Guitar in the Church

I grew up in the 60s and 70s and in my part of the country...and i mean country!!! guitars were probably the essence of a church music department.
It was electric guitars and unmiked acoustic pianos. Guitar music, although at home was very country was THE foundation of a lot of services i went to as a kid.

Electric keyboards and the changing style of music..Lanny Wolfe...changed the dynamics musically at least in my part of the country.

Older guitar players example Chet Atkins style players were lost with this style and a lot of guitar players basically quit playing in church and young players seemed to be not encouraged to incorporate into the church.

However, In the last few years i have seen a major resurgence in the amount of guitars in the church and what and awesome thing.

Guitar has proven to stand the test of time and can be a tremendous asset to any type of music department.

Here of this forum we can celebrate this and find ways to make ourselves
not only better guitarists but a stronger asset to our respective ministries
whether it be at a church level or a band or recording or even in some cases a teaching ministry.

When (and where) I grew up, guitars were the devils instrument, followed closely by drums.

I am glad we have progressed to the point there are times that the guitar is the lead instrument in church.

When I went to Bible College there was a local church, which was more on the liberal side, who had a music director that would on occasion play guitar while leading in worship (this was in 1985!). When someone remarked on their being a little more liberal than others someone piped up "What do you expect? Their worship leader plays a guitar!"

Better times, indeed.

Happy strumming...

Pastor Craig

I grew up in Indiana in the church. I literally slept under the pews! Music was a huge part of our church. My dad was the organist and my mom was the pianist and choir director... so I was born in the music dept. We had a large orchestra for that time (back in the early 60's) There were about 12 or 13 guitars... and that is no stretch! Many were electric and some were acoustic. I often think of all those guitars today and where they all are. There were Gibson archback acoustics... Martin flattop acoustics, etc. I remember Gibson ES335's (which were brand new) and there were lots of Fenders, too! There were Strats and even one Jaguar. There were several Fender Twin and Super Reverb amps. Now that I think back on it... every Sunday night was quite an event... all improv and spontaneous stuff! We even had a laptop steel in the group!

When I was 7 I kept telling my dad that I wanted to play guitar and so he got me a little red Les Paul, Jr. How I wish I still had it today! Later we traded it in for a thin hollow body red sunburst '62 ES125TDC and added chrome humbuckers and a bigsby (just like Chet). I still have this guitar.

Those memories are sure great. Like Wink said, I'm glad to see more guitars in the churches today.

Gary

I think that guitars now days get alot more "lea way" in the 70's and 80's. I can remember liking David and the Giants cause they had a cool sound. alot of people had very dim opinion of them but us young ( well young then) people liked thier music. I came form a church that played mostely country style Chirstian music but we did take a few walks on the wild side usally my guitar. it was good I kinda miss playin the country somethimes now we have moved to a different church and we play almost every thing new out not too much repeats. but we use alot of guitar.

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Enjoying the life that God has givin me!!!

My Gear: Variax guitar, xtlive hooked direct.

In regard to guitars in church...

I started playing in church in 1967, when I was very young (11). Back then, to agree with G Harding, there indeed was a wealth of guitar players in the Central Indiana area. I remember watching and stealing a lot of licks from these guys (Hank, Tom, Ronnie Jones, Frank French, the list is lengthy) , and used these lines - and still some use them today in my own arrangements. I can tell you that some of these guys were good - and some of them were TOP players in anyone's standard....(Ronnie Jones was introduced in 1967 publically as "better than Chet Atkins")...

But, as progress would have it (progress ?), many of the older and middle-aged guitarists we're either shuffled out of the music scene (for varied reasons good or bad), or were not able to modulate to the modern music, and therefore many - in fact I believe and know MOST of them simply stopped playing. This is sad. I have run on to several top players from the 60s-70s that had/have absolutely and completely stopped playing.

I have attempted, in some cases, to revitalize their interest, but it is very hard given the fact that the music they used to play does not exist in many churches, and therefore they have no release or even a ministry for their potential contribution.

One of the greatest joys I have ever experienced is when I ran onto a guy from way-back-when that had stopped, and not played the guitar in church for 15 years. I invited him to play a little jam with me. When he dug out the old 60something Epiphone Broadway and hit a few notes, the man and instrument sprung to life. You talk about revitalized. Man oh man...!!

I do not have an answer or solution for this, nor do I think that returning to the 60s is the answer, but it seems that there is a place for all styles and eras of Apostolic music. Balance, perhaps is the key, and sadly, there are countless churches I've visited where balance is not implemented. I can, of course, only speak for the area that I live in.

Now, please don't think that I'm negative or opposed to newer and contempory music. Simply not true, and I am involved with contemporary at my church. I only think that a balance is good. Kind of like steak goes good with potatoes, beans, bread, ice tea, etc. A healthy and tasteful mix and variety that touches every generation. And, when you have a good mix, each tastes really good when combined with the other.

