Dynamics are essential to modern worship music. However, in smaller churches with small worship bands, it can be hard to get the same dynamic range as you hear on recordings. That's because there are 30 different instrumental parts on the recording you're listening to. It's difficult to emulate that when all you have are a few acoustic guitars and a cajon!
Here are 5 ways to improve your dynamics if you have a small worship team:
1 | Play quieter or louder as a band
Let's start simple. The easiest way to improve your dynamics is to simply practice playing louder and softer as a band. To practice this, pick a chord progression and have each instrument start by playing as soft as they can and then slowly have them play louder. This is the basic building block of improving your band's dynamics.
2 | Add instruments
After the musicians in your band know how to play dynamically on their own instrument, it's time to have them start thinking about dynamics in the context of the entire band. Pick a chord progression and have one instrument start playing it. Every time the progression repeats add another instrument. This will teach your band the power of slowly adding in more instruments.
3 | Take away instruments
Do the opposite of what you did in the previous tip: Start with every instrument playing together and then have one instrument stop every time the progression repeats. Once your band understands addition and subtraction they can throw it into the equation of a song. Pick a bridge that repeats and, to build it up, slowly add one instrument at a time.
4 | Different playing techniques
Different techniques on instruments give you different dynamics. There's a big dynamical difference between palm-muting, softly strumming, and open strumming on a guitar. There's also a big difference between your keyboard player playing the root of the chord in their left hand and them adding some lead lines in a higher register.
5 | Lean into what you have
Unless you implement tracks you won't be able to get the same dynamics as what you hear on recordings. So lean into what you do have and use it well!
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5 Tips to Instantly Improve Your Worship Leading
FREE AUDIO TRAINING: Discover 5 simple tips that will instantly improve your worship leading.