Pre Service Music

[marmadd]

Hey all - I am looking for some input on this. I am under the direction right now to play only music that is "lyric free" before our services because "music with lyrics is distracting from conversation."

This poses a couple of problems: first, it's hard to find anything to play that's not mind numbing slow prior to our typically upbeat, high energy worship. The contrast is dramatic. Second, I used to use that time to subliminally introduce some new music to the church!

So, please give me your thoughts on how to counter this. I have tried to find some research that goes against the idea that lyric-less music is better or something along those lines. Any ideas?

[myers_ryan]

My advice would be to not try and prove yourself right with research. That will only hurt your cause. I would suggest that you go to whoever it is giving you direction and explain to them the reasons behind doing what you were doing. Maybe you could even strike a compromise where you play instrumental some and music with lyrics other times. Going into any argument with the intent of proving your point, though, is a recipe for disaster and relationship tension. (Just ask my wife ;)

[David Good]

We used to do pre-service worship music with lyrics but found it was confusing people as to when worship "actually started". We found either people would stand up and start worshiping (which isn't bad) or they would just tune us out and when we actually started worship it would take several minutes to get them to stop visiting and start worshiping. We actually stopped doing pre-service music altogether and just play upbeat worship music from CD. We are planning on starting pre-service announcements so we can get that out of the way before worship starts.

[myers_ryan]

Oh my bad, I thought you were talking about playing Pre-Service music from a CD.

[marmadd]

I am talking about playing a CD, not having the band play. Our band does start playing about 5 minutes before service starts. We have found that this helps to draw people in from the lobby area and get things going.

I am not looking to have an argument with those that are giving direction, but am hoping to get some real, solid evidence together as to why this is not the best idea. I suppose I am dreaming! :) Anyhow, thanks for the input. I do plan to address it and hopefully come to some sort of happy medium.

[Louis]

Well, my two cents... If you are being told by pastor/elders/ those in authority, I guess you have to respect that. I would try to provide a sound rationale to convince them otherwise and hope for the best.

I use lyric based music for pre-service (I still use the word prelude). It is a great opportunity for the praise team to try some more challenging music, songs that may not be best congregationally, but ones that perhaps people know from the radio. We Aldo use it as a chance to teach new songs.

I prefer people preparing their hearts for worship before the service rather than conversing. We have fellowship time after the service for that.

Also, if lyrics are not projected, won't that give people a clue not to sing?

[yod1948]

I use some instrumental music from a worship team at a church in Germany for this same thing. These two guys (Walter and Olaf) each write music specifically for prayer time called "tabernacle music"

It's beautifully inspiring music that creates a relaxed and holy atmosphere for prayer...and perfect for background music anytime.



I prefer the simple solo-piano pieces of Olaf Krueger for prayer time, but Walter Grund has also created more complex guitar-based tabernacles songs.

Olaf Krueger - Olaf Krüger on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads (http://www.myspace.com/olafkrueger)

Walter Grund - http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/walter-grund/id274672480

[milepost13]

It is impossible for any of the rest of us to give you any real data that you could use because every church/culture is different. What may work in 95% of all churches might not hold true in your church. You will need to do research in your own church if you want to present a good argument.

Having said that, I have never seen or heard anyone complain about our using any kind of music before our services. My only parameters to our sound techs on the music they choose is that it be stylistically similar to what our band plays, that it be high energy, and that it not be so loud that people cannot carry on a conversation with others.

[fccworship]

what do you think of recording your worship team playing music without lyrics. then play that...that will give you guys some practice, and get the congrigation hearing the songs. you can even pop up the name of the song, and artist on the screen. "you are now listening to...by..."
not my favorite way to go but better than nothing.

[travisvwright]

but am hoping to get some real, solid evidence together as to why this is not the best idea. One of the things I learned in management and sales training is you never win anything by vanquishing the opposition. Examples:

Bad = "Your way is bad and mine is good."
Good = "Your way is good and mine is better."

It is foolish to waste yourself looking for ways others are wrong. Suggested new research topics,

"Being able to worship with a New song when it is familiar vs. learning a New song that is unfamiliar"
"Upper bound of decible levels required for casual conversation"
"The ability of music to set needed moods"
Etc.

[mikeymo1741]

We actually discourage conversation in the sanctuary before service. We ask that it be a time of prayer and spiritual preparation. We play soft recorded music, some instrumental, mostly with vocals.

