What's the way to handle a terrible musician

[Ramar]

I got this problem at my church... you see my brother is the church drummer and I'm the church organist... about 2 years ago, we had a family join our church... one member of the family, "James" plays the drums, and another member "Chris" calls himself a keyboard player. What's the problem? well, they stink!!! The drummer can't keep a beat for nothing but for some reason thinks that he is just as good as my brother. His family says that he has been playin for about 12 years but he sounds like he's only been playing for 1 week. He can't even do a basic 1-2- beat without getting off beat. Because of that, he doesn't get to play very much.

Chris, on the other hand makes rap beats  with his drum machine(he raps also), and he figures that if he can make beats than he can also play the keyboard. In church he often brings his keyboard and plays the drum sounds off of the keyboard despite the fact that the drum sounds sound totally fake, and despite the fact that we already have a drummer. As far as playing music, he knows nothing about key, pitch, or music in general, so he screws up the music when he tries to play. I've tried teaching him, but he already thinks that he knows how to play



Here's the conflict... both of them think that it isn't fair that they don't get to play as much as me and my brother. They consider us "hogs", and even a few church members don't think that it's fair either. I tried explaining to them that I'm more "experienced" than they are, but they still insist that they are on the same level musicwise as me and my brother.

I don't believe that any of them have musical talent... but I can't tell them that, can I?

How do I handle these folks, without sounding mean and arrogant?

[sjonathan02]

Have you tried to help these individuals?

What does your pastor say concerning this situation?

At a rehearsal, ask them to play a song from a CD; something that your church choir sings. Then, constructively critique their playing offering suggestions and the like.


If you can offer them assistance, then they can work on getting better. If they're unwilling to do so, then have your pastor decide what the best move is.

I pray that helps. Be Blessed.

[Ramar]

 

Have you tried to help these individuals?

What does your pastor say concerning this situation?

At a rehearsal, ask them to play a song from a CD; something that your church choir sings. Then, constructively critique their playing offering suggestions and the like.


I pray that helps. Be Blessed.

I try helping them all the time.... but it goes in one ear and out the other. I've tried the whole "play a choir song" thing... It sounded nothing like the song.  I even constructively critiqued him ... but he insists that he is playing his own "rendition" and that he likes to play things his way...

Is it just me or is this guy in total denial that he stinks?

As far as the pastor goes, what should I say to him? Even though they got ego problems, they are still good friends of mine, and I don't wanna put them out in front of the pastor....

[sjonathan02]

I try helping them all the time.... but it goes in one ear and out the other. I've tried the whole "play a choir song" thing... It sounded nothing like the song.  I even constructively critiqued him ... but he insists that he is playing his own "rendition" and that he likes to play things his way...

Is it just me or is this guy in total denial that he stinks?

As far as the pastor goes, what should I say to him? Even though they got ego problems, they are still good friends of mine, and I don't wanna put them out in front of the pastor....

This isn't about pals, it's about professionalism. Inform the pastor, pronto. If the guy won't listen to YOU, then maybe he'll listen to the pastor (an objective third party who's tryin' to be about God's business, I'm thinkin')


Try it out.

[momuzik]

If you're the minister of music, sounds like you might have to pull rank and sit them down. Every musician in church doesn't have to be in the band.
They may be close friends but the objective should be to offer up to God your best praise and worship. If they're off beat and off key, that can cause distractions and hinder the worship.
But if you want to incorporate them, maybe you can have them alternating on songs they can do and swap off on the songs they can't do decent enough.
In the meantime, maybe you can start having some separate rehearsals with just the musicians until everyone is on the same page.

[THE WOLFMAN]

troof.

i you're the MOM, u have the right to make that call. Part of your gig is to prepare the music so it can best serve the people, the ministry, and in should be in excellence.

In regard to his "rendition", again, as MOM, you gotta tell him we gotta play "organised ball", and not freestyle it, and you set the tone as to how the organisation begins.

Band rehearsals  would be good.

I'd let tha pastor know what you are about to do, just so he's in the loop, not necessarily involved.

[Rjthakid]

If all else fails and the Pastor and members STILL think its not fair that they don't play....

...Let them run the music one sunday.  If they're as bad as you say, problem solved.   

[sjonathan02]

If all else fails and the Pastor and members STILL think its not fair that they don't play....

...Let them run the music one sunday.  If they're as bad as you say, problem solved.   

 

[Ramar]

I appreciate the advice y'all... They ain't gonna like me after I do this.... pray for me!!!

[THE WOLFMAN]

I say beat them. Get a paddle, a belt, or if ur like my mamma, the high heel shoe, or the extension cord........

Just beat the fear of God in em, that'll set them stra......





*looks at thread title..*


Oh, terrible MUSICIAN! I thought it said children....



never mind....

[bassthumpa]

I appreciate the advice y'all... They ain't gonna like me after I do this.... pray for me!!!

