Tag: music

THE GREAT BAND LEADER

I’m a sideman. I sing harmony because I can’t hit the notes on the melody. I play bass because it’s one note at a time, and only four strings. I play sax because it was band or PE; I can’t run a mile, and sax is surely the easiest of all band instruments. I often marched with a baritone sax because, living in the bass line, it has the simplest parts.

I’ve also been a roadie, threading ridiculously large equipment up winding stairs onto tiny little stages. I’ve played tambourine, pretended to sing, and run the light show. I’ve played bass fiddle in a prison chapel, at political rallies, and at farmers’ markets.

The Short Circuits. Fox. Blackstone. BA and the Buicks. The Bees. The Wild Bushmen. The Tucker Brothers. I managed a little stage time in all of those bands. Arlo Guthrie said we sing good harmony behind him at a Hurricane Andrew benefit. I met Dion briefly in a Walk to Emmaus serenade. He suggested I had a sound he was looking for, but fool that I was, I let it slide. Who knows how many opportunities I’ve missed to turn a sideline into a career?

One of the joys of pastoral ministry was working in an overall musical environment. At its best, church gives everybody a chance to shine and encourages budding talent. Gospel and liturgical music are vast libraries of often free material. As a sideman, I’ve been able to support and fortify others as they take the lead. And, with so many opportunities to worship in song, church is a rich environment for uncovering hidden talent.

Best of all, music requires people. It draws people to support. It draws people who listen. It prepares the mind to receive the Word of God for the People of God. A bigger venue, a bigger band, a bigger choir, requires more people and draws more people. A different band, a smaller venue, a more intimate choral group, these draw different people, and that’s good, too.

Music can target young people, rural sentiment, urban folk, parents, children, faithful Christians, nonbelievers – all good, because another person is another beloved soul that deserves attention and respect.

The Kingdom of God needs sidemen and leaders, listeners and singers, supporters and curiosity seekers, cooks and promoters, fans and skeptics. No one stays in a role forever. In sincere Gospel music, we are all sidemen and women. We play our parts with an ear to blending with everyone else and an eye to making sure everyone feels welcome and included.

Music is not the important thing; people – that’s what’s important. In church, we gather to worship, and depart to serve. But when it comes to bringing people in, elevating the humble, delivering the Word, and opening our hearts to hear it, music is a great vehicle for celebration and fellowship. There are others (food banks, troop support, fundraising, evangelism drives) that work as well or better than music. Some of them work better WITH music. All of it works together to the Glory of God IF – ah, the big IF – all glory goes to God, leadership belongs to Christ, and everyone’s goal is to serve others. Otherwise music, like anything else, becomes a source of tension, conflict, and fatigue.

The band needs roadies, sound techs, musicians, fans, and everything else. A great band leader can make everyone feel drawn in, like they are all members of the band. Jesus is a great band leader. He knows a roadie’s labor, a sideman’s rejection, the roar of the crowd and the heartbreak of an empty room. Jesus is a great band leader.

If there’s a song in your heart, share it. Share it to the glory of God and God alone. Share it with others, and let them rejoice with you. Just bring your heart and follow the Great Band Leader.

Brass bending for squeeky faith

It looks like I spend a fortune on saxophones, but I only buy cheap, undervalued horns. New and collectible saxes cost thousands of dollars. I buy horns for $100 or less. But with trial and error, a tiny screwdriver, rubber bands and a few scraps of cork, I can make a cheap horn sound like its $1,000 cousin. I’ve sold at cost or given away most of these horns to promising young students, saving their parents a bundle! It’s a hobby that almost pays for itself.

These saxes sell cheap because they are common, damaged or out-of-adjustment. Like a good used car, they lose that showroom premium price when the first student opens the case. Some are abused, others neglected, but seldom is the problem over-use. More often, they are carelessly stored, played or transported by someone who doesn’t understand their value.

An old sax squeaks because it leaks. As you play, you stop the leaks by pressing the keys harder, which in turn bends the keys and seals the pads until the leaks and squeaks go away.

I’ve found my faith walk a lot like those old saxophones. At first, I squeak my way through counseling, teaching and preaching. My faith is weak, but I press on, bending the keys and sealing the pads, getting it better until I get it right. Eventually, it all seems effortless.

That’s the beauty of practice and soft brass that bends just enough when you press hard enough to sound the note.

The disciples said, “Lord, increase our faith!” Buy us a better sax, Lord. He said, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed,” you have faith enough.

The student ponders expensive instruments, mouthpieces and reeds and asks, “What part is most important to the sound?” The Old Master replies, “That fleshy part hanging off the end of the mouthpiece.” It’s not the horn; it’s the player. It’s not the faith; it’s the “faith-er”.

You don’t need a better Bible, a bigger church or a different set of talents. What you need is on-the-job training! Use your faith in service to God. Press on until the squeaks go away and listen as your melody of faith grows strong and certain.