You Are Entering The “NO TRANSPOSE BUTTON” Zone

Modern technology is an awe inspiring thing. When I see cell phone getting more and more sophisticated, mp3 players that can play video, and keyboards that produce sounds that can mimic a 100 piece symphony my head spins at the possibilities of such devices. This technology has allowed people to do things and communicate in ways previously only seen in cartoons or on Star Trek.

As a musician we now have so much that can help us in our efforts to become better at our craft. Thus technology is a good thing-or is it? I have been in awe of a certain keyboardist for years because of their wonderful ability to play and play anything-or so I thought. One day I mustered enough courage to ask this musician to explain what they just played as well as how they practice. Well, this musician only played by ear, which is fine, but she could not explain what she was doing nor did she wish to know what she was doing. So I asked her what key she was in, and she told me that she was playing in C, but the song was in Bb! I, not understanding the concept of the “transpose button” on a keyboard, asked her how that was possible? She then showed me how she did that! Amazing! What a cool invention until I really thought about it. You see I realized that I had been fooled! So had many others too.  She was playing everything in C and using the transpose button to make it sound like Ab etc.

I was so disappointed after that conversation, because not only was she using the “button” she was sure she did not need any other training or knowledge! I don’t think transposing is a good habit to form because to me it is deceitful.  If I can not play the song in a certain key then I practice until I can.  I do what it takes to learn al 12 keys.  I refuse to “fake” through a service because I am too lazy to learn to play skillfully.  I am not saying that musicians who can not play in all 12 keys are fakes, only the ones who perpetrate and do not want to learn.  I know musicians who use it in order to keep the flow of a service, but they are learning to play in those keys that are unfamiliar to them.

I call that button the “abominable button” because I that is how we as God’s musicians should think of it. It will become a crutch that will hinder your growth as a church musician.  What if you go to a church that only has a piano? What would you do if you have been “transposing” the keyboard?  You would be embarrassed to say the least! Don’t let this happen to you; learn all 12 keys. Start slowly by playing common progressions in one or two new keys per week. Before you know it you will be playing all of your favorite songs in any key you please!

Tell me your thoughts on this subject.  Are “transposers” real musicians?  Should they get paid to play when they have no intention of learning more? Hmmmmmmm?

Being on Board

As church musicians we are not hirelings. I mean we should not play for a check or for gas money. We should know that we minister to souls, and we answer to God. Do you have a Minister of Music over you? If you do then you need to make sure that you are on board with the vision for the choir/Praise and Worship Team. Pray everyday that you are a help and not a hindrance to God’s work through the music ministry. If there is something bothering you, do not hesitate to take it to God in prayer then speak to the MOM or the Director. If there is still a problem then you will need to take it to your pastor, and remember that He/She will have the last say. So make sure you are ready to submit to whatever is decided by your pastor.

Ask questions and make sure you know what is expected of you. If there is not a manual or policy book for the music ministry, suggest that one be made so you all can be on one accord. This will nip any confusion and misunderstandings in the bud! Also let those in charge know what you need from them too because they can not read your mind. Don’t sulk and complain about something you never addressed directly! As a matter of fact, don’t sulk or complain at all to anyone about anything. The only people that need to know there is a problem or concern is God, and the other person the situation involves. Never go around whispering about what you “think” should be done etc.; that is exactly what the devil wants you to do to bring division to the ministry. Do not become the devil’s tool!

Grow in God

Sometimes you may be frustrated by not being able to play like you think you should, or how others think you should. Do not let frustration deter you from continuing to obey God. When you are called to become a church musician, God does not judge your ability, but He judges your heart. We must maintain our relationship with Him as we are learning our craft. Don’t have a greater relationship with your keyboard than you do with God! Make sure you spend time with God in the Word and prayer everyday to maintain your relationship with Him. The only way you get through the rough times in ministry is to rely on Him. I can not stress how important prayer is! Do not neglect your relationship with God.

Have Fun Today

Last night as I was playing the keyboard, I stumbled upon a few chords that sounded like “Conjunction Junction” from School House Rock. I kept it up and finally came up with a decent sounding rendition of this song and it was fun! I believe that you need to make sure that you just play without worrying about getting it right. You will be amazed at what you come up with. It is during these times that I find many new chords and different ways to play progressions.

I picked a drum pattern on my keyboard and just started playing. First the tune was just simple then I began adding some other things in. Sometimes the additions worked, and sometimes they didn’t work. The point is I learned a lot during this time that I wrote down for future reference. Keep a notebook handy during practice times so that you can write down what you learned. Writing it down really helps you to retain the information better.

Keep practicing and growing no matter what, and especially when you feel like you are going nowhere fast. Believe it or not you are learning more than you can even imagine. Happy learning!

Oh I bet you want the chords to that old Saturday morning favorite “Conjunction Junction” don’t you? Well here they are:

G7-G7/F-C/E-Eb7-G/D-C#dim-C-D7-G Happy Playing!

Scales, Chords, Progressions, Songs

That will be your rally until Jesus comes! In all seriousness this should be the way you approach learning to play by ear. It even helps your understanding when learning to read music or if you already read music. Today we will focus on scales.

Scales:
Everything in music is based on a scale, and there are many types of scales. The scale that we will concentrate on for now will be the major scale. These will be the foundation from which a melody is built. Then we harmonize the melody with other notes from the scale and make chords.

Why are these scales so important?

