One of the ways contemporary worship bands play songs consistently is through the use of loops or click tracks. The drummer will have a laptop or something similar nearby and will start and stop the loops or click when it's time to start or end a song. Often times the loop track can contain additional synth parts, vocal parts...whatever is needed to fill out the song and, perhaps, make it sound like the original album recording.
For me, we would have to be editing those tracks all the time because we don't often do a song 'as recorded' from beginning to end. We usually play some custom version where we start with a refrain or repeat the bridge, skip a verse...whatever. But there IS one facet of these loop tracks that can be an advantage to everyone if we took the time to get used to it: setting the tempo.
Starting a song at the correct tempo can sometimes make or break its success. Starting a song too slowly can make it feel like it's just dragging/plodding. Starting too fast can make it lose all sense of 'feel' or 'groove.'
Take a popular song like 'Everlasting God' by Brenton Brown. I've heard two popular versions: one by Chris Tomlin and one by Lincoln Brewster. Both have completely different tempos and 'feels.' Both are effective and appropriate for different points in the liturgy or worship experiences. It's important to choose the correct tempo and feel for what you want to accomplish.
Try this: find a recording that feels right to you: correct tempo , correct feel, etc. When you listen to it, it feels perfect. Then, at rehearsal, play it through your monitors and have the band play along. Chances are it will be hard to keep the same tempo as the recording. We all tend to rush, believing that faster is better. Sometimes it's okay to push it faster a little bit for 'live' performances, but just remember that it felt RIGHT the way it was recorded. You could sing along, it had a great feel, etc. Challenge yourself and your band to replicate the tempo on the recording, at least as a place to start.
January 6, 2013 – Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
(These songs are off of my planning notes for this particular Sunday, which means I am strongly considering using them on these days. After each title I’ve added some thoughts to consider.)
(Click on titles for links to their respective pages.)
Every Nation on Earth by Aaron Thompson (WLP) – beautiful Psalm setting fo today. Listen to the nice off-beat guitar strumming on this tune. (From the Voices As One vol. 2 CD Forever Will I Sing.)
Suggested use: Responsorial Psalm
Lord, Every Nation by Jesse Manibusan (spiritandsong.com) – another beautiful Psalm setting for today. (From the Spirit and Song CD set)
Suggested use: Responsorial Psalm
Offering by Paul Baloche (Integrity) – one of my favorite songs EVER. Paul Baloche took a beautiful song he had written and added a Christmas/Epiphany verse to it. Clicking on the song title will take you to a brief article he wrote about this song, as well as some free downloads for it as well.
Suggested use: Song of Preparation/Offertory, Second Communion
Rise Up In Splendor by Aaron Thompson – a very upbeat setting of this text. I've heard it done with just percussion and vocals or with a full band. Your choir can easily learn the refrain, which changes key several times. The music can be found in WLP's Voices As One vol. 2. (From the CD 10,000 Angels.)
Suggested use: Entrance/Gathering, Song of Preparation/Offertory, Song of Thanksgiving/Dismissal
Rise Up In Splendor by Tom Booth (OCP) – This recording starts out with a beautifully arranged brass introduction. (Thank you Phil Perkins.) It's not necessary when playing this song, but nice if you can pull it off. A wonderfully singable refrain that could almost be treated like a call/response if desired with the cantor singing the first half ("Rise up in splendor! Your light has come!") and the choir assembly responding with "We sing God's praises, our light has come!" (From the CD Cry the Gospel)
Suggested use: Entrance/Gathering, Song of Preparation/Offertory
Shine On Us by Michael W. Smith (CCLI) – I look forward to singing this song every year. We even include it in our Advent/Christmas concerts. I encourage you to click on the song title and listen to the recording by Phillips, Craig, and Dean an imagine your assembly and choir singing it.
Suggested use: Song of Preparation/Offertory, Second Communion
Please share your song ideas with me and I will post as many as I can so we can all share our knowledge of resources. Remember, what works for one parish might not work for another. We should be open-minded to all styles and preferences of music. As long as the music serves the liturgy, it may be listed here.
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