To solo or not to solo?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Toni on November 15, 2010 at 6:39pm

Solos are tricky in a worship situation because the word implies focussing on the artist playing. I'd prefer the idea of musical interlude.

Yes, I love to rip it up sometimes too.

Permalink Reply by Rick Cogbill on November 15, 2010 at 6:43pm

Interesting..I was just thinking about this last Sunday as I watched the worship band guitar player do a couple of solos during the set. It wasn't my Sunday to "be on", so it was a good opportunity to see what it feels like from the audience point of view.

Now, I love guitar solos. Lincoln Brewster is one of my favorite worship leaders, probably for that very reason. But like everything else we do up on stage, solos need to be there for a reason, not just to give guitar shredders a chance to showcase their wares. :)

On a rocking, upbeat song, I think a high-energy solo would be great, especially if you have a congregation that interacts by clapping along, etc. Just don't go too long. If you get the sense that they're just standing there watching you play, then I think it's time to re-evaluate.

On a slower song, a melodic, low-key solo is a good way to work some time into a song for soul-searching prayer and meditation. But again, the people have to know that's why you're doing it, and that it doesn't become another "let's watch the instrumentalists now" time. I also try to not have the people standing for those times - just works better in our own church culture.

Bottom line; use solos sparingly. And if you find that people are just standing around waiting for you to finish so that they can continue singing, well...

Now...I need to go and take my own advice!

Permalink Reply by Wulf Forrester-Barker on November 15, 2010 at 7:53pm

The answer depends a lot on context. At my church, we often have instrumental verses (typically in songs at the slower end of the range) and one of the instruments will lead in playing the melody or something related to it. However, the overall mood is more "take time to reflect" than "look at the clever musician".

Wulf

Permalink Reply by Robert Hepler, Jr on November 15, 2010 at 8:15pm

You have to keep in mind that the overall purpose of the worship team is to facilitate moving the entire congregation into God's presence. As an electric guitarist one of the ways I worship is playing in the spirit on the guitar. Not everyone will be with you on that. If the congregation is with you then go for it, in the moment. You have to be sensitive to where everyone is at, because it is a group experience. Ask yourself some basic questions: what is my focus/attitude toward worship?, does my playing enhance the group's worship experience?, is my playing adding or distracting from the congregational experience. I love to rip as much as the next guy, but I will usually err on the side of brevity when it comes to stretching out on a solo. Playing a worshipful solo is much like giving a prophetic word..Know that you know that you know. it's from God or wait upon the Lord until you do know.

Permalink Reply by Jason Buechner on November 15, 2010 at 9:36pm

Thank you for the reminder here, Robert! I constantly have to remind myself of this. While I enjoy few things more than worshipping God with my guitar, I have to remember to be conscious of the whole group like you said.

For this reason, I tend to gravitate more towards solos in the slower songs that "tell stories" as I've heard someone put it before. It seems that these types of slower, more soulful and melodic musical solos provide a better opportunity for reflection, but the faster ones seem like they're only good for generating excitement.

When I write songs with solos in them I also try to incorporate simple vocal riffs that keep the congregation engaged a little more during the solos. Has anyone ever tried this before? I try to weave the singing in with the solo like strands of a chord so that the solo feels like an extension of the singing.

Permalink Reply by Toni on November 17, 2010 at 10:59pm

I'm grateful no-one ever told me THAT when I was a kid.

Permalink Reply by Stevo on November 15, 2010 at 11:45pm

It's all about the song. If it contributes to the whole, it's fine in my book. But if it singles you out, it could become indulgent. I used to love guitar solos anywhere and everywhere. But I've gotten less interested in that and find myself really getting into the whole song. While he's not a super guitarist, I find David Gilmour to be a perfect example of a song oriented player. Every solo he plays is carefully phrased to contribute to the whole.

Permalink Reply by Jason Buechner on November 16, 2010 at 4:48am

I'm not really studied up on my guitar heros. I guess I should check out David Gilmour!

I love Lincoln Brewster, but it almost seems like he sometimes just puts a solo of some sort in every song he does for the sake of having a solot - especially on his new album. I know that sounds harsh, but I just don't see how having a solo in every song you do is really going to help the congregation in worship. It would become predictable and monotonous.

I find the short, more tasteful that follow along with the idea of the song to be more energizing and rejuvenating.

Permalink Reply by Wulf Forrester-Barker on November 16, 2010 at 7:49am

Lincoln Brewster is still a named artist, particularly known for his guitar skills. It probably isn't too unexpected that he'll do a lot of stuff that features the voice of his guitar just like you'd expect to get that (in a non-worship context) if you went to see someone like Steve Vai or Jo Satriani.

It is a very different context to a weekly church meeting, especially if you are supporting a diverse congregation rather than one pulled together round a common taste for loud guitars.

Wulf

Permalink Reply by Rick Cogbill on November 16, 2010 at 3:15pm

I wouldn't call Lincoln's latest album a "worship album" anyway, meaning that most of the songs are not ones I'd expect to see on the worship set list. I agree with Wulf that Mr Brewster's projects are most often bought by people who love guitar work, so that's what is in them. If one wants to use the songs in church, it's easy enough to remove the solos.

Permalink Reply by Jason Buechner on November 16, 2010 at 6:01pm

I know Lincoln's the worship leader at his church, and I'd just be curious to see how he adjusts to the different setting. Actually in regards to his new album "Real Life" I find that many of the songs seem to be very well suited for congregational worship aside from all the flashy solos.

I know this is a little bit off subject, but I'm curious to hear peoples thoughts and opinions on the idea of incorporating into the worship service some songs where the congregation may sit down and listen for the purpose of uplifting and reflection. You know, a special "performance" piece that isn't intended for group worship.

Permalink Reply by Rick Cogbill on November 16, 2010 at 6:32pm

Yup, I do those during the offering. But I could see where they could be done at other times as well.

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