I wrote a blog a week or so ago talking about a band performing behind a wall of monitors and music stands...I mentioned how this seems to build walls between the band and the audience...
In worship leading we want to tear down walls! Know our congregation and lead the community of faith into the presence of the Holy of Holy's!! Now your response is...so you do this by taking away a stand?? YES!!
Have you ever read a story, while your head is buried in the pages only to look up and find that the very person you are reading the story for has fallen asleep?? It is this concept that leads me to discuss the STAND!!
If we have our attention focused on the music and the chord charts, how can we lead. You see the leading is not simply done by the one with the vocals. The congregation sees everyone...The guitar guy, the bass player, the keys...etc...You are all part of the leading team! Everyone must look engaged...Everyone must care that they are connecting with the audience...Everyone must engage the audience...Everyone must look like they are interested!!!!
If you can step away from the stand, and the chord chart, you can turn your attention to the congregation...you can LOVE THE CONGREGATION and therefore you can LEAD them!!
This takes extra work. This takes preparation time! This takes a lot of extra energy!! IF you are asked to lead a community of faith, into the arena of musical worship...Take the time to do it right. This is a huge responsibility. Learn the music and step out from behind the wall and engage people...LOVE THE CONGREGATION!!!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
The art of worship leading...
The debate continues...is leading worship an art form? Is there a technique to this or is this simply a feel thing? Have you witnessed both? When have you been to a church service where you were lost in worship? Has that happened...if it did, than what was different? IF this has not happened, why not?
Leading in worship tends to be hit and miss...in my experience. Sometimes the emotion, the passion, the creativity all seem to be on the same page and it is magical...other times the passion seems to be non-existent. What is the difference?
I don't want to be the one to answer this! I want to stir up conversation...
What is the role of the Worship Leader?
What makes a good leader?
What creates the emotion and the passion?
Is this a technique that can be learned?
I really want to hear from you! All of us complain about music in our church...we are either the one they are complaining about or we find something we don't like...BE HONEST!!!!!
Talk to me...what can we do to make it better...I have some ideas...BUT FIRST - let me hear what you think...
is it the music, the delivery, emotion...too much emotion?
What? Talk to me...
Kevin
Leading in worship tends to be hit and miss...in my experience. Sometimes the emotion, the passion, the creativity all seem to be on the same page and it is magical...other times the passion seems to be non-existent. What is the difference?
I don't want to be the one to answer this! I want to stir up conversation...
What is the role of the Worship Leader?
What makes a good leader?
What creates the emotion and the passion?
Is this a technique that can be learned?
I really want to hear from you! All of us complain about music in our church...we are either the one they are complaining about or we find something we don't like...BE HONEST!!!!!
Talk to me...what can we do to make it better...I have some ideas...BUT FIRST - let me hear what you think...
is it the music, the delivery, emotion...too much emotion?
What? Talk to me...
Kevin
songs or singing...which came first!?
Which came first, the song, or the art of singing? The question is usually about the chicken or the egg...not a musical reference!
It is a question that doesn't even need an answer...does it?? Do we care? Does it matter which came first? The answer...I HAVE NO IDEA!! Here is what I do care about...without the singing, the song has no voice. BUT without a song, the singer is silent! These are very profound and DEEP thoughts...deeper than Jack Handey (a SNL reference if you didn't know!)
Songwriters always believe the song is the only thing that matters. The singers always feel that without them the song will be left unheard!
The fact is, as much as the music business is always song driven, the LIVE show...the place where MOST artists make their living, is all about the delivery of that great song. How many shows have you been to where a band with a great song, delivered the song with no passion, with very little creativity and sounded just like the CD...only worse...and you were left thinking the song was not as good as you remembered!!
On the other hand...have you ever gone to a show where a band with average songs...delivered them with punch, creativity enthusiasm and passion...you leave thinking their songs were better than they actually are...does this sound familiar?
We sometimes think so highly of our GREAT SONGS, we think they will perform themselves! The crowd that "got it" on the radio or at home listening to the CD version, will instantly connect when we perform it LIVE.
