle an instrument that, in order for you to be a well rounded player, requires you to listen to all types of secular music with secular themes and messages??

almost as if saying, in order to be an effective Gospel Guitarist (even lacking a definition of GG), you will listen to Jimi, Satriani, Guy, Clapton, Muddy, Allman, Prince, etc. etc. etc. (or whoever influenced you, i doubt they were a noted Christian musician)

of course some of us can listen to the music and ONLY take away the musical appreciation piece and nothing more... but maybe not all of those starting out.

this is a tricky instrument that honestly requires arguably more strength of character to play for God's glory than others.

I think it depends on your convictions and where you are in your walk with the Lord.  IMO, all secular music is not garbage (a lot of it is though), but there are lots of Christians who feel very strongly against listening to ANY secular music.  But if all else fails, just listen to some Lincoln Brewster !

[taterred]

I"m sorry there is a Gospel Guitar. when the spirit move on u can't playing nothing but Gospel.Some learn Jazz Some funk,country,rock,Blues and Hip Hop.Some music make u Sad and some Glad.But It is the Words that give us Hope.But when that Gospel Guitar play Feet get light footed and voices get strong giving God the Praise! Gospel Hand clap,Gospel Foot stump,all we had.Thank God for Guitar player like Uriah,Spoon21,trackman,and all who has post songs to make us better. I LOVE LGM

[SketchMan3]

...Wow... I just typed a whole essay then found out I was no longer logged in...


Well... at least now my first post will be short...


lilBB brings up a good point. Christian music in itself is hard to define, because it always seems to fall in-between the lines of other forms of music. Even oratorios are basically just religious opera without the acting and stages and costumes. Gospel is one of the few forms of Christian music that has a unique sound.

I personally like the aspect of improvisation in gospel guitar playing, although it would be nice to see the guitar as the foundation of the music sometimes. That's why I like artists like Israel Houghton, Fred Hammond, and Martha Munizzi, who actually have guitar playing that you can hear almost all the time, instead of just in between phrases when nobody else is doing anything :p. The guitar in gospel sometimes seems like the bass in metal. If you can hear it, your amp's too loud.

[SketchMan3]

I wanted to edit my post, but I see that that feature is not implemented on this board... please forgive me for double-posting. I just wanted to say that recently the guitar is more prominent. I've been to very few live gospel concerts, but I noticed that if it was a large choir type thing, the guitar was very hard to hear most of the time. Does this happen often?

[bwhall57]

I'm late late to this thread. Gospel Guitar vs.Gospel songs is really at the core of this debate. If you're an accomphlish guitarist,ie. maybe knowing theory or just having the gift of knowing when to play what, then playing your axe in Gospel , soul , blues are whatever won't make a difference. Peopel decide for what I have to assume they have been taught or come to believe through life experience that Gospel music is what THEY  decide. Stay humble and pray earnestly and God will direct you. Servants of God will endure criticism even when they preach the word. Are we any different. The lyrics should make difference.

  Peace, Patience, and Practise

[funkStrat_97]

I wanted to edit my post, but I see that that feature is not implemented on this board... please forgive me for double-posting. I just wanted to say that recently the guitar is more prominent. I've been to very few live gospel concerts, but I noticed that if it was a large choir type thing, the guitar was very hard to hear most of the time. Does this happen often?

You have to upgrade to the premium membership to have editing capabilities.  More often  than not, the guitar tends to sit low in the mix in a choir setting.  Every now and then, the guitar gets turned up a little for the occasional solo, but we tend to be pretty low on the food chain.

[ed_shaw]

I'm think traditional church music is the starting point, you know, like first, the standard church hymn book, and also the big formal numbers like Handel's "Messiah" and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir's rendition of "Silent Night."
Gospel is more informal. It has a more regular, more pronounced beat. Country Gospel has more of a country beat. Black Gospel has more of a blues beat. Distinctions get blurred when people like Ray Charles, on the one hand, or Elvis Presley, on the other, come along.

[gtrdave]

I'm think traditional church music is the starting point, you know, like first, the standard church hymn book, and also the big formal numbers like Handel's "Messiah" and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir's rendition of "Silent Night."
Gospel is more informal. It has a more regular, more pronounced beat. Country Gospel has more of a country beat. Black Gospel has more of a blues beat. Distinctions get blurred when people like Ray Charles, on the one hand, or Elvis Presley, on the other, come along.

Yup, Country Gospel is known for it's 2-beat feel and more akin to country and mountain music.
Black Gospel is known more for it's 4-beat feel, accenting the 2 and 4, and is rooted in American blues, slave-era spirituals and R&B.
When I think "Gospel music" I do not naturally think 'country gospel', but that's probably because of my northeast upbringing. I don't think I've ever seen a Gaither record in my life. As such, I clap naturally on the 2 and 4 beat.

The wonderful thing about Gospel music is that it's diverse enough to not be easily defined.