Hey I just wanted to say that I found this video by searching "what is worship guitar" because I'm curious about religion. I'm really impressed. I didn't think I'd be into this at all, but your music is really beautiful. I just thought you'd like to know that I've become much more interested in this and your music has played a part in that.
Amen Bruv. Keep seeking. You will find. Gospel is of the greatest forms of musical expression. Anybody can sing and perform for a love interest, but your passion and heart that goes into worship music exponentially increases and anything else pales in comparison. In my opinion.
That is truly awesome. It's amazing how God seeks to connect - He loves you and once you see this, life will never be the same again. Religion is a kind of gateway, but it's not about religion, it's about relationship with your maker. Truth, hope, love, joy, stability - all stuff we need as humans, available in abundance. Find that well and drink deep from it - you will never thirst again my friend. Peace
This series is worth watching multiple times, I am picking things up each time. Like the settings for when you leave delay on all the time. Awesome info, thanks so much!
Thanks, man ! I wish to play in a worship band again. One day and I used to play bass christian rock band. Over the last year or so, I have learned to play worship on guitar. I love this video !
Thanks Great!!! Video I like that you kept it focused on truly leading worship and engaging with the people which is what our job as worship leaders is. Don't get me wrong I love gear and all that good stuff too. It's easy to get up on the platform every week and get caught up in leading the worship team instead of leading worship. I think I will be getting an electric guitar and start leading with it. I have always lead with acoustic.
Matt, thank you so much for these videos. This is by far the best help for leading from electric I've ever found. I've lead worship for 15+ years from acoustic (I'm in my early 30s), and picked up electric two years ago to add some texture and variation to our sound. It has been a huge rabbit hole of mixed blessings and frustrations, and recently I've been feeling lost in my way and the "why" for pursuing electric and out of frustration have just been leading from acoustic again. Your definition and differentiation of rhythm guitar vs lead but also NOT playing it like an acoustic is incredibly helpful and has brought some clarity. I am like you in my primary passion being showing people Christ through the lyrics and pastoring them by example in HOW and WHY to worship the king with our voices and bodies fully engaged, and electric has sometimes made that harder to do as I'm thinking too much about tap dancing and nailing parts as a mediocre electric player. There's plenty more I could say, but thank you brother. God bless your ministry, your church is super blessed to have your solid heart leading them to the throne room.
So awesome! I have been leading Worship on Acoustic for many years, and am now getting ready to lead on electric. This video was a huge help. Thank you so much brother.
This is excellent. Thanks for sharing things that you learned over the years. This is super helpful. It's ironic that other so called praise and worship channels talk nothing about these kind of techniques but just talk about new gear after new gear. Thanks for sharing!
Awesome I'm glad it was helpful to ya! Yeah, I love gear but I'm not a real "technical" gear guy. There's a thousand dudes out there that are great at talking about guitar pedals. That's not me! Haha. But I do love talking about music and theology! So I'll stay in my lane. haha
Thanks for making this video. I like leading with both but I was having the same issues on whether or not I should get an electric guitar and lead because of all the pedals I’d have to buy, plus a really expensive guitar, but your video makes it really helpful! God bless!
Thanks for the great video! Trusting your band is a great reminder. I tend to get carried away sometimes and start doing lead guitar stuff while leading worship, and it's really not my place. The band has got me. Watching this video actually made me want to play more acoustic guitar, just to make things more simple for my head (and heart).
After letting the ol' electric gather a thin film of dust over the last few years of playing acoustic and bass at church, I had an accident and hurt my ribs, so mostly because of this video, I decided to get the duster out and a new set of 9's. Some things I learned - 1. Electric guitar doesn't have to make those screeching sounds that made your mum grab a brush and hit the ceiling until you turn the volume down to just above zero while using headphones. You can achieve a nice rounded tone using the right pick-up selector position while avoiding sounding like Soundgarden. 2. Your amp may sound good at home or when you practice without a congregation but skip using it as your main source of sound if you intend to use it as a monitor for what you're playing and for filling the room with sound, there are probably easier ways to go deaf. If possible go through the main mixer and trust the sound guy to give you a good mix in the monitors and main mix. 3. Once you haven't deafened yourself, electric guitar with a nice long reverb can be played less vigorously, you may not burn as many calories as usual but you have a lot more space to worship yourself (not yourself, you know what I mean). Thanks for the video.
