Depending on how you subdivide a bass note within a measure, you can subtly add energy to a phrase or bring it down. Daniel shows us how to utilize note subdivisions effectively within a song.
Most people listen to music when they are doing something else. If we musicians want to become better at our craft, we need to learn the art of critical listening.
In this video, Daniel demonstrates the effective use of silence in a song to build anticipation and vary momentum. A well-timed rest can set the stage for a powerful moment.
For years I’ve heard the debate about whether church musicians should use sheet music, chord charts, and music stands during a service. I have my own thoughts on this topic, but one thing is certain: the ability to memorize and recall music is an indispensable tool for every musician. Whether it’s a ‘four chord and a capo’ worship song or a 30-page classical piano solo, this is a skill every musician should develop. Here's how.
Turn that acoustic guitar into a lead instrument with simple chord changes.
Ever wonder what to do when the instrumental roles around and you don't have a lead instrument? Here are some ideas on using the chord changes as the instrumental.
Learning a new instrument is like feeling through the dark, trying to turn on a light you aren't sure exists. I'm here to tell you it exists and this is what it feels like.
Tracks can be a great addition to our worship gatherings but I feel like we can lean on them a bit too much. I want to challenge you to work on your internal timing with this simple exercise.
Learn these versatile 1 chord to 5 chord riffs from Phil Wickham's Living Hope but keep them in your back pocket for other songs. They fit with quarter or eighth note bass lines and in slow or faster tempos. Handy little transitions to keep around in your bass toolkit.
When I see drummers glued to a music stand, the vibe seems stiff. If we practice until we know the songs backward and forward, when we play at worship, we can climb in to the songs and be a part of them.
Octaves are a fundamental part of playing bass. This chromatic exercise will help you learn how to play octaves so that you can bring them in effectively at just the right moment.
When I was preparing for David Crowder's "My Victory," I quickly realized that I had to get creative. When you listen to this song, pay attention to all of the production within this track. There are a lot of sampled sounds that you can't reproduce on an acoustic kit but there are some that you can get close to even if electronics aren't available.
If you only ever play on your own or in a full band you are missing out. Bass guitar is only a part of the rhythm section. In order to really grow you need to spend time with just a drummer to work out grooves and patterns that are fun to play and also have real world application.
Perhaps you're stripping down to an acoustic set but still want to include Whole Heart on the set list. If keys are leading solo, Ryan shows us how to fill out the sound and lead on piano for Kristian Stanfill's Whole Heart.
When the worship leader starts a sentence with “We’re going to change this song from the key A to the key of…” we hold our breath, instinctively hoping for E, D, C, or G. Unfortunately, that sentence usually finishes with something like “…Bb"
