The genesis of our arrangements goes a little something like this. I get in the shower and think about the song and work it out in my head for about 30 minutes. Yeah I take long showers, definitely not the “green” way of working arrangements, but it’s what works for me. If I think it’s an arrangement we can nail in pre-service practice we’ll give it a shot. This week I wanted to do Phil Wickham’s Messiah, but we were throwing in a 3rd part, sort of instrumental break with a vocal melody coming over top. We were playing it and it just wasn’t coming together, nobody was comfortable. We took our break for prayer and I decided to play it on acoustic and try the arrangement less “electrified”. Nearly identical arrangement, just different instrumentation and all of a sudden it felt good.
Moral of the story is this, you have to know when things aren’t working and then have the guts to make a change. I’m so lucky to have a team of skilled, humble people that don’t get offended if I tell them their part just ain’t working. Who cares if it’s what you had planned all week, who cares if the drummer was really excited about his part, nobody cares about forethought if the final product sucks and we’re not here to please musicians who love their cool new part. Thank you to my band for being flexible, knowing who we serve and laying their pride at the foot of the cross.
- We Cry Out – Kim Walker (loop available)
- Dress Us Up – John Mark McMillan
- Lead Me to the Cross – Hillsong United (loop available)
- Messiah - Phil Wickham
- How He Loves – John Mark McMillan
This post is part of Fred McKinnon’s Set List Sundays.
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I have to say that remix was off the charts. It needs to come back. The other thing is you should post a mix of that if you recorded it. Great band, great worship leader, great chemistry. Stay humble guys I am honored to work with you all.
I thought the remix turned out great, had a much better vibe than before. I'm so grateful to be serving with you and the band. I agree that it is rare and a real treasure to have a group of humble musician's together that don't get easily offended, praise God for that!
Two very true statements you made up there. Knowing when to stop banging your head against the wall is a good thing. Thanks for pointing those things out.