Why Acoustic Isn't Easier

My Beef With Acoustic Sets And Why I Hate Them.. A Little.

Used in this video:

[sirrobert]

sometimes we're forced into it when we have no drummer, bass. It can work well when you pick the right songs, and if you play the right way. Sometimes we'll have an electric player doing some ambient leads

[summitspringschurch]

For me there is a bit more time commitment when we do acoustic weeks. However, it is definitely worth it. It keeps me sharp and gets me out of the box. Our congratulation responds well on those weeks, too.

[josh]

I find it to be a both and kind of situation. On one hand I totally feel the same way about wanting to fill in different parts and make the instruments that I do have cover most of the spectrum that is missing.That definitely loads down a week with extra hours of prep and mental bandwidth being taken up. I also think a lot of acoustic sets come down to the congregation and the setlist. When I have done acoustic sets, I intentionally pick songs that I know the congregation loves, I mean LOVES!!! I have found that the congregation can actually fill out a good chunk of the missing parts when they are fully engaged and singing out with songs that they know and love. I also tend to pick more upbeat songs to give the set energy that would normally be supported by drums or bass. I don't love to do acoustic sets but with smaller churches and limited volunteers it can become a necessity.

[mikeymo]

Seems your problem is your unspoken rule. It's ok for an acoustic set to be... less. Kind of the point really.

Give some of your band the week off. Try it with just an acoustic, a piano, a bass and hand percussion. Let some moments go by and stop trying to fill the space.

I find acoustic sets easier and sometimes more satisfying. It's also easier to control the flow and more importantly, improvise and let the moments just be what they want to be.

[highwayrun]

I'm in full agreement on this. I'm an electric player first and foremost with nothing against acoustic guitar. My Church has acoustic week once a month. It's kind of how this particular band just ended up (we have four bands in rotation) and the acoustic is never mixed all that well. It always sounds lifeless and empty. My opinion is the sound crew doesn't understand how to mix an acoustic guitar to make it sound full and rich (not bashing sound guys here). The other reason is that the song choices often don't suit acoustic renditions but they are never chosen for the band, they are chosen for the message. This may sound trivial to non-musicians but when I am in the congregation it bugs me. I believe we should be glorifying God through our music and also seeking excellence in all we do