BETTER PLAYING: FOUR RULES RULE NO. 1: LESS IS MORE RULE NO. 2: WATCH YOUR DYNAMICS RULE NO. 3: LET IT BREATHE RULE NO. 4: HONOR THY GENRE RULE NO. 1: LESS is [often] MORE RULE NO. 1: LESS IS MORE (ITS NOT ABOUT US) As worship team leaders, our main goal is to ENGAGE EVERYONE in WORSHIP, not to showcase our talents or even our music RULE NO. 1: LESS IS MORE (ITS NOT ABOUT US) As musicians, our secondary goal is to SUPPORT the WORSHIP LEADER, not to overpower or overshadow his/her voice RULE NO. 1: LESS IS MORE (INSTRUMENTATION MATTERS) ALL instruments playing ALL throughout the song is NOT a very good idea RULE OF THREE CLASHING TIMBRES LISTENING FATIGUE RULE NO. 1: LESS IS MORE (INSTRUMENTATION, TEXTURE, AND DYNAMICS) RULE NO. 1: LESS IS MORE (INSTRUMENTATION TIPS DURING REHEARSALS) TIP 1: SECTION arrangements TIP 2: MOST IMPORTANT SECTION first TIP 3: RULE OF THREE TIP 4: LAYERING technique TIP 5: HOOKS TIP 5: Apply TIPS 2-4 to the next important section (and so on) TIP 6: SUPER-INSTRUMENT technique RULE NO. 1: LESS IS MORE (IMPROVISATION TIPS DURING SERVICE) TIP 1: PLAY IN THE POCKET TIP 2: Use distinct instrumental color/timbre TIP 3: Occasionally use a DROP CHORUS at the end of a song (needs signaling and planning) RULE NO. 1: LESS IS MORE (BUT NOT ALWAYS) IF LESS IS MORE [might] result in a DRY and DULL sound, REINTRODUCE your instrument in the music. RULE NO. 2: WATCH your DYNAMICS RULE NO. 2: WATCH YOUR DYNAMICS (BECAUSE DYNAMICS IS EVERYTHING) Articulations (staccato, accents, arco, etc.) Tempo changes (accelerando, ritardando) Reinterpretations (rubato style, legato style, etc.) Volume/loudness changes (crescendo, decrescendo) Texture changes (mono -> homo -> poly) Song breaks RULE NO. 2: WATCH YOUR DYNAMICS RULE NO. 2: WATCH YOUR DYNAMICS TIP 1: Analyze the song lyrics, looking for emotional highs and lows TIP 2: Listen to other musicians TIP 3: Listen carefully to WHAT the worship leader is doing or saying TIP 4 (important): Stay alert on the leading of the Holy Spirit RULE NO. 3: LET it BREATHE RULE NO. 3: LET IT BREATHE (I CANT HOLD BACK ANYMORE) BEST EXAMPLE: Orchestral arrangements WORST EXAMPLE: Excessive jazz comping (at least, in a worship setting) RULE NO. 3: LET IT BREATHE (I CANT HOLD BACK ANYMORE) Playing in the pocket should not be used all the time Time to pray? Time to stop. RULE NO. 4: HONOR thy GENRE RULE NO. 4: HONOR THY GENRE Different genres have different STYLES, IDIOMS, and TRADITIONS regarding RHYTHMICAL PATTERNS and INSTRUMENTATION WRAP-UP: FOUR RULES RULE NO. 1: LESS IS MORE RULE NO. 2: WATCH YOUR DYNAMICS RULE NO. 3: LET IT BREATHE RULE NO. 4: HONOR THY GENRE