The Guitar

In a Praise and Worship Band, what exactly does lead guitar play?

I’m going to be playing in my church’s worship band and we’re going to be playing contemporary Christian songs; Hillsong style stuff. I’m originally a jazz guitarists so I’m not sure what to do this Sunday. Does anyone know what kind of licks I should play? Anything I should search on youtube? Anything online articles that explain it? Or someone with experience?

Contemporary Christian music is surprisingly, well, contemporary! That is it really does have a sound like modern pop and rock. Older gospel music has more in common with country in that it is dominated by standard major I-IV-V progressions and liberally uses the major and major pentatonic scales. Modern gospel and Christian does still use the standard I-IV-V but you will often see minor harmonies and scales being used and even distorted rock rhythms. Try to get a copy of the songs that you will be performing just to see if there are any surprises but i have a feeling that with your jazz background you will be able to “sit in” with no problems!

50 Jazz Guitar Licks You MUST Know – Lick #2: Major 7th – Frank Vignola

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