How Songs are Built

Why do I need to know how a song is built? Why do you care?


Because knowing how songs are built enables you to:


~ Learn it without “playing it on repeat 18 times”
~ Rehearse it as a band without just “playing the whole thing 8 times”
~ Know what you can change in it so it’s still fresh and worshipful after singing it 28 times
~ Encourage the congregation to sing more (without asking for it)
~ Adapt it to your band…(especially if your electric guitar player still thinks solid state is king)
~ Heroically decide not to play it when you realize (before Sunday morning) that your rhythm section (that carries that particular song) just doesn’t have what it takes to pull it off (yet)

So first, what are the elements that make up a song? Melody, Text, Form, and Accompaniment (which is harmony, rhythm, tone, tempo, and dynamics). There are things in a song that you can rework and there are things that if changed, make it a completely different song. Text, Form, and Accompaniment can all be modified to different degrees. Melody is the DNA of a song - change that, and it's no longer the same song.


We’ll start with what is most flexible, Accompaniment:
You may be able to change the chords and still sing the melody as written, but you may need to change what harmony you can sing with it. You can change the rhythmic feel of the song, and it may still work – like laying a rock feel, or a jazz swing, or a pop groove on it. You can play the song with only an acoustic guitar or a full band, but you'll need to play it differently to achieve similar energy, feel, or even style. You might use instruments the original author never dreamed of using. You can play the song slightly faster or slightly slower (about ±10 BPM unless you're doing a drastically different groove). You can change the key (thankfully). You can play different voicings on the instruments, use capos, and chord inversions. It may work to add or subtract harmonies. You can play a really quiet version or a REALLY LOUD version (sorry for the shouting). Ask “Would this song make sense if sung a cappella?” or “Would this song work without a drummer or a strong lead guitar player?” Then change at will…the sky is the limit. In fact, next rehearsal, try playing the same song once with only the players on the left of the stage, and then once with the ones on the right (and yes, the drummer has to pick one or the other). How did it work? What didn’t work? What did you learn?


Form:
A song may be written V1, Ch, V2, Bridge, but you can totally start on the Bridge if you'd like. You don’t need to sing both verses. You can sing just the chorus of a song. I’ll often repeat whichever verse I’m feeling like God wants to highlight in that moment. I recently led Here I Am To Worship and repeated the second verse twice (without going to the chorus) and went right into the bridge because it seemed right to be singing about God coming to earth “Humbly You came to the earth You created, All for love's sake became poor” …and then go right into “I'll never know how much it cost…” So it’s Outback Steakhouse here…no rules, just right.


Text:
Sometimes, you can slightly alter the text and still keep the song as it is - personalizing a pronoun for instance. You might change a chorus on the third time around from "God is great" to "God You're great" or change “He” to “You.” But if you change it up too much "O praise Him, He is holy" sung as "I praise You, You are holy" doesn't really work. But be careful here, purists may harpoon you after the service (in love, of course). Some of us feel like changing the “sloppy wet kiss” in How He Loves to…any of the dozen substitutes for the original lyric ruins the song. Some of us can’t stand the original. So alter with taste and tact…and good reason.


Melody:
But melody? Nope. Don't change that. Every note and every rhythm is foundational to that song. It's the only thing that separates it from every other song. Think of it as its DNA or fingerprint. If you don't sing it true to the original, your singers will have a hard time following you and the congregation will certainly have trouble following you and singing along. (this may very likely be on of the main reasons they don't sing if they aren't!)


Now I know, I know...you’re artists just expressing yourselves. Good for you. You are, but you’re servants first. Just like you should “Worship first; Play second” you must be a “Servant first; Artist second.” There are lots of ways to be creative and artistic, but altering the melody is not one of them. (unless you’re teaching it as a new song)


I’d love to hear your thoughts!


