improv
Ideas

Worship Improv

I’ve talked before about how I’ve visited some of the largest churches in the country and have been surprised at their lack of worship flow. One gigachurch in particular was bad – they’d do a song, come to a complete, dead stop and then start another song.

Music is the glue that ties your entire service together. Select upbeat songs in the same or related keys so you can flow directly from one into the other without stopping.

Then, to transition into ballads and a more worshipful part of a praise set, you’ll need a musician who can improvise. He or she can softly play the keyboard or acoustic guitar while the worship leader talks – reading Scripture, praying or giving a short testimony.

This is an art form in itself, as the improviser is actually accompanying the Scripture/prayer/testimony, and must anticipate when the worship leader is finished and ready to begin the next song.

The improvisation shouldn’t be complicated or elaborate. It needs to be like a movie underscore, enhancing what’s going on without getting in the way. Use piano, electric piano or synth pad keyboard sounds. A good improvisation might be based on the intro or verse of the upcoming song, repeated as needed until the Scripture/prayer/testimony is finished.

For those musicians who can’t improvise I’ve created a website to solve the problem. Download a free keychange and underscore at WorshipFlow.com and try it out for yourself this week in your own ministry.

Share this article:
Don Chapman Worshipideas
Don Chapman

A prolific arranger and songwriter, Don has had songs published by Word, Integrity Music, G3worship and Worship Today, and has orchestrated music for several Christian artists. He serves as the arranger for Hymncharts.com and Worshiphymns.com. He’s been featured on the 700 Club, has been quoted in USAToday and has been a guest lecturer at Liberty University.

You Might Also Like

Seacoast
Articles

The Next Big Thing

What would happen if Rick Warren started a church in your town? Would it suck the life out of other…
Seacoast
Articles

The Next Big Thing Part 2

Last week we talked about the new multi-site church movement that’s happening all over the country, and specifically about Seacoast…

worshipideas:

Essential reading for worship leaders since 2002.

 

Get the latest worship news, ideas and a list

of the top CCLI songs delivered every Tuesday... for FREE!