Scientifically, there is "point of resonant frequency" for every object on the earth. This simply means that every object - at a certain and unique frequency, will vibrate uncontrollaby and with all its might. This, spiritually, is why I can worship and worship and worship, but sometimes a song or word is said that HITS me right on the button of my frequency, and then I am out of control with true and deep worship that is from the core of my heart. Usually this is because it reminds me of a special time, or blessing, or person that is connected with that song or word, and it causes me to once again rejoice in an elevated way.

Can you imagine the revival among the "old" guys and their music ability if somehow we were able to once again play "their" frequency... songs that they know, love, and can absolutely play the fire out of !!!!.....
The possibilites are astronomical.....

Sorry for the long post.....

SRN

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SRN

You have some good points. I'm glad you mentioned Ronnie Jones. He was one of the greatest influences in my youth while I was in Indiana. In fact, when I heard him play the Chet Atkins style, I was hooked, and (to the dismay of my guitar teacher at the time) I went and bought a thumbpick and never looked back.

I have not seen Ronnie for several decades, since moving to CA. I would love to have a guitar festival or another Gospel Guitar Jam and bring him to the event. What a reunion that would be... and a great connection for all the young guys to see what a legacy all of us have.

Gary

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Rodeopreacher

What about getting some of these brothers you all have mentioned to join the forum. I know there are some of us that have never heard of these brothers and would love to hear/learn more.

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God bless,
~David Schell

www.anointedstrings.com

Ronnie Jones is alive and well, and until recently was the music minister in Kokomo, IN.
Sadly, until about a year ago, he had all but completely stopped playing the guitar, and if I understood him correctly, has/had not really even played guitar for many many years, but had moved to the keys. We had a couple local jams and he came to them. Hopefully, he'll get back at it in a big way. He's still got the chops....
Ronnie Jones: If you're reading this..... pick that guitar up !!!!!!!!!!!!

SRN
http://www.conversationpiecesmusic.com

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SRN

before I came to the Lord I was playing guitar in the night clubs in a top 40 dance band(1987). when I came to the Lord, my pastor (the late Ken Fields) said if I would stop playing in night clubs i could take the position of bass player for the church. In that time I would play my electric guitar when someone else could fill in on the bass, but of course someone piped up with "bro ron you sound like you're playin' in the night clubs". so consequentially I ended up playing bass for 20 years in church. It seemed to me that bass, drums, piano and organ were all that were really allowed. I played bass for the western district camp meeting several years in a row, and almost nobody knew that I was secretly a guitar player. Thank God he answered my prayers and my church opened up to the way i play guitar. thank God for change. fingerpickin'

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if you like fingerstyle and, you would like to trade arrangements E Mail me

Watch me play Fingerstyle guitar at youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVwEAmoisZs

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6TyK4QhJhlg

I completely agree with this as I grew up the exact same way. Guitars in church as far back as I can remember was the pastor or an attendant playing an acoustic. Back then it seemed in the churches I attend the guitarist followed "3 chords and a capo" motto. No offense because this is how I taught myself to play was learning some simple chords and moving a capo around to achieve different keys. I played the acoustic at the church I attended during that time. While there I used a majority of the time "3 chords and a capo" method. I then moved to the church I currently attend. After being asked to play on the platform then felt I needed to expand my knowledge and arsenal as a guitarist. I felt that if these ministers were laboring and preparing for messages that were intended to move the congregation why not musicians? I then began to learn scales, complex chords, and incoporating different styles of playing. I also began to try to find the best equipment because I dont' want to give anything than my best to worship. I am continously trying to learn more as a guitarist and expand my knowledge. Thanks for creating this website I will frequent this site as often as possible.

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'72 Tele Deluxe w/ custom WRHB
Hot Rod Deluxe
Boss ME-50
Diamond Compressor, Ernie Ball Jr VP, Boss TR2, Boss DD7, FS-5U

i was just thinking about how most musicians in church don't read music. can you imagine what we could do with basic reading skills?

_________________
if you like fingerstyle and, you would like to trade arrangements E Mail me

Watch me play Fingerstyle guitar at youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVwEAmoisZs

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6TyK4QhJhlg

I completely agree with this as I grew up the exact same way. Guitars in church as far back as I can remember was the pastor or an attendant playing an acoustic. Back then it seemed in the churches I attend the guitarist followed "3 chords and a capo" motto. No offense because this is how I taught myself to play was learning some simple chords and moving a capo around to achieve different keys. I played the acoustic at the church I attended during that time. While there I used a majority of the time "3 chords and a capo" method. I then moved to the church I currently attend. After being asked to play on the platform then felt I needed to expand my knowledge and arsenal as a guitarist. I felt that if these ministers were laboring and preparing for messages that were intended to move the congregation why not musicians? I then began to learn scales, complex chords, and incoporating different styles of playing. I also began to try to find the best equipment because I dont' want to give anything than my best to worship. I am continously trying to learn more as a guitarist and expand my knowledge. Thanks for creating this website I will frequent this site as often as possible.

Being 15 years old I thought I'd put my input in from a young persons perspective. I've been playing in Church since I was about 12 or 13. The guitar in churches in Louisiana takes on a major role. For example, in my church, one of the guitar players plays an instrumental while taking up the offering. The guitar is a major component of the music ministry in my church and also in some surrounding churches. Most of these guys can PLAY.