[cindyw16]

Im not sure if this is the correct forum to ask my question but here goes. Ive been playing guitar for a long long time I'm very good at basic chords but never took it to the next level with music theory. Ive been the worship leader for childrens church for the past 6 years playing for 100+ children. The kids and I have great fun.
I have been asked to take part in a Fathers day special with an all ladies band. We have never played together and i have never played with anyone else playing an instrument. I was just handed several sheets of music with instructions as to what key each should be played in. I had to stop and think..how does that translate onto the guitar? So what does any guitarist do when playing in a band..they play thier chords while the pianist plays her music and the drummer plays to the beat so on and so forth..right?
sigh....I'm thinking about backing out but dont want to walk away with my tail between my legs.

Perhaps someone here has some insite or thoughts on the subject.

Thanks in advance
Cindy

[X4StringDrive]

Just my thoughts...With any luck you'll get together for a practice of sorts which should ease the butterflies somewhat. If not, the skills you have will be fine with a smidge of confidence. Surely you know the names of the basic chords and what chords belong to which key, and sounds like rhythm's not a problem if you play and sing for the kid's, if your really unsure or worried about a flub ask if someone could make a 'chord sheet' for you...give it a go, you may regret not doing it, and you might just realize how much more fun it is to play with others{which helps in progressing and the confidence factor}Some of the more experienced here will have more to offer I'm sure......Best of fun to you

[carol m]

Welcome to the forum Cindy. I have never played in a band either, but agree with X4 that there will be a rehearsal, and if there isn't you should suggest it, or maybe approach someone in the band - maybe the pianist to have a run through of the songs. I think the drummer will not be a major distraction as she will be more in the background keeping the beat, probably.

You probably need to know if they expect you to play rhythm only or if they want you to solo at any point. Also maybe what amplification might be needed because one guitar unplugged probably wouldn't be heard in a band.

There will be other more experienced replies soon.

[knight46]

Hello Cindy and welcome to the forum. Great advice above, I play with a church choir on occasion and have found that a little practice goes a long way to ease those butterflies.
Good luck and keep us posted on the results.

[Andy S]

Originally Posted by cindyw16

Im not sure if this is the correct forum to ask my question but here goes. Ive been playing guitar for a long long time I'm very good at basic chords but never took it to the next level with music theory. ............... I was just handed several sheets of music with instructions as to what key each should be played in. I had to stop and think..how does that translate onto the guitar? ....................

Perhaps someone here has some insite or thoughts on the subject.

Thanks in advance
Cindy

Hi Cindy! When you mentioned basic theory, do you mean you don't read standard notation? Is that what they handed you?
If No and yes, in that order, just ask the piano player what chords are used and you can go from there. I've played in several bands a long time ago, and currently play on one of our church's worship teams. Only 1 person way back then could read music and currently only three out of almost 15 people on all the worship teams read music...ok, maybe four. I can read a bit, but not good enough to play live using it (so that doesn't count!) If we get a song that only has the standard notation (not too often anymore) one of the piano players will give us the chords for guitar.

If they gave you music that includes the chord charts, there should be no problem. If they are changing keys, just ask them for help transposing to the new key. this is for church so I can't see someone NOT wanting to help you.

Now, as for the whole BAND thing. That can be fun, but maybe just a bit tricky since stage volume has a tendency to cause problems hearing oneself. But 99 times out of 100 it usually is easily worked out and you will really enjoy it.

I am sure it will be fine and you will have a great time doing it.

[eddiez152]

I think Kirk would mention, just follow the chords tones and changes.
Keep it simple. You may also want to look for the tunes you will be playing in your assembly, and practice along with the same tunes you might find on You Tube. If your playing some originals, then getting together with the others may have to be done.
If by chance you run into a score that needs chords you might not be able to play, the go for the CAPO.

[johnnydoxx]

This is a tough situation for you to be in.

Some thoughts:

First obviously you don't have much time to prepare, even if the group practices with you, so you need to prepare ahead of time somehow by yourself.
If you have never heard those songs before, it will be very tough to hang in there with them after only a few practices.

One aspect of playing along with others is the distraction/oddness. You hear more notes and rhythms than your mind is accustomed to, so it takes more concentration to 'listen to yourself'. It's easy to get lost, especially the first bunch of times. Also they may have breaks, stops, volume/tempo changes, and other things that are comfortable to them, but just another 'difference' for you.
To help with this, maybe try playing along with simple songs as Eddie says, from Youtube or some other source such as cable/satellite radio if you have that. The only problem there is figuring out the keys so you can play along.

Second, for this instance, I recommend a minimalistic approach. Hone in on just playing the chords on the beat and strumming the proper rhythm. Sometimes I'll just play the 1 and 3 count's chords if I'm not sure what rhythm the rest of the group is going to go with.
If you can figure out the chords from the sheet music, write them on a sheet of paper. Write them above the words, I presume there are vocal parts.

