Cue the drummer!!!

I think sometimes we underestimate the musicality of drums and what they can offer to the overall arrangement of a song, particularly when it comes to 'building' a song from the beginning. I mean, how often do you actually tell the drummer when to come in?  Do you constantly fall into the '1 2 3 4-everybody-in-from-the-top' type of playing? Or is there some creative arranging happening?

I guess what I'm saying is that the drums are really important to the musical impact of a song. Don't just think of them as 'keeping the beat' but rather as another instrument in your orchestra. Just like in an orchestra, a flute shouldn't play every measure of the song, or a trumpet, or strings or ANYthing...neither should the drums. Use them musically.

This past Sunday we sang "How Great Is Our God" by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, and Jesse Reeves as our Song of Gathering. The following video segment shows how we began with just piano, then added guitar, then bass, and finally drums on verse 2. That's right...only hi-hat and cymbals at first. The full drums came in after the first refrain.

The song sounded fine...great actually, without the drums playing. In fact, no one probably even noticed they weren't there. Everyone was singing and (hopefully) engaged. Then, when the drums did come in...it was even more powerful and added even more to the song. It kept building!!!

Notice, also, how all of the vocals are in unison until later in the song. I like to think of the assembly as the primary voice in a song like this. Notice how you can hear their voices.

Here's another example of a song by Rita Baloche called "Flowing River." We played the whole first part of the song with just guitar, piano, and vocals. (I probably would've used a synth pad, too, if we had one.) The drums come in on the repeat of the verse. Again, they are not just 'keeping time,' but rather adding a nice 'feel' to the rhythm of the song.

This is a useful tool because a lot of times we are beginning a song from a quiet moment in the liturgy. It's a great invitation to start a song softly, then build. It also makes the times you start a song 'loud and strong' a nice contrast. I think the assembly responds to this.

Please consider using both of these songs in your liturgies. To me, they are both classics and I've found that they fit well both lyrically and musically. Our assembly has responded extremely well to these songs.

Next week I'd like to talk about 'recording' your assembly and getting a sense of what it sounds like from the pews!
 

 

February 10, 2013 – Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

(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.)

Change Me by Tom Booth & Israel Houghton (spiritandsong.com) - one of my favorite Tom Booth songs. This unique song has a very memorable refrain with a powerful message: "Change me, Lord, and I will change my world."  This would serve as a great Song of Preparation or Dismissal. (From the CD Change Me)
Suggested use: Song of Preparation/Offertory, Dismissal/Sending Forth

Come and Follow Me by John Angotti (WLP) – right out of today's gospel, a classic John Angotti tune. (From the CD Common Ground.)
Suggested use: Song of Preparation/Offertory, Communion

Fish With Me by Ken Canedo (spiritandsong.com) - though I've never personally ever performed this song, I've heard it sung many, many times at various events. To me, the tempo works well as a Song of Preparation/Offertory or Dismissal/Sending Forth. (From the CD Love Never Fails)
Suggested use: Song of Preparation/Offertory, Dismissal/Sending Forth

I See the Lord by Paul Baloche (Integrity's Hosanna!) - the verse describes the vision of the Lord "seated on the throne; the train of his robe is filling the heavens." The refrain declares "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!" Great as a Gathering song or Offertory. (From the CD First Love)

Suggested use: Song of Gathering, Song of Preparation/Offertory

 

Make Us Your Own by Ed Bolduc (WLP) - a nice, lilting 6/8 with unison verses and simple harmonies on the refrain. "And though we can't see what is meant to be, be with us Bread of Life, Lord of all." (From the CD Awake to the Day)

Suggested use: Communion

 

We Fall Down by Chris Tomlin (worshiptogether.com) - this classic, wonderfully simple song says it all in a few words: "...we lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus." A humble worship song that works so well in so many places in the liturgy.

Suggested use: Song of Gathering, Song of Preparation/Offertory, Communion

 

Your Grace Is Enough by Matt Maher (spiritandsong.com) - Matt's classic song that has been covered and even re-arranged/re-written by Chris Tomlin. Check out both versions.

Suggested use: Song of Thanksgiving/Dismissal