I am auditioning for the worship band at our church tonight. I am nervous. I've auditioned for bands before, but this is probably the most extensive audition I have ever been a part of. The previous auditions I've been to were more like jam sessions. "Let see what you can do." Someone will play a riff and I'll join in. That kind of thing. This audition requires that I learn the lead guitar parts for two worship songs and to do third song of anything I would like to do to showcase my ability. Originally, I told the lead worshiper that I could play guitar, bass, mandolin, and dulcimer. I wouldn't mind playing any of those instruments, but I have really been craving to play the bass lately. In fact, Joi has informed me that she is going to buy me a bass guitar for Father's Day. I'm very excited. I had to sell my previous bass (Sorry Joe) to a guy in California in order to downsize before we left California and pay some bills. I miss the bass. But, I am excited about playing it again. I know our worship band is short some bass players...so if it works out, awesome! However, tonight, I am auditioning for lead guitar. Solo's don't bother me. I am fairly comfortable with them, but the "lead guitar" for the songs I am auditioning for are something quite different from solo's. The lead parts are intricate and fast. They require finger stretching that I haven't done in a long, long time. I've practiced every single night and I am having hand cramps due to getting my hands back up to speed. I will be playing "Rise and Sing" by Fee and "Hosanna" by Hillsong United. Both of these have some interesting lead parts that I am not used to doing. Since Cry for Mercy broke up in 1994, I haven't really played my electric guitars (other than briefly here and there). I've only really played the acoustic guitar for Late September and various other worship bands for the past sixteen years (can you believe it's been that long since CFM broke up?). I have a lot of rhythm guitar experience, but not as much lead guitar experience. Anyway, my electric guitars showed their age when I cracked open the cases and bats flew out. Both of my electrics had volume and tone pot issues (scratchy and static). I sprayed some electronic contact spray into them and they much better. When I restrung my Strat, the bridge started to pull out of the guitar. I opened the back and found that the screws holding the springs in place were pulling out of the guitar body. I screwed those back in and it seems better now. They both need professional tune-ups. After getting them usable, I plugged in the Line 6 Pod that I inherited from my Step-Father and fixed a couple issues that it had (missing cable - which turned out to be a computer network cable...and a missing nut). I plugged in the old Fender Jam Amp that I used in CFM. Still works. A little buzzy, but it still cranks. I found the MP3's and the sheet music for the two songs that I'll be doing. I've listened to nothing but these two songs over and over again all week as I rode the bus or light-rail to work. I watched online (Youtube) tutorials on how to play the lead parts for both songs. The funny part is that each of these tutorials played the lead parts differently. So, I had to pick and choose what I learned to match the original song by ear as closely as I could. I played along with the Youtube vids, with the mp3's, and by myself. I had nightmares at night where I showed up to the audition, pulled out my guitar, and there were no strings on it. Or another nightmare where I was at the audition and totally blanked out and forgot how to play guitar all together. Weird, huh? I've posted both of the songs that I will be playing tonight below. I'll probably do an original song for my third "showcase" song called "They Tore You Apart". It's not a lead-guitar song, but it does showcase some of my other ability (rhythm playing, song writing, and singing). I thought about doing the third video for my "showcase" song complete with the Indian accent. But, I think the only thing it would showcase is my sense of humor and my weirdness. If you pray, please remember me tonight at 6pm (Mountain Time) as I audition. Thanks! Enjoy the songs!
3 comments:
I know its impossible to tell someone not to worry on these types of occasions, but truthfully, the Lord knows you have a heart for worship and He delights in giving you the desires of your heart, so I think you will pass with flying colors. I'd be more inclined to remember that you are auditioning for God, who yearns to be blessed by your praise and delights in your every element of worship.
On a side note, after singing with The Sanctuary praise team for over 4 years...last night [maybe because the worship pastor was absent], the temporary worship leader gave me a solo. Afterward everyone I talked to said they didn't know I could sing that well and that I rocked.
Makes me wonder how they never noticed this before when I sing on a mic every Thursday and Sunday for years now. I could hear the enemy whispering..."They probably don't put your mic into the house mix." I think the enemy needs to shut up. AMEN?
I am definitely praying for you, and I know you are going to do a wonderful job! I am proud of you! I love you!
Chris,
God honors faithfulness, you can trust that He will be with you and open up the right doors. Remember even though this is an audition, it's still about the "Audience of One."
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