11 Tips For Creating More Unique Worship Music

We worship leaders know that music is not everything. Creativity is not the goal of our ministry.

But that’s no excuse for being boring. The greatest message deserves our greatest creativity and attention to detail.

But when you listen to Rend Collective Experiment or Gungor or the new David Crowder Band record, you may get discouraged. “I could never be THAT creative,” you tell yourself.

Let me free you. It’s not your job to be the most creative or to compare your creativity to someone else’s. It’s your job to be faithful where you are with what you’ve been given.

But you may not know where to start. You may be a worship leader in a smaller church and aren’t too experienced with music. No need to worry. That’s why I wrote this post.

11 Tips For More Creative Worship Music

Whether you are a seasoned musician or an amateur, here are some tips to inspire musical creativity in your worship team.

1. Simplify

Oftentimes we get too caught up on having a huge sound. Worship music doesn’t have to be massive all the time. Matter of fact, simpler is often more effective. Step away from the power-pop anthems and utilize a simple guitar or piano and a few voices.

2. Remove What You Rely On Too Heavily

If you’re like me, you can’t lead worship without a keyboard pad. It is what the angels play, right? If you want to breathe new life into your music, do away with what you’re relying on.

3. Use An Instrument In A Different Way

Used to strumming your guitar all the time? Finger pick instead. Used to heavy handed piano? Utilize only a few notes. Always strumming huge power chords on the electric? Try playing completely melodic. If you’re really cool, bust out that cello bow on the electric guitar 🙂 Start thinking outside the box.

4. Utilize Numerous Vocalists

Just because you are the worship leader doesn’t mean you need to sing every song. Matter of fact, different voices not only make it sound more fresh, but makes each song in the set stronger, as each vocalist has time to rest in between songs.

5. Arrange First…Flow Second

Many worship leaders simply like to “flow”. I’m an advocate of arranging first and flowing after you have a solid arrangement. Music that is not arranged begins to sound annoying and hinders people from worshiping. Flow, yes, but do the work of an arranger first.

6. Add a new instrument

I recently bought some orchestra bells for our church. Out of the ordinary, yes, but they’ve been inspiring to use. Anytime you can add a new instrument and perform it well, it can re-engage the people who are listening. Pair a banjo and a mandolin with your acoustic guitar. Use some percussion. Jesus doesn’t only like 5 piece rock bands 🙂

7. Sing a different type of song (hymns or modern)

If you’re used to singing hymns, try something modern. If all you sing is modern worship, sing more hymns. Don’t rely on one type of song or sound. Keep stretching.

8. Experiment with electronic programming

I know this is not for everyone and doesn’t appear “simple”, but if you enjoy being creative and trying new things, I recommend experimenting with electronic programming. This doesn’t have to be expensive. If you have a MAC (I hope you do), use Garage Band to create some beats. Create a click track. I personally use Reason and M-Audio keyboards. This has changed my creative process dramatically.

9. Exercise Patience

The modern worship industry has conditioned us to play a certain way – hyped up, rocking music. Low verses. High Choruses. Lots of energy, awash in guitar delay. Trying to maintain this sound can be stressful and distract you from what it’s all about. Remember, this is about worship. Be patient. Allow your music to breathe. Build slowly. Encourage your congregation to cry out.

10. Linger or Don’t Linger (do what you’re not used to)

If all you do is linger on each song for 15 minutes, try not doing that. Craft a setlist that flows and work your way through it without being mechanical. There’s no inherent anointing in long songs. If you’re used to cranking through your 5 song set in 20 minutes, try lingering for a while on one of those songs. Do what you’re not used to.

11. Alter how you begin

Used to kicking off your services with a high energy opener? Try something slower, or vice versa. Typically start each song with a long intro? Try starting a song without an intro.

I hope these tips inspire you to create unique music that engages your congregation in worship. Go and create.

Question: How are you being intentional about your creativity as a worship team? You can leave a comment by clicking here.