- May 2, 2024
- 52
- 24
- 35
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Messianic
- Marital Status
- Married
10 Things I've learned over the years writing Christian music:
1. Get over yourself and into them. It's not about you. If you are desiring the spotlight, the fame and glory, then I got a suggestion: don't write Christian music... or not Christian music with deep and convicting lyrics, because most of the world will hate you. Jesus said if they hated me they will hate you too. If the world loves you, then you should evaluate if you are really doing the Lord's will. Is there good fruit from it? Are people getting saved? Or are you just making them feel good?
2. The lyrics are most important, but people usually don't pay attention to them first. Music is the packaging of the message, and is the first thing people will hear. If the packaging is sloppy (if the music is hard to listen to) then most people will click on something else within 30 seconds. Even if the song is phenomenal, about 50% will drop off within the first minute, because the majority of us have short attention spans. Know that this is normal and just the way it is.
3. Don't expect perfection. You gotta give yourself some grace. Be realistic with yourself. Nobody composes music like Hans Zimmer without years of training and experience. Nobody sings like an angel without years of training and experience. If you think otherwise, then you are disillusioned. The box is way much bigger than you think. There is a lot to learn. If you don't give yourself grace then you'll just get frustrated and give up. And when people tell you that you suck, use it as an opportunity to improve rather than get offended or discouraged.
4. Harness the power of silence. Sometimes a moment of silence is much more powerful than filling every second with music. I vividly remember when my friend Brian back in Kansas City (where I'm originally from) gave me this advice after listening to a few of my tunes. Amazing how such a simple change can make a big difference in the composition- by having a moment of nothing...
5. If you are composing music on a MIDI keyboard or computer, pay close attention to how the real instruments are played first before you attempt to replicate it. Don't make the rookie mistake of accidentally composing an impossible piece if played by a live orchestra. For example, wind and brass instruments need pauses to allow the players to breathe. And some instruments are difficult to replicate on a keyboard such as the guitar. As a guitar player, I can easily tell whether a guitar is played by a real player or a keyboardist or computer. And the bagpipes and lute are horrendously fake. Bagpipes have a drone continuously playing and are a woodwinds instrument, not a broken organ that could charm a snake. Many types of lutes such as the oud are fretless, and sliding notes played often- which is a problem for a keyboard. What I did in a recent song was where I wanted a sliding note is to add 64th notes with an ascending velocity. And then I layered a classical guitar MIDI on top of it at half the volume. It was closer, but still not as good as the real thing. Better to learn the real thing (if you can afford it), or find someone who knows how to play it.
6. "Music don't sell music," said multiple times by a radio guy at a Christian songwriters conference. What he meant is that good music isn't enough. You have to have a good brand... and a good heart. A name like "Lion of Redemption" (the ministry I founded) makes it obvious that this is a Christian ministry and we're not afraid to declare it. And it's all about glorifying Jesus, the lion of the tribe of Judah. I don’t even post my personal name or face. Nobody needs to know that. They just need to know Jesus. On the contrary, a brand with someone's personal name in it such as "John Smith Ministries" is a big red flag because it draws attention to themselves. Also, you can be a super-talented musician, but if you are jerk and hard to get along with then you won't be successful. And if you play live, dress appropriately. You need to be approachable, but not sloppy. If you also designed a t-shirt or hat, wear it.
7. When playing live, always ALWAYS have your chord sheets with you. You might think you'd be fine cuz you practiced it a lot and memorized it. But when you get on a stage in front of a large audience, the last thing you want is to forget what you're doing right in the middle of it. I know from experience. It was a songwriters event while I was in college. Halfway through the first verse my mind went completely blank. I forgot everything. It was completely humiliating... Cursed and walked offstage. People were talking about it afterwards. Got reprimanded the next day for it. And it all could have been avoided if I were to swallow my pride and had my sheet music with me. And if you mess up, either keep going or start over. I had to start over one time. Nobody condemned or criticized me for it. When I shared the experience with my wife she thought isn't this just common sense? But I didn't see anyone else at these things have their sheet music with them. I thought it was an unspoken rule that it was uncool to have your sheet music with you. Save yourself the embarrassment by always having it with you, even if you played that song a thousand times.
8. Better to work alone than with the wrong people. The vision that I have is very niche. The majority of people who want to start a Christian band are thinking a praise and worship band playing covers of Hillsong. Prophetic music is not all positive feel-good, and can be offensive. It's stuff that needs to be said. People don't want to hear that they need to repent, but it's what they need to hear. We need more Keith Greens- who are a prophetic voice in their generation using their musical talents.
Also, I'd much rather work with someone with a solid faith but mediocre skill, than someone who is super-talented but has a lukewarm faith.
9. Don't just do music. See music as one of the many tools to use in communicating your message. Music may not be the best medium in certain situations. Music is emotional which can either intensify or distract. Plus you need to say what you need to say within 8 minutes. Ideally within 5 minutes. And radio prefers songs that are 4 minutes or less (though KLOVE wouldn't touch me with a 39-and-a-half-foot pole because I'm too controversial and offensive).
Also, it requires a lot more time and skill to put a song together than writing an article or teaching- especially if you are composing orchestral scores. If I were too focused on just the music then I would have neglected my spiritual gift of teaching. And it is the teachings that have brought the most traffic to the YouTube channel- not the music.
8. Time lost isn't necessarily time wasted. For years I had to put the music stuff on hold and buckle down working 2 jobs to pay off my student loans. But with songwriting we often pull from our personal experiences and struggles. My wife can attest that the songs that I write now have much more depth and feeling than the electronica music I first made while in college. Hope this encourages you...
