4 Quick Tips for Church Acoustic Guitar

Рет қаралды 22,087

Күн бұрын

Playing acoustic guitar in a worship team is pretty common and it's a position many of us take for granted. Here are some ideas to think about the next time you play acoustic guitar at church:
1. Don't Play
2. Play Diamonds (or whole notes)
3. Play With Dynamic (use your thumb and fingers too)
4. Play Less Than 6 Strings
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Mike O’Brien has served as a worship pastor, speaker, record producer and songwriter for over two decades. For over 18 years he served one church (VCC Marietta GA) training up hundreds of worship leaders and musicians. He holds his Masters of Worship Studies from the Webber Institute of Worship and is currently serving the church at large in worship team training and worship leader mentoring. Mike, his wife Susan and their son Ezekiel live in Atlanta GA. You can find out more about Mike at www.themikeo.com

Пікірлер: 58

@dekelsey1 20 күн бұрын

Interesting that I found this today when having similar thoughts on how I play acoustic guitar on worship team. Was actually practicing essentially these ideas. OK! Heard from the Lord today on this!

@DanielGarciaArchitect 3 ай бұрын

When acoustic realizes this is better, does it and experiences it, it's HEEE-YUUUGE leveling up for the team. Thanks Mike!

@kevinwatkins3856 14 күн бұрын

Good advice. Having been in a worship band for 30 yrs, about half of that leading, now that I’m just a “listener”, I mostly miss those powerful moments when *THE ENTIRE BAND* doesn’t play, and the entire congregation sings with the singers of the band….that is such a powerful moment….although you do have to pre-plan that, so it’s imperative for the worship leader to find the right moment, in the right song, to do it. It’s not hard to recognize when that moment should have been taken, but wasn’t, either. Regardless, I give kudos to every church musician willing to volunteer their time and share their musical gifts towards bringing music to their congregation.

@joelhamilton6720 8 күн бұрын

Thank you

@fabrezz1 18 күн бұрын

I did this today as the sole singer at a small church it really helps when trying to create some dynamic in the song instead of fully blasting the room, both trying to use the "soft pick" and also creating some space in the song by not playing really changes things.

@threestreamsworship 18 күн бұрын

that's wonderful! Glad it worked out

@donaldmcmillan5529 Ай бұрын

I was pushed into a position of finger picking a lot because I have carpal tunnel syndrome so I definitely relate to the softer side of guitar strumming. I had just bought pretty much a life times supply of picks I now find it difficult to hold a pick. Love these tips.

@ExiledTarget 3 жыл бұрын

Not playing is one of the hardest things a guitarist can do. I find myself fighting the urge to strum. Just throw up your hands in worship instead. Thanks Mike, great tips!

@threestreamsworship 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Keith! Yes, it's hard to stand there :)

@raykeough7010 2 жыл бұрын

Just do diamonds on every chord change sometimes it's just enough.

@tomkieffer9347 23 күн бұрын

These are great tips Mike. This just popped up after I viewed another unrelated video. Maybe this comment will reignite the conversation. I'm often leading worship as the sole instrument or sometimes with just a bass guitar and occasionally with a bass and another acoustic guitar. One of the techniques I've learned to use to create dynamics is to alternately strum the top two or three strings (EA or EAD) (1 & 3 beats) followed by the bottom (BE or GBE) strings (2 & 4 beats) or maybe for something way outside the box, the middle strings (DGB or ADGB) to create different voicing and rhythmic sounds as I lead through verse, chorus, bridge, tag, etc. And I'll double down on one of the comments below about palming the strings for a muted effect. The best tip of all though is ... Don't Play. There's a reason that there are "rests" in printed music. It is the absence of sound, the silence in between which makes the music beautiful ... and in worship can often more easily elevate His people into His throne room than if there is a constant wall of sound.

@threestreamsworship 23 күн бұрын

Thanks Tom, great refection! Peace

@catherinekennedy6702 20 күн бұрын

Really helpful reminders, thank you 😊

@savsongs1306 7 күн бұрын

Good tips not just for church but any band setting.

@crimfan 5 күн бұрын

Great advice for solo performers, too. Strummy strum guitar is really rough sonically. I didn’t know the name diamond but it makes sense.

@paulrhodes3305 Ай бұрын

Praise God that I found this. Now to put it into practice ....

