The Click-Track: A Worship Leader's Friend

Admittedly, I have historically only played with a click track a handful of times. In that time though, I have seen a deep value with using the click during a worship service. Let's look through them, shall we?

For those who are unfamiliar, the click-track is simply a metronome programmed to play through the drummer's in-ear mix, or the entire band's mix (depending on resources). Worship leaders love it for a host of reasons.

1. It keeps the band musically "tight"- Having an unwavering click-track forces a worship team to stay in time, not rush ahead or drag behind.
2. It allows for use of additional media- Knowing that the worship team will play the song to a set click allows for video to play during the worship service, adding the foundation for a creative way to help connect worshippers to the Father. Not to mention the use of loops, samples, and additional pre-programmed instrumentation to add fullness to the sound. 
3. It humbles, and challenges musicianship- The click track is not wrong. If you program the click specifically, and mid-song your band is lightyear's ahead of the track during your final chorus...it's probably you. An external source causes growing musicians to another level of excellence. 

If you (like me) are new to the click-track world, start by purchasing a metronome, and running it to the board, and then back to the drummer's mix. Then, slowly integrate it into the entire band's mix. Happy clicking.

-Adrian

STUFF TO CHECK OUT:

 Don't just take my word for it! I mean, you can...but here are some other worship leaders on the value of click tracks in a worship setting.

"The click track is a humbling beast that makes the best musicians feel like rookies at times.  I remember sitting at my piano as a kid with that wooden triangle of doom clicking at me as I practiced for my recital.  We have not always had the greatest success with the click but it has become a comforting friend more than the nagging foe it use to be."

Nathan Sutliff, The Crossing in Westminster, Colo.

"If anyone is wishing their band would sound more in sync, get them on a click. But make sure everyone can hear it. Clicks are super important if you're tapping delays. If you don't have a click, you would need to re-tap for every part of the song, because so many drummers lose time when they come out of a fill."

Jimmy Purchase, Crossway Church in Davie, Fla.

"Click is something that keeps everyone on the same page, makes the drummer more solid in beats and fills, and helps maintain the integrity of a song. It also keeps the band tight throughout change in dynamics. When building into a big chorus, bands tend to speed up. The click will keep this from happening. Click is something that everyone will hate at first. But if you push through it, it's extremely rewarding and in the end, everyone will love it. My team can't imagine playing without it." 

Nate Meyst,  Calvary Chapel Kendall/Miami, Fla.  

"Clicks are great. As a lighting technician, programming cues to fit with the song is much easier when that tempo is locked in. It aids in timing your order of service, tightening the sound and a host of other benefits."

Jared Mercier, Oasis Church, Pembroke Pines, Fla.