The pain, sweat and tears that go into the craft of writing a great song, need to be used when putting together a great show. You hear the language on American Idol. This is a singing competition, but they constantly refer to connection...emotion, passion, owning the song...and they are all performing GREAT SONGS!!!
Don't have the crowd at your show say..."the song was bigger than you dawg.."
Which came first...the song...the singer...who cares! SING the SONG well enough that the crowd will believe they arrived at the same time!!!!
Kevin
It is a question that doesn't even need an answer...does it?? Do we care? Does it matter which came first? The answer...I HAVE NO IDEA!! Here is what I do care about...without the singing, the song has no voice. BUT without a song, the singer is silent! These are very profound and DEEP thoughts...deeper than Jack Handey (a SNL reference if you didn't know!)
Songwriters always believe the song is the only thing that matters. The singers always feel that without them the song will be left unheard!
The fact is, as much as the music business is always song driven, the LIVE show...the place where MOST artists make their living, is all about the delivery of that great song. How many shows have you been to where a band with a great song, delivered the song with no passion, with very little creativity and sounded just like the CD...only worse...and you were left thinking the song was not as good as you remembered!!
On the other hand...have you ever gone to a show where a band with average songs...delivered them with punch, creativity enthusiasm and passion...you leave thinking their songs were better than they actually are...does this sound familiar?
We sometimes think so highly of our GREAT SONGS, we think they will perform themselves! The crowd that "got it" on the radio or at home listening to the CD version, will instantly connect when we perform it LIVE.
The pain, sweat and tears that go into the craft of writing a great song, need to be used when putting together a great show. You hear the language on American Idol. This is a singing competition, but they constantly refer to connection...emotion, passion, owning the song...and they are all performing GREAT SONGS!!!
Don't have the crowd at your show say..."the song was bigger than you dawg.."
Which came first...the song...the singer...who cares! SING the SONG well enough that the crowd will believe they arrived at the same time!!!!
Kevin
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Why do we even play music in church?
I have to admit that I am not the biggest fan of our current "Worship Music" within the church. Now - I am a huge fan of great Praise and Worship, just haven't found it a lot lately....
Here is what I mean...I was watching a youtube video of one of Canada's largest churches. They put up a video of their worship service. Here is what I saw...a huge stage - 2 singers standing in the front (not moving and they both had their eyes closed) - The band was at least 20 feet behind them, behind a wall of monitors - all of them had their heads buried in the music stand...and the words were on the screen...Musically it was pretty good, good singers, decent players - good sound - ZERO "leading"!
Being a leader in the area of Praise and Worship is not a "gig". This is not a place to play great music, this is not a place to entertain, it is not a place to try out our newest song that we wrote...It is the place to selflessly lead the congregation before you into the sacred place of worship. Preparing the congregation to receive from God's Word. Leading them to a place where they are ready to be ministered to by God!
In the example I mentioned earlier there was no interaction with the audience. The leaders had their eyes closed most of the time - this does not allow the leader to notice the crowd...make eye contact - find out where the audience is emotionally and spiritually. You cannot lead, if you do not notice, if the crowd is following you...
Does that make sense to you, or this a foreign concept? We need to get back to an understanding of why we take time to play music in church. We are to "lead" a congregation and prepare them to hear the Word. You cannot lead what you cannot see.
The Worship Leader needs to understand that their job is not to sing well and play cool music (although both are nice to have) Our job is to lead the congregation. We need to interact with them visually. We need to create an atmosphere that is welcoming...we need to perform, NOT entertain. Performance in this context is to simply communicate WELL!
If your Pastor looked at his notes, very rarely ever looked up, closed his eyes and really seemed internalized...would you listen or tune it out? When the speaker walks around, looks at you, looks around the congregation...he is looking to see your response - is this getting through to you? Are there people nodding their heads in agreement - etc...
We need to have the same approach to worship...this is your time to watch, gaze and interact - your personal time of worship is before you step on that stage!!