(oh, and if you like those pretty little boxes at the top of this section, head over to Red Rocket Box and pick up some gold)


http://adlibmusic.com/

Never Copy the CD Version

I love what Todd Henry says in his “The Accidental Creative” podcast: “It is the age of creativity. Cover bands don’t change the world. Don’t be a cover band, you need to find your unique voice.” There is no need whatsoever for making the songs that we do sound just like a recording.


However, there are two really important assumptions that statement makes:


1. One of the main roles of the band is to support the leader in where he/she feels God is wanting to take things for that service. Sometimes the leader will feel the most comfortable (and therefore be able to focus on what is most important) if the arrangement is familiar. I think it's fine for the leader to ask for a certain arrangement, which may be what Chris Tomlin's band did. So if the leader is asking for it, the team should do it.


2. And, more importantly, the statement assumes a certain level of musicianship in the players. Manheim BIC’s Worship Pastor, Ryan Shenk, described a church service as a “family dinner” because it speaks of uniqueness and intimacy, so every church has their own flavor. But, scrambled eggs…again?! Can we try poached or over medium? Mom…!


See, most church musicians are in ruts because they haven't invested enough in their own musical development to have solid musical foundations, good chops, proper technique, and the ability to make musical choices in WHAT they play. I'm not saying your band isn't good, doesn't have talent or potential, or isn't valuable! Seriously, I'm not. The value in learning music the way it is on the CD is that it is like taking lessons from seasoned, accomplished musicians and learning from professional arrangers. I'm ready to say “never listen to a CD again” once a band has such great instincts (read: habits) that they produce fantastic music naturally without it. So until a band (or a musician) gets to that point, they need lessons or to learn parts from CD's. It's a necessary step in being a good steward of your musicianship.

And while I’m on stewardship, I need to tell you that I just love the definition of stewardship: managing for increase. I used to think that stewarding something just meant managing it. But that's more like burying the talent out of fear. Managing without the “increase” part just leaves you with trying to protect, control, and maintain. (ew!) We're not called to that, we're called to double and triple the return on the talent God has given us. Musically, that requires investment.


It takes time to develop the leadership art of creating a culture of grace that, at the same time, pushes the development of people, and calls them out when they don’t feel prepared. And it's important enough to say that your musicianship and your stewardship of it is NOT tied to your identity or your worth, that you don't have to perform your way into acceptance or approval (which is such a common pitfall for musicians). You are accepted completely because you're a son or a daughter of a Father Who loves you with inalterable love. Now you have the responsibility as a son or daughter to steward the gift well.


So, what are you going to do?


http://adlibmusic.com/

God Is Coming

Sounds like an Advent theme.


Could be a coming attraction at a church near you.


It's actually a prayer and proclamation from Tim Hughes and Martin Smith, in the form of a new song on Tim's album "Love Shine Through" that came out earlier in 2011.

I think there's really something to this song. There's the moving of God. There's uniqueness and creativity. There's built in space to meander, pause, and build...launching into a soaring anthemic shout! (I can see the Father running to His returning son...and I hear the sound of celebration...the lost is found...and it was all God's doing!)


You can find the free chord chart here. There's one in B, which is the original recorded key, one in A, which is a bit more of a congregational range, and one in G, which is what most guitar players will use...along with their trusty capo.


WorshipTogether.com has further free resources, such as a lead sheet (with notes), download the song, or watch Tim teach the song in the New Song Café.


If you like and use this song, give them some Twitter love @TimHughes77 and @MartinSmithTV!


http://adlibmusic.com/

Ideas for playing with two acoustic guitars

I'll start with the assumption that one is carrying the bulk of the song and the is adding color, texture, counterpoint, etc.