Sheet music has symbols for 'go back to the top', 'repeat this verse', 'go back to somewhere else', 'skip ahead to a coda'. You need to know this stuff too. Wikipedia is a source for musical symbols.
Piano players can turn the pages on sheet music somewhat easily, not that easy for a guitar player. One way to get around this is to have a helper do that.

To your question about how the key fits in - piano 'key' and guitar 'key' are the same. If they said it's in 'A' for the piano then it's in 'A' for you. You can tell by the 'key signature' which is in front of the clef symbol (looks like a real fancy 'G').
There will be 0 through 5 sharps (#) or 5 flats (b) there.
Key of C = 0 #/b, 1,2,3,4,5,6 sharps mean the key is G,D,A,E,B,F# respectively, 1,2,3,4,5,6 flats means the key is F,Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb respectively.

I presume you know what it mean to play the chords to a song in guitar in a certain key.

While you're playing if you get lost, just stop and wait until you can figure out where you are. In this situation playing the wrong chords is worse than playing none at all.
Sometimes I'll just play the bass notes (1 and 3) if I can 'hear' them until I get back in the game.

About turning down the offer, I'd say it's better to do that, than make the group dislike you because you played and it didn't go well.
What I say when asked to play with a band (more than just sitting in at jam sessions) is that I have to work on my own songs and just don't have time to add others songs to my repertoire, and also it isn't proper to ask them to wait for me to figure out their songs, or for them to figure out mine. I also say that I have limited practice time and need to stay on my own songs at those times.

Now I'm not you, so the next paragraph is subjective. If I were you,
my inclination for this situation is to decline this one, citing the short period of time. If you/they are interested in a longer-term gig, then you can start practicing and see how it works out.
To smooth it over you could go to a practice and see what they expect and how close you come to it, and then if it is a bad fit, decline. I'd assess this as that there is a larger probability of a bad experience than a good one, given the circumstances.
Don't like to be negative, but hope that sounds realistic to you.

[johnnydoxx]

There's one more concept (I suppose there are many more). People who have always only played from sheet music can be very good at following the directions on the sheet music. On the other hand, if you have always played by 'this is how I have heard it' or 'this is how I like it', there is a potential mismatch. In fact, those who have always used sheet music as their guide might struggle at the prospect of just sitting down and playing a song, which to you is very comfortable.
How that concept fits in your situation is: that they might expect you to read the sheet music and be able to follow it as they can, sort of a rote, not instinctive, thing. But since it's likely your normal mode is different from that, this could cause a problem. For example if they are in a practice and they say start from 'B', you might not know what that means and where to go after 'B', where to them it is like the ABC's.

[cindyw16]

Thank you all for your great advice...I will ponder awhile. I want to ad a couple more things if I may. I like what Johnny said about showing up and giving it a shot at practice I will know right away if i can hang and what to do if I need to back out. This will be a one time deal for Fathers day but could be a good segway into more instage performances with the worship team. I received the music today and all the chords are very simple infact the music i was given was just words and the letter of the chord above the words and the key the song will be played in which has already been done for me so no need to capo or attempt to change the key of the song myself. There are alot of C2/E, E/G#,D2/A,F#m9/E type variations in each song oppose to the good ol basic C, Em,D,F etc... Im thinking due to the simplicity of the songs chosen i could keep it simple and just use the basics? It all sounds sooo similar to me. I know...I know they are not and to some there is a BIG differnce but this isnt a solo performance and know one in the group plays guitar I do know all of the songs having said that the ladies i will be working with are not the warmest bunch..sigh...will see? back and forth..back and forth.....I will lean on God here.
Thanks again i truly appreciate your wisdom.
Cindy

[Noodler]

There are alot of C2/E, E/G#,D2/A,F#m9/E type variations in each song oppose to the good ol basic C, Em,D,F etc... Im thinking due to the simplicity of the songs chosen i could keep it simple and just use the basics? It all sounds sooo similar to me.

Depends. I have been in exactly that same situation ie church, but with just a singer. I played the "basic chords" ie C2 (Cadd9) rather than C2/E, thinking it didn't matter, and got told off by the singer who was quite excellent. I was sternly told singers can need those extra notes to harmonise with. However, if you have a piano playing as well, they'll probably be playing the melody and you'll be sweet to not play the "fancy" bass notes until you learn them in time. ie they can harmonise with the piano.

Definitely a big +1 to Eddie's suggestion of a capo.

Can you find recordings of the songs you'll be playing to listen to how the instruments are arranged? That might give you a great idea of the guitar part. Although I have heard "He is Exalted" played classical through to hard rock. Anyway, as for your role, you've been playing a long time, I'm sure you'll fall into place.

