What to Play

Landon Roberson · From: Church Hill, Tennessee, USA

I am going to start playing the pedal steel at church during the service and was wondering if anyone had suggestions on what to play on the hymns. Do you play a harmony part or pick a part that the horns would play or just improvise. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

Ask the Bishop, Ronnie Hall. He's an expert on Sacred Steel. Cool

Ray Thomas · From: Goldsboro North Carolina

Is the church mostly senior, young people, comtempary, traditional ?? If playing a solo play something the church can identfy with, if backing up singers don't over ride them.

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

i'd start w: the chart & chords first
then the melody
now if the amen corner &/or the preacher let you or want you to, you can improvise

Landon Roberson · From: Church Hill, Tennessee, USA

Ray I would say our church is traditional and I will be playing backup to the choir and the congragation. I have play some solo and the I play the melody line of the song but not sure what to play when playing backup.

Landon Roberson · From: Church Hill, Tennessee, USA

Crowbar when playing chords do you just hit the chord one time on the first beat of the measure or do you hit it more?

Ray Thomas · From: Goldsboro North Carolina

Landon, Jeff Newman and others has allot of material on planing in s band and how to back up a singer, To me one of the main things is do not play the medlody along with the singer.

David Collins · From: Madison, North Carolina, USA

Landon,

Been playing in traditional Church and in Contemporary Services for several years.

1) Play whatever you feel is right for the song without over shadowing the other members of the music "team"

2) If your heart is right, and I'm betting that it is, whatever you play will be appreciated by God, and no one else really matters.

Go Get Em'
David
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www.chjoyce.com

Bobby Snell · From: Austin, Texas

Landon, you are already on the right track. Harmony lines, horn parts, and "pads" (long, sustaining chords or intervals) are all effective depending on the song. For sprightly numbers, a little "comping" can be helpful; hitting 2 or more strings of the chord during the measure on the beats. Hitting one string with the thumb on the first beat, hitting two other strings on the second or however compliments the bass. Try muting with the picking hand a bit.

All the backup musicians need to be mindful of each other, but especially if you are playing with a keyboard player (the ones that always use all 12 of their fingers) because of the wide range. Very Happy

Creating parts that enrich the song is joyful work!

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

Bobby S has given you good advice Landon
David C has a very good point too
listen to the pronounced beats by the drummer & play your chords in accordance w: them
what it amounts too basically is sticking to the melody & the chords as much as possible until you get them & understand them
once you've done that you can branch out
in other words : Keep It Simple - real simple for starters & play in time

Dom Franco · From: Beaverton, OR, 97007

I play steel at church often, and I play solo gigs playing lots of hymns and Gospel songs. (30+ years ministering in music)

Here are my suggestions:
1. Don't step on the vocals (wait until there is a break in the lyrics, and fill the hole with a simple tasty lick)

2. If you can afford a leslie cabinet you will find the organ sound a wonderful option. (If there is already an organist, avoid the leslie or chorus pedals)

3. If there is an electric guitar, listen to each other, and decide who will play the fills, trading verses etc. Blend is important. adjust your tone to compliment not fight with the guitar.

4. Don't play a lot of notes the first time through, build slowly, fuller chords during the chorus, and follow the dynamics of the drummer. Increase volume as needed and follow the worship leaders direcion.

5. Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Praising God with the steel guitar is one of the greatest blessings I have ever experienced.

Dom Franco Very Happy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SQuA67JUXc
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Landon Roberson · From: Church Hill, Tennessee, USA

The church I am in is a Southern Baptist church and for music we have a piano, organ, trombone, violin and drums and soon pedal steel guitar that would be me. We will be playing traditional baptist hymns out of the baptist hymnal.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

Playing in chuch is no different than playing a gig somewhere else. My approach is the same. If you are backing a singer or singers, keep in mind they are the "star" and you are there to make them sound good. Don't overplay and as Jeff Newman used to say "show me what you can't play".

Landon Roberson · From: Church Hill, Tennessee, USA

Doug Palmer · From: Greensboro, North Carolina, USA

Landon, I sometimes play Steel on Sundays with a Southern Gospel group and also in a Country dance band on Weekends. To me, Country music and Gospel music are the same music, only the words are different. The only difference is when I play in church I'm sober.

Doug
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Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

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