Streams of Consciousness & Thoughts~~~

[lil_christian]

What is the instrumentation in your group? and how many vocal parts? Do the singers rehearse with the instrumentalists? Are you doing stuff above level? In weird keys?

Ummm...let's see. We have 5 people total:

A drummer who "plays by ear." In other words, he just does the same drum beat in different tempos. For nearly everything. And it's like, when my sister was still around and he played with our youth group, we tried to suggest he do something different. When he went outside of it, he got really off-tempo. But, he's the only drummer in our church and he does good enough.

We have our worship pastor, who sings and does keys. She's my age. She doesn't know where to come in for most songs, and can't sing and play keys at the same time...she has a good voice. Don't get me wrong. She does. It's just if I could get her to learn her cues...she'd be great.

Then we have 2 singers. The first one, he just goes with the flow and does well since he doesn't play an instrument he doesn't need to focus on anything else. The other one, she's mainly our spiritual mentor. She's not bad either, though she can get lyrics messed up sometimes.

Out of all our singers, none of them sing harmony. All of them sing melody.

Then...there's me. I have average abilities as far as guitar goes. I'm mainly a rhythm guitarist. I try to do lead and my fingers mainly stumble over each other if it's too fast. But I do what I can....for the most part. They're pressuring me to sing. I...can't do it. It took me a while before I even sang at youth group. I didn't start singing until after my sister left.
I started doing praise and worship for them in October 2012. It probably wasn't even until the late Spring/early Summer I started singing there. I may or may not be able to sing. I'm leaving that up to someone who really knows music to determine that's not me. I don't like my voice a bunch.

I do believe a lot of the songs we do are above level. They're complex in nature. And when we try to do it...it faiiillss.

We think that we could do anything we put our minds to. That it doesn't need to sound like it's straight off of the CD. The truth is, I don't know what we're making it sound like.


I don't mean to sound so critical. But I can be a perfectionist. And I have a good ear. I'm the girl that knew what note was played when I was stirring my coffee and the spoon hit the side of the mug today - I pretty much knew it was an E. I checked on the piano and I was right. I surprised myself, honestly.

Anyways. We don't do stuff in weird keys at all. I'm usually the one that picks the key for everyone, and I make sure it's going to be one that fits everyone. I usually try not to stray too far from the original key in a song. I used to try not to change a key at all unless I absolutely had to. Now I'm just like, "Okay, what do we need to transpose this to?" lol.

Anyways...I digress. I OD'd on chocolate this weekend. Not beneficial for the brain.

We always practice together. We always try to practice with the instruments, especially me, since I'm basically the one who's holding us all together. I'm not bragging because it's nothing to brag about. It's stressful sometimes. I want to speak up badly sometimes on how disorganized we are. But they keep thinking they won't notice, and it doesn't have to sound like the CD. Well, obviously they got it right when they made the CD or it wouldn't be a popular song or a song that puts you in an attitude of worship!


Well...wow. Oh dear. So sorry I dumped that on you.

 

[lil_christian]

I'm very very very very very very tired. I'm sleeping and not getting up until I'm threatened groundage.

 

[ww_21]

All cars are female. ALL CARS.

And I'd suggest option 4 if you're going for the rover. Go for a sport Ute that's a bit less massive (and fuel unfriendly) unless you really need the drive train the rover has. Anything all wheel drive or 4 wheel drive will go most of the places the rover will, unless you're going to put a snorkel on it or something (which I've seen done). They even sell smaller rovers if you want the brand. A plain Jane land rover is a better vehicle unless you're hauling something truly massive.

​The range rover is an option because it's what my family wants me to have however, I prefer something small, as small as possible.

 

[iTOREtheSKY]

​The range rover is an option because it's what my family wants me to have however, I prefer something small, as small as possible.

May I suggest a HOTWHEEL?

 

[ServantStrike]

​The range rover is an option because it's what my family wants me to have however, I prefer something small, as small as possible.

Is this your first car? They probably want the sheet metal to keep you safe. It's not a bad strategy, but getting something a bit smaller than the range rover would probably still make them happy.

A land rover is still quite big.

If you want something sportier, get a sport sedan - someting 4 doors and fairly heavy. If it's wide enough it will handle beautifully but meet the "it has to be big" criteria.

 

[ww_21]

As I am writing this, I am in tears, and I just wish this ache in my heart could go away. All I want is to be happy.

