Topic: How ya"ll deal with not knowing what's up for Sunday (Read 4620 times)

BUSDRIVER 2 · « **on:** December 17, 2012, 04:58:48 PM »

How do ya"ll adjust to not knowing a song on the spot .

SavnBass · « **Reply #1 on:** December 17, 2012, 05:36:16 PM »

I get through it as best I can. especially if I don't even have a chart. I hate doing that though and I think it is unfair and unprofessional to do that to someone because the person picking the song knows it.

funkStrat_97 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 17, 2012, 07:30:09 PM »

Well it helps that most songs share common progressions so part of it is to play it with the right feel. Also, as a guitar player, I think it's a lot easier for me to fake my way through a song that it is on bass.....sometimes!

betnich · « **Reply #3 on:** December 17, 2012, 07:44:32 PM »

I HATE HATE HATE last-minute-ism...guess it's part of my personality type - like to have things practiced and planned out

That being said, I have enough experience to fake my way through most things, though I'll sigh and give up if a song is sung in the key of X, with side trips to keys of Y and Z, before ending up in a W? tonality.

And if the band is familiar with a last-minute choice that makes things smoother and easier...

Mysteryman · « **Reply #4 on:** December 18, 2012, 03:40:33 PM »

I don't have an issue if it's testimony service but I done care for it too much with a choir. I like to play my best. I didn't complain too much when I was getting paid on keys. I would suggest learning new songs and having more rehearsals but I was getting paid just the same. That's on the leadership if they like paying someone to keep playing the same thing. I would change up the music though and pray that I still could make a difference in the service.

phbrown · « **Reply #5 on:** December 20, 2012, 06:45:51 AM »

suffer through it

malthumb · « **Reply #6 on:** December 20, 2012, 08:14:54 AM »

That is one of the things that drives me nuts in the church. Because usually there is no need for things to be last minute. Anyway, to answer your question, here are a few of the tricks I use.....

Ask the band leader what key the song is in and bounce on the root until you can figure out a progression. 1-4-5 is VERY common. 2-5-1 to get back to the top is equally common
If there is an organist and you can see their feet you can sometimes figure out the key and progression by watching where the left foot lands.
If you can see the pianist's or keyboard player's left hand, they usually play the bass chords
If this is common place in your music ministry, bring an audio recorder and record as much of what is played in rehearsals as you can. Likewise if something is being played in service that you haven't heard before or that you are having trouble picking up. Work on it whenever you have time. Make note cards or charts for the stuff that you think is likely to just "pop up"

Those are all tactics I've used in the past. Right now I have the ULTIMATE fix. I lead the choir that I play for, so I select the songs. And I, with VERY FEW exceptions, will not take anything into the sanctuary that we have not rehearsed at least twice. Once to learn it, once to prove we've learned it.

Hope something here helps you.

malthumb · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2012, 08:33:55 AM »

Busdriver2,

Who selects the music for your service? Pastor? Choir Director? MoM? More than one person? If you have a decent rapport with whomever chooses the music, your fix could be as simple as a text message on Friday or Saturday asking what the plan is.

Obviously that won't change the situation where " the spirit moves somebody" on Sunday morning, resulting in a song half the musicians have never heard.

5deep · « **Reply #8 on:** December 21, 2012, 08:05:42 PM »

I just listen for the progression, then come up with my own bass line.

floaded27 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 24, 2012, 06:29:32 PM »

Quote from: malthumb on December 20, 2012, 08:14:54 AM

That is one of the things that drives me nuts in the church. Because usually there is no need for things to be last minute. Anyway, to answer your question, here are a few of the tricks I use.....

Ask the band leader what key the song is in and bounce on the root until you can figure out a progression. 1-4-5 is VERY common. 2-5-1 to get back to the top is equally common
If there is an organist and you can see their feet you can sometimes figure out the key and progression by watching where the left foot lands.
If you can see the pianist's or keyboard player's left hand, they usually play the bass chords
If this is common place in your music ministry, bring an audio recorder and record as much of what is played in rehearsals as you can. Likewise if something is being played in service that you haven't heard before or that you are having trouble picking up. Work on it whenever you have time. Make note cards or charts for the stuff that you think is likely to just "pop up"

great ideas malthumb. and thats the best case scenario where the guy on keys knows the song. not as pleasant when everyone is clueless, or you are the seasoned musician looked to for what to do by the rest of the band.

