As a worship leader, I get asked random questions all the time about worship leading, especially from aspiring leaders in my local church.
One of those questions is:
Sam, what’s the best way to close a worship set?
Well, let me tell you… in fact, here are 5 ways ANYONE can close a worship set.
-
Rock retárd
You slow down the last measure increasingly so, until the last downbeat… at which time enters cymbal crashing, guitar thrashing, and vocal ad-libbing.
-
Slow chorus
This is a classic. You end on the chorus, playing it big a couple of times… add a bit of a Rock retárd, then proceed into a final chorus, allowing the congregation to really sing out the lyrics.
-
Imperfect Cadence
Sorry for all you non-music-theory people out there… this simply means ending on the V chord instead of the I chord (so, in the key of C, you end on the G chord). This leaves a very distinctive feel to the end of a song, and is very moving when used correctly.
-
Deceptive Cadence
Again, a music theory term, this simply means going from the V chord, to any chord other than the I chord (again, in the key of C, you go from a G to a Dm, or Em, or F, or Am… but not C). This is considered a weak way to end a song, as you don’t have the ‘strength’ tied in with ending on the I (C) or V (G) chord… but, as the name suggests, can add some well-placed (deceptive) spice at the end of the song. NOTE: Use sparingly!
-
Prayer
’nuff said.
The truth is most of these can be combined into one. I ALWAYS end a worship set with prayer, and will usually do either 1 or 2, depending on the song. Sometimes, in that mix, I will throw in the 3rd or 4th option… although, as I said, those need to be correctly and intentionally placed.
What are some methods you’ve used to tactfully end a worship set?
Have something to add? Join the conversation...