Creative Chaos: Week 7
How much do you modify songs that your congregation is already familiar with on Sunday morning? I’m diving into the world of dabbling in song writing and arranging, and I’m starting by modifying the chords on some songs we already do. Then I got to thinking: Is this what people expect? Are the changes too much of a change and will get in the way of their worship experience? Granted, most people won’t know what’s different, they just know that it “sounds” different. The musician in me wants to mangle up these songs, but the worshipper in me would like to not let it interfere with the body of Christ doing what they need to do on Sunday morning. I’m just not sure.
April 17th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Just another thought… how much of the body is just singing by rote and not really paying attention to what they are singing? Sometimes make a slight change sorta wakes them up from their slumber and realize that they’ve got to stay on their toes. This will make them realize what they are singing and how they are singing it. Honestly, only the first few times a song is sung is it fully understood.. after that it is it usually taken for granted. The only other times that it means something is when something traumatic happens and the song speaks to you in a different manner than it did before.
Don’t be afraid to change it up… you just might make them more aware of what words are coming out of their mouth.
Charles Martin’s last blog post..Weigh-In: Week 96
April 17th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
@Charles Martin: Great point! Sounds like a fine line, but to definitely push that edge on some songs. Didn’t realize you were a brother; thanks for the comment.
April 18th, 2008 at 3:18 am
I am a deacon and worship leader at the Congregation of YHWH in Irving, TX (http://www.yahsaves.org/). I’ve written a few of our hymns and do notice the same tendencies I just described among our congregation.
Charles Martin’s last blog post..Weigh-In: Week 96
April 18th, 2008 at 8:14 am
At our church we’ve done our best to have a culture that knows something, but is always ready to try something new - change is assumed, innovation is expected, and rebirth is welcomed.
There are some songs that we do certain ways (some more standard for everyone, some unique to our community). And then there are others where we’ll make a small or huge change. And everyone has grown to anticipate and participate with it, maybe almost expect it.
It seems that we always try something that has the potential to be a colossal failure, and this keeps everyone on their toes!
jimkastkeat’s last blog post..reading TO SIT at the feet of the author AND LEARN anything and everything you can [how to read 06]
April 19th, 2008 at 11:16 am
I like your thinking. I would have no answer to this dilemma though.
mrsdurff’s last blog post..Earthcast 08
April 19th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Echoing comment #1. I think it’s partially helpful. It helps people sit up and pay attention to the new arrangement but at least they know the words so they feel somewhat comfortable and it’s not completely foreign to them.
Marissa Miller’s last blog post..What’s wrong with this picture?