1. Get over yourself and into them. It's not about you. If you are desiring the spotlight, the fame and glory, then I got a suggestion: don't write Christian music... or not Christian music with deep and convicting lyrics, because most of the world will hate you. Jesus said if they hated me they will hate you too. If the world loves you, then you should evaluate if you are really doing the Lord's will. Is there good fruit from it? Are people getting saved? Or are you just making them feel good?
2. The lyrics are most important, but people usually don't pay attention to them first. Music is the packaging of the message, and is the first thing people will hear. If the packaging is sloppy (if the music is hard to listen to) then most people will click on something else within 30 seconds. Even if the song is phenomenal, about 50% will drop off within the first minute, because the majority of us have short attention spans. Know that this is normal and just the way it is.
3. Don't expect perfection. You gotta give yourself some grace. Be realistic with yourself. Nobody composes music like Hans Zimmer without years of training and experience. Nobody sings like an angel without years of training and experience. If you think otherwise, then you are disillusioned. The box is way much bigger than you think. There is a lot to learn. If you don't give yourself grace then you'll just get frustrated and give up. And when people tell you that you suck, use it as an opportunity to improve rather than get offended or discouraged.
4. Harness the power of silence. Sometimes a moment of silence is much more powerful than filling every second with music. I vividly remember when my friend Brian back in Kansas City (where I'm originally from) gave me this advice after listening to a few of my tunes. Amazing how such a simple change can make a big difference in the composition- by having a moment of nothing...
5. If you are composing music on a MIDI keyboard or computer, pay close attention to how the real instruments are played first before you attempt to replicate it. Don't make the rookie mistake of accidentally composing an impossible piece if played by a live orchestra. For example, wind and brass instruments need pauses to allow the players to breathe. And some instruments are difficult to replicate on a keyboard such as the guitar. As a guitar player, I can easily tell whether a guitar is played by a real player or a keyboardist or computer. And the bagpipes and lute are horrendously fake. Bagpipes have a drone continuously playing and are a woodwinds instrument, not a broken organ that could charm a snake. Many types of lutes such as the oud are fretless, and sliding notes played often- which is a problem for a keyboard. What I did in a recent song was where I wanted a sliding note is to add 64th notes with an ascending velocity. And then I layered a classical guitar MIDI on top of it at half the volume. It was closer, but still not as good as the real thing. Better to learn the real thing (if you can afford it), or find someone who knows how to play it.
6. "Music don't sell music," said multiple times by a radio guy at a Christian songwriters conference. What he meant is that good music isn't enough. You have to have a good brand... and a good heart. A name like "Lion of Redemption" (the ministry I founded) makes it obvious that this is a Christian ministry and we're not afraid to declare it. And it's all about glorifying Jesus, the lion of the tribe of Judah. I don’t even post my personal name or face. Nobody needs to know that. They just need to know Jesus. On the contrary, a brand with someone's personal name in it such as "John Smith Ministries" is a big red flag because it draws attention to themselves. Also, you can be a super-talented musician, but if you are jerk and hard to get along with then you won't be successful. And if you play live, dress appropriately. You need to be approachable, but not sloppy. If you also designed a t-shirt or hat, wear it.
7. When playing live, always ALWAYS have your chord sheets with you. You might think you'd be fine cuz you practiced it a lot and memorized it. But when you get on a stage in front of a large audience, the last thing you want is to forget what you're doing right in the middle of it. I know from experience. It was a songwriters event while I was in college. Halfway through the first verse my mind went completely blank. I forgot everything. It was completely humiliating... Cursed and walked offstage. People were talking about it afterwards. Got reprimanded the next day for it. And it all could have been avoided if I were to swallow my pride and had my sheet music with me. And if you mess up, either keep going or start over. I had to start over one time. Nobody condemned or criticized me for it. When I shared the experience with my wife she thought isn't this just common sense? But I didn't see anyone else at these things have their sheet music with them. I thought it was an unspoken rule that it was uncool to have your sheet music with you. Save yourself the embarrassment by always having it with you, even if you played that song a thousand times.
8. Better to work alone than with the wrong people. The vision that I have is very niche. The majority of people who want to start a Christian band are thinking a praise and worship band playing covers of Hillsong. Prophetic music is not all positive feel-good, and can be offensive. It's stuff that needs to be said. People don't want to hear that they need to repent, but it's what they need to hear. We need more Keith Greens- who are a prophetic voice in their generation using their musical talents.
Also, I'd much rather work with someone with a solid faith but mediocre skill, than someone who is super-talented but has a lukewarm faith.
9. Don't just do music. See music as one of the many tools to use in communicating your message. Music may not be the best medium in certain situations. Music is emotional which can either intensify or distract. Plus you need to say what you need to say within 8 minutes. Ideally within 5 minutes. And radio prefers songs that are 4 minutes or less (though KLOVE wouldn't touch me with a 39-and-a-half-foot pole because I'm too controversial and offensive).
Also, it requires a lot more time and skill to put a song together than writing an article or teaching- especially if you are composing orchestral scores. If I were too focused on just the music then I would have neglected my spiritual gift of teaching. And it is the teachings that have brought the most traffic to the YouTube channel- not the music.
8. Time lost isn't necessarily time wasted. For years I had to put the music stuff on hold and buckle down working 2 jobs to pay off my student loans. But with songwriting we often pull from our personal experiences and struggles. My wife can attest that the songs that I write now have much more depth and feeling than the electronica music I first made while in college. Hope this encourages you...
