Help a brotha out... Please

[kys23]

What up LGM Fam,

This is gonna be a long post. Sorry.

First, thanks for all of the helpful info you all have posted on this website. It has been a blessing to me personally.
Just wondering if anyone else has been in the same type of situation. I'm looking for some Biblical advice regarding this:

Let me start with a little bit about myself.
I love playing organ and I'm the organist at my church. I've been playing for about 5 years.
I have a bachelor’s degree and a full time job (which I enjoy and cannot quit because it supports my family and provides benefits. What I make at my church is barely enough to buy a month’s worth of groceries, but I'm grateful.)
My wife and I recently had twins which we were unprepared for, but God has sustained us.

Recently, I have been feeling really depressed because I don’t really have time to practice anymore and our music department is going through.

Between work, the babies, my wife, and other duties, I'm left with little to no time to practice.
This is annoying because before I got a full time job/kids, I used to practice for 5 sometimes 10 hours straight when I didn't have homework or school projects. I know basic scales, theory, and the number system and try to learn more whenever I can using internet articles, and youtube for chops and new ideas. (I do this at work on break or at lunch lol)

Also to make things worse, the church I play for hasn't been rehearsing for close to a year since the minister of music and most choir members have schedule conflicts (MOM works days and nights basically every day except Sunday). As a result, we keep singing the same songs over and over... BORING! I learn new material on my own and try to do it at offering. I also try to learn different ways of playing the same songs we sing to spice ‘em up.

Also there is little to no order in our music department. I never know what songs the choir will sing from Sunday to Sunday. This is particularly annoying when we have to go to an engagement or do a revival. Although I know the songs in our repertoire, it would be nice to know ahead of time so I can brush up on the songs and possibly add new chords or changes to it. I have repeatedly expressed this to the MOM but the reply is that they don’t know how many voices they will have, therefore they can't predict what songs will be done.

Also our bass player recently left the church. Since our congregation is used to the bass, I have to work extra hard to make everything sound more full.

I’m super frustrated with the lack of time I have to practice and the state of our music department. I don’t like half doing stuff and I want to become a great organist (hope I can get there). But a lot of times I feel like quitting and letting another musician take my spot - someone who is a FULL TIME musician that can offer the church more than I can. I don’t personally know many other musicians so I can’t really talk to anyone about this (tried to talk to non-musicians and a drummer but they have no clue lol).

I have been praying and I feel like I should continue playing since there is nobody else to fill my spot at the moment. I couldn't really imagine life without being able to play the organ though because I love it. I know that God has gifted me in other areas of ministry also such as teaching and feel like I can be used elsewhere within the church as well.

Any advice/experiences/comments or whatever else will be greatly appreciated. What can I do to make the situation better besides pray and wait? because I’m already doing that.

Thanks!

[Mysteryman]

Ive been through similar situations through the last 17 years under different MOM's. Sometimes I dont think I prayed enough. What I learned is that some people will do what you allow them to continue to do. Ive had the excuses made blaming it on others when the real truth is the MOM is holding the choir back because they lack the training or rehearsal conflicts with their schedule. Usually you have to get them to admit it though.

What I also learned is no one can stop your personal progress. They may be able to hinder you with the music as a whole but that doesnt stop you from getting out and going other places or learning from youtube as you stated. You will have to find a way to make time to practice if you want to continue. I play keys but I practice bass at home eventhough I dont play bass at church. I have been in practice mode on keys over the holidays but my wife complains about time. We also recently had a baby so my time gets sucked up pretty quickly. Now I bring my bass into the same room with the wife and baby since I cant practice keys as much.

I plan to start taking a nap right after work and may one after 8 or 9 pm. When I have to get up in the middle of the night I may take a little time to practice since Ive already got some sleep. We also started preparing things ahead of time like baby bottles in the fridge. Now I just get up and heat a bottle instead of having to make it then heat it. I also learned to change diapers faster.  I'd say get all you need to get done during the work days so your days off will be free for practicing. Seeing you have twins you may want to try to sync them if possible with feeding  and sleep. If you sleep when the babies sleep that will also make things a little easier. Dont try to stay up while they are sleep to do what you need to do or else you may not get to do it.

[kys23]

Thanks for the advice man. Especially the part about doing things ahead of time for the babies so I can be free on days off. Glad to know somebody else has faced this. And yes, I'm not gonna let anybody hinder my personal growth. I just gotta keep on keeping on.