I stumbled on this and you invited comments…. I played churches for near 30 years… from mega churces to small to in between and the switches were for the big part not of my doing. I’ve never understood this “formula” for Christian music. Either you have a gift form the Good Lord or you don’t. Play what’s in your heart and don’t worry about the setup you have. If the pastor fires you… in my experience you’re doing something right. You’re playing for God Almighty, He gave you the gift. Anything apart from that doesn’t matter. If you feel you are part of a weekly Sunday show… get out! This is just an old guy giving his opinion. This is not trying dissuade anyone from playing a church, just to let you know that your gift is far more important than any “formula “ ❤️🙏🙏❤️
Matt, GREAT Word on trusting your team which leads to growth! You truly have a servant's heart....and are wise beyond your years. New subscriber here for sure. Been leading worship since the late 80's, and still have much to learn (that's why I'm watching YT videos). I've always seen my role as an armor bearer.... to let the Lord work through me and prepare the congregation for His Word. Thanks again for the great tips, and awesome worship at the end!
Thank you for the encouragement, Brett! I really appreciate the subscribe and the kind words! In your development, what types of videos have you been wanting to see?
@@mwagnerch Matt, thanks for the reply. For me, I have been leading with acoustic or keys for many years. Only just picked up an electric guitar about 2 years ago by the prompting of the worship leader that was with us during that period. (He has since moved on, so the leading is back in my lap for the time being). I really enjoy playing the electric guitar, which as you know is an entirely different style than the acoustic. Currently we are very thin team, so I am filling in with Playback/Multitracks, so I actually have quite a talented team behind me right now (LOL). As far as videos I would like to see, I would say more teaching on becoming a better lead player. I consider myself an above average rythmn guitarist, but still very weak on the electric guitar. you may have already addressed this topic in multiple videos, so forgive me if you have, but I only found your channel last night and only watched this video so far. I'm sure the more I watch the more I will learn. Appreciate the reply, thanks for all you do for the Kingdom!
@@Poppy14319 Awesome! Good to hear from you. I've only just started doing these development videos actually, so I don't have many of them. Just this one and one on choosing songs and how I go about doing that in terms of flow and liturgy. Currently working on a strumming pattern video for leading from acoustic so stay tuned for that. But I really was just asking because I plan to make more videos and I'm trying to feel out what some needs are! I'll do one on lead soon too! Thanks for the feedback.
@@mwagnerch Understand, I will ponder your question and see if I can give you some suggestions. You've got a gift for this, you're presentation and teaching is very good. Not everyone can do it. Keep pouring into others lives, God will honor it!!
Very nice! Thank you for this video. What was the chord progression you were playing during the prayer portion 11:15 to 11:45? I loved that progression and it is perfect during prayer or talking towards the end. God Bless!!!
Great stuff man! I would also add that I highly recommend the line 6 PodGo. It’s a very affordable all-in-1 unit that will allow you to set up 4 snapshots per preset which I find to be plenty to stage your tones and minimize tap dancing!
I know some people don't like the Fender Acoustisonic series of guitars. I have the Jazzmaster and I find it pretty great. As far as tones go, it's the most versatile guitar I own between my electrics and my acoustics. With a quick position change it can go from a really nice full acoustic to more of a Taylor sound or even an overdriven sound with the onboard humbucker. I let my buddy use it for several weeks while he was leading worship. He loved it but he's right back to playing his Martin.
Thank you for the video. I was looking around to learn more about leading from electric guitar, naturally. I'm training as a worship leader in Student Ministries at the International House Of Prayer in Kansas City. We have a lot of acoustic guitarists, me included, and I was looking for something to change things up a bit. Honestly this video taught me exactly what I needed to know, particularly with regards to pedals and dynamic playing. I really appreciate that. I've only recently gotten into the world of electric guitar, but I haven't gotten very far seeing as I don't own a playable one. Currently, I'm really looking for an electric that I can use both as rhythm, and to learn lead guitar. Lord willing, I can get that soon. Thanks again for making this video!
Thanks Matt. Our worship band has too many acoustics playing the same chords. I’ve been trying to convince our worship leader to add an electric guitar. I’m pretty much doing what you’ve shown here on my acoustic. Triads and finger picking so we’re not all strumming “cowboy chords.”