@OwassoVineyardOK-fk1lc 19 күн бұрын

Love this! As the electric guitar guy It’s been my gripe with worship teams. Worship leader just hammering acoustic guitar the whole song! Then the piano and drums feel the energy and go for the ride….its a “wall of sound”. Drives me crazy. There’s a place for that but not the whole song, every song! lol I’ve had to work with worship leaders to get them to play on the 1 and maybe the 3. Or to play on the “&” of the beats etc. Great video.

@stanlawson3472 23 күн бұрын

should be mandatory viewing for all acoustic players...

@threestreamsworship 23 күн бұрын

thanks for the kindness!

@allenclupny8905 3 күн бұрын

Ok. Simple is best. Thanks

@Bassplayer_1981 3 жыл бұрын

Cool. I normally don’t play acoustic but I found this helpful still

@threestreamsworship 3 жыл бұрын

thank you Ryan!

@dougsadler5496 Ай бұрын

Good advice, bro, especially the bit about ‘not playing’. I have led teams for decades and find that less experienced musicians (not just guitarists) need to learn when NOT to play. One guitar technique I would add to your list is palm muting when you just play the bass strings; done with a compressor, it can keep the flow and rhythm alive while being subtle, yet offering promise of strength coming back in soon. Well done!

@emmahillstv Жыл бұрын

Thanks I need more of tutorials like this

@JoshWhetstone Ай бұрын

Great tips. Very crucial things we can all forget if we’re not careful.

@lee_goldberg_music 2 ай бұрын

All great tips! I'm not a fan of everyone all out all the time. Dynamics rule!

@ronhedblad2415 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Mike! Blessings on you

@Hagenfors 2 жыл бұрын

Great stuff!

@bryansy3484 3 жыл бұрын

A new knowledge unlocked. Thanks. 😊

@CountryHitsUSA Жыл бұрын

Great Advice!

@daltonsever3709 Жыл бұрын

Great!

@joncloutier9597 19 күн бұрын

Great tips. Thank you

@rdgipson 22 күн бұрын

I don't understand how this is specific to playing in a church vs. any other setting.

@threestreamsworship 21 күн бұрын

yeah, the church world is just my main lane so that's who I am speaking to. Yes, these ideas would work in many contexts :)

@glenneadie5533 Жыл бұрын

Thank you..less is definitely more sometimes..very helpful ideas

@Chouz182 8 ай бұрын

Amazing ❤️ brother loved it ✨ Jesus name be glorified ❤️a new lesson

@yazminalvarez432 19 күн бұрын

Thanks

@emmahillstv Жыл бұрын

Keep it up 👍

@angeloancheta2380 2 жыл бұрын

@dansur Жыл бұрын

❤ from Indonesia 🇮🇩

@dougbornyk5060 27 күн бұрын

Thanks Mike. Please share what Taylor Guitar that is 😊

@threestreamsworship 27 күн бұрын

20 year old 314 :)

@JefferyHunt 7 күн бұрын

I do some of this to create dynamics but I wish so much I had more musicians so that I could back off, but it’s just me lol.

@Beadgcfb 9 күн бұрын

My three pet peeves! It's just good musicianship in general.

@lifetrainingwcrystal8029 2 жыл бұрын

I am a cantor in the Catholic Church. Looking to "expand my horizons" by learning guitar. Still trying to decide what I want to purchase. Have a mid soprano voice. Helpful tips for when I begin my journey.

@andrewridsdale3474 9 ай бұрын

I'd suggest buying a good electro acoustic guitar so u don't get frustrated and find your guitar is rubbish. Find one with a good low action too. And I use light to medium long life strings.

@rachelcook5697 19 күн бұрын

Pray for me please 🙏

@kagilman7 11 күн бұрын

You should check out CLEF (Catholic Liturgical Ensemble Formation). Whole ensemble focus but lots of guitar players. Excellent training and a community besides. Week long summer program in Cincinnati this year. Regionals in Albuquerque and Cleveland in the fall.

@wfqsfg Жыл бұрын

My experience and ONE of the reasons I'm no longer on a praise and worship band is all the musicians, especially guitar players, want to play full volume and full intensity from the beginning of the song and all the way through. When some are told to wait and come in on the chorus or after the intro they get offended.