 

[rachelsedge]

Lil_chrisitian, man that's tough. I know what you mean, I'm a "hearer" too (both in notes and being able to pick out the harmony even if there isn't one) and for those who are in music and can't tell if they are flat/sharp, or behind/ahead, it's just frustrating when they don't even seem to care.

Worship music in a church doesn't have to be perfect, my church has its glitches and funny moments sometimes, but if it's constantly off, that can be a distraction.

I know I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. Just saying I understand, and I pray it gets better for you. Or that God will soften their hearts to hear your advice.

 

[Oncefallen]

I go through every once in a while and unfriend anyone who hasn't logged in for a while, or who I don't actually interact with. Although yeah, the friends list doesn't seem to serve much purpose other than that you can see from your profile page what your friends have been talking about, new photos and such.

Yeah, if you're on someone's friends list you can see their "friends only" photo albums, but I can see them anyway.

That's like serving a bagged lunch at a wedding or something...

**Makes a note..........do not serve bagged lunches at the wedding reception

 

[Fenner]

you might be surprised how many openly tell me how i'm going to be horribly disappointed if i don't have kids. it's the most awkward conversation ever. i never know what they want me to say.

ok, thanks!

actually the funny thing is, the only parenting experience i've ever really imagined for myself is adoption.

even when i was much younger, i've never longed to reproduce my genetic material.

I think minds are more open now to a person who doesn't want children, or who adopts. There are so many people who reproduce that shouldn't.

I think adoption is great, it was an option I had in mind at one time. I did't even really have a preference to adopting an infant. I wanted to help a child.

Sometimes I catch myself saying, "how did I ever think I could handle this?" but it's to late now, lol. I don't meant that I don't love my kids, but man it's a mental challenge sometimes. It's also a joy, the joy time's out weigh the mental challenge times.

I am not really that surprised that people would say that to you because many are so conditioned to thinking this is how it has to be done to live a fulfilling life. That's just not true, we all have different life stories. The one's that don't involve having children are a little more sane. lol kidding.

 

[Shouryu]

No you'll never grow old but looking like your buddy there, well, I sure hope not either.

Hey doll. You finally venturing outside of the "Miscellaneous" pool to see what's going on in other forums? *smirk*

(This coming from the guy who pretty much lives in "Singles," and has barely dipped his toe in "Misc." Pot calling the kettle black, neh?)

(Actually, you could be active in the other forums, too, and I wouldn't know it, since Singles and Misc are the only places I go. I'll shut up now.)

I do believe a lot of the songs we do are above level. They're complex in nature. And when we try to do it...it faiiillss.

We think that we could do anything we put our minds to. That it doesn't need to sound like it's straight off of the CD. The truth is, I don't know what we're making it sound like.

In my opinion, kiddo, simpler is always better. The congregation's worship experience is NOT going to be enhanced by attempts at a complex chart, and praise unto God is not diminished by a worship service's simplicity. You are right in that it doesn't need to sound studio-quality, but if you expect the congregation to be able to follow and worship with whatever you guys are leading with, it must be coherent and easy for untrained ears to grab.

Putting the words up on the wall doesn't make a worship song easy for the congregation...a simple and easily followed melody that is repetitive makes it easy for the congregation. Most of the classic hymns follow this structure...the lyrics might be complex and non-repetitive, but the melodic and harmonic structures are VERY simple. In fact, most hymns can be played with either three or four chords total.

If you can't keep it together, dial it back. There's nothing wrong with scaling it back. Praise and Worship is NOT about demonstrating your prowess as a musical team, but about providing an atmosphere in which the CONGREGATION can quickly and easily worship Christ in song. Impress this into your musicians: it's not about YOU, it's about THEM and HIM. If what are YOU (the musicians, not you specifically) are doing gets in the way of THEM and HIM, then you need to do it differently.

Just my opinion.

(And as far as choosing the right keys goes, the original key that the recording is in is not always the best key for congregational praise and worship. The majority of untrained singers will be comfortable in alto and baritone ranges...Chris Tomlin's solo stuff? Not good for that - he's a tenor who likes to use his upper register a lot. Something to consider.)

 

[rachelsedge]

For those who get discouraged by the Family forum (how many issues there are), think of it as the opposite of Facebook. On Facebook, people tend to only post the good times and fun moments. They post about how their hubby got them flowers, but they aren't gonna post when they're fighting about choices. Well, some people do. And it's immature and annoying.

The Family forum is the opposite. People are going to go there for help on family stuff. Those who are doing well in their relationships likely aren't going to post there about it.

