All posts by Pam Rentzel

Motivational

Are You a “Dependable”?

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What does it mean to be dependable?  To be reliable, trustworthy, loyal and dedicated!  God is looking for dependable and faithful people.

D – Dedicated to a purpose
What is your purpose?  Do you live to fulfill our purpose?
Always REMEMBER your purpose!

E – Encouraging to those less skilled
Even the man with the one talent could have doubled his talent if he
had not buried it in the ground!  Always be an encourager!

P – Patient and consistent
Stop looking for instant gratification; just keep plugging on toward your goal!

E – Eager to participate
Don’t wait to be begged before you become involved!
Be willing to contribute your reasonable service!

N – Noteworthy and significant to the cause of Christ
You may feel unworthy, but it is only what you do for Christ that will last!

D – Determined to reach your goal
Like the old song “I intend to reach the goal
that’s why I started!”

A – Authentic with no hidden agendas
Remember—whatever you do is not about you but for the glory of the Lord!  Be real!

B – Blessed to be a blessing
If you have been blessed, pay it forward by becoming a blessing to others!

L – Loyal to God and His Work
Being true to God and His people and Kingdom is rewarding!

E – Enthusiastic and ready to follow-through!
Don’t start out with a bang only to burn out within a few weeks!

Motivational, Music for Kids

Be A Mentor!

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We all know kids who sit on church pews bored to death just waiting for the service to be over.  Would they be more interested in church if they could be involved in your music program?  Most children love music and their ability to memorize songs is sometimes amazing.  It is also interesting that the child who is exposed to a musical instrument will probably be able to play that instrument when they grow up. 

NoelaniPiano

Many small churches do not have enough praise singers, bass players, drummers, and keyboard or organ players.  Start a mentoring program in your church NOW.  Teach the children while they are young and allow them to get involved early in Sunday School, Children’s Church or Youth Ministry.  By allowing a child to participate, you are developing a leader.  It also encourages faithfulness because that child will not want to miss a service!PrestleyandMom

I encourage my students to have a background of note reading and ear training.  This will allow them to “communicate” in the musical world without having to apologize “oh I just play by ear.”  Come on—it’s not rocket science!  Note lessons should be supplemented by ear lessons in order to be proficient in a Pentecostal worship service.  Quite honestly, musicians who only can play just by note or just by ear are equally handicapped!

Learning to sing in harmony is another thing that usually just doesn’t “happen” but can be taught.  Ask your adults who are proficient in singing harmonies to mentor a young person. Let the young lady who wants to sing alto, sit next to an alto in service.  If you have someone who can teach hearing and singing intervals, that is also helpful.

Remember, it doesn’t take long for a child to become a teenager and a teenager to become a young adult.  This cycle will occur whether or not they are learning music and developing leadership skills!  Why not tap into hidden talent and allow it to become a blessing to your congregation!

Motivational

Yes! I Can!

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There is a disorder which can hinder your music ability!  It’s the “Why Bother?”  Syndrome.  How often have you asked that yourself or heard that question? 

  • “I’m going to learn to read music better this year!”  “Oh, why bother? — It’s not like I’m going to play at Carnegie Hall!”
  • “I’ve got some songs that I need to get published so I’m going to find out how.”  “Oh there are so many songs out there already, why bother?”

Don’t let a “why bother” attitude in yourself or other people kill off your new ideas, plans and dreams!  Let’s get positive and tune them out!  Remember before Roger Bannister ran the 4-minute miles in 1954, experts said it was impossible.  Within months after his feat, many more runners did it.  Now hundreds have!

If you want to be a successful musician, you’ve got to stop the “Why Bother Syndrome.”  Don’t allow yourself to say “Why Bother?”  Instead say: “How can I do this?” or “What will it take to make this work?”

Sometimes old habits die hard.  Don’t let this trap of “Why Bother” cut off your progress and growth.  Squelch the nay Sayers and then DO IT!   YES I CAN!!!

Remember that:

I + M + P = S
IMPS

Preparation and Organization

Planning Your Music Year – January – December 2015

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Happy New Year!
If you’re like me, I always have the illusion that once the Christmas season is over, things will slow down and I’ll get projects done which have been sitting on the shelf.  Did you notice that I said illusion? 

Those of us who live in colder climates should take advantage of any down-time to get organized and make plans for what we’d like accomplish music wise this year!

Here is an overview of 2015 ideas and special dates!

