Here's the Thing

I always enjoy reading surprising stories about famous people, especially those in rock bands, who are more intelligent and educated than you might think. Today I saw a story about Brian May, guitarist for Queen. Not only is May one of the most influential guitar players of his time, he is also finishing his PhD in astrophysics. He apparently walked away from his studies when Queen's popularity began to explode.

All this time I had no idea that one of the guys responsible for Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, and Another One Bites the Dust was some kind of supergenius. At least he uses his powers for good and not evil.

I find myself at a bit of a musical crossroads this summer. For about the last year I have been playing with a worship band that does a fair amount of conferences and retreats, as well as regularly leading worship on Sunday nights at its home church. At the beginning I was just happy to play with other quality musicians. There is something nice about making solid, good quality music, without having to worry about the other members of the band.

As things rolled along I have had the opportunity to learn some new songs, meet new people, lead a lot of people in worship, and have a generally good time doing it. There have been frustrations and challenges as well, but overall it has been a great experience.

My biggest frustration so far has been the contrast in style between what I like to play and listen to and what the band plays. It was immediately clear that my taste in music was not particularly similar to that of anyone else in the band, which really didn’t bother me. I do tend to get bored or frustrated at times, though, playing a type of music that I am not particularly drawn to, and I wonder if my priorities are a bit off.

I joined this band because I wanted a musical outlet. The leading-people-in-worship part was more of a bonus than a requirement for me. I wonder now whether it was realistic for me to expect to find a creative outlet through leading worship. The thing about worship music is that it has to have a broad musical appeal, or you end up with only a few people connecting with what you are trying to do. There is also a sacrifice that goes along with worship, whether leading a group or just singing along. The purpose of worship, in a group setting, is to worship God in unity, not to express our individual creativity. I sing a worship song because I need to worship my creator, not because I happen to like the song. Considering this, my playing in a band, whose primary goal is to glorify God, requires me to sacrifice my own personal taste and creativity. I have to ask myself, if my priorities are really right, why not put that energy into more viable creative outlets? Especially when my very involvement with this band, which is based at a different church, causes friction with some there that dislike outsiders involved in their worship.

All that said, I really do enjoy playing with these guys. I know this sounds like a Dear John letter, but I’m really just putting my thoughts and feelings out there as I think through my goals for the next few years.

What to do? I want your input. I know you’re reading this, now leave me a comment with your thoughts!

As sort of a graduation present to me, I sold my Fender Strat to a nice guy from Vancouver named Bob, and bought a new electric guitar. I had to add some cash to it, which I got from moving some old friends into their beautiful new home. They were quite generous, and I was excited to "move on up to east side" by getting the guitar I wished I bought to start with.


I picked up my new Fender American '62 Reissue Telecaster (in three-color sunburst with a rosewood neck, a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time…) late last week, and spent a few hours playing it before noticing a tiny crack on the side of the fingerboard. I couldn’t quite tell if the crack was really a crack, or maybe just an anomaly in the finish. It must have been there when I bought it, and I just missed it; it was a pretty small crack.

Nonetheless, my joy and excitement had instantly turned to fear, and I rushed the new beauty (lights on and siren blazing) straight over to Portland Fret Works, where Todd Mylet does magical things with stringed instruments. He also does a lot of warranty work for several instrument companies. After taking a look, Todd called me to let me know that the crack does indeed need fixing, and that it will be a warranty repair (free to me). I'm thinking, "Well, it's cool that Fender pays for it, but how long will it take?" Then Todd says, "Since this is a nitrocellulose lacquer, the job will take about four weeks."

"Uhhhhh... uhhhhh…"

I wasn't sure if I heard him right, but then he explained that the lacquer needs time to cure, etc, etc. I could have returned the guitar to Portland Music Co, but it would have taken at least as long for them to order another one, and their other stores didn’t have one in stock. It’s not the most common guitar around, which is part of why I like it so much. You might even say I love this guitar. I love it bad. Real bad.

So now I sit, without any electric guitar at all, wishing it had all been different. Maybe that’s just what I get for buying myself a graduation present before actually graduating. It will definitely be an exercise in patience, though, and I do tend to be the guy that buys the guitar that needs warranty work anyway. At least I have learned to keep my sales receipts.