[lorenz_j]

God bless you man.  Make sure you keep your family your main prority.  Too many church folk neglect and lose their family for the sake of ministry.  God doesn't command neglect our families.  I'm not saying that you do; I'm just want to warn you about not going down that destructive path. 

Just be faithful and do what you can do.  Your best is good enough.  What you can do is what you can do.  It may not seem good enough to you, but if it's all you can give it's all you can give.  Just do your best and God will take care of the rest.

[SupremeSaltine]

The gift of a family is the greatest gift God can give you on this earth!

Welcome to being a church organist.  We have not rehearsed since before Christmas either.  Pastor's Grandma's got cancer, my Grandma died, assistant minister's Mom died, MOM has family problems big time.  Still singin some old *** stuff we learned five years ago.  Can't decide what were gonna sing until we see who shows up at service-who knows what, who leads what, do we have enough tenors, do we have any tenors who know their part at the key change?  Who's that guest lady over there? Do I know what she sings? Is she gonna sing it in B major before I get a chance to set her where she oughta be?  Do I know this tune in B major?  Did I forget to take the keys outta the church van?......

Everybody has conflicting schedules.  I've got 2 in high school and a 10 year old.  You only get busier.

On top of that, I've got a REALLY shaky drummer right now.  So go hug your funky, groovin drummer and tell him how much you're blessed to not have him as one of your problems!

That being said:

When we all get together and we're all of one mind, we blow the roof off that little church.  That's how I know I can never quit.  You may not be the best musician in the world on your instrument, but you're not the only one God has blessed.  He gave you musical ability for a reason.  You know your calling is to be on that organ.  You can feel it.

When I'm playing I'm thinking first, what can I do to create an atmosphere conducive to worship in this place?  Just listen to what's going on around you and play what you feel.  And after you've spent 3-4 nights up with a sick baby, you're gonna play different than you did when you had 5 hrs a day to yourself to practice.  This is not necessarily a bad thing.  Maybe you'll play something that sounds like somebody that's tired.  Maybe that speaks to some single mom out there that has NO help, but understands what its like to be tired.  Musical truth shines through, regardless of circumstance.

Also, you can practice in your head.  You don't actually have to be behind your rig.

Anyway, my message would be, "don't ever quit."  We all have "stuff".  You know if you've been called to the music ministry.

Play on player.

[SupremeSaltine]

They that wait on The Lord shall renew their strength.

Twinkie Clark - Wait On Him

A little Twinkir Clark goodness for ya man.

Hang in there.

[SupremeSaltine]

Twinkie Clark - Feed my Sheep - FAMU choir

Okay one more Twinkie.

[SupremeSaltine]

Killin organ solo here....

John Scofield Quartet - Golden Daze, part 1 of 2

[SupremeSaltine]

So your bass player's gone and maybe you gotta kick a little more bass....

Play this one on something where you can hear the late great Don Pullen's bass.

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/marvinsmithscofieldcharliechan.html

[jonesl78]

Its important to plan and execute quality practices. At this point in your life, time is going to be precious. Figure out what your weak points are and work on them. You will will be amazed what an effective 10 minute practice will do for your playing. Is "A" major a hard key for you? Can you sight read? Can you analyze a song and break it down into chords and progressions? About once a week I try to open a real book and sight read songs that aren't familiar to me. Can you play your major, minor, diminished scales with both hands in thirds?

Practicing is not just limited to physical contact with the organ. One thing that I try to incorporate in my practicing is to simply break down a song by ear while in the car. I listen for the chord qualities, progressions, scales, reharmonization, and key changes. I also try to listen to the dynamics, rhythm, duration, and accents. Listen to the role that each of the other instruments play.

 IMHO, If you are not available/ committed to sing, teach, play, or rehearse then ministry is not for you at this time.  If you have 2 people that want to sing, can sing, and are committed to sing then go with them and plan your rehearsals around them. Stop the bleeding now. Your music ministry will not get better at its current pace.

[kys23]

Wow. Thanks for the advice/encouragement/videos everybody. Good news – we just started rehearsing every other Sunday after church. Also I’ve been going to rehearsals at another church in our area to learn more. There are some BEASTS there that I can definitely learn from.

I’ve managed to squeeze in a little more time to practice now too, but like you have said it’s really the QUALITY of the practice that matters. And focusing on weak points is key.

@jonesl78 – Why is it important to practice the scales in thirds? I’ve heard of practicing scales in the circle of fifths also. How is the order of practicing scales important and how does this help in the context of gospel music?

Also the part about atmosphere and using our life situations to encourage others with music was deep! Never thought about it that way.