So I found myself sitting in the sanctuary of the church on a Saturday afternoon. Why you ask? Well, the church was putting on a rhythm clinic to exhort and educate rhythm players and musicians alike. I really didn't know what the clinic's activities would entail but I was nonetheless interested. I thought, 'Well, at the very least if I connect with a drummer that would be sweet!' I had no idea what I was in for.
As I walked toward the front I saw George sitting in the back row. He's one of my good friends in the choir. We chatted for a minute as we had not seen each other in quite awhile since we did worship together at a home fellowship months ago. As we were talking, Stefanie, who is the worship leader of the Rock church, encouraged everyone to take a seat as we were getting started. On stage Stef was sitting with her piano (of course) and a man was on drums and another man was standing with his bass guitar. She introduced the 2 players on the stage. The drummer's name was Nate Morton who is currently playing in Cher's band in Vegas and has played with several other professional acts in his career. The bass player was none other than the infamous Abe Labriel (I don't think I spelled that right I just heard her say it). This man has played with the likes of Madonna, Micheal Jackson, and so many others it's hard to list them all. He is the most decorated session player of his time playing on over 2,000 recordings. Yeah you heard me, over 2,000!! Something even most professionals couldn't comprehend!
So after the introductions they all started jamming together and I busted out my camera since I knew it was going to be video worthy. I didn't even have a clue! They went off for over 17 minutes and they all switched off in soloing and changed the tempo, melody and rhythm several times throughout. Totally epic! It was literally the best jam session I've ever witnessed with my two eyes and now I get to share it with everyone. How blessed is that!
After the jam Stef opened the floor for anyone who had questions. This was actually the juicy part. One of the first questions was actually a great one. Someone asked whether or not going to school really helped them in their profession as a musician? Since Stef, Abe, and Nate all graduated from the Berkellee school of music this was a meaty question. Stef started off by explaining that she was given a chance to sign a record deal before she went to school but her and her parents agreed it would be better to get the education first. She said it truly helped her have a strong overall ability to thrive in what she does and she looked back and saw it really helped her for longevity and she was so blessed to be able to give to the church all that she learned in school to be the best worship leader she can be at the Rock church. Her imparting words were this : "Just hear from the Lord and seek him and know that his design for your life, his path for you is unlike anyone elses and if you stay true to him you will be the most fulfilled." Abe stated that school was vital to his career. He challenged all of us if we know we have an ability and a gift from the Lord for music, it is our responsibility to become excellent in those abilites and gifts, to use all the tools available to you to give excellence to the Lord and people won't see you but Him working in your life. He emphasized that school is very important for this. He said both his sons used to say to him that they didn't need school to be professional musicians and had many arguments with them over the years. Eventually though, they went to Berkellee just as he did, and now they thank him everyday for encouraging them to go. They both are professional musicians themselves now. Then it was Nate's turn. He said a school like Berkellee was great since it was a safe environment where you could make plenty of mistakes to learn how to correct them and be corrected so that one day you don't get asked to play in a professional setting and for example if your brake pedal is squeeking and they ask you to fix it, but you can't, you'll be fired before you can even get off stage! Profound stuff. I think I want to go to Berkellee! Haha. I did have a chance to go to Musician's institute years ago but I didn't take it. I regretted it but I do believe God may have prevented me since my heart wasn't right. I was going to do it all for my glory. If I would have done it I may have never looked back and turned away from the Lord. All I can say is if you feel like school is what's right for you with music, get your heart right before the Lord first. He doesn't like arrogant musicians and can't use them. Every note we play and every time we get on stage we need to do it for his glory, not ours. Man will give us praise but we must point it all back to Him. Play with you're whole heart and it will minister to others and be received. And don't be the ball hogging point guard of your music. It's not about you being on front stage doing a solo. If you're in a band especially sometimes it's best not to play but let others take the lead. I'm especially talking to leaders of a band that think they have to do everything or things will fall apart. You'll end up with unhappy band members and the music will suffer and people will not be ushered into His presence.
As far as the schooling goes, I've been playing for 7 years now and haven't recieved any training. I realize I would be so much more excellent in my craft if I had training or schooling, but I was too lazy to go. All I can say is if you know you have a gifting for music, especially if you're young, heavily consider going to school. It's the biggest regret I have in my life. As a worship leader in training I know it's not at all about being a really great guitar player as though that hinders my ability to lead others into His presence. But I do see that those who are faithful and become excellent in their craft, God promotes them. God led me to Proverbs 22:29 today before I prepared this which says 'Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before Kings, he will not serve before obscure men.'
For a long time I've been stuck in the idea that being a worship leader meant I can't really go much outside the basics since 'it wasn't about me, not my glory. Oh it's all about you Lord, I will humbly just play basic chords since doing a solo is vanity.' I believe in worship it's not about playing great licks that impress people but sometimes a song will call for a solo and ultimately we are in whatever environment to serve with our instrument. If the people or the song you're working with need just the basics, that's what you do. You don't say, 'Oh we should do this instead' and play some impressive lick. Abe said if you're diligent in playing the way you're asked eventually you may get a chance to bring your own ideas into the song. But again, it's not about us, we are there to serve others and the Lord in whatever is required of us. And if you are called to just play basic chords so you can simply play worship songs to lead then that's fine, there is many people where music may not be their gifting but they are great at leading others into worship. Ultimately it's not about the instrument you're playing, it's about your heart and about getting right before God and spending time with Him cause our entire life should be worship. But for those of us who know we've been given a gift and an ability, let's use them to our fullest capacity and use them with diligence for His glory! Remember, we will all give an account before the Lord what He has given us, let's be as excellence in our abilities as we possibly can.
Check out the video too on my facebook page, erik gaudur. This is what excellence is!!