Be prepared, know your music and remember that you are not there to sing songs...you are there to lead and prepare your congregation!!
Take your job seriously...LOVE YOUR AUDIENCE!!!
for more on this and other topics...www.expressiveworship.com
Kevin Pauls
Here is what I mean...I was watching a youtube video of one of Canada's largest churches. They put up a video of their worship service. Here is what I saw...a huge stage - 2 singers standing in the front (not moving and they both had their eyes closed) - The band was at least 20 feet behind them, behind a wall of monitors - all of them had their heads buried in the music stand...and the words were on the screen...Musically it was pretty good, good singers, decent players - good sound - ZERO "leading"!
Being a leader in the area of Praise and Worship is not a "gig". This is not a place to play great music, this is not a place to entertain, it is not a place to try out our newest song that we wrote...It is the place to selflessly lead the congregation before you into the sacred place of worship. Preparing the congregation to receive from God's Word. Leading them to a place where they are ready to be ministered to by God!
In the example I mentioned earlier there was no interaction with the audience. The leaders had their eyes closed most of the time - this does not allow the leader to notice the crowd...make eye contact - find out where the audience is emotionally and spiritually. You cannot lead, if you do not notice, if the crowd is following you...
Does that make sense to you, or this a foreign concept? We need to get back to an understanding of why we take time to play music in church. We are to "lead" a congregation and prepare them to hear the Word. You cannot lead what you cannot see.
The Worship Leader needs to understand that their job is not to sing well and play cool music (although both are nice to have) Our job is to lead the congregation. We need to interact with them visually. We need to create an atmosphere that is welcoming...we need to perform, NOT entertain. Performance in this context is to simply communicate WELL!
If your Pastor looked at his notes, very rarely ever looked up, closed his eyes and really seemed internalized...would you listen or tune it out? When the speaker walks around, looks at you, looks around the congregation...he is looking to see your response - is this getting through to you? Are there people nodding their heads in agreement - etc...
We need to have the same approach to worship...this is your time to watch, gaze and interact - your personal time of worship is before you step on that stage!!
Be prepared, know your music and remember that you are not there to sing songs...you are there to lead and prepare your congregation!!
Take your job seriously...LOVE YOUR AUDIENCE!!!
for more on this and other topics...www.expressiveworship.com
Kevin Pauls
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Spirit of Christmas performed by Kevin Pauls
Thisis my first single released to mainstream radio - TOP 40 in Canada!!
buy the entire CD @ www.kevinpauls.com/kpstore
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!javascript:void(0)
Thursday, November 4, 2010
GMA Canada 2010 - The LOWDOWN!!
Hello! What a great week I had in Calgary!! I was there for the
GMA Canada - Conference and Covenant Awards. Got to hang out with a lot of my music buddies I don't get to see much. I taught 3 classes during the conference. I spoke on The Streams of Revenue (Making a career out of music) and than 2 classes on Making Your Live Performance GREAT!
I had a lot of people to all my sessions and the feedback was great. It continues to boggle my mind...very few people talk about the issues that I bring up at my seminars. The live performance, for the most part, is still a "winging" it experience!!!
I spoke to worship artists, mainstream focused artists and CCM or performance based artists (that simply means that they are not a "worship" focused artist) - I found that all were receptive to the idea that we need to communicate from the stage and stop pretending that our talent alone will connect! It is interesting to see the worship focused artist start with a little skepticism. The "worship" artist tends to fall into the category of..."leave me alone, I am inspired!" - (being a little over the top here!!) BUT - the argument is - this is worship...I don't need to be a show!! Point taken...BUT - Would you want your pastor to assume that if he had good content he does not need to communicate it effectively? I hope your answer is NO!!
If you are leading a congregation in praise and worship...your job is to??? What?? Lead them!!! You cannot do that if you are not watching, and if you do not have a plan...or a destination!! You MUST take time to figure out the following: Who is in my audience? What is the state of mind when they enter the church? How can we connect? Where do I want to take them? Then plan your music and your journey with those thoughts in mind!!