Because songs are based upon a scale plain and simple. A scale is a specific range of notes plugged into the formula for the major scale. We build chords based upon a scale. Those chords make progressions; from progressions come songs! So that is why it is so important to know all 12 of the scales and their scale degrees. The relationships between scales is also very tight and knowing this gives you insight and a heads up on where a song is going and could go if you wanted to do something different.

The formula for the Major scale is:

WWHWWWH

W=whole step

H=half step

Whole Steps always skip a key with one key in between

Half steps have no notes in between them.

* all notes must be named in a scale. You may not have a B and a Bb in the same scale!

Let’s start on C

C D E F G A B C all of the notes are named. Now let’s look at whether or not this fits the formula for a major scale. Look at a keyboard and then play these notes.

From C to D is a whole step

From D to E is a whole step

From E to F is a half step

From F to G is a whole step

From G to A is a whole step

From A to B is a whole step

From B back to C is a Half step

So this does fit the formula, and thus the C scale has no flats or sharps.

Now that you have C scale figured out, you can do the same thing for the other scales.

I have included a link to the major scales and their proper fingerings here however, it is wise to do this exercise yourself and compare it to the scales provided. This helps you understand and retain it much better.

Now that we have gone through the scales let’s number each scale degree.

C-1 I

D-2 ii

E-3 iii

F-4 IV

G-5 V

A-6 vi

B-7 vii dim

So you see all we did was to start on C and start counting to 7. It is that simple! So if I ask you to play me the 4 or IV in C what chord would you play? IF you said “F” Congratulations! you have just understood the basics of the number system! Now lets understand how to make this work for us.

The next step we now must take is to learn chords, but before that can happen you must have a grasp on “intervals” to understand how to build a chord.
We will visit intervals on next. For now learn your scales! Be able to say and play them forward and backward, learn one per week or two weeks it doesn’t matter just learn them. You will be so grateful that you did! DO NOT SKIP THIS BASIC STEP!!!!

Remember: Despise not the day of small beginnings. Let God help you as you grow spiritually and skillfully.

The Best Thing I Ever Did!

The absolute best thing I did when God told me to start learning the piano was to get online and hunt for information on music theory. I found many different resources, but one stood out to me more than others. It was Jermaine Griggs course: Hear and Play. No matter what genre of music you play this book will help you learn basic theory that is practical. It is presented in a very easy to understand manner that will encourage you to continue. I had some previous background in music so I found it a very quick study for the first 6 chapters. Check out his website if you are serious about learning to play and really learning your craft. If you already play this will help you understand more about what you are already playing as well as be able to communicate with others like your band members.

Understanding what you are doing and why is so freeing! I remember the first time I applied the progressions I learned from this book. I was listening to the radio to a group singing a song and I sat down at my keyboard to pick out the melody. All I can say is it just clicked and I started to play a 1-6-2-5-1 and it worked!!! I am going to be posting more about scales, chords and progressions in the days to come. Do you want to take your playing to another level? Or just be able to play a hymn like you like to hear it. Then the first thing I will tell you is to learn your scales. Everything is built on them. I did not understand why I needed to learn them until I did. Remember this order: SCALES, CHORDS, PROGRESSIONS, then SONGS. The major scales are the ones you need to know first. Look here for the scales in all 12 keys. Take one scale a week and learn it in both hands. Here is a link to the major scales and their proper fingering. Please take the time to learn them because your thorough understanding depends upon you knowing them. I will be posting more theory soon. I know not everyone has a teacher, but remember that when you apply your self and pray God will give you understanding.

Welcome

Welcome to Becoming a Church Musician. This blog will reflect my journey to becoming God’s musician. The musician He desires for me to be. I am writing this to also help others on their journey to find the place God has for them in music ministry.

First a little background about myself. I am a Stay-at-Home Mom of four wonderful children, and I have a wonderful loving husband who is a minister of the Gospel. My musical background is that I took piano lessons as a child until I entered the 5 th grade when I joined the school band. I played the trumpet all the way through High School winning various awards and honors for solo playing, state contests, and also played in the jazz band. I also sang in choir from the 5th grade to the 12th. I learned many things about music theory and technique during this time, and I was inspired to continue through college. I sang in the choir in college only. I now wish I had pursued a degree in Music. I wish I had not stopped the piano lessons!!!

But regret will get me nowhere! Necessity had been laid at my feet. The church we belonged to had a praise and worship team of beginning singers and musicians. The Minister of Music also knew nothing about music. I was asked to sing and help with the singers. But there was a problem, I needed to know a bit more about chords to help the musicians play what the singers needed to hear in order to sing with confidence. Abut a year and a half ago, the Lord led me to begin learning to play the piano, learn more music theory so I could teach parts more effectively and also help the musicians understand what needed to be done with the music. Little did I know that I would eventually be playing with them in about a year! I had no idea I would actually be required to play! I now am the music director for my church. I teach parts and vocal technique to the singers, I chord all music for the other musicians, I also teach music theory to the Minister of Music. I am beginning workshops on practical music theory for musicians at my church.

This is what God has called me to, and I am willing to do whatever He asks me to do. I am now writing this blog to chronicle my journey in hopes that I will inspire others to press in to what God is speaking to you. I don’t play like I would like to, but I am on my way! I play much better than some musicians that have been playing longer. I am not trying to brag; I just want you to see what happens when self-determination meets the will of God. He has sped up my learning! He will do it for you too. Just trust Him.

My Praise and Worship team is progressing a bit slower because not everyone learns at the same rate and that is ok. We have come a very long way in a short time, and we give God the glory! Don’t give up!!