Welcome Musicians!

We are pleased that you have joined us to spread His word through the wonder of music.   If you will please read the following and take it to heart, you will surely bless everyone by making a more joyous noise unto the Lord.

Drummers and Percussionists: Please get your emotional high from creating the groove of the music, not from the physio-psychological pleasure of pounding on things.  If you are too loud, it will be impossible to make the vocals audible above you.  When this is the case you are not a vessel from which His word flows, you are the cork in the bottle.  (Have you ever seen what they do to bottle corks? :-)  And remember: The tuning that sounds good to your ears may sound awful in the house, especially when the drums are mic'd.  Sustain (ring) is often a big problem, as is having the drums tuned too high.  Work with the soundpersons on this (after reading the drum tuning primers listed on http://www.padrick.net/AudioLinks.htm).

Guitarists, bassists, and keyboardists: Please note that the volume control on your amplifier has settings between those of 0 and 11.  Please use them.  As with the drums, if you are too loud, it will be impossible to make the vocals audible above you.  You will be doing everyone a grave disservice, and He will surely take note of this.  (You may still make it to heaven, but don't be surprised if your room is next to the one where they give the beginner banjo and accordion lessons.)

Vocalists:  Sing as loudly as you like, no problem!  (Please keep in mind that the more even you keep your volume level, the easier it is for the soundperson to keep you both audible and un-distorted.)  No matter how you sing however, in order for you to be heard you must sing straight into your microphone, as stage mics are designed to resist the pickup of sounds other that those that are coming from straight ahead.   You must also be very close the the microphone, preferably at 0" but certainly no more than 2" (especially when speaking).  If not, your tone will become very thin and it will likely become impossible to turn your volume up loud enough before feedback occurs.  If you feel you are too loud, do not back off of the microphone, just ask the soundperson to turn you down in the monitors.  (Few people ever ask to be turned down in the monitors.  Your doing so will make the soundperson very happy!)

Please remember that be they "yours" or "ours", the soundpersons deserve the same respect and consideration that you desire for yourself.  If you feel that you need something, please ask nicely and exercise patience.  If the soundperson needs something from you (such as to turn down) please be accommodating (i.e., don't just turn down a half notch, turn down two notches, or four).  Everyone is "on the same team".  When you do something that helps the soundperson do a better job, you are helping everyone get closer to Him.