Life in the Band

I had intended to post a couple of things over the last few days, but then I considered that some things might be better left kept to myself. As anonymous as this blog is, if you know me, it isn't too hard to figure out.

One development, though, that I can talk about is my receiving the invite to play with the worship team this coming Sunday. I actually got the invite to the planning site last week, and this group is a class act above my last church. Where I learned all of these instruments, I learned by weekly sight-reading. There were no rehearsals (well, they were rare). Where I am now plans each weeks in advance, there is a rehearsal the Wednesday before, and then a sound check and run through on Sunday morning before church. Online, they have every song to listen to and music to the majority of them so you can practice them. It's pretty nice. I played bass again with a group.

On trying to live closer to God, I did feel a bit of my conceit crop up on the way home last night. Mostly everyone said 'hi' to me last night, and then not much else. I admit that I was quiet, and most of my silence resulted from my reluctance to just start bragging about how multi-talented I am.I thought I played pretty decently for being in a new situation with a new group of people. No one said a thing to me about that. Not even a quick attaboy. Part of me wanted to be bothered over this, but I also considered that I got complaints, and really, the bass line is supposed to be invisible when it's there, but missed when it's not. Hence, if I remained an invisible groove, I did my job just fine. After all, I shouldn't expect accolades for showing, doing my job, and going home.

It was also difficult for me to acknowledge only what they said when people called me a bass player. I wanted to spout out all kinds of retorts, such as "yeah, tonight anyway" or "that's all they'd let me play this time." But in the end, I simply said "yes" and moved on. Truly speaking, at this point in my life, I am more of a piano player than anything. I spend most of my time practicing that instrument and prefer it over any other. But in both of the churched I've played with, the piano player carries the softer parts of the service, and it's usually one person every week.

This leads me to my one complaint/frustration (not sure which...maybe both, though I'm not really bitter or anything). I was told when I talked to the worship leader that they used a schedule to rotate people so everyone has a chance. I wonder, though, if I'd only indicated that I play piano, as opposed to the entire stage, if I would ever have had the opportunity to play. Once reason that I play multiple instruments is to be able to fit in to a group wherever they need someone. I just like to play. I would rather play piano, but anything is better than nothing. What makes me wonder is whether they don't schedule any other piano players because they don't know if anyone else can, they're afraid of anyone else not getting the flow of the service, or if the player herself demands to play every week and WILL NOT be supplanted. Could be any...or all.

Regardless, I am happy to play again. I am going to be patient and get to know everyone in the group before trying to take over :-) The worship leader is aware of everything I put down that I can do, so if the opportunity (or need) arises, I will trust that I will be placed where I am needed.