Practical help for band rehearsals – part 4 – Expectations

Practical help for band rehearsals – part 4 – Expectations
I’ll admit it. I have a worship team “values document.” You know the kind–you throw it together after hearing a speaker at a worship conference talk about how important it is. And since she was nice enough to include a sample of it, you (read:me) were able to lift several of the values from that church’s document. And of course, that document includes at two least bullet points pontificating the importance of personal preparation and team rehearsals.
Currently this document gets seen as people are interviewing (that’s the ecclesiastically-correct way to say “audition”). But beyond that, it’s rarely seen or referenced. When it comes to values, we can state them all day long. But the values that stick are the ones that we live out loud.
To make the value of preparation stick, we need to create a true expectation for personal practice. Here are some ideas to get us started:
Reinforce the importance of personal preparation. I’m trying to work in the mantra, “Practice is personal, rehearsal is relational” every time I’m with the team. That in itself won’t change habits, but it is a subtle reinforcement.
Compliment a player who has obviously prepared. Do it at a time that everyone in the team hears it. But make sure you don’t turn the pat-on-the-back into a backhanded-attack on the rest of the team–“It’s sure nice that SOMEONE takes time to prepare.” It’s what our fallen-self wants to say, but a sincere positive compliment will better reinforce the value.
Limit listening in rehearsal. When I’m introducing a brand new song, I’ll play it at our first rehearsal. After that, I resist the urge to revisit the recording. It subtlety gets across that listening needs to happen as part of their own practice.
Create healthy tension. If someone is obviously learning in the midst of rehearsal, do what you can to not let them slow you down. His feeling of not having his stuff together might push him to prepare a little more the next time.
Enlist help. Take time to foster preparedness among your most influential players. As leaders, we hate to admit it, but their example will often carry more weight than ours.
Regularly give your team practical tips on how to prepare. Here’s supplemental post for with some tips you can use.
Expectation will create motivation. Motivation will create action. And that repeated action will, in time, be churned into a real and true value.

I’ll admit it. I have a worship team “values document.” You know the kind–you throw it together after hearing a speaker at a worship conference talk about how important it is. And since she was nice enough to include a sample of it, you (read:me) were able to lift several of the values from that church’s document. And of course, that document includes at two least bullet points pontificating the importance of personal preparation and team rehearsals.

Currently this document gets seen as people are interviewing (that’s the ecclesiastically-correct way to say “audition”). But beyond that, it’s rarely seen or referenced. When it comes to values, we can state them all day long. But the values that stick are the ones that we live out loud.

To make the value of preparation stick, we need to create a true expectation for personal practice. Here are some ideas to get us started:

  • Reinforce the importance of personal preparation. I’m trying to work in the mantra, “Practice is personal, rehearsal is relational” every time I’m with the team. That in itself won’t change habits, but it is a subtle reinforcement.
  • Compliment a player who has obviously prepared. Do it at a time that everyone in the team hears it. But make sure you don’t turn the pat-on-the-back into a backhanded-attack on the rest of the team–“It’s sure nice that SOMEONE takes time to prepare.” It’s what our fallen-self wants to say, but a sincere positive compliment will better reinforce the value.
  • Limit listening in rehearsal. When I’m introducing a brand new song, I’ll play it at our first rehearsal. After that, I resist the urge to revisit the recording. It subtlety gets across that listening needs to happen as part of their own practice.
  • Create healthy tension. If someone is obviously learning in the midst of rehearsal, do what you can to not let them slow you down. His feeling of not having his stuff together might push him to prepare a little more the next time.
  • Enlist help. Take time to foster preparedness among your most influential players. As leaders, we hate to admit it, but their example will often carry more weight than ours.
  • Regularly give your team practical tips on how to prepare. Here’s a supplemental post with some tips you can use.
  • Expectation will create motivation. Motivation will create action. And that repeated action will, in time, be churned into a real and true value.

 

Guest post by Jon Nicol – a worship pastor, guitarist, songwriter and all-around-lover of helping people use their gifts and abilities to worship Jesus. This series first appeared at WorshipMinistry.com and Jon’s site worshipteamcoach.com. Thanks for permission to reproduce.

Other posts you might like:

Practical ideas to improve rehearsals (part 2)

Practical help for band rehearsals part 3 – Standard song forms

Free Video Clip – Ideas to Improve Band Communication

Tips for working with a band

Rehearsing Tips & Ideas for Worship Musicians