Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast & Blog

The Worship Musician’s Guide To Preparing For Sunday

It’s part of what it means to be a musician.

We stand on a stage. People look at us. People love us. We’re too awesome.

At least that’s what we think.

But the worship team is much more than a gig. Matter of fact, viewing it as such is devastating.

First and foremost, we are servants. We contribute our gift to help facilitate people’s encounter with God. That’s why we practice, prepare, and invest hours in this ministry.

You see, preparation is essential for worship team musicians.

But you knew that. You know you can’t just show up cold turkey; however, it’s my sense that we don’t know how to prepare.

Why Prepare?

We don’t prepare because our musical reputation is on the line.

We don’t prepare because Joe Worship Leader said so.

We prepare because the people of God are coming together to meet with their Maker.

It’s not enough to just show up. It’s not enough to wing it.

Preparation means different things to different people. To some, it’s simply listening to the songs as they drive. To others, it’s something much more thorough.

So I’ve decided to do you a favor and outline what good preparation looks like.

6 Tips For Better Worship Team Preparation

How can you, a worship leader or worship musician prepare for Sunday? Here’s my best advice:

1. Focused Prayer

When you pray, pray with intention. Matter of fact, I would suggest making a list.

  • Pray for your Pastor – pray for God to fill him with encouragement and revelation. Leading a church is no small feat. Pray that he would stay close to the heart of God and lead with wisdom.
  • Pray for your Worship Leader – you knew I would say this, right? Beyond supporting your worship leader with musical preparation, pray for God’s anointing and strength upon his or her life. Pray for strength to lead people in genuine, authentic worship.
  • Pray for your Congregation – anything is possible in the presence of God. This Sunday could be a catalyst of change in many people’s lives. Pray for that. Pray for the lost to be saved. Pray for people to encounter God.

2. Intentional Listening

You can tell when a musician is prepared or when they’re winging it. I want to challenge you in your musical preparation. Before you pick up your instrument to practice, become an intentional listener.

Here’s how:

Pull out a pad of paper, listen to the songs for Sunday, and create your own charts as you listen. Chart EXACTLY what you hear on the recordings, measure by measure.

The goal here is to know the ins and outs of every song in the setlist.

Don’t make your worship leader tell you what to do. Don’t just fumble through a chord chart. Chord charts don’t tell you enough about the structure of the song and what your particular instrument is doing.

Listen very closely and ask yourself these questions:

  • When does my instrument ENTER the song?
  • When does my instrument NOT play?
  • What type of tone does my instrument sound like?
  • How is my instrument complementing the other instruments?

Believe me, the more you do this, the more your musicianship will excel. Have everything charted out? Good. Now pick up your instrument.

3. Play It

After you’ve created your own charts of entire songs, play them through a few times. Play along with the recording. Shut off the recording and play the whole song by yourself. Close your eyes and play it through again. Stand up and play it again.

You don’t have to do this for 6 hours a day, unless you have the time. I would recommend taking a day to chart and another day to practice BEFORE rehearsal. You want to enter each rehearsal 100% ready.

4. Practice Stage Presence

This may be a larger conversation you should have with your whole team, but it helps for you as a musician to think through how you look. I know that may sound vain, but it’s anything but. People may not always recognize if you’re musically prepared, but they can see…you.

Do you look like a bored, lazy bum in your pajamas with Cheetos on his face? Are you as stiff as a board? Time for a change.

It’s my belief that stage presence in a worship setting originates in your desire to worship God. Sure, you and your band may synchronize some movements, but it’s all for the worship of God.

Are you worshiping? Is it visible? If you’re on stage, it’s your responsibility to visibly worship.

No excuses. Prepare for it.

5. Set Up Early

There’s nothing more frustrating than a musician showing up late, especially if he or she has a lot of setup to do.

Refuse to be like that. If you can’t commit to showing up early, step down until you think you can.

Early setup is essential. Not only are you prepared musically, you’re ready to begin when rehearsal starts. Sublime.

6. Prepare Your Attitude

I know. You’re a musician. You have strong opinions about music. You may have more ability than the worship leader. But remember, you’re here to serve.

Before you even show up, decide beforehand that you’ll do whatever it takes to serve your pastor, your worship leader, and the congregation. It’s not about you having your musical way.

Not only will you humble yourself musically, you’ll engage with the entire service. You won’t consider yourself “exempt” from the sermon or too important to talk to people. Prepare your attitude.

Question: What other tips would you add to improve a worship musician’s preparation? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

Photo Credit: Garrison Photography

Comments

  2. Nate says

    Excellent!!! The only other thing I could think of adding is that we should not be using our time before the congregation for our own personal time of worship. I am not saying we should not be worshiping, but I am saying that we should taking the time to connect with God in a personal way, before we step on platform. Don’t come empty, but rather show up full so that what you receive can spill over.

