How Do You Prepare Songs For Your Church Convention

[JazzJunkie]

I have been playing at this church for about 2yrs, Every year the MOM wants to give the musicians 16-20 songs to learn in 2 months. None of the musicians are full time so its hard for them to learn that many songs when they are working 8-12 hours a day. Need Some Advice!!!

[sjonathan02]

I have been playing at this church for about 2yrs, Every year the MOM wants to give the musicians 16-20 songs to learn in 2 months. None of the musicians are full time so its hard for them to learn that many songs when they are working 8-12 hours a day. Need Some Advice!!!

Don't do so many songs?



Try to learn the songs throughout the year?


Are these new songs or songs that one would hear on the radio or television?

[momuzik]

That's about 2-3 songs a week! That's alot.  Do you have a back up keyboardist that you might can split the song list with? That could cut what you have to learn in half. Or go with a lot of songs you already know.

[under13]

Are they beginners? If they are intermediates, they should be able to handle 2-3 songs a week. Maybe they need a better approach to learning the songs. Maybe the MOM should provide sheet music or chords or something.

[JazzJunkie]

Don't do so many songs?



Try to learn the songs throughout the year?


Are these new songs or songs that one would hear on the radio or television?

Thats what i was saying, The songs can be songs that have just came out or been out for a while.

That's about 2-3 songs a week! That's alot.  Do you have a back up keyboardist that you might can split the song list with? That could cut what you have to learn in half. Or go with a lot of songs you already know.

No Im the only keyboardist 

Are they beginners? If they are intermediates, they should be able to handle 2-3 songs a week. Maybe they need a better approach to learning the songs. Maybe the MOM should provide sheet music or chords or something.

They are both intermediate and advance. these guys work full time jobs and they have  families  and some are in school.

[momuzik]

...they should be able to handle 2-3 songs a week...

Depending on the songs, that can be a bit much while doing your daily grind: work, wife, kids, dinner, etc.

[under13]

Depending on the songs, that can be a bit much while doing your daily grind: work, wife, kids, dinner, etc.

Thats what i was saying, The songs can be songs that have just came out or been out for a while.


 No Im the only keyboardist 

 They are both intermediate and advance. these guys work full time jobs and they have  families  and some are in school.

I can kinda sympathize for the intermediate guy, but if the advanced guy is really advanced, he shouldn't have a problem learning those songs in a short amount of time. Maybe he should try just listening to them for a week or so before practicing them.

What instruments do they play?

[JazzJunkie]

I can kinda sympathize for the intermediate guy, but if the advanced guy is really advanced, he shouldn't have a problem learning those songs in a short amount of time. Maybe he should try just listening to them for a week or so before practicing them.

What instruments do they play?

What do you consider advance?  Drums,Bass,Organ,Aux.


The Drummers dont really have a problem because if they dont know a songs they can easy keep a bit. If you know what I mean

[JazzJunkie]

Beat....lol

[sjonathan02]

Ok, some advice.



See how difficult the songs really are. Talk it over with the other musicians to see what they can handle. Then, have a discussion with the MOM and let them know the deal from the gate.


Forget about skill level; that really doesn't matter if one doesn't have the time to put into learning new songs (unless they're near professional caliber, IMHO).


Have a discussion and see what can be done. That's all I've got. 

[JazzJunkie]

Thanks you all for the advice, It really help.