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I posted this on the ABF but maybe some folks here can help me. I'm thinking about looking for a Worship Piano band to join, but have never played that style. I've played some jazz, so can read a lead sheet and know my chords, but I mostly play classical and like reading scores. Anyway, the style doesn't seem too difficult, but obviously it has its own repertoire, rhythmic styles, etc. I'm wondering if anyone can steer me in the right direction to learn this style. Also wondering what your experiences are in playing in this sort of group. Thanks.
A google search ‘tips for playing piano in a worship band’ Has a large number of Videos. I, too, am a classical pianist; I would watch a few of those if I were interested in a Worship Band
Just to be clear, and hopefully not too caustic, I also have YouTube and Google, but I am hoping to get a response from someone who actually has experience with this, i.e. plays in a Worship Band.
Anyway, the style doesn't seem too difficult, but obviously it has its own repertoire, rhythmic styles, etc. I'm wondering if anyone can steer me in the right direction to learn this style. Also wondering what your experiences are in playing in this sort of group. Thanks.
This link is a thread started by someone on another forun with questions similar to yours. Many of the repsonses are from band members who posted examples of songs their band is performing. Those songs represents current popular Contemporary Christian music. If you give those songs a listen you will experience the repertoire and styles you are seeking to understand.
You will be required to audition, so you should learn 3 or 4 songs and be able to perform them well. Are you able to learn songs quickly? Good luck, I hope it works out for you.
Is this a serious question? Worship bands play in Christian churches and worship what you might imagine they worship in Christian churches.
I worked in Media for a large Black church for years and they are multiple styles of "Christian". So you have more to learn about the music you want to play. These bands are typically made up of church members so start talking to the musicians in the church you want to play for and get to know them. Start writing down the tunes they do and start listening to them and figuring out the tunes. Find out if the band rehearses and if you can hang at a rehearsal, that will answer a lot of questions. You got to do your homework.
The church I worked for the band members were 95% working pro musicians and had good ears, most could read, and could learn songs in a few minutes. The only time they rehearsed was if it was for a big event like Christmas service. Otherwise they learned the songs during sound check. If that wasn't enough time they would go into backroom with the piano and talk down the songs more while the meditation part of service was going on. The piano players were really good at working with singers that weren't that experienced and making the singer sound good. As for charts they were rare the guest artist for the service was suppose to send charts, lead sheets or MP3 of the songs they were going to perform, but many just showed up with a boombox or nothing at all assuming the song they were doing was common enough the band would know it.
The church I was a member of before the one above they did have the bands piano player play for the weekly choir rehearsal so he would know how to talk down the tunes to the band on sunday morning. The church above the choir director was good pianist and play piano at the choir rehearsals.
Again all the church musicians I know of were members of the church, or a they were called in by a member to sub in the band. I don't know of churches that hire outside bands.
Here's a Youtube of the church I worked for the guitar player was not the regular guitarist but a sub that played his ass off.