1. Play different voicings of the chords. This is by far the most common thing to do. The way to do that is by playing with a capo - so, for example, when one guitar is playing in the typical G formation, the other one can capo on the 5th fret and play in a D formation. Or get crazy and play with a capo on the 3rd fret and a cut capo on the 5th fret and play in D formation.
2. Vary the number of notes played – one guitar picks, one strums. Or one strums on the downbeat or the root rhythm pattern while the other one strums more fully.
3. Get this. Ready? One guitar might only play on part of the song. Or part of the set. I know. That’s just crazy talk.
4. The second guitar can play some complementary rhythm pattern, something offbeat, or syncopated that locks in with the main rhythm.
5. Think in terms of musical riffs – a pattern of notes played over and over with different chords underneath. It creates a counterpoint and the feel of pedal tones. This is different from continual “noodling” either on acoustic or electric guitar, which is never musical. I’m pretty sure that’s not overstated. In fact, it may be that the defining line between amateur and advanced musicianship is the ability to use subtlety, dynamics, space, and groove.

What are your ideas?


http://adlibmusic.com/

Worship Ministry Devotions and Worship Leading Answers

I want to say thanks.  Thanks for being in the “trenches.”  Thanks for faithfully creating spaces where people can meet with God.  Your ministry in worship is vital…and those hours you put into it when no one sees you…they’re really making a difference!  Thanks!

Knowing personally the importance and challenge of spiritually nurturing your team, I’m really excited to be able to bring yet another resource to you.

• Do you wish that rehearsal would go deeper than just pulling the music together?
• Is it a struggle to consistently and easily find quality, relevant encouragement to share and study with your worship team?
• Wouldn’t it be cool to be able to offer some spiritual content with your worship team? (whether you’re the “leader” or not)
• Is leading a team devotion at rehearsal always on your “to-do-that-never-gets-done” list?
• Can you imagine if worship leaders from across the country would come and share at your rehearsal?
• What if you could sit down with your team and have a devotional moment with a seasoned worship leader?

Me too!  Well, now you can.  We’ve teamed up with WorshipMinistryDevotions.com to be able to bring you just that…weekly devotions written by and for worship teams.  These aren’t just random devos, they are specifically designed for people who serve in musical worship.

In addition to great Worship Ministry Devotions being delivered to your inbox each week, you also get a link for an mp3 audio version…so you don’t even have to read it yourself!

How do I get this?  Just go to WorshipMinistryDevotions.com and enter “AdLibMusic” in the discount code box to receive $10 off the normal price when you sign up for a 1-year subscription for only $47!  That’s like ninety cents a week to spiritually nurture your worship team. [read: no-brainer!]

WorshipLeadingAnswers.com

Do you wonder if you’re the only person who has like 859 questions about worship ministry?

Are you the person raising their hand four times in every workshop you go to?

When you search for “how-to’s” online, do you skip the text answers and look straight for the video answers? [me too!]

Tom Kraeuter has been leading worship since… before the Carter administration.  Whoa.  Yeah, but he’s still leading, still teaching, and in fact, his full name is actually Tom Energizer Bunny Kraeuter.  He’s heard pretty much every question from every kind of church across the USA.  Questions you’ve probably Googled.

Well Tom, smart man that he is, decided to clone himself [via video, thankfully] and is answering those very questions in a FREE online video series.  You’ll find practical, common-sense answers to your worship leading questions at WorshipLeadingAnswers.com.  There are over 90 videos…with more being added regularly!

There is no cost to you, and all you have to do is sign up.  When you do, please go to the “How did you find out about WorshipLeadingAnswers?” box, and type in “AdLibMusic” – you’ll be glad you did!

Coaching Moment

This is new. This could be a game changer for you. It could be your punch-through to the next level. It could pull you back from the edge.


See, Ad Lib Music typically works with churches through Coaching Programs, 90-days of focus, designed to accomplish specific goals in a clearly articulated, strategic plan with accountability and commitment. Which is great.

But...

What if you're just stuck in a project?

What if you're in a "bad loop" and can't get perspective on an issue?

What if you can't even identify what issue is troubling you?

What if you merely want suggestions on how to launch something?

What if you need to ask a question, but you just don't know who to ask?

What if you have something to get off your chest?

What if you simply want some fresh ideas?