January – February – March

  • Never stop learning!  Take any down time to learn additional music theory or get out those finger and scale exercise books and practice, practice, practice!
  • Organize your music files!  If you have music scattered everywhere, you might want to take the time to download organizational articles in order to get you motivated and give you a sense of direction in getting organized.
  • Preview and learn new worship choruses. 
  • Start a new music group at your church.  How about a men’s quartet, ladies’ trio or ensemble to sing for a special occasion? 
  • Start training young musicians in your church on piano or other instruments.  Don’t forget them—they are our future Pentecostal musicians.
  • Every quarter there is one month with 5 Sundays.  Consider the possibility of a theme-focused service on the 5th Sunday of every quarter.  Feature an adult choir, ensemble, youth group, trio, duet or solo.  Many times non-church goers will attend a theme-focused service when they will not attend regular services.  Work in conjunction with your Outreach Department to use this event as a tool to reach your city!
  • March 29 is a 5th Sunday.

April – May – June

  • Easter is April 5 this year!  Start in January or February to get your music lined up and your soloists, groups, ensemble or choir ready to sing!  Give your group at least 6 to 8 weeks to get things together!
  • Mothers’ Day is May 10 and Fathers’ Day is June 21.  Don’t wait until the last minute and endure the frustration and embarrassment of having to throw something together.  Preview and plan NOW!  Remember 6 – 8 weeks to get things together!
  • Pentecost Sunday is May 24 this year!  This is also Memorial Day Weekend!
  • Plan and Prepare to Avoid the “Summertime Blues”:
    • Take summer vacation time into consideration.  Most everyone plans their vacation–find out when music team members are scheduled to be away and prepare in advance so that services run smoothly.
    • With enough preparation time, less-experienced musicians can play for a few worship services.  Begin training musicians before they are needed!  
    • Provide chord sheets to all of your fill-in musicians.
    • Encourage fill-in musicians to play in children’s church, Sunday School, youth and mid-week services to get more experience.
    • In the summer months let your choir sing “re-runs” or repertoire with which they are already familiar.  
    • Cut back practice schedule to every other week or once a month.  Don’t cut practices completely out, because it can be hard to re-motivate!
    • Use smaller groups such as duets, trios, ensembles, and chorales to fill in your music schedule.
    • Use sound tracks.
  • May 31 is a 5th Sunday

July – August – September

  • Independence Day (July 4) falls on Saturday this year, either weekend would be ideal to plan to have a youth band play a medley of patriotic tunes to celebrate the July 4 Holiday.  Preparations should start as early as possible—allow 8 –10 weeks to get things together!.  Try very easy arrangements or a medley of these tunes:
    • America
    • God Bless America
    • Battle Hymn of the Republic
    • America the Beautiful
  • August 30 is a 5th Sunday.
  • Grandparents Day is September 13
    • What a great weekend to plan a program of music, readings or poetry to honor the senior members of your congregation. 
    • How about a “Down Through the Years” program of music, poetry and readings to honor your seniors? 
    • You may want to plan a service to honor those who have been in church over 20 years.  You may want to choose a song from each decade—one you get started, you will find a lot of great “classic” or “old school” material that you haven’t heard for years! Be sure to involve your seniors in the service.

October – November – December

  • Pastor’s Appreciate Month is October!
  • Veterans Day is November 11
  • Thanksgiving is November 26
  • Christmas falls on Friday this year!  Start Christmas music practices by mid-September.  Early preparation avoids last-minute stress!  
  • January 1, 2016 falls on Friday.  Start music for Watch night Service in November.
Miscellaneous

Welcome to Melody Lines!

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Hi!  Welcome to the Melody Lines Music Blog!  My name is Pam Rentzel and I’ve been a Pentecostal Musician for more years than many of you have been alive!  I guess you could call me “Old School.” 
 
About 20 years ago, I started a newsletter called “Melody Lines” written especially for musicians who minister by playing piano, organ or keyboard in Pentecostal churches.  In 1999 we launched our first website dedicated to Pentecostal Musicians at www.pentecostalmusicians.com.  Our on-line Newsletter was also called “Melody Lines” and discussed subjects pertinent to being a successful Pentecostal Musician. 

With the advent of social media tools, we have decided to do a Pentecostal Musicians Facebook page and blog!   If you are interested in being part of this music group on Facebook, please click on “Play This–Not That!”  and send a request to be added.

Even though styles and the flavors of music change with every decade (or more often), the basics of playing music which lifts up Jesus, ministers to the church family and touches the hearts of the unsaved  remains the same. 

This is a new adventure so we need YOUR feedback!  You will find downloadable music lead sheets available and in the near future, we plan to have short downloadable video tutorials.  If you see something that does not seem to be working correctly or if you place an order and do not receive your purchased item,  it is imperative that you let us know!

The purpose of this blog is to promote interaction, encouragement and inspiration among fellow Pentecostal Musicians.  We invite you to participate with your uplifting comments, music-related testimonies, and pertinent questions or by suggesting subjects for discussion.  Please NOTE:  Your first comment must be approved before being posted.  Thereafter, all comments are moderated for appropriateness and may be removed.  Be courteous and respectful to all readers and commenters. 

Thank you for your ministry!!!