Live Music Producing is simply - teaching an artist to be aware that there #1 focus is connection with the audience. It does not matter if your are leading in worship, if you are playing a mainstream gig or performing on a street corner - if you do not connect with the people you are playing in front of...YOU WILL NOT BE PLAYING FOR LONG!!!
I work with a lot of Christian Artists, Country Artists, Rock, Celtic, Fusion, Jazz - you name it - I have worked with it! The #1 focus still remains...
CONNECT, CONNECT, CONNECT!!! To purchase the best material on this topic you need to goto Tom Jackson's site and purchase his DVD set!! I only teach "The Tom Jackson Method" of stage performance - after all he is the guru!! CLICK HERE to see the product...if you are serious...INVEST IN YOUR CAREER!!
Talk soon,
Kevin
GMA Canada - Conference and Covenant Awards. Got to hang out with a lot of my music buddies I don't get to see much. I taught 3 classes during the conference. I spoke on The Streams of Revenue (Making a career out of music) and than 2 classes on Making Your Live Performance GREAT!
I had a lot of people to all my sessions and the feedback was great. It continues to boggle my mind...very few people talk about the issues that I bring up at my seminars. The live performance, for the most part, is still a "winging" it experience!!!
I spoke to worship artists, mainstream focused artists and CCM or performance based artists (that simply means that they are not a "worship" focused artist) - I found that all were receptive to the idea that we need to communicate from the stage and stop pretending that our talent alone will connect! It is interesting to see the worship focused artist start with a little skepticism. The "worship" artist tends to fall into the category of..."leave me alone, I am inspired!" - (being a little over the top here!!) BUT - the argument is - this is worship...I don't need to be a show!! Point taken...BUT - Would you want your pastor to assume that if he had good content he does not need to communicate it effectively? I hope your answer is NO!!
If you are leading a congregation in praise and worship...your job is to??? What?? Lead them!!! You cannot do that if you are not watching, and if you do not have a plan...or a destination!! You MUST take time to figure out the following: Who is in my audience? What is the state of mind when they enter the church? How can we connect? Where do I want to take them? Then plan your music and your journey with those thoughts in mind!!
Live Music Producing is simply - teaching an artist to be aware that there #1 focus is connection with the audience. It does not matter if your are leading in worship, if you are playing a mainstream gig or performing on a street corner - if you do not connect with the people you are playing in front of...YOU WILL NOT BE PLAYING FOR LONG!!!
I work with a lot of Christian Artists, Country Artists, Rock, Celtic, Fusion, Jazz - you name it - I have worked with it! The #1 focus still remains...
CONNECT, CONNECT, CONNECT!!! To purchase the best material on this topic you need to goto Tom Jackson's site and purchase his DVD set!! I only teach "The Tom Jackson Method" of stage performance - after all he is the guru!! CLICK HERE to see the product...if you are serious...INVEST IN YOUR CAREER!!
Talk soon,
Kevin
Friday, October 22, 2010
Investing in your career
I want to talk about the money that musicians spend on their careers...from a sampling of what I have heard, seen and experienced in the industry. Your spending speaks volumes about what you think is important. And I'm hoping to challenge the "status quo" thinking when it comes to your money and your music!
Let's breakdown a fairly typical example: A singer/songwriter, has been playing in clubs for a while and fans are looking for some music to buy. The Artist decides to do a recording and make a presence online (iTunes, a website, YouTube, social media etc). Now, the artist needs to create actual "in your hand" product to sell at their shows. The artist duplicates 5oo units, pays for artwork and design as well as any royalties (if recording covers)
Investment (the "status quo" approach)
Recording/Duplication - $22,000
Social Media, Website (ie.Bandzoogle)Artwork/Design - $500
Live Show - $0
Cost: $22,500
Now, let's look at a DIFFERENT approach:
Recording/Duplication - $17,000
Social Media, Website, artwork/design - $500
Live Show - $5,000
Cost: $22,500
The cost/output is the same...so what's the difference?