Making unpopular decisions comes with leadership, and it won't always be easy to do it.  You'll be labeled as the bad guy sometimes.  Just stay prayerful and keep your pastor up to speed on what's going on.

Folks seem to think that being a musician has to be "fair" regardless of folks' ability.  If you have an usher who isn't firm and lets folks walk all over them and do whatever, the head usher will work with them and if they don't get with the program then they'll be told to SADDOWN.  If you have someone that's supposed to work the pulpit but isn't paying attention and taking care of those on the pulpit, the head of that auxiliary will so the same... and if they don't shape up, then they'll SADDOWN.  I'm sure that you follow me.

If they're dedicated to it, they'll continue to work with you, even if they're not getting much playing time, and try to better themselves.

[THE WOLFMAN]

a lot of time we go for MEDIOCRITY when it comes to music and the execution thereof, just 'case "it's fo de Lawd."


folk get 3 chords, and its ok.

newsflash! its NOT ok.

I aint throwin shade on those that got 3 chords,  cuz i had 3 chords once. (now i got 4:))

But i wasnt satisfied with 3 chords. I had to have more. I strove for more.

If ya aint together, I'll be the first one to tell you. But in encouragement, if you lookin to build your craft.  keyword: CRAFT. 


Like the above post, we dont settle for mediocrity in many things. but like i said its this their CRAFT?

The Bible sez David called for the SKILLED musicians. The Bible doesn't use specific words for nuffin. This tells me that there may have been musicians that were not as skilled.

They DIDNT get the call.

Mane, i aint sayin that someone learning cant be used, but when u  got 3 chords, KNOW THAT U HAVE 3 CHORDS,  and dont ack like your last name is DeFranceso.(joe).

[T-Block]

You sit them down until they get wit da program.  Either one of 2 things will happen, either they will conform or leave.  Either way, your problem will be solved.

[Lildrummaboy66]

hey bro prayerfully consider what you need to do, make your decision and know with blessed assurance that God is with you whatever the outcome may be! often times those who are speaking about being unfair are the ones being unfair with their attitude towards the situation- usually with prideful thoughts. but as the bro stated, making unpopular decisions comes with leadership and if you are mature enough as a christian you will come to the realization that the decision that was made was for your own good.

God bless

[chrisjr4]

Yeah *shakes head up and down* I like what wolfman has to say! A lot of times I have to watch myself so I don't settle for mediocrity... If I go ANYWHERE else besides church I make sure I have whatever I'm playing down to a TEE...and a lot of times they are churches that are shouting for no reason and God isn't getting glory out of the service. People are there to listen to good music.
Surely, if I give my best there... My best should be on another level at MY church where we are serious about giving God glory!

I agree you should make the pastor aware of the situation as it's his job to know what's going on in the church. If they don't want to listen... Go ahead and let them play a Sunday without you or your brother's help. There's no dicipline like reality dicipline (LOL)!

Lordell

[Lildrummaboy66]

oh man, not the reality discipline.....talk about rude awakening........lol

[mckeeb]

I MAY BE LAST ON GIVING SOME ADVICE..BUT WHEN THERE IS CONFLICT AS SUCH IN THE CHURCH, ESPECIALLY IN THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT....THAT CAN LEAD TO DISCORD THROUGH OUT THE SERVICES.....SO THIS IS WHERE THE PASTOR MUST STEP TO THE PLATE....UNLESS THERE IS SOME TIES WITH THE FAMILY AND THE PASTOR DOES NOT WANT TO SAY ANYTHING....IF HE DOESN'T  AND THEY STILL WANT TO DO THEIR OWN THING, THEN PUT THEM IN CHARGE OF THE KIDS CHOIR....THEN THE CONGREGATION AND THE PEOPLE TALKING CAN SEE HOW THEIR ATTITUDES AND STYLE CAN DESTROY THE FLOW OF THE SPIRIT....I KNOW IT'S HARD WORKING WITH SOMEONE THAT SEEMS TO ALREADY KNOW EVERYTHING....I AM LEARNING MYSELF BUT I AM LEARNING WITH A HUMBLE SPIRIT...THAT MAKES A DIFFERNCE...KEEP LETTING GOD USE YOU, SOMETIMES WE ARE FACED WITH CHALLENGES BUT IT IS ONLY TO MAKE US STRONGER........BE BLESSED MY BROTHER AND KEEP WORKING FOR THE LORD.
                  YOURS IN CHRIST....TONY

[B3hammondboy]

WELCOME TO LGM "mckeeb"!!

[PianoWizard]

Welcome to the LGM family "mckeeb"....Be Blessed.

PianoWiz...

[jlewis]

Mane, can we get an update on this.   Did it work out for the best?    Did you have to let them run  a service on their own ( reality check).


Sometimes  when you let them have the reality check, you still get the blame because folks will say, " You knew they weren't prepared so why did you let them continue without any help?"


sometimes you can't win for losing.

Jlewis