Worship Fertilizer from Dave Helmuth and Ad Lib Music
 

 

Did you ever wish you could teach your worship team to have better musical instincts? You can!

 

Leading a worship team is more than preparing music and playing on a Sunday morning. We are growing and building teams to worship individually and collectively. Why? To create an offering that is unique and real not only to us, but to those we are leading in worship. Developing musical instinct is challenging yet crucial. As a skill that is often seen as something innate and difficult to teach, most leaders tend to give detailed direction rather than teach instincts, because it's easier...in the short term.

 

But we're not just required to create a product (good music). Our main job is developing worshiping musicians. Let's look at some ideas that may take more time and patience, but will develop a team whose offering is from the heart...and may even sound better.

 

Here are some ideas from Coach Jim.

 

musical instincts
 

1. Listen to Others

 

It's easy to overlook, but simply put, music is listening. The difference between good musicians and great musicians is knowing not only what to play, but when to play. Introducing: the Circle Method. When playing, listen instead to what another person is playing. As best you can, take your focus off what you are playing*, and play in a way that compliments what they are playing. The person you are listening to must also be listening to someone else playing in the same way. As you keep the pattern going, everyone is listening to someone else and eventually someone on the team is listening to you, creating a circle. This promotes a selfless atmosphere that helps us hear what is needed from each member individually in order to build the whole. And it is a great way to build an understanding of how to avoid over-playing. (*it may be that we listen best when we aren't playing.)

 

2. Contribute Intentionally

 

Asking the question, "Why?" will also develop your instinct. Music is an expression from within a person. Think about why you are playing something. If a song is stirring an emotion, think about how those emotions may be coming out in your musical choices. Again, a musician must be intentional about what and when they play. Good music rarely happens when everyone plays all the way through a song. A song with an intimate introduction may require that a bassist wait to join, in order to maximize some musical and emotional impact. Sensitivity to the atmosphere being created really makes a big difference. It may be that your best contribution in a song is...not playing. (Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent) ;-D

 

3. Make it Personal

 

It's easy to get caught up in performing the music. "Let's just play the music how it is." But what about worship? What about my offering? While following a recording is a great way to learn songs, it can miss the spiritual connection that a worship team needs. When working on parts for a song, we need to encourage the idea that what we play is our offering. Praise through your musical contributions. In every song, there is room to create your offering in a way that is meaningful and unique to you. This could be as simple as encouraging the piano player do something fun over a measure of music or the bassist to change up the pattern over a section. Find out what you (or they) would like to do. When you ask someone who is an inexperienced musician, they will look to you for what they should play. Instead of giving them what to play, try to help them create music that feels right to them. Ask "What do you think would sound good here?" or "Can you try some different things here?" If you give them a suggestion, ask "Do you like playing that?" Not only does this help cultivate creativity, it helps each musician feel trusted. This trust works to build confidence in musical ability and instinct.

 

 

Developing team members is something that takes time. It is much easier to just get the music done well for a Sunday service, but we are not called to just good performance. We are called to worship God through the gifts we have been given and to help others worship with the gifts they have been given. Teach skills that help musicians think creatively, make choices with others in mind, make personal offerings, and build confidence in what they can share with music.

It's the power of simply asking. Imagine someone coming to your door. You open it and then walk to the table to start eating without inviting them to join you. We like being asked and invited.

 

(you can read the printable version here
I'd love to hear from you! How do you teach musical instincts? (just respond to this email)
Jim Music is the thread that God has used to weave together every part of my life. I started out as a professional guitarist at age 18 and spent three years traveling and performing. As I also began to dive into helping worship teams, I learned that God had used so many experiences to prepare me for this. God has used both great mentors and my professional experience to teach me the core foundations of worship along with intricate musical knowledge.

My approach to worship begins at the heart. Many relational issues or pride issues occur with worship team members who don't yet have the attitude of being servants. I teach them to be there purely to offer their talents to facilitate an atmosphere of worship. Many people plan and arrange worship services without a goal other than do a good job with the music. Not enough teams understand that instead of aiming blindly for "good" worship, there are biblical principles that God has given us to better understand our purpose in leading worship. My passion is in guiding teams in both biblical and musical foundations in order to create a purpose driven worship teams.

Get in touch with me via email at [email protected].
WORSHIP & TRAINING EVENTS
How you can get training!

breathing room...a Night to Worship (Thursday, July 10 at 7:00 PM) This is not a just a "Night of Worship" but rather it's a "Night TO Worship." Linger in song and allow God to speak to your heart. Celebrate God's faithfulness. Fellowship with like-hearted friends. On the 10th of every month. This one will be held at Lancaster Church of the Brethren. Click for details.  
breathing room
WORSHIP LEADER GATHERINGS
How you can get connected!

Harrisburg Alliance of Worship Leaders (July 12 at 9:00 AM)
Every other month, worship leaders in Harrisburg and the surrounding areas gather to enrich, educate, and encourage each other. Visit us on Facebook!Details for this event.

First Mondays at Prince Street
 (July 7 at 6:30-7:30 AM, first Monday of each month)
Coffee up with other worship leaders. Great conversations. Encouragement. Friendship. Details.

Lititz One (July 2 at noon)
On the first Wednesday of each month, worship leaders in Lititz gather for lunch and to encourage each other. Join us in July on the 2nd at noon at Beijing Szechwan. Details.

Ephrata Guild (July 3 at noon)
On the first Thursday of each month, worship leaders in Ephrata gather for lunch and to encourage each other. Join us in July on the 3rd at noon at La Borimex. Details.

Strasburg Cadence
(July 3 at 6:00 PM)
On the first Thursday of each month, worship leaders in and around Strasburg gather for dinner and to encourage each other. Join us in July on the 3rd from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Pizza City. Details.
COACHING
How you can get help!

Coaching Moments
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. Available either via Skype or in person. Click for details.
 

Worship Team Retreat 

"What Dave presented was practical, timely, and God-inspired - we are still talking about what an awesome time we had together!" When is your team going to say this? Hire us

 

Rehearsal Coaching

Whether it's your worship band, garage band, or touring band, you can have Ad Lib Music come to a rehearsal and help you get to the next level! Schedule a date here

Meet the Coaches
Dave and Goliath  
You are receiving this email because at some point in your journey, Dave Helmuth, Ad Lib Music, or someone connected to us, helped you grow in your relationship with the LORD through worship. If you ever find this resource unhelpful, simply unsubscribe below and continue on your merry way. 

 

�nimo!

Dave Helmuth
In simple love and pure devotion to Jesus, we are eradicating isolation and burnout so that leaders bear much fruit!

Email: [email protected] 

Phone - 717.468.6428
www.AdLibMusic.com 

 

�nimo: courage, refresh, transform, bring to life, encourage, inspire, intentionally cheer up,
come on, it's not far now!
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