Worship Resources Article Index
Musical Instrument Guidelines
by Darcy
L. Watkins
Introduction
Here are some suggested guidelines regarding equipping
worship teams.
In general, I would suggest that the local church focus
its attention on the rhythm section:
- acoustic piano
- digital keyboard
- drums
- bass guitar
- rhythm and/or acoustic guitar
In general, they along with mic'd worship singers (and
the leader) will place the greatest demands on the church
sound system.
Be prepared to provide good equipment and instrumentation
for this, but be flexible enough to allow musician owned
equipment to supplement or stand in substitute (since
musicians will personalize their equipment). This seems
to fit the current trend of the "contemporary worship
band" as opposed to the traditional "organ
and choir" and even the more recent "big band
and choir" seen in some churches.
Acoustic Piano
This is still by far the most popular lead instrument
to support worship, despite recent trends in some church
circles to emphasize guitars. As far as I am concerned,
every church (which has its own permanent facilities)
should have a good quality sounding acoustic piano properly
maintained and in good condition.
I don't think that a grand piano is a necessity. Scale
the cost based on the size of your church. For 1000+
a grand piano makes sense almost without saying. For
a church under 300, a good quality "upright grand"
is sufficient. For an upright, don't be afraid to open
it right up so it isn't cooped up in the box (with the
often muddy sound which results).
Mic the piano properly. Don't just stuff mics in and
amplify it or you may just amplify muddy portions of
the sound. I mic'd an upright piano using two mics,
one below and one above. I ran each mic through a preamp
and a ten band EQ to shape the sound. As it turned out,
all we needed was a sub-bass boost with little else
from the bottom mic, and a sizzling high boost with
little else from the top mic. I ran this though my keyboard
amp and fed it along with my synth through the main
system to supplement the piano's natural sound. The
result was a more rich and full sound with little sense
of the piano being mic'd. It sounded like a grand.
Don't get into a rut feeling that the acoustic piano
must always be played in worship, but don't quickly
dispense with it even if your team is mainly guitar
players.
If you meet in a non-permanent facility such as a school
or theatre, consider a good quality digital piano or
keyboard instead.
Digital Keyboard
These days, if you don't have a good digital keyboard
with all the latest Pop EP sounds and Rhodes, etc. it
just doesn't cut it. But if you are going to invest
in a keyboard. Don't skimp out on it or nobody will
play it. Many churches have a keyboard sitting in a
storage room unused which had the so called bells and
whistles. I would recommend a good solid digital piano
variety of keyboard as opposed to a true synthesizer.
Get full 88 weighted keys. Good sounds are more important
than number of sounds. Concentrate on pianos, electric
pianos (bright and soft), and a few others (strings
organ, vibes). Forget built-in sequencers, real time
arrangers and all that stuff. Just get the good sounds.
Make sure it is physically well built and can handle
some abuse. Also make sure that it can be serviced by
a shop in your area. A digital keyboard will need major
servicing after a few years, and then two years later,
and then every year thereafter (until the expense outweighs
the value of the keyboard unit).
You could consider a unit with 60 to 100 watt built-in
amplifier and speakers so you don't have to buy a keyboard
amp for it. If you go this route, don't skimp out with
one having tiny speakers with no full range. Those kind
of speakers can't be heard by the keyboardist as soon
as anyone else plays, especially electric guitar or
drums.
Your keyboardists will come in three varieties:
- Those who will play the church keyboard as is.
- Those who will connect some of their own equipment
via MIDI to supplement its sounds (and to maintain
their familiarity with their personalized setup).
- Those who will ignore it and use their own stuff.
Make sure the digital keyboard has its own amplifier
(built-in or a keyboard amp/speaker unit). The stage
monitor system is inadequate and just leads to "volume
war" between the keyboardist and singers each wanting
to hear themselves. Remember, guitarists have their
own amps, and the drummer and acoustic piano player
hear the natural sound. Don't leave the keyboard player
"in the dark" or the volume dial keeps going
up, or worse, they play in the wrong key (or quit the
team due to frustration).
Drums
These days, every church should invest in a good but
basic drum kit. A used kit isn't taboo provided it is
carefully chosen by REAL DRUMMERS and that their advice
is followed to restore it as required (i.e. replace
the skins, tune it, etc). I would put emphasis on ensuring
that the drums themselves have a good sound without
being too loud. The cymbals (brass) is a different story.
Durability is more important here since they will be
"smacked" around by numerous drummers and
"drummer wannabes" :-). They cost more to
replace than skins when abused.
REAL DRUMMERS will usually bring their favourite pieces
of brass, chimes and sometimes even a snare and some
digital add on devices. This is usually a matter of
personal taste. Since set up and tear down of a complete
kit is time consuming, these REAL DRUMMERS will work
with the rest of the kit provided it is decent and kept
in good shape.