How long a period of time are you talking about? Sometimes what we do for the last 15 minutes before we start is have either the piano player or guitar player (me) go up and play. When I do it, I often medley the songs we are doing for the day.

[marmadd]

Thanks for input. I think there are some misunderstandings regarding my situation, so let me clarify: apparently I worded things incorrectly in my first post, but I am not trying to make an argument - - I was hoping that there might be something out there that could help me present better options.

Our worship is high energy, full band stuff...slow, prayerful music is not helping to set the stage for what's coming up in our worship. It's hard to find good, upbeat non-lyrical music out there that doesn't sound cheesy. I have thought about recording our band, but this still doesn't satisfy some of the reasons why I wanted other music in the first place: to introduce new songs, etc.

Still working this one out...

[yod1948]

if you're looking for generic good high energy instrumental music, I recommend this one:


Andy Timmons :: Music (http://andytimmons.com/music-resolution.php)

[pcorbin1]

Marmadd, I know this is a bit late but what I have always used for pre-service instrumental music is Integrity Hosanna's series'. You can find some of them on Amazon. they are from the late 80's and 90's but I find the orchestrations to still be relevant for today. I am hoping that someday Integrity produces a fresh current series. Their website does have some good pre-service DVD's and such but I prefer just the audio myself. Hope this helps.

[Korg4god]

Here is another possibility. Check out www.interactiveworshiplive.com. They feature backing tracks for worship applications, but you could purchase a track of the latest worship songs, even ones you want to introduice to your congregation without any backing vocals so it is basically instrumental. It is also a great way to teach the team new songs because you can make custom rehearsal tracks for each part...

Jeff

[fccworship]

My thoughts on this... If you have not read Rick Warren's "Purpose driven church" do so...it is a little dated, but still good stuff in it, and he talks a lot about music, setting the stage for worship, and so on... secondly. Pick your battles, is this one you want to "fight". You are right. There isn't much out there, but my best resource has been YouTube. Seems like there are more upbeat instrumental songs from bands, some live, than other places. I just use "any video converter" and change them to MP3's and play them. If the leadership will not budge use your first song for teaching the cong. that’s what we do most of the time and it works great. let them know what you are doing so they will be in a learning frame of mind. Then go on from there. I like the idea of getting backing tracks but be careful. having to people singing harmony on a track in the middle of an instrumental song can get people wondering what is going on. Posters were right when they said what works in your church might not work in mine. If we played slow contemplative songs before worship the congregation would ask me what the problem was. Our music before worship is slightly louder than normal, and we have the lights on full blast. People have to speak a little louder than normal to have a conversation. It helps to create a sense of excitement. There is a notable difference when we use quieter songs before worship. Very interesting stuff. Praying for you and your situation.

[suze1107]

It's clear that all churches have such different styles and norms, and I think that's exactly the way it should be. In our case, we play Pandora before and after service. I have created a channel of my own with a handful of artists that fit our style of what we want played during these times, and it pretty much matches our band's style too. We, too, want things to be upbeat but not overbearing, we want to create a sense of excitment and anticipation before service. People definitely chit chat and hang out - in the lobby and in the sanctuary - and a few people may sit quietly by themselves. But if they do I hope someone goes up to them and says hello and helps them feel welcomed, rather than alone.

So the songs we play from Pandora definitely have lyrics in them (Chris Tomlin, Matt Redmond, David Crowder, Bethany Dillon, Hillsong United, Third Day), and we try to keep them on the comfy side, not too rowdy side, but I also don't want to put people to sleep either. We keep the volume at a level that's comfortable but enticing enough to keep the energy level up a bit. After service it's a little lower since lots of times we have people who want to pray with someone, and they're usually doing that upfront near the platform. Our band usually doesn't play extra songs other than actually during worship, though we've tried that a few times, especially to introduce a new song. It sort of worked, but with the team we've got now, we're just not ready to do that too often. If we happen to sing a song at the end of service, we'll play a (non lyric) reprise after we close service, which is fun, and then when we're done, go back to our Pandora channel.

Hope that helps!

[RStrait]

Our organist does a great job and selecting songs that are upbeat and great sounding for the pre-service and post-service time.

Rich

[EdFuchsMusic]

Go with the Goers. Don't over think this one it's just some music before service I'm sure you and the church can compromise and btw you'll probably never find something that "works for everyone."