This is the first installment in a three-part series on playing in church. If you haven't played in church yet, I hope that this series will encourage you to share music in this setting. If you have, I hope it addresses issues you have found, and opens the door to further analysis as we all try to improve our performing each time we play.

I have played in church, with greater or lesser frequency, over the course of 25 years. I have played solo fingerstyle guitar primarily, but occasionally will accompany a singer or play with my whistle-player friend Bob Pegritz. (Bob and I have played together on three CD's to date -- most recently, his CD Whistleworks II: Be Thou My Vision.) I haven't played in ensemble or praise band settings, but most of my comments should be applicable to those situations.

Playing in church has elements common to any public performance of music. It requires preparation of the music, and thoughtful consideration of the setting and purpose for the music. It requires visualization of the anticipated flow of the service and the physical setting, plus a sense of timing for when you play.

The setting includes chair placement, as well as placement of the guitar stand and mike, amp and extension cord. It is also important to analyze the entrance and exit strategy of the playing area, and consider where you will position yourself for efficient, non-distracting movement. Some sort of advance sound check is desirable, and be sure to take into account the wildly different acoustics that can occur in an empty church as opposed to one full of people.

In some ways, playing in church is easier than doing concerts. There is ordinarily less music to play, and stage repartee is usually absent from the musical presentation. In addition, the flow of the pieces and segues between the tunes are not as prominent an issue in playing in church. After all, the guitar is being used to establish or maintain a spiritual atmosphere. It might accompany singing, or play a part in upbeat praise and worship music, or it might serve to provide meditative music that accompanies communion.

I really prefer to be tucked away in a corner, and not be the center of attention, but I usually don't seem to get my way, as evidenced by the accompanying picture! I keep telling people that I just want to be a musical potted plant, but I tend to get treated as the visiting dignitary.

In other ways, I find playing in church harder than giving concerts. I usually can't really relax into performing mode as I have to play on cue, so to speak. In this sense, it's like playing on the radio or TV; someone else is setting up the playing of your next tune rather than you yourself. Since I obsess on intonation, and since guitars are--well--guitars, I always worry about whether the guitar will be in tune when I pick it up to play. Then too- if I'm in concert and forget to push a button on an amp or something, it's just another enjoyable McMeen-as-Neanderthal moment, but in church it can be downright embarrassing.

In church there is usually a certain subdued and passive quality among members of the congregation that contrasts with the usual air of anticipation and vibe at a concert. (Some of the latter may be attributed to the "spirits" earlier consumed, as opposed to "The Spirit".) One's natural ebullience must often be tamed or subdued in the church setting.

All that having been said, guitars are great for church! The sound of an acoustic guitar, steel-string or nylon, often provides a very pleasant surprise for those accustomed to hearing singing and organ music. The guitar can reach people's souls. The guitar SHOULD reach people's souls! Otherwise, why play- right? Playing old, beloved hymns with sensitivity, dynamic range, and rhythmic flexibility ("rubato") can take people to a spiritual place beyond their normal capacity. It can be an experience of spiritual, emotional, and even physical healing. In that regard, we humble musicians can be part of something much bigger than picking a few tunes, telling some jokes and providing entertainment.

For a recent interview with El McMeen, please visit the Christian Music Monthly website:
http://www.webspawner.com/users/cmmonthly/elmcmeen.html

A previous Guitar Sessions interview can be found at:
http://www.melbay.com/authorextras/mcmeeninterview.asp