Interview continued from Part I
Ted: What is your stance on instrumental solos?
Harry: I am for them if they help tell the story. Also if the song needs to breathe in the sense that some songs can get wordy. It can be fun to have a solo as a sort of break in the action. Currently we haven’t done them a lot. It really depends on the situation. It also depends if it is an iconic lead line.
Ted: What is your approach to motivating the volunteer musicians to practice?
Harry: I am not a confrontational person by nature. I’m not going to berate… I’ve learned over time to really motivate one by speaking how we want to be excellent, we want to be excellent for God. Its not about looking good or making me as the leader look good. Its about doing what we do to bring glory to God. So that means taking the time to prepare before band practice. A lot of that is choosing song that are interesting. I like to throw a different arrangement for a song and I know if people have practiced or not – sometimes I play that game but not that often.
Ted: Let’s say an individual musician’s part isn’t working out during practice, how do you address it?
Harry: I do it then [at practice] because I don’t think it is helpful to anyone else on the team to have them walk away thinking something is fine. I’d rather take the time to make it work or make the adjustments to make sure everyone is on the same page. If everyone is confident on where the song is going I think you get a better product.
Ted: What is a common mistake you find instrumental performers making?
Harry: For us there’s two. One is understanding how to play in your space. A lot of musicians try to fill same sonic space, like too much activity in the mids. Maybe I ask the piano players to give me a little bit less and a little bit higher. Saying to my guitar player don’t capo past the fourth fret as it makes it sound like a banjo and its not really creating the sound we want. Create some space in the room so don’t get wall of sound. Sometimes people haven’t played with other people a lot so they don’t understand how they fit in the grand scheme of things and how it sounds like.
The other common thing is people looking at the first chord on chord chart and assume that is the key of the song. It might be but not always. I’m thinking of giving some light music theory instruction to help people out. What I’ve learned since I’ve come out here is everybody is busy so I ordered a resource that I might have people review and study.
Ted: What is a common mistake you find vocal performers making?
Harry: I think the most common mistake is being so tied to arrangement that they don’t express it fully themselves. They try to make it sound like a recording or this person but they don’t make it their own. The approach I prefer is, “let me do what I can do really well as opposed to not quite reaching the mark that this person set on the recording”
Ted: Let’s say a team member has been playing with you for a while and someone new comes along that is more talented or a better fit. Have you ever had to deal with this and what have you found works?
Harry: Well it wasn’t at this church… That one is tricky. I have rarely come across a situation that someone so is tied to a position they weren’t willing to move. At least now with having multiple teams I have the luxury of shuffling people around. Usually what I have seen is someone comes and is great and feels a need. That may just be a blessing from God [laughs]
Ted: Ever let musicians go from worship teams? Any suggestions?
Harry: Yes I have had to let people go, not at this church. [pause] It is one the hardest things I have had to do. We’re talking even harder than asking someone to marry you…
Ted: [interrupts] or play drums while leading worship?
Harry: [laughs] Yeah. Its difficult because for me I believe ministry flows from relationships. So if you are someone who plays on a team with me, you’re not just someone who plays and goes home. Its my goal to have a ministry and be a part of that person’s life. So we’re more than just people on the stage together, we’re friends. Some are closer and we spend time outside of practice so when you ask someone to go you are breaking the relationship.
As far as suggestion go, being upfront with the reasoning when asking someone to leave is the best.
“I don’t feel like you’re coming prepared”
“I don’t feel like you’re doing this because you feel called but because you want to be on the stage”
… I’ve had to do that.
“I know you are dealing with some things in your life right now that I need you to focus on and this ministry is a distraction”
I’ve had to do that as well. I’ve had conflict among members of the team, with me, etc.
With all those situations, its so much easier to deal with it head on. My non confrontational nature makes this harder because, and here’s another suggestion, you really have to do it in person. An email or voicemail doesn’t cut it.
You have to sit down face to face and have that conversation. Let it be tough. Don’t do it an email. Do it quickly and don’t let it linger because people will hear about it and you may have other issues to deal with.
Ted: Any closing thoughts?
Harry: Um… [long pause] I’ve been doing this for almost 20 years and I still enjoy it. Its funny to say it as I’m only 34, but I’m starting to get to the point where I’m pouring into other people. Its kinda fun sharing what I do with others. Didn’t know if I’d like it but it is exciting. People are starting to care about what I say – conferences, courses. Pretty fun. Its definitely a calling. I still love it even after surviving Easter. [laughs]
Ted: Thank you so much!
Harry: Yeah man.
Contact information:
Harry Walls IV: harryw@bridgescc.org
Worship Pastor
Bridges Community Church, Fremont, CA
Blog: http://worship180.org/
