Should We Practice or Rehearse

OK, I've been a techie all my life. Back when I was 19, I got a job at Dynamight Sound and Lighting in Springfield MO, working on stage lighting stuff, and once in a while, tweaking a piece of commercial sound equipment. Along the way, I discovered a non-teenager magazine called " International Musician and Recording World". It was a world class mag, that reviewed $800 guitar amps, and $200k mixing consoles. Since I'm an info junkie, it was the perfect mag for a kid starting out in the pro sound world.

Of the 20-25 issues I read cover to cover, I remember one article most of all. It was the musician version of the boy scout handbook, which basically said: " Be Musically Prepared "

You do not PRACTICE with a group. You PRACTICE at home ( OK, no more caps ). You are assigned a song, or you find one, or God gives it to you, . . . whatever. Learn it and know it before you ever make a sound in public. MP3 players are really good for this. I will listen to a new song 80-100 times before we all get together, and I'll have the flow memorized, and might even work out some chord fingerings in my head based on the recording.

THEN, and only then: We get together to REHEARSE.

from dictionary.com

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This re·hearse /rɪˈhɜrs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ri-hurs] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation verb, -hearsed, -hears·ing. –verb (used with object)

1.	to practice (a musical composition, a play, a speech, etc.) in private prior to a public presentation.

2.	to drill or train (an actor, musician, etc.) by rehearsal, as for some performance or part.

3.	to relate the facts or particulars of; recount.

–verb (used without object)

4.	to rehearse a play, part, etc.; participate in a rehearsal.

this isn't all of them, but it's a good start.

When we get together on Wednesday nights, it should be to rehearse. We should have heard the song by then, and not be surprised when the WL ( my future abbreviation for Worship Leader ) tells the instrument that starts off the recording to start it off for our run-thru. If we can put a little more effort into what we do at home, we can polish even further what we work at as a team. This way no one is holding up ten people needlessly.

Collossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. ( thank you biblegateway.com )

I hope that we can move forward in a manner that will honor God, and we may present our efforts for his kingdom and cause, as an offering of our time and service. I've used this scripture before in my 'arguments', perhaps too often; yet it continues to fit the situation at hand. Thankfully I've not had to deal with rehearsal for a bit, due to my medical recovery. Thank you to JD for his willingness to jump into the fray and help out in my absence. I've heard many good things about him already, and will get to hear him in person with our band this coming Sunday. I am SO looking forward to plugging in again next to CM, DC and HB and making our joyful noise as soon as I can. My Les Paul is about to jump off the stand!

Thank you God for the many times you've allowed the inspiration of Your music to touch my heart, and for the songwriters and musicians that brought songs of Your love to me.

JC