  3. Rhonda Sue Davis says

    Wish your blog had a “like” button :)I am appreciating the heart and applicability of this piece.
    I often scoot into our monthly senior church “gig” as one of two musicians just in the nick of time. (right after preschool and regular church) Singing with a heart in gratitude and love and preparing in prayer is not usually a problem, going over the set beforehand and remembering it is not about having it all my way is something I can improve.
    In the more casual setting, I like to pick and play from what the message is, what favorites are requested, or what we have enjoyed recently. Running through the music ahead of time helps us find a singable key (my husband can transpose by ear) and it helps get agreement on tone and tempo of the piece. I am not one to over prepare, or suffer through a painfully executed song. So sometimes we stop after a stanza and say “let’s speed this one up a bit, or slow it down, or move the pitch up or down”
    Let’s say we are really lucky the people and pastor there are happy to see us for more than how amazingly musically talented we are! And the songs make the most impact by what words are in them, sung from the heart by those in attendance.
    I think I can be of better service to my music partner, senior church pastor, and the congregation by collaborating and working out some music ahead of time each month to appreciate their part in it. To facilitate worship of Him I have to find the submit together button more often, before during and after our “gig”
    Sloppy service is sloppy.

  4. Rhonda Sue Davis says

    We had a music director at a church where I was on the worship team. He called Sunday morning a “gig”. He would talk about how old he was and how many more potential “gigs” he had left and how he really loved them. I remember our group working on a new song with him for several hours, to master it and to put our own styling to it, and him saying, “now that was good enough for radio” and how great that felt. So maybe there is a place for some of this in the making of the music that transfers over to congregational worship.
    I wonder where the line between performance and participation in worship and even just enjoyment of music and inspiration put to music is. There are so many levels of ability and engagement, not to mention styles and preferences. What is different between the corporate gathering and offering of worship and the cooperative product of musicians & participants?

    If I had that line drawn out to specifics, I would have had way too much spare time on my hands 🙂
    I just acknowledge that God being here there everywhere all the time is the difference in all things. I get to choose how tuned in I am among the living and dying in each and every day and experience the results of my level of play. I am so glad when the next steps and choices come, even if they are not always easy or comfortable or melodic at first try.

  5. Christopher Banks says

    In my time as worship leader, i have preached the things that David has stated here. It refreshing to see others with this viewpoint. I have always been willing to put my time into helping anyone who truly wants it. There have been many who expect 95% from me to make a song they give 5% effort to sound great. I have no more time for that because theres no worship in that. For those who are willing, i have preached using a metronome, using the resources i never had such as youtube and the net for lessons, and for learning to listen to what makes the song move. My studio experience made me a way better listener. You realize that something as simple as a tambourine in the chorus adds what is needed to make it pop or move. Bible study is another key. I have a young man as a drummer in my team, who for years wasnt even average, had no confidence, and was rigid. The last year he has exploded as a player. I believe it is due to his love for Gods word. He became a Godseeker and in turn God has rewarded his efforts in his drumming in a supernatural way. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you”. I believe wholly that failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Many in my team wanna fly by the seat of their pants and those folks almost always fall flat on the faces due to no sacrifice and preparation. All i can do is offer to show a better way but i cannot make them follow.

  6. Rachel says

    Listening intentionally – YES!!!!

    So many people don’t take notice of what each instrument is playing, and when they are playing etc. And I know what you mean about chord charts…you can’t rely on that to tell you enough information on what to play and how to play it. You need to make your own notes about the format and stuff like that. I really like teaching people songs using the Lead Sheets from Praisecharts.com. They include instrument cues and usually follow the exact format as the recording. The goal is to start learning off those (as opposed to simple chord charts) and then transition to a simple chord chart or just play from memory.

  7. Ryan Gordon says

    This was so great, dude. I shared this with my team last night and it made for some great dialogue. Great post and with simple and practical application. Love it!

      • Ryan Gordon says

        I think most of them received it well, but there were some that were surprised when I talked about practicing. I guess I need to be more clear with what my expectations are for my team as we pursue excellence in worship together.

        I’d love to hear from other worship leaders that have shared this with their teams.

  8. Denise Rittler says

    Thanks for your informative site. I just started leading worship at my small church. I used to do special music once in a while, then the pastor said he’d like me to do some worship choruses every week, in addition to the hymns we sing. This was my third time doing it and I’m so blessed to have this calling on my life. I always pray in the car on my way there for God to be glorified with the music and pastor’s message. I appreciate your helpful insights into preparation.

    God bless!

  10. Arun says

    Hey David,

    This article is Good(Just searched for this since i am in worship team) This helps people in connecting those who are in worship team,

    God bless you !!!

  11. Blessing says

    awesome!! I’m sharing on our devotion on Saturday before our practice for our Sunday service. Be sharing these teachings to the team… Thanks alot

  13. Kha Nguyen says

    This is a great article. I’ve learned a lot from this. Thank you very much. *big smile*

  14. Steve Burns says

    Excellent recommendations. I appreciate the time and thought you put into this blog entry. One note–you referred to music directors as him or her, but pastor as him. My pastor is “her,” as I think you will see more and more in most denominations. I know that some denominations do not ordain women to preach, but many do.

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