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Instrumental worship
I have a much easier time writing the accompanying music than singable melodies. So over the years I've written some instrumental pieces - there are rare occasions when I can play these at church: "special music", offertory, etc.
Also, I've found that there are few (maybe closer to 'not any') worship songs in which the band is doing much more than banging out the chords. I understand that this is due mostly to keeping things simple enough to learn/play within one rehearsal and to allow less skilled players to be involved.
But it's a curious thing, the aversion to instrumental worship. I suppose it's related to the same phenomenon that makes American Idol (a singing contest) enormously popular, while the idea of a similar contest between instrumentalists is barely thinkable.
If any of you know of some contemporary worship music that is instrumental, or even a song that contains a section that emphasizes the instruments, I'd like to hear.
Blessings,
Dale
Also, I've found that there are few (maybe closer to 'not any') worship songs in which the band is doing much more than banging out the chords. I understand that this is due mostly to keeping things simple enough to learn/play within one rehearsal and to allow less skilled players to be involved.
But it's a curious thing, the aversion to instrumental worship. I suppose it's related to the same phenomenon that makes American Idol (a singing contest) enormously popular, while the idea of a similar contest between instrumentalists is barely thinkable.
If any of you know of some contemporary worship music that is instrumental, or even a song that contains a section that emphasizes the instruments, I'd like to hear.
Blessings,
Dale
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by WAITING FOR DAYBREAK on -
Hey Dale,
I love instrumental worship! Combined with songs, they can have a powerful impact both live and on CD. I actually have some on my first worship CD, "Feet of Clay." When I was writing it, I was really inspired by an Icelandic secular band, Sigur Ros, as well as the "Glo" CD by Delirious? That CD had some awesome instrumental stuff between songs... If you're really interested, you can find my CD on iTunes by searching for "Feet of Clay". It's just 5 songs with 4 instrumental interludes - on iTunes the instrumentals are combined into the songs, and the tracks should be listened to without breaks...
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Permalink Reply by Al Hilgendorf on
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Iona comes to mind (love them) but I see on your profile that you're already a fan. Maybe God is stirring something new in you to bring to worship.
I think it comes down to participation. When the congregation is singing, they're participating, but during an instrumental they are listening. That's not a bad thing, we need times of meditation and reflection, but corporate worship is mainly participatory. Maybe you can find a way to blend the two that genuinely adds to the worship experience. Sanctus is cool, BTW.
al
www.everydaypraise.com
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Permalink Reply by Dale on -
Yes, I'm a serious Iona fan. That's the general direction I'd like to go. Kansas and King Crimson are two other examples of the type of vocal/instrumental balance I have in mind.
You are dead-on regarding worship requiring participation. I need to think about that some more. Maybe some worship funk that gets people dancing...
Glad you like Sanctus. I plan to record and post some more tunes, but it's difficult to get others involved. Everyone is busy.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Blue on -
I'm with you here. I love instrumental music, and have recently broken all my work into 4 distinct categories, making 4 different projects; Electronica-CCM, Alternative-CCM, Worship and Instrumental. I almost always end up writing Soundtrack-sounding stuff and everyone tells me my work should be behind movie scenes, etc. So I really appreciate instrumental work.
I think for this purpose, the reason we're on this particular site, those of us who appreciate and write instrumental music should continue to do so, but I think we can use this particular skill in writing gool old P&W stuff, too. Simply take all the "I'd cut down on the Instrumental parts to make it more congregational" comments with a grain of salt, instead using our gifting and interest to add instrumental flair to music that would be "fine" otherwise, but without the same artistry that a beautiful instrumental section that can really draw people in adds.
~M
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Permalink Reply by Fred Otten on -
Sean Feucht is someone who makes instumental worship. I know there is alot of instrumental soaking music too
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Permalink Reply by Jason Buechner on -
Man, listen to Lincoln Brewster's stuff!!!! He spends almost more of his worship time with his guitar than his voice sometimes! The music he writes is complex and excellent, but very catchy and quick to pick up. On one of his CD's he has a full instrumental rendition of Here I am to Worship, and it was amazing!
Words can fall short of expressing what we may be feeling sometimes, so I say, forget the words and just worship! Instrumental sections and pieces allow for uninhibited worship because at that moment, the worshipper sings only what is on his or her own heart to God, and you don't have to worry about remembering the lyrics either. You just have to remember to use instrumental worship in moderation because in order to get the majority of your congregation worshipping you have to be a little more involved with them most of the time.
God bless!
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