In Australia, Hillsong really dominates the scene in a lot of churches, and that might sound different to the Catholic music I like. What sort of worship music is it? Can you name some tracks, out of interest?

Let us know how you go. People really appreciate music at church, step out and go for it!

[cindyw16]

Thank you for your reply, it has been so helpful to hear all of your opinions. I didnt even think about those fancy cords as helping the singers. There will be a pianist...But as I said in a previous post they are not a warm group of ladies...shame as it could have been an interesting experience for me. I loooove harmonizing
The songs are "You are God alone -key A, Draw me close to you- Key A, This is my desire -key A,Forever -key G,Your love is amazing -key G, and Hungry- key C. Each song starts out in the key given so I wont need a capo correct? Im thinking the gal in charge gave us all the music in the correct key to help us out? Sooo I guess other groups might just say to their band, "Hey, were doing such and such song in C and they hand it to them in another key then you would use your capo and make the adjustments right?
Gosh I dont know...I can play all the songs rediculously easy with the simple chords AND if i write out the more complicated ones above the words I can do most of them. As for my strumming method or fancy finger picking I was just gonna do a basic strum and go with the beat. I think my biggest problem is not having enough time to practice. Gosh Fathers Day is I week from this Sunday and I havent even got a rehearsal date yet AND i cant even make the final rehearsal date. (although i heard they were going to change that)
Im blabbing..so will close with this. God does not call the qualified He qualifies the called...so if its His will I do this one time gig then it will happen one way or another. Thank you all again
Cindy

[Noodler]

Cool, all good guitar keys.

Capos are good if a song is in a non-guitar friendly key (like F or F#), or if they change their mind at the last minute, which it doesn't sound like they will. BTW, if you don't own one, buy yourself a Kyser at some stage, they're great.

It seems like you know the songs and you'll be fine. Just remember you're drawing attention to Him, and you're just part of a group. If you love harmonising and haven't played with a group before, you're going to really, really dig it.

Take care,
Dave

[Andy S]

"God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called...so if its His will I do this one time gig then it will happen one way or another. "

Amen to that!! If you can play the songs with the "basic" chords, and there is a piano as well as drums and other instruments, it will not be a problem for the vocalists. On our worship TEAMS (four of them) sometimes we have two or even three guitarists (yeh, a bit of overkill) and usually two or three vocalists. I usually play the chords as needed, but one or two of the others play basic stuff...and no one has fallen off the stage, nobody came rushing over in a bad mood. Now, if you are the sole accompanying instrument to a vocalist, yeh , that would be different.

GO for it!! Your audience is really the one who put you into this position, play for Him. Seems every time I try to do a lead and I'm concerned about impressing anyone in the congregation (other guitarists or musicians) I flub it somehow. If I just play with the thought that this is my best, for Him...no mistakes, no fat-fingering, no "oops". Gee...wonder why!?

So, go play!! You may make a few friends and develop something musically with one or two of the others that way!

[johnnydoxx]

Well it sounds like my fears were a bit unfounded, the 'sort-of-worse-case' scenarios. The main thing is that you know the songs, with that and your years of experience, it more likely will be OK. Keep it simple though, at least this first gig.
Too bad you can't get more practice with them. They also need to get used to hearing a guitar playing with them.
For one example, if you're strumming 1&2&3&4&, it's not likely they have heard that from the piano, perhaps it will have been playing the (non-melody) part only on 1 and 3. So you will sound unusual to them, a possible confusion if they are not real experienced, and they might actually think you're playing incorrectly (because it's not in the sheet music that way).

Let us know how it goes.

[cindyw16]

Hello supportive guitar playing family, some of you might have thought, how did the gal with the guitar playing church jitters do...where did she go? Well, after i posted last I decided to surf some last minute guitar chord website and was attacked by a nasty computer virus. For the life of me I cant recall which website it was either..DARN. At any rate my computer was down for the count. All is well and I am back on line. Alright as you may recall I was asked to join in on a one time band gig for Fathers Day at church. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, 'God has not given us a spirit of fear' and let me tell you I hung onto that scripture like flies on honey. Would you believe that my guitar string actually snapped a 1/2 hour prior to performing...no kidding! I actually had to restring the same string and THEN retune the string quietly before each song! UG! Satan had NO victory hear and infact the very women whom I thought had it in for me actually complimented my performance...go figure.
I had a hard time hearing myself play at times and instinctively kept time with the drummer? They did offer me a device to place in my ear so i could hear myself better but it wasnt working. I can clearly see that I need to expand my strumming repertoire. Does anyone have any good leads ie; websites designed to help you in this area? The strumming styles I have learned in the past were from a looooong time ago AND because I lead kids music and the song are sooo basic and i have very little time to practice I seemed to have gotten into a rut and play the same strumming styles over and over and over and over:
Thanks again for all your valuable wisdom and support.
Cindy