Riffing

[danielled]

I have to say that I've never really cared for solos- but that goes for all music not just in worship. Maybe it's because I don't play guitar so I'm just not impressed with it. I am, however a fan of riffs and instrumental segments during a worship set. I fully agree that it allows the congregation a chance to reflect and respond without always having words thrown at them.

I think it's possible for a solo to be done well and actually contribute to a worship experience, I just can't think of any instances at the moment. Most of the time I find them distracting and don't sense a heart of true worship behind them. I could be wrong on the last part , but to my perception it doesn't come across as genuine.

I don't think we need to hide our skills/talents but adding something to a song simply because we can isn't really adding anything to the worship experience-- whether it's on guitar, drums, vocals, etc.

[russhutto]

I don't think we need to hide our skills/talents but adding something to a song simply because we can isn't really adding anything to the worship experience-- whether it's on guitar, drums, vocals, etc.

I think this is a subjective statement. Could you elaborate a bit?

For me personally, as a composer/songwriter/music theory nerd, I love well written/well-improvised solos in ANY kind of music. In my opinion (which is also VERY subjective) there was a HUGE period in church history when instrumental music (which included a multitude of solo works called concertos) were very "worship" oriented. At least from the perspective of the composer/performers.

I don't understand why in this modern age we're so afraid of the power of instrumental music to move people horizontally and ultimately, vertically. When I see a guitar solo take off in a worship setting, I typically trust that the leader of the team (if they are not the soloist) knows the players on their team well enough to know if they are shredding for personal glory.

Sure, there are folks out there that do, but do we really have that many teams out there where the people are just in it for themselves?

My prayer is that through good leadership models and relationships we'll have skillful musicians who will SHRED under divine inspiration and anointing and that people in the congregations will be inspired by the melodies of Heaven, not distracted by the screeches of self.

Maybe it's because we package everything up for convenience. Maybe it's because we've come from a puritan/victorian not-so-distant past. Maybe it's because we, as a society, have placed less emphasis on the arts leaving individual music education out of the personal growth and development of our young people.

I don't know. I just feel like there was a time when there was a greater appreciation for music. Like people recognized the divine spark within the sounds. I don't know, maybe I'm just a dreamer.

All that being said, I DO think solos can be distracting, if placed at the wrong time. I think the problem with most guitar solos (in modern worship teams across the board) is the lack of strategy. Yep, strategy. They need to be strategically placed...either indirectly by the WL under the direction of the Holy Spirit, or by the soloist under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit. For that to happen, there has to be an environment created in which BOTH the WL and potential soloist are in tune with the Holy Spirit (in planning and in spontaneous moments).

The bottom line (whethere we like solos or not) is that if anything is led by the Spirit, we should do our best to make it happen and to make it happen with as much skill and excellence as we can muster in the moment.

[Stephen Nettles]

i'm a lead guitar player mostly (i lead and play bass as well sometimes) so for me riffing is a matter of what i do.... if i start playing open chords i make it sound muddy with the acoustic.... if i play bar chords it sounds muddy with the other electric.... so i have to play riffs. now..... i use very simple riffs most of the time. the blend in well... but they're are times... planned and unplanned... where i let loose and play.... and you know what... its fine. cuz that's my role in the band. if i'm the lead vocalist then its my job to sing and even improvise words sometimes.... as a lead guitar player... its my job during the instrumental sections to worship through music. to create something as an offering to God, and to allow others to experience the wonder of God's creation through it.... are some people uncomfortable with it? yes... but this goes back to my philosophy that uncomfortable can be really really good.... it teaches us to be unselfish and learn to worship God in new ways.... i enjoy running into new stuff i don't understand

[danielled]

You're right it is subjective. It's hard to talk about music objectively since so much of it is based on personal preference. I only meant that to add a guitar solo to a worship song based on the reasoning that we are blessed with a talent and are physically able to do it without taking into account whether or not it will actually draw peoples attention towards God isn't neccessarily a productive choice for the worship venue.

My hope every week is that each and every aspect we have prepared will engage people's hearts to love God more deeply. I suppose for some, a guitar solo could do this but it doesn't for me. As you said, having a strategy is important.

I agree that music appreciation has changed. But you can appreciate good music without liking guitar solos. I'm not sure if Bach or Mozart would've cared for them. Then again maybe they would have! Music is so subjective at it's core. Hence all the battles over musical styles in the church.

[milepost13]

Originally Posted by mandythompson

What's the purpose of an electric guitar solo during a corporate worship song?

It's the same purpose as highlighting any musician or artist in a worship gathering. It's a beautiful thing to give those who have unique abilities/gifts to worship to share those abilities/gifts with others in a corporate setting.

I love the story that Lincoln Brewster tells of his first time playing guitar in church as a young man...his new pastor asked him to simply come on stage and play something, by himself...he did, and afterward an older woman came up to him to say, "I'm not sure I understood what you were playing, and it's not my favorite kind of music in the world, but I can see that you love playing and you love Jesus, and I appreciate that." (paraphrase from what I remember him saying).

We played "Salvation is Here" for the first time this past Sunday (yes, a few years behind on that song), and afterward, an older man who stays relatively quiet during worship came up to me and told me he really enjoyed the bass solo in the middle of the song.

God gives us gifts to both glorify Him and encourage others. For some of us, those gifts can be used in corporate worship on Sunday morning.

Nate