[Worship] Re: worship-digest V1 #203

["Richard S. Huntrods" <richard.huntrods@sait.ab.ca>]

> From: "Beth Shearer" <BIShearer@maranatha.net>
> Subject: [Worship] Intro, Question and Comments
> 
> Greetings all. I'm Beth, thirty something, a piano and voice teacher in =
> Northern Virginia. I've been a "silent" subscriber in the past; recently =
> re-subscribed and decided to be silent no longer - boy are you going to =
> regret that - te, he,he :) By the way, I am a friend of Tina  (T-Bopp) =
> who was the one that   introduced me to the list.

Hi Beth!
> 
> I wanted to hear from the keyboardists one the ways you transition from =
> reading notation (if any) improvisation on a lead sheet. I have a varied =
> studio with most of my students looking toward being a part of a worship =
> team in their future. I am always looking for creative ways to help my =
> students make the  transition successfully. I currently spend the first =
> six months exclusively with notation (interval recoginition as well as =
> note recognition) to lay a strong foundation. I also begin ear training =
> immediatly. I then transition to improvisation and theory beginning at =
> six months with the average player. Any thoughts from your experience as =
> student or teacher? I have a desire and burden to help raise up (equip) =
> tomorrow's worshippers and worship team members and want to continue to =
> be equipped myself to do that effectively for His glory.

I've been both a guitarist and keyboardist with groups over the past 12
years, so I will gladly share my experiences with you.

I was classically taught as a piano player who became an organist.  I
joined the contemporary group to help them out many years ago.  Since I
was used to playing "notes" (on paper), just being given words and
guitar chords (what lead sheet <G>!) was quite a shock.

Initially, I just set the keyboard to a string patch, and played 6 or 8
note chords as directed by the guitar chords/words.  Gradually, as I
gained confidence and learned the songs, I began to play the melody in
the right hand with the chords in the left.  When I finally left the
group (to pursue other musical interests), I was at the stage where I
was playing melody (r.h.), providing bass (l.h.), and generally
embellishing the song however seemed appropriate (lots of lead
guitar-keyboard duets between verses).

This approach might work well for anyone for two reasons.  A keyboard
player does not need phenomenal skill before he/she begins "live"
playing.  Our purpose is to Worship the Lord at all skill levels, so
this approach allows people to participate with a keyboard early in the
learning process, and thus helps to build confidence (especially for
playing in public).  Also, as the keyboard player builds in skill, there
is room for another to assume the role of "string player", thus keeping
multiple keyboard players occupied.

COMMENT:  One of the most frustrating things I have experienced in music
workshops that I attend or put on is the notion that every keyboard
player in a group MUST play everything.  The gospel style of piano
originated because there was NO band, so the piano played all the
musical parts.  Now that we have full bands playing music, and multiple
keyboard players, it makes more sense to distribute the work across
keyboards much the way the band distributes the music.

> 
> Finally, I have been provoked in a good way by the list and challenged =
> in both the "practical" and "spiritual" posts.  thanks, keep 'em coming!!
> 
> Beth Shearer
> Shearer Music Studio
> 

Love and Peace in Christ,

-Richard
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 The Worship List is a service of PraiseNet (http://www.praise.net/) -
 Visit the Worship Resource Center at http://www.praise.net/worship/ -
 Need help with your subscription?   Contact worship-help@praise.net -
---------------------------------------------------------------------