A basic kit should consist of:
- bass drum and kick pedal
- snare drum
- two toms
- floor tom
- hi hat
- one crash cymbal and one ride cymbal
- seat and stands
Finally, don't get bent out of shape, when a drummer
brings in his own kit and places the church set in the
back. It may just be a matter of preference. It may
also be an opportune time to get some service work done
on them. ;-)
Bass Guitar
Most bass guitarists will have their own bass guitar,
but it is still a good idea for the local church to
have a medium quality (even used) bass guitar in good
working condition around. This is great for guests,
for jam sessions and for when a guitar player wants
to fill in for someone's absence. It is also great for
those learning, especially youth.
Most bass players will prefer to have a good quality
bass amp with sufficient power ready to plug into rather
than to have to lug one around. They are usually very
heavy compared to other amps. Bass players will not
usually tolerate junk, so unless the local church is
going to properly invest the cash needed, wait on it
for a while. Some bass players have multiple amps and
will leave one around. If your bass players bring amps
a lot and you just want a backup, but something which
can be used for other things, consider a higher powered
keyboard amp. Keyboards go lower in range than typical
four string bass guitars and some sounds have strange
low end transients which really "kick some butt".
The high end capability of a good solid keyboard amp
can also be used to exaggerate certain thumping and
slapping styles of bass playing.
Acoustic Guitar
Most acoustic guitarists will have their own instrument.
There is no real need for the church to have one since
it will usually become run down in no time. This doesn't
mean that you can ignore this role.
Next to the digital keyboardist, the acoustic guitar
player is one of the most neglected musicians in terms
of amplification. They are expected to plug into the
house system and to rely on monitors shared with vocalists
(and sometimes even the keyboards). If you can arrange
multiple monitor mixes, then make sure there is one
in which the acoustic guitar is "hot". If
not then invest in a small keyboard type amplifier (not
an electric guitar amp). Good "keyboard" amps
are full range from bass up to the top end. You need
this for a clean acoustic sound, especially for a clean
strumming sound.
Acoustic guitar amps are also available, however for
the price you pay for them, they are not that versatile.
A decent keyboard amp can be used for acoustic guitar
and even bass guitar, but an acoustic guitar amp will
not cut it for a keyboard nor for bass guitar.
Electric Guitar
Most electric guitarists will have their own equipment
and will prefer it since it is personalized. They become
used to the sound and effects characteristic of their
gear. It may be a good idea to have an amp around, but
don't be surprised if it sits around a lot. Again, a
good "keyboard" amp acts as a multiple purpose
back up since they usually come with tone controls (but
not the effects so the guitarist will need to bring
his/her own effects pedals, etc). Keyboard amps, however
will lack the "character" of a good quality
vacuum tube based guitar amp.
Organ
If your church is to use an organ, then it should definitely
be provided by the church. Don't skimp out here. Nothing
is worse than an elcheapo organ moaning or shrieking
away. You may want to consider a good synth as an alternative
if you don't have the funds for a proper organ. A Leslie
is a definite must if it is not properly amplified in
the house system (or if the house system is not TRUE
STEREO). Digital effects need true stereo to accomplish
the same effect as the mechanical components of a Leslie.
Percussion
This depends on the situation and in some cases the
culture. If you have an overabundance of percussionists,
then go for it, get some congas and other fancy stuff.
Otherwise why bother? Percussionists will often have
their own personalized instrument(s) to use.
Wind Instruments
Similar case to percussion. Don't invest unless there
is a need. Most will provide their own instrument. The
exception here is some school age youth. They may not
be able to afford to buy or even to rent one from their
school. Here is where the church could help (even for
them to play in the school band - free lessons!). I
would recommend a nominal rent to be used to service
the instruments and to replace them periodically. Also
remember that if rent is paid, you can't expect them
to leave the instruments at the church for anyone to
play.
Mics and Monitors
The church should definitely provide sufficient good
quality microphones and monitors for the worship team.
There are three basic uses for mics:
- Live speaking
- Live music
- Studio recording
Generally mics will get more expensive in that order.
For church use, you need something in the high end of
live music or low end of studio recording since a clean
sound is important. The singers won't be growling like
rock and roll musicians, but singing clearly. Make sure
the mics are sturdy. Church mics get dropped more frequently
than many other applications. Have spare input channels
in the PA system to accommodate musicians and singers
who bring their own mics. (A bonus!)
Stage monitors are important too. The church should
provide sufficient stage monitoring. It is good to have
spare monitor mixes in the PA system to accommodate
musicians and singers who may bring their own equipment.
A common case will be "hot spot" type powered
speakers. It is a good idea for the church to get at
least one for the acoustic piano player since it is
seldom that they can hear a floor monitor adequately.
Insurance / Security / Maintenance
The church should invest in adequate insurance to cover
all equipment in the church whether it be church owned
or musician owned. With the recent trend to greater
investment in musical equipment, there has been a trend
of break-ins and theft of equipment. Get an alarm system
before a break-in occurs and before your insurance company
demands that you get one.
The church should also set in place rules and policies
which discourage people from touching and playing with
equipment - especially privately owned equipment. If
privately owned equipment is used in the church and
the church approves of such use, then the church should
be prepared and willing to contribute to the upkeep
of that equipment especially if it is left on the premises
for other musicians to use.
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