What if you need a new set of eyes with an outside perspective?

What if you're just tired of tackling every challenge on your own?

Introducing: Coaching Moments! Sometimes you simply need a moment with someone who has walked the road you're walking...who can help bring fresh perspective, key insight, and isolation-eradicating support. A moment in time with a seasoned coach who will listen well, speak into your situation and life, and give you new energy to tackle your challenge can make all the difference.


So here's how we'll launch it. Be one of the first 5 people to sign up because we’re giving away the first 5 FREE! If you miss that deal, you can purchase one for only $150, and then simply tell one of your worship leader friends about it. Once they’ve purchased one, you get your second one free! Sweet, huh?


You might want to set up a few of these each year to sustain the health of your ministry. For this, we’re offering $50 off when you sign up for a year of quarterly Moments – that’s a year of Coaching Moments for only $550!


So let’s have a Moment! Reply to this email or call (717) 468-6428 and we'll set up a time to either meet face to face if you’re in Central Pennsylvania or over Skype if you’re…anywhere else in the world!


Listen to what one worship leader said after having a Coaching Moment:

“I came to my Coaching Moment feeling as though the nitty-gritty of life and leadership had blind-folded me and spun me around, leaving me quite dizzy and a little less certain I was moving in the right direction…it was a real pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey moment! Dave listened to me ramble, and brought fresh perspective and insight to the issues I've been struggling with. I left our meeting feeling encouraged in the right direction, able to see a little more clearly, and definitely less dizzy!” – Heather

http://adlibmusic.com/

Groove, Space, and Dynamics

Groove, Space, and Dynamics. Three things that we can always have more of in the music we create.

Today at 1:00 in the afternoon, I’m rehearsing for an upcoming worship event.  Why in the middle of the day on a weekday?  Well, it’s being led by a guild of full time worship leaders in Ephrata.  We make up most of the band.  On the 19^th of June at 6:00 PM a worship event called “LET THE GLORY OF YOUR NAME BE THE PASSION OF YOUR CHURCH” will kick off two weeks of churches serving the community in what’s called the Ephrata Project.

Sure, you’re invited to join us, but here’s why I’m telling you this.  Well, the band is made up mostly of full time worship leaders, and even though they make their livelihood doing this, it’s still good to be reminded of the fundamentals of playing music together as we begin our rehearsals.  This is what I’m going to share with them, and I thought I’d pass it along to you too.  Enjoy!

Groove

~      A common pulse – we need to be feeling that underlying regularly recurring beat…maybe we’re all bobbing our heads at the same time [but not like metal heads, no offense metal heads]

~      The correct tempo – there’s a reason songs are written at a certain tempo…they work that way!  [and yes, I will be using my metronome app]

~      Always listen and respond to each other – focus on interacting musically, call and respond, give each other room

~      Know what makes the song “work” – is it the kick drum pattern, a downstrum pattern on the guitar, a piano riff?

~      Ask “Are the parts fitting together? Do they ‘lock’ in place?”

~      Ask “Are we playing on the same ‘side’ of the beat?” – the more on the “backside” of the beat, the deeper the groove [within reason, of course].  If one of you pushes the beat and another one drags the beat [even if your both paying the identical tempo] it won’t groove.

Space

~      Man, this is the final frontier…most bands never get there [okay, on to the positive]

~      The notes are as important as the space [or the “not notes”]

~      Ask “Where can I add space or lay out?”

~      Ask “Where am I not needed or crucial to the music?”

~      Ask “Where can I let someone else shine?”

~      Ask “Can I play fewer notes, beats, harmonies?”

~      Ask “Would my part sound full if I played it alone?”  If so, then it’s likely too much – play things that would sound too empty if played solo

Dynamics

~      Ask “Am I playing as ‘small’ as I can? Am I playing as ‘big’ as I can?”

