There’s something to be said for learning songs note for note. Doing so helps me “get in the head” of the player, which allows me to stumble on new phrases, effect settings, approaches and so on that I (definitely) would have never stumbled across on my own.
I’m not an incredibly creative person. But I have been blessed with the ability to unpack what another player is doing and replicate it to a good degree of accuracy. I can then take that interesting piece of their playing and apply it somewhere else, in the rare chance I’m called on to be creative/spontaneous (lol…). Essentially, God blessed me with the ability to plagiarize . . . albeit in a redeemed, God-honoring way (smile).
However, where the Lord has called me to apply the musical talent he’s given me, this works out perfectly! Our team attempts to replicate the sounds we hear on the records as close as possible. We executive this imperfectly, of course; but many of us give it our all to do so. We feel, in our particular situation, it’s our duty to help the congregation hear familiar sounds.
Additionally, God inspired these musicians we listen to to write particular parts that sound a particular way. I’m not skilled enough or even proud enough to claim the part writers didn’t know what they were doing, and that I could do a better job.
Further, these teams write songs for the universal Church—we have a license to play it exactly has they did. This is liberating for me, as paradoxical as that sounds, as it removes the pressure of creating and memorizing my own creative parts each week. It also removes the risk of venturing into unknown territory to make the song my own. I’ve certainly done that in the past: decide to insert a lot of ME into the equation, and then I grace (let’s be honest, nail) a bad note. All of the sudden attention is drawn to that bad note. Not my goal at all.
(Full disclosure: occasionally, I’ll hear a part and decide not to play it for a variety of reasons. It’s not often, however; and I try to be VERY discerning on where I pick and choose, always leaning toward playing the parts note for note.)
I know there’s strong arguments on both sides of this one. However, keeping my specific situation in mind, and my ultimate goal as a guitar player (contribute positively to worship times), I strongly agree with learning songs note for note . . . even the ones I don’t like. Often times, I’ve found some very tasty parts buried in songs that I never thought to tackle, but was asked to by a worship leader.
So, if you adhere strictly to the “I’m an artist. I’m creative. The Lord blessed me with this ability” and you’re NOT a professional, I encourage you to take the other road for a few months and see what happens. Try to learn ALL the songs note for note. You may pick up a few things that never would have made their way to your toolbox otherwise. Maybe it’ll allow you to contribute even more positively to your church’s worship times, and glorify Jesus all the more. Either way, he’ll get the glory. I’m sure of it.
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
(Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)