Just imagine someone who was still unfamiliar with the scales on the bass guitar, played bass for a church when he was still unfamiliar with the hymns! On top of that, he was given only 10 out of 16 song sheets, not knowing the right sequence! But despite the fumbling for the right song sheet, it turned out passable to most, judging from the few friends who thanked me personally and even one young Indian guy who even said 'you're good' in appreciation! I was so surprised at that that I did not even thank him in case I heard wrongly!
Just to put in perspective (for those who are unfamiliar with music amplification), electric bass guitar (or double bass with microphone at the right place) can provide the 'oomph' in a subtle way. So for a congregation used to being without a bass guitarist, even a beginner playing the right notes helps to improve the overall musical performance together with the choir. Furthermore, we were aided by a bongo player!
Then there was this unfair comparison with an unprepared lone rhythm guitarist (eg. borrowed guitar on site) who played in a different key to what the Chinese choir were singing! Later, I was told (by someone who knows Chinese) that a song was sung different from what was displayed on the projected board! So, I was good compared with an unprepared and unaided example!
To be honest, I had to prepare under difficult circumstances. A week ago, a chance meeting with one of the two guitarists led me to their practice the same night. I was sharing with two others, one set of song sheets on a stand. Then I was given the 10 song lyrics with chords. Bear in mind I was unfamiliar with the hymns other than the universal ones like Mary's boy child, Silent night and We wanna wish you a Merry Christmas. I had to search Youtube for those and sometimes they were in different keys.
I waited for the guitarist one night for a practice session but he did not turn up. I told myself that I might as well just give up. Then it was arranged for the following day and a quick run through, it ended up more like his display of old pop songs that he liked! I wished I was in the mood for that because I was more anxious of not being able to play even the basic notes correctly.
On the song sheets, I had to draw up the scales next to the songs for quick reference in case I needed to. I even had to mark a few places on the bass guitar just to ensure I get the right notes of those I was unfamiliar with! It was worth the effort. Now, there is a standing invitation to play on Sundays! I can treat it like bass practice while serving the church!
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