~      Ask “Do I need to play the whole song?” “Does everyone need to start playing at the beginning of the song?” [think like a symphony]

~      Ask “What number is each section?” Assign a number [1-10] to each section, for example, Intro: 8, Verse One: 4, PreChorus: 5, Chorus One: 7…

Here are some ideas for how to play with different dynamics on each instrument. Read each dash [-] as "or," like "One hand or two hands."

Piano

One hand – two hands

Block chords – moving/arpeggiated rhythms

Play a higher register – play a lower register

Play a melodic riff/pattern only – play the chords

Lay out – play

Acoustic Guitar

Capo high – no capo/full chord

Pick – strum

Muted strum – full ringing strum

Finger pick – pick using a pick

Lay out – play

Electric Guitar

EBow – picked lead

Muted strum – full ring strum

Clean – distortion/other effects

Melodic lead – strum

Lay out – play

Bass

Play staccato – play legato

Play higher strings – play lower strings

Play whole note rhythms – play quarter, eighth, or sixteenth rhythms

Lay out – play

Drums

Hi-hat/kick pattern – hi-hat/snare/kick pattern

Closed hi-hat – open hi-hat or crash “hi-hat”

Straight groove/beat – lots of fills

Use lighter sticks/hot rods – heavier/wood sticks

Lay out – play

Aux instruments

If you play woodwind, strings, or brass…please don’t play all the time!  You’re beautiful, really, but hearing a wondering clarinet though a whole set is just not helping the overall sound.


What would you add?

http://adlibmusic.com/

who do YOU say that I am?

I had this disorienting experience on Monday. Dave, the Worship Coach, was unable to put a list of songs together to lead worship. Unable. Stuck. Going nowhere but down. Fast. What happened?

Have you ever gotten stuck? Not in the mechanics of something, but in something much deeper. Foundational. Something that drives everything I do.

[you can listen to this talk here]

What defines me?

What I wear?

Where I’m from?

What I know?

Who I know?

What I do?

What I’ve done?

No.

These things shape me, and more interestingly,

They reveal what defines me.

All of us live as a result of what defines us.

It drives everything we do.

And most of us don’t know who we are, what defines us.

Or we have a false sense, an untrustworthy definition.

I live as a result of what defines me.

One Saturday, I sat in a room of leaders.  My calling is to eradicate isolation and burnout so that leaders bear much fruit.  My insecurity was stunning that day.  I didn’t want to talk to anyone, make any connections, do anything other than just sit there and keep to myself…isolated. [clever, no?]

It defined me.

“Not enough” defined me.

It told me who I was and it told me what to do.

Mr. Insecurity.  Mr. No One Will Like Me.  Mr. No One Cares About Me.  Mr. Shut Up And Keep To Yourself.  Mr. Eradicate Isolation was Mr. Isolation.

But there is another lonely leader in that room.

There’s a church who needs to be led by a leader who walks in Godly authority.  There’s a leader who’s caught up in trying to make the church he leads match the thriving church down the street – so intent on doing so that he has forgotten about what God already told him to do.

There’s a leader who is overwhelmed by the pressure of life, family, ministry…that tomorrow, she’ll give up.

Somewhere in that room is Rescue.  Is Victorious.  Is Conqueror.  But right now, he’s Mr. Insecurity.

See, our lives are a gift to each other.  We were designed in God’s image, we were defined by God’s definition.

And when I live by some other definition, it’s not just me that looses out, it’s you, it’s the world.

That Saturday, the Spirit of God prompted me to ask Him a question.  A question that Jesus had asked His disciples.

Let’s look at Matthew 16.  Jesus has this way of asking an easy question and then flipping it to go deep into someone’s heart.

Matthew 16:1-4; 13-19 [NIV]

1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

2 He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

People are always trying to define you, or at least understand your definition, because it reveals who you are, how you will act, what you will do.

If Jesus wasn’t settled in who He was, He may have made an OAK tree grow out of his hand or changed the color of His hair.  Instead, He reveals the strength of His identity by rebuking them.

