Hi from England!

[bazhorn]

Hi all,
My name's Jonathan, just joined the forum.
I play bass in a small worship group here, and in a function band that is very much in its infancy.
I'm a freelance French Horn player by profession; took up bass a couple of years ago, and love it, absolutely love it. There is a real fondness as it was due to the bass that I came back to the Lord; Andrew Gouche is very much my no.1 bass hero, which led me into a world of Gospel music, and from there back to the Lord.
I play on a Tobias 6 string - with a Hartke 350w head & 2x15 cab.
The Worship group I'm in plays standard Anglican fare (taken from 'the complete Anglican') - I wish we could branch out a bit, and even play some contemporary urban Gospel, but it's a small church in a small village in the middle of nowhere. I want to stay local, even if things are a bit too conservative for me, I can't see myself commuting to Church to join a city Church worship band that'd play the stuff I like.

[2bhumble (Dave)]

Hello Jonathan and welcome to Worship Bass.

Dave

[bazhorn]

Thanks!
I'll start posting all my questions now....

[1954bassman]

Hey Jon, and welcome.

In traveling PA I use an Allen & Heath mixer - made in the UK (England) Top quality stuff!

Mark

[bazhorn]

Hey Jon, and welcome.

In traveling PA I use an Allen & Heath mixer - made in the UK (England) Top quality stuff!

Mark

It even makes the tea too!! 

[mainsail]

Welcome aboard Jonathan. It sounds like you have a nice gig going at your church at this time. The branching out may come in time.
 

[chrisfbass]

Hi J

Hi from a fellow Brit in Buckinghamshire at a lively church with some great musicians worshipping - Which part of the UK are you?

I also graduated from a gigging cover band - haven't got around to a sixer yet - fivers are plenty for me! 

[bazhorn]

Hi there Chris - I'm from Cheshire (originally from Oxford). My Church has one session of 'liveliness' a month; wish it was at least 3 times a week but there are plenty of traditional folk there that need catering for too. I don't want to rock the boat too much but I'd love to start up something extra there, like a Gospel choir (firmly non-secular) but it seems a bit daunting....

[mousekillaz]

Welcome Jonathan, As bass players we always want more! Your Dilemma is one I am dealing with myself. I long to play some all out get down with it grooves (?) yet am stuck with the lively 4 chord quarter note lines of contemporary worship bass lines .  Well it fits the music so that's what I play.  My family hails from Sunbury on Thames and I have a cousin who is a Minister in The Church of England. not quite sure where though.

[cupples]

Hi Jonathan, I'm another Brit, just over the water in Northern Ireland! Welcome to the forum! I know what you mean about the music not being the most adventurous... Maybe you could have a crack at making up some nice challenging tenor lines to the old hymns, and blending that in with the worship? Having a bit of fun with the traditional pieces! Give it time, you'll get an opportunity to unleash your gospel urges somewhere!

Andrew

[bazhorn]

Another problem is that when they do the trad hymns its only accompanied by the organ.... so no chance to play tenor lines 

There is another Church 8 miles away that has a lively service on Sundays at 8pm, could work out - if they need a bass player that is......

I do want to stick with this local church as much as poss (they've even bought a new bass amp (Hartke Hydrive 112c Combo), the music group are so pleased to have a bass (even me!!) for once) but I guess there's no harm in going to two. Have prayed about it.

[cupples]

It sounds like you're doing a good job where you are - if contemporary music isn't a big thing in your church, sometimes it just needs somebody dedicated with a bit of expertise to encourage that side of the worship to grow. It can take a long time! My old church took a long time before the conditions were right to even have a guitar during a service, but after 10 years of gentle pushing, their music group is really getting a chance to shine, with a lot of positivity from the congregation. When I moved house, we basically walked into a small local church, and two weeks later I was playing bass with them! Don't worry, you'll get your opportunity, maybe not in the style, time or place that you want, but just be open to God's will!

I play on a wee Hartke 12" kickback in church too, handy little amp, very luggable, doesn't sound bad at all, although I just use it for monitoring at the moment.

Andrew