Revenue from the live show typically accounts for over 90% of a band or artist's revenue!! When you talk to managers, artists and record companies - they consistently indicate that every band they work with will generate well over 90% of their revenue from their live show. (Now, this does not include the "lottery winners" - The bands and artists that hit the jackpot and get a #1 record or a #1 single etc.)A great Live Show will not only create higher paying gigs but when you connect with an audience and create moments...you create FANS and FANS BUY MERCH! Your overall revenue from the show will increase exponentially! This will translate into more sales at the gig, more promoters re-booking you, higher fees for playing - ITS ALL GOOD!
My experience with 25 years in the industry would back up these numbers. Artists/bands typically spend 100% of their resources trying to make great recordings. They then do not have the resources to market their product effectively. If you do not win the "lottery" you are stuck playing crappy gigs to hopefully earn a living. This model of a "career" does not allow artists to thrive - it allows you to MAYBE survive at best!! In other words, your investment is not earning ANY interest!
SO, now we are left with a decision. Here are the facts:
We make more revenue from playing music than we do selling it.
What do we do with that information? How do we plan a career based on this kind of data?
Here is my suggestion:
Invest in the recording for sure - you need to have that music available. BUT - if you have a limited budget be creative - don't blow 100% of your budget on the music side and ignore the LIVE SHOW!!!
Look at your money...where have you invested it? Do you have more guitar pedals than Van Halen? Do you have boxes of hundreds of CD's? Do you have more sound gear than your local studio??
Invest in your LIVE SHOW!!! Than, you will generate more revenue and create fans that will follow your entire career!!!
Kevin Pauls
LIVE MUSIC PRODUCER
Let's breakdown a fairly typical example: A singer/songwriter, has been playing in clubs for a while and fans are looking for some music to buy. The Artist decides to do a recording and make a presence online (iTunes, a website, YouTube, social media etc). Now, the artist needs to create actual "in your hand" product to sell at their shows. The artist duplicates 5oo units, pays for artwork and design as well as any royalties (if recording covers)
Investment (the "status quo" approach)
Recording/Duplication - $22,000
Social Media, Website (ie.Bandzoogle)Artwork/Design - $500
Live Show - $0
Cost: $22,500
Now, let's look at a DIFFERENT approach:
Recording/Duplication - $17,000
Social Media, Website, artwork/design - $500
Live Show - $5,000
Cost: $22,500
The cost/output is the same...so what's the difference?
Revenue from the live show typically accounts for over 90% of a band or artist's revenue!! When you talk to managers, artists and record companies - they consistently indicate that every band they work with will generate well over 90% of their revenue from their live show. (Now, this does not include the "lottery winners" - The bands and artists that hit the jackpot and get a #1 record or a #1 single etc.)A great Live Show will not only create higher paying gigs but when you connect with an audience and create moments...you create FANS and FANS BUY MERCH! Your overall revenue from the show will increase exponentially! This will translate into more sales at the gig, more promoters re-booking you, higher fees for playing - ITS ALL GOOD!
My experience with 25 years in the industry would back up these numbers. Artists/bands typically spend 100% of their resources trying to make great recordings. They then do not have the resources to market their product effectively. If you do not win the "lottery" you are stuck playing crappy gigs to hopefully earn a living. This model of a "career" does not allow artists to thrive - it allows you to MAYBE survive at best!! In other words, your investment is not earning ANY interest!
SO, now we are left with a decision. Here are the facts:
We make more revenue from playing music than we do selling it.
What do we do with that information? How do we plan a career based on this kind of data?
Here is my suggestion:
Invest in the recording for sure - you need to have that music available. BUT - if you have a limited budget be creative - don't blow 100% of your budget on the music side and ignore the LIVE SHOW!!!
Look at your money...where have you invested it? Do you have more guitar pedals than Van Halen? Do you have boxes of hundreds of CD's? Do you have more sound gear than your local studio??
Invest in your LIVE SHOW!!! Than, you will generate more revenue and create fans that will follow your entire career!!!
Kevin Pauls
LIVE MUSIC PRODUCER
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