[Worship] Getting Comfortable (was Re: putting songs in singable keys)

["Joy" <joy_in_the_soi@yahoo.com>]

"Tony Wade" wrote:
> I would like to add that it is also the duty of songwriters
> who are composing *congregational* songs to write songs that
> are singable by the general public.

This also depends on what type of congregation or 'public' you're dealing
with. Here, we have inter-church youth P&W-and-prayer concerts, and we love
doing Hillsong's _United Live_ song "Best Friend", and some other really
*fast* and LOUD songs, and all of us really enjoy it and manage to sing all
the words... but the inter-church youth band occasionally leads worship at
our 'normal' inter-generational church services (grannies and tots) and
except for a loud section of youth, everyone stands still and stares blankly
at the band. We also have an 'alternative' ministry to underground goth and
punk-types, and *that* band sometimes leads worship in the main service, and
occasionally try some punk-ish stuff... most of the younger set are all
right, but the rest are often left completely baffled. HOWEVER, in most of
these cases, after singing the songs a few times through, the congregation
gets the hang of it and is able to worship without getting *too* distracted
by the unfamiliar style...

Style is a problem. What's 'singable' for some isn't for others. For
example, here in Southeast Asia, Latin-style rhythms and melodies are REALLY
tough to teach. Same applies to a lot of bluesy, "gospel" style music. When
they're attempted, it often becomes a solo 'performance', with the
congregation maybe joining in at whichever segment that they're most
comfortable with. I must mention again that enough repetition usually works
at getting people into the 'groove' that's called for... Hmm.

How much time do you give to 'break in' new songs and get them comfortable?
If it totally bombs on the first week and the congregation is left
completely blank, do you ditch it straight away, or do you give it another
try (or three) hoping that they'll "get" it eventually?  How do you
recognize a song that's simply too difficult (or 'different') for your
congregation? Most songs need time to get 'comfortable', but I'd like to
know how much time you usually allow. Two separate occasions? Three? (For
example, my own band absolutely HATED "God Of Wonders" when it was first
suggested. They maintained that it was dull and congregationally unsingable
for a looong while, until we all attended a conference led by another church
that used the song fabulously, and only *then* did they appreciate how the
song could be used.)

Also, do you have any set methods to introducing a new song? (Assuming that
songs need to be approved by the pastor for theology, etc.) How about
*musical* approval? Or how many songs you're allowed to introduce a month..?
My church has an unofficial rule that any new song has to be sung for 3 or 4
consecutive weeks, even if the leaders are different, so that limits the
number of new songs that creep in (I think it used to be SIX weeks.) Do you
start the service with "Hey church, I've got a new song to teach you!" or do
you just plunge straight into it and hope they'll get the hang of the new
song when you get to it?

I'd love to know what different methods you all have!

(Sorry, I'm terribly long winded, I know.) :o)

-joy


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