Then in verses 7-11, He’s basically saying “You don’t understand yet?! What?  Don’t you know that I’m defined by being more than enough?  The strength of my identity is more than enough and that means that around Me, you’ll never have to worry about…having enough bread.”

That’s how identity or definition works – it always gets lived out.  That’s why it’s so important.

Then in verse 13, “Who do PEOPLE…” and then “Who do YOU…”

Hear Jesus’ response to someone who understands His definition:  18b  “I will build My Church on that revelation…!”  There is power at stake when someone understands their identity.  What happens when you know who you are?  Everything happens!

And it’s really important, before we begin to work really hard to figure out our definition, our identity, that verse 17 clearly tells us that it’s not from human revelation, but by the Spirit of God.

So that Saturday, I pulled a “Jesus move” and flipped His question around and asked Jesus “Who do You say that I am?”  And everything changed.

Since that day, I’ve asked Him on various occasions to answer that question.  I’ve heard:

Victorious

Conqueror

Warrior General

Winner

Son

The Identity Triangle

You are worshipers!  You are sons and daughters.  You are growing in your knowledge of God.  You are learning to give your love back to Your heavenly Father.  You are practicing biblical expressions of worship.

But before you either a) ignore me because you think you’ll never be able to be disciplined enough to earn your identity as a worshiper or b) you’re already fretfully making a mental list of the things to be added to your duty roster to avoid being disqualified and found out to “not be a true worshiper” let me give you some very freeing context.

If you work at being obedient through the Law, you’ll try to define your Identity by your Good Works.  If I pursue Obedience before knowing my Identity, my good works (obedience) become my identity rather than who my Father says I am.

As C. J. Mahaney explains in The Cross Centered Life:

“Legalism is seeking to achieve forgiveness from God and acceptance by God through obedience to God. In other words, a legalist is anyone who behaves as if they can earn God’s approval and forgiveness through personal performance.”

You might be saying: “I want to please You.  I want to do everything I can do for You…and hope that it’s enough.”  Let me share what I believe is God’s pattern in this:

Matthew 3:16-17 (NIV)

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.  And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

When Jesus was being baptized [before He had done ANYTHING], God gave Him His stamp of approval, His Identity and His blessing.  He hadn’t healed anyone. Hadn’t prophesied. Hadn’t cast a demon out. Hadn’t raised the dead.  Nothing.   By the way we live, it would seem like that moment would’ve happened more like this: “This is my son, whom I love; He’s really got potential.  He may do great things. I’ll let you know in a few years if He amounts to anything.  He’s new in ministry, but give Him a few years to prove Himself.  But no, He says “I AM WELL PLEASED.”

So it’s in the context of being drawn to the Father, knowing that we’re sons and daughters, dearly loved and pleasing, that we should obey, know what good works we can be doing, and journey forward as worshipers!

Marks of living from who God says I am

1.    I know His voice

a.    My sheep know my voice.  Say “Baaaaaa” – John 10:27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me…”

b.    Listening for 8 things

2.    I’m fearless

a.    Worship starts being scared è “say what you need to say, no fear of man.”

3.    I will be “toward” each other

a.    No longer comparing

4.    I will be unique and bold about it

a.    No longer just trying to fit in

5.    I’ll look for ways to partner, to walk in community

a.    The Trinity

6.    I’ll take risks

a.    I’ll actually believe that I MUST do who I am

7.    My schedule will reflect [reveal] dependence

8.    I’ll stop looking over my shoulder for approval

a.    I’ll walk in authority

b.    My prayers will shift from “please help John” to “I release healing to John”

9.    My life will be marked by rest

a.    Cease striving and know that I am God [Psalm 46:10]

b.    Because I will no longer have to strive to define myself by my good works and performance

10.?  ==>  !

http://adlibmusic.com/

Walking in the tension...Picking songs

I'd really love to hear your thoughts on this subject.  Answer the question in this little 2 minute video.

http://adlibmusic.com/