Just a thought. Stay in there too long with the wrong mindset and you'll likely think that all men are cheaters and all women are liars but that's really not the case.

 

[Shouryu]

Just a thought. Stay in there too long with the wrong mindset and you'll likely think that all men are cheaters and all women are liars but that's really not the case.

I've always thought this to be inherently true, and I've never even clicked on the Family forum!

*runs off, cackling*

 

[just_monicat]

I am not really that surprised that people would say that to you because many are so conditioned to thinking this is how it has to be done to live a fulfilling life. That's just not true, we all have different life stories. The one's that don't involve having children are a little more sane. lol kidding.

my self control is usually challenged in those moments-- people who think they know you, but they don't, and speak sooo freely. everyone is well intended so it's fine. i deal.

as to my sanity, i am ALWAYS around kids (between my jr group and the juvenile horsemanship class). otherwise i wouldn't get to do fun things like cartwheels and dance dance. : )

so much for the sanity. i'm hosting that sleepover in a week!!!

 

[Liamson]

My Old Friend and I were at a baby shower type thing, and she thinks the same way that I do about children even though we never talk about it. We mostly just stopped by to congratulate the parents.


The new mother looks at her and says, "Wanna hold the baby?"

She says, "Eh, no thanks, not really." To the shock of everyone at the party.

I have to say, part of me was proud that day.

 

[zeroturbulence]

My Old Friend and I were at a baby shower type thing, and she thinks the same way that I do about children even though we never talk about it. We mostly just stopped by to congratulate the parents.


The new mother looks at her and says, "Wanna hold the baby?"

She says, "Eh, no thanks, not really." To the shock of everyone at the party.

I have to say, part of me was proud that day.

Hmmm, I'm starting to worry about you.

 

[Fenner]

my self control is usually challenged in those moments-- people who think they know you, but they don't, and speak sooo freely. everyone is well intended so it's fine. i deal.

as to my sanity, i am ALWAYS around kids (between my jr group and the juvenile horsemanship class). otherwise i wouldn't get to do fun things like cartwheels and dance dance. : )

so much for the sanity. i'm hosting that sleepover in a week!!!

I wish people would mind their own business. My brother is 51 has never been married he's had relationships, a couple long one's. There are people who assume he's gay. He's not, I wouldn't care if he was, but he isn't. People have actually said to my Mom, well maybe he's gay. Why would you say that? Even if he is gay what business is it of your's to say to someone's family member something regarding their sexual preference and why do you care?

I give you permission to say to people who try to dictate how you live your life, MYOB!

 

[Pipp]

Why are they called wisdom teeth when they bestow no wisdom? All they bring is pain... why aren't they called torture devices ?

 

[didymos]

I wish people would mind their own business. My brother is 51 has never been married he's had relationships, a couple long one's. There are people who assume he's gay. He's not, I wouldn't care if he was, but he isn't. People have actually said to my Mom, well maybe he's gay. Why would you say that? Even if he is gay what business is it of your's to say to someone's family member something regarding their sexual preference and why do you care?

I give you permission to say to people who try to dictate how you live your life, MYOB!

... and if someone INSISTS on being involved with your life
he also has to ACCEPT the responsibility that comes with that involvement,

most people don't, they just want to meddle and gossip.

 

[iTOREtheSKY]

Why are they called wisdom teeth when they bestow no wisdom? All they bring is pain... why aren't they called torture devices ?

Ugh,you poor girl. I remember getting splitting headaches from mine when they were starting to come in. I had to go to an oral surgeon to have all 4 removed in one go because they would have come in all crazy & wrecked my other teeth. I certainly didn't feel wiser before or after. lol
Do you know if yer's are coming in normal,or are they gonna extract them?

 

[Pipp]

Ugh,you poor girl. I remember getting splitting headaches from mine when they were starting to come in. I had to go to an oral surgeon to have all 4 removed in one go because they would have come in all crazy & wrecked my other teeth. I certainly didn't feel wiser before or after. lol
Do you know if yer's are coming in normal,or are they gonna extract them?

All 4 have tried for years to come through... The top 2 have came all the way but they're against my jaw bone real tight and are making my teeth real sore..The bottom 2 have surfaced but have no room to come through. Right now it's giving me headaches and ear aches and teeth aches.... lol no fun. Thankfully it doesn't affect my baking skills.
I'll eventually have to go have them cut out. Gotta get insurance first.