Whether your church has a blended or contemporary
style, my HymnCharts arrangements are designed
to fit.
Really, it mostly has to do with the instrumentation.
Contemporary worship is driven by electric
guitars and blended worship is usually driven by piano
and/or acoustic guitar.
For instance, here's an audio demo for my
arrangement of "Nothing But the Blood"
(sung by Christian artist Chris Sligh.) Notice
how the same arrangement can sound completely
different depending on the instrumentation
used:
blended version
piano, orchestra
contemporary version
electric guitar, synth
piano/vocal version
piano only
Styles Change
For me, blended worship was a bridge to contemporary
worship and the chronology of my arrangements
reflect that. HymnCharts arrangements from
2002 sound different from arrangements I
created in 2009. That's why I asked Epcot's
renowned Voices of Liberty to record my older
arrangements. Their rich vocal blend is perfect for the
blended style of my Heritage Collection.
A blended worship style can certainly be
your final musical destination, although
some churches do gradually make the transition
to contemporary. Some churches have both
- a blended service and a contemporary service
(imagine doing the same HymnChart arrangement
in both services using different instrumentation!)
Does your church's style sound any different
that it did ten years ago?
Back in 2002 I was coming out of my "Don
Moen" phase (remember Integrity's "God
With Us" musical?) and going into a
Paul Baloche "Open the Eyes of My Heart"
phase. Now I'm listening to worship leaders
like Chris Tomlin and Steve Fee.
Stylistic Differences
Here are some guidelines I use in creating
my HymnCharts arrangements:
Blended worship is piano driven for the most
part with acoustic guitar. If electric guitar
is used you'll hear a reverby, chorused sound
with little to no distortion. Drums are mixed
low. Band instruments are primarily heard
and if there's a string player or two they're
often beefed up with synth strings. Pop/contemporary
is driven by a distorted electric guitar
and punchy drums. If there's a keyboardist,
he/she's playing pads, leads or a piano patch
for the occasional ballad.
Blended worship arrangements modulate and
pop music stays in the same key. While chord
movement is not as complex as the hynnal,
blended arrangements are still a bit busy.
Pop music can rock on the same chord for
as long as 2 or 3 measures. Many of my earlier
arrangements modulate on the final verse,
but these days I rarely write a key change.
HymnCharts Will Fit Your Worship Style >