Sorry for the late reply! Yeah even just someone doing some big rhythm chords on an electric would really help fill it out! You could always have the acoustic players each play at a different capo and thus a different chord voicing too! That would help create some space!
Thank you for this great and practical video. I’m primarily an acoustic player, but I may have an opportunity to play electric at a new church, because they currently have no electric guitar. Do you have a recommendation for a delay setting that I could just keep on the whole time to fatten up the sound if I don’t have a tap tempo? Or would it just be better to not have delay on at all in that context? I’m wondering, if having a little delay with low volume and maybe only one or two repeats would work???
Matt thanks so much! I’m an acoustic player but switching to electric for the first time to lead worship. I’m about to buy some new gear but want it simple and effective. Could you show us the gear you’re using and recommendations? Love the video!
Yes I’ve got a gear video coming soon!! The short version is: get a very nice delay with programmable tempo, a nice overdrive with a wide range, and a reverb with plenty of decay. If you need any detailed questions answered in the meantime, I’m happy to help! Message me on my instagram @mattwagnermusic
I'm the lead guitar player (riffs, solos and stuff. It's hard to find the lead parts for some of the praise songs. I'm going to share your video(s) with my praise team leader who is new to guitar and playing rhythm.
Hi Matt. I really appreciate your videos. I lead occasionally with electric, have a Godin Montreal which is a lot like a 335 and I would really like to know what pickups you have in your Gibson and is it a 335? Thank you. - JM
I wish I knew! I actually found them at my old church. They were going to be thrown away and I repurposed them with edison bulbs. I believe they were old music stand lights because they clip on stuff. I just threw some edisons in them and clipped them on some microphone stands!
Matt, you were asking for suggestions.....I'm still struck with getting comfortable enough to lead with the electric guitar. Possibly a few real world examples or tutorials on specific song, (uptempo and slow) for those of us that are slow learners. Lol.
This has been really helpful. My church just got a semi hollow and it’s the first time I’m really playing it. I’m use to being an acoustic guitar player so is there any tips you can give me moving more into electric with less strumming?
The biggest thing is to try to resist the urge to strum ALL the strings at the same time when you hit a chord! It’ll just muddy it up. Strum the most important notes only and don’t overstrum. Leave room for the rest of the band and just play rhythmically if necessary. Long story short: your focus should be “emphasis” not just keeping a rhythm.
Matt Wagner thank you. Yes that’s what I noticed when playing it a couple times that it sounded really big and was not meshing with the keyboardist at all.
Thank you so much Your content was a big blessing to me , i came across this video when i needed this the most. I am a worship leader and i naturally play electric guitar , the last two years i switched to accoustic because i Felt their was much gaps in chords, i had little trust in my band , they are not that super and so it kinda made me feel to just be on accoustic , but as time goes by i keep feeling like i should learn how to lead while on electric . Your video has been of so much help I will definetely plan to get a good delay and reverb pedal. Thanks
Hi thank you that's a good video... I think I have the same es 335 Gibson.. do you think it is good enough as a Gretsch guitar do worship? Even for distortion effect? Can you please give me your opinion? Thank you
Hi, thank you for sharing your tips. I’m interested in learning about what electric guitar would be a worthwhile investment? My worship team of musicians are a keyboardist, flute player and I play the electric guitar. I would love to invest in a better guitar. I basically play rhythmic stuff. I don’t play licks. Just not there yet. Anyways. I hope to learn more about what kind of electric guitar is best in my situation.
I’m curious what your advice or wisdom would be for leading worship with electric guitar without a band? It’s just me on guitar, and my wife plays the piano. We are a tiny church of about 30, and I actually have been teaching myself how to play guitar for the last year because both of our guitar players moved away last year so I took over the worship leading. I go back and forth with an acoustic on certain songs, but I really enjoy the electric. Are drum loop pedals a good way to make up for lack of drums? What would you suggest? So for someone with very limited resources, as well as experience, how would you approach leading worship in my situation? Thanks!
I’d say if you keep it low key, the. Acoustic would be better. But if you want a full band, I’d go with the multitracks app for iPad! You can add or take away any instrument in there!
I've got a few I use at different times, but my setup is basically: Overdrive: JHS Morning Glory Dunlop Volume (x) volume pedal Delay: Boss DD-500 Reverb: Strymon Flint
Strumming like you're playing an acoustic - is that ok on electric when you don't have a bunch of effects on? I mean - it sounded ok when you did it (until you turned your pedals back on). So ... if you are leading on electric and don't have other guitars ... does that sound ok? Just curious to hear your thoughts! Awesome, helpful video!
