How to develop your worship band (part 3): Let’s talk rehearsals.
Picture this: It's Sunday morning, and your worship team is about to take the stage. The hearts are willing, but the musical skills? Well, let's just say there's room for growth. Don't worry, though. We've all been there, and I'm here to share some tried-and-true techniques to transform your rehearsals into powerful tools for developing your worship band.
The Art of Bending the Branch
First things first, let's talk about a philosophy that's transformed my approach to rehearsals: "Bend the branch, don't break it." This simple idea captures the delicate balance we need to strike as worship leaders. We want to push our team towards excellence, but not so hard that we discourage or overwhelm them. It's about applying just the right amount of pressure to encourage growth without causing burnout.
Planning with Purpose
The key to a productive session? Having a clear plan. Before each rehearsal, identify specific areas for improvement. Maybe your transitions need work, or perhaps the dynamics in that new song aren't quite there yet. Whatever it is, structure your rehearsal around addressing these issues. Your team will appreciate the direction, and you'll be amazed at how much more you accomplish.
The Power of Listening
Here's a technique that might seem counterintuitive: Start your rehearsal by running through a song without any tracks. This approach allows you to hear what each musician is actually playing, identify areas that need work, and understand how all the parts fit together. Take notes during this run-through for targeted feedback later.
The Art of Constructive Feedback
When giving feedback, try asking questions instead of barking orders. For example, instead of saying, "Drummer, you need to drop out before the chorus," try, "Hey drummer, I remember the drums dropping off before that chorus. Is that what you remember?" This approach softens the directive and engages the musician in problem-solving.
Remember to always praise progress and good performances too. A simple "Great job on that new fill, Sarah! It really lifted the chorus," can go a long way in building confidence and motivation.
Personal story of developing our worship band.
Let me share a quick story. Over a decade ago, I introduced a click track to my band. To say they weren't thrilled would be an understatement. But we didn't give up. We started small, using the click only in rehearsals. Once the team got comfortable, we introduced it in one song on Sunday. Gradually, we expanded until every song was played to a click. Today, we're using Ableton with tracks in ways that have dramatically enhanced our worship experience.
The lesson? Big changes don't happen overnight. It's about consistent, incremental improvements.
Tackling Common Challenges
For tech issues, have a checklist for setup and troubleshooting. Designate a "tech guru" on your team and always have backup equipment ready. As for unprepared team members, set clear expectations for preparation and provide resources like charts and recordings well in advance.
The Journey of Skill Development
Think of skill development as a journey from big blocks to fine-tuning. Start with foundational skills like staying on the click, then progress to more nuanced improvements like finding the "pocket" of the beat. It's all about layering skills, one on top of the other.
Conclusion: The Power of Effective Rehearsals
Effective rehearsals are about more than just running through the song list. They're opportunities to develop skills, build team unity, and cultivate a culture of excellence. Remember, every great musician started as a beginner. Your job as a worship leader is to nurture the potential in each team member, turning those tentative notes into confident melodies that lead your congregation into powerful worship.
So, are you ready to revolutionize your rehearsals and take your worship band to the next level? The journey of a thousand songs begins with a single rehearsal. Let's make it count!