other suggestions would be, if you have free practice time, just randomly put some music on and go. it helps you get accustomed to finding your way in a song as quick as possible. It would probably be best to mix songs you know in with a whole bunch of songs u dont know, different feels and styles. Just a music mash up.

phbrown · « **Reply #10 on:** December 25, 2012, 12:08:07 PM »

Quote from: floaded27 on December 24, 2012, 06:29:32 PM

great ideas malthumb. and thats the best case scenario where the guy on keys knows the song. not as pleasant when everyone is clueless

I hate when that happens!

malthumb · « **Reply #11 on:** December 25, 2012, 01:53:40 PM »

Quote from: floaded27 on December 24, 2012, 06:29:32 PM

great ideas malthumb. and thats the best case scenario where the guy on keys knows the song. not as pleasant when everyone is clueless, or you are the seasoned musician looked to for what to do by the rest of the band.

other suggestions would be, if you have free practice time, just randomly put some music on and go. it helps you get accustomed to finding your way in a song as quick as possible. It would probably be best to mix songs you know in with a whole bunch of songs u dont know, different feels and styles. Just a music mash up.

I hear ya. Lately though, if everyone is clueless, song goes undone. Yes we have left a visiting minister singing a capella.

T-Block · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2013, 11:06:17 AM »

I never know what the song list is for Sundays. However, I do know that whatever song they sing will be familiar because they don't sing anything that they haven't practiced.

The key is knowing familiar chord progressions. Even if you've never heard the song, if you can follow the progression of their voices, you can make it through just about any unfamiliar song. I've gotten to the point where I can tell when their voices is leading me to play a 2-5-1, or 7-3-6, etc.

Quote from: malthumb on December 25, 2012, 01:53:40 PM

I hear ya. Lately though, if everyone is clueless, song goes undone. Yes we have left a visiting minister singing a capella.

I've done that many times, and am not shamed about it. They better start bringing their own musicians wit em or have some music tracks.

dafunky1 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 07, 2013, 04:29:12 PM »

Malthumb:

If you can see the pianist's or keyboard player's left hand, they usually play the bass chords

If this is common place in your music ministry, bring an audio recorder and record as much of what is played in rehearsals as you can. Likewise if something is being played in service that you haven't heard before or that you are having trouble picking up. Work on it whenever you have time. Make note cards or charts for the stuff that you think is likely to just "pop up"

I feel you. Our new MOM is somewhat organized. He sends out Sunday's set list on the Monday before the service.

However...I'll practice what's on the list and on Sunday morning..... some of the songs will always change. Sometimes it's a song that we haven't rehearsed in a long time. That's when I use Malthumb's tips (above). I have a Zoom recorder and I record the songs that we play on Sunday and file it in my archives. When I get time, I'll do a surprise quiz by randomly picking out songs to practice.

arthur59 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 18, 2013, 04:18:30 PM »

First I would listen for the key of the song, then i would listen for the progression then i would come up with my own bass line. Now if i'm having problems hearing the progression then i just won't play.

hands5 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 24, 2013, 01:14:00 PM »

Quote from: phbrown on December 20, 2012, 06:45:51 AM

suffer through it

WHY ?????

5deep · « **Reply #16 on:** January 24, 2013, 01:25:11 PM »

This is so common at the church i play for. I just consider this as an opportunity to work on my improvisational skills.

Gemini47 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 28, 2013, 01:51:33 PM »

This happens sometimes for me. If i have forgotten the progression of the song i sit it out.

phbrown · « **Reply #18 on:** February 02, 2013, 07:30:53 PM »

Quote from: hands5 on January 24, 2013, 01:14:00 PM

WHY ?????

oh i just meant that it is so common in my experience that i know if i had the song in advance i could do the song justice so my playing is subpar so i suffer through the song

jonesl78 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 09, 2013, 05:41:26 PM »

If you are in leadership, I believe you should strive to have a monthly list of songs. If you are not apart of the planning process, you should ask leadership consistently what songs do they have prepared for Sunday. Keep asking, they will eventually come around and you have a right to know as a musician.

Author Topic: How ya"ll deal with not knowing what's up for Sunday (Read 4620 times)