Hey man! Thanks for the encouragement. I think it depends on the situation. I typically don’t try to full out strum a ton when leading from electric, but rather hit big down strums on the chord changes. This lets the reverb and delay take the chord and make it sound nice and big. But there are times like in verses when strumming like an acoustic with just a clean tone can work. (Think “forever reign” by hillsong), I just wouldn’t let that be throughout an entire song because it can be monotonous
Can you explain what chords you are playing ? That chord structure that isn’t traditional… I have been trying to learn those for years. For example when you are playing chords, but you’re playing them down the neck.
I have wanted to lead from electric for a loooong time but ive never had the luxury of having an acoustic player as backup. Do I have to have an acoustic player if im playing electric?
I have had the rythm vs lead guitar totally wrong apparently :O I though the rythm "does the rythm". Had the job to make stuff sound like it is moving forward rythmically. Thought on the other hand that the lead guitarist would do biggest chords and all the melody runs. I mean nothing is writting in a stone but...
It’s a little backwards in certain worship music for sure! Haha. A lot of times you’ll hear the lead player do high note runs or arpeggios a lot of the song and then the rhythm player plays big cowboy chords
Man I'd say if you don't have a team playing with you, then acoustic would be the better choice. But in the context of a full band, I usually prefer electric!
I’d say let the electric player focus on more ambient clean tone to create texture. Lot of reverb. Then the acoustic becomes the rhythm section with strumming
I have A Budget to Get IBANEZ GRG270DX please tell me Will this work For Worship Music i know This will work For sure because it all about Lord and All I need to do is Worship him truly with all i have but i wanna ask you Is Ibanez a Good and a best Choice for worship music if Not then would you please suggest Me A Guitar in Same price Range of Ibanez grg270dx?? Please it would be a Great help
Hi! Realistically any electric guitar can work for the modern worship genre! I wouldn’t worry so much about the guitar so much as the style of playing and maybe the pedal gear!
@@mwagnerch I have Only seen Gretsch Or Les Paul of Strat Or Telecaster in Worship Genre I am confused which one one to Go for!! Or Which Gear will Give me an Ambient type Or Soft rock or Fill a music Atmosphere?? Which pickups I should go for Single coil or Humbucker what kind of Guitar These are few Questions which comes in my mind
I would start with just big downstrums on cowboy chords to emphasize the beginning of each chord change, then as you get comfortable, start playing around with things you can add!
What if someone in a worship team doesn't want help? Doesn't think they need guidance when they clearly doesn't develop anything and doesn't pour any energy into practising? Asking for a friend :P
Ah man yeah that’s tough! The best thing I’ve found for people like that is to take the whole team to a training or a workshop or something! That person may learn something and realize they don’t have it all figured out! Also talking in terms of dynamics helps. “Hey so dynamically here, can we all try to be more ambient.. or driving…etc.”
@@marlonobando1882 yeah you tell him that xD Nah jokes aside, it is easier said than done to say to one of your oldest friends that they are not willing to learn & are not achieving the basic foundational playing needed for the whole worship band to sound proper & supportive for the congregation to engage.
Do they have guitar solos in church? Not boring stuff either, fretboard gymnastics. Fast fret Olympics. False excitement, self gratification and the agony of defeat. Thank God for Starbucks before anointing kicks in. There should be sign hung outside some churches that says, “Welcome one and for all for at least two weeks, whereupon your value (money) and behavior will be reassessed for attendance consideration. (Surveillance). A man laughs to loud takes the wrong parking spot. Sister Bertha is Pentecostal, but she doesn’t agree with brother Ned about speaking tongues during service. Newcomer Elisabeth just got a divorce, and Kathy thinks she should’ve hung in there if she really cared about what the Bible says. Sara was seen at restaurant last Saturday, and Susie is pretty sure that rose colored liquid in glass with little umbrella on top wasn’t pink virginal lemonade. Frank cusses. And mike never misses trailer party, football games season tickets raiders.
This is themost weired approach to guitar and music I ever heard of. Warship guitar... what the heck? Well, enjoy what you find to add up your life. And leave mine to me.
