How to Build a Worship Set: Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of How to Build a Worship Set! I trust you have already read Part 1. If not, read this first. Part 1 is all about choosing the right songs for congregational worship. After you have chosen songs for your worship set, implementing smooth transitions with the rest of the team during practice is very important. This post will be about seamless transitions from song to song using the songs we chose in Part 1.

Let’s look back at our song choices.

• Open up the Heavens (Meredith Andrews) — A
• Hosanna (Paul Baloche) — D
• Lion and the Lamb (Big Daddy Weave) — D
• Raise a Hallelujah (Bethel) — D
• Great are You Lord (All Sons and Daughters) — D

Great set list, right? The natural progression of worship these songs provide is awesome, but you’ll need to learn how to transition from one song to the next for a truly smooth worship experience. And I really hate to use that word “experience”. However, the worship team plays a very vital role in leading people to worship God in a church service. Now, as I stated in Part 1 of How to Build a Worship Set, it’s not all about the music. But music is important. As seen in the Old Testament, music was used in the front lines of battle; it was used to praise God in the sanctuary; and as in the case of David, music was used to fill the room with the presence of God and His peace. Music is a tool we use for worship. As each instrument and member works together to bring beautiful music for the glory of God, people will naturally be drawn into God’s presence with us. This is where change happens and where freedom is! And this is a whole other blog post!

For now, let’s look at the practical ways we can transition between songs.

1. Keep songs within the same key or key family.

Getting back to our set list, Open up the Heavens and Hosanna are in two different keys. How do we transition seamlessly? Actually, since Open is in A and Hosanna is in D, this is very simple because they are in the same family of keys. Keeping songs within the same key or key family is important for seamless transitions and less distraction during congregational worship. Some examples of key families are:

• D, G, A
• F, Bb, C
• G, C, D
• E, A, B

2. For faster songs, keep the momentum between songs with drums.

Don’t let too much time go by after you end Open up the Heavens on the word “praise”. I would have the drums stop only for a second or continue with that driving beat that is similar in both songs as to connect the songs. After the drummer hits the bass drum four beats, the lead piano or guitar should hit the D chord and begin the intro of Hosanna. Lots of faster praise songs can transition this way! Keeping the beat going is a great way to continue the momentum of the praise that is already happening.

3. Slow down the end of a fast song to transition into a slower one.

Now, Lion and the Lamb is a tad slower in tempo than Hosanna, so I’m going to slightly retard at the end of Hosanna in order to ease into Lion more naturally. What we don’t want is an abrupt stop. A slight retard at the end of a faster song helps to transition into a song of a slower tempo. As far as the keys leading into Lion and the Lamb, keep the lead piano or guitar on the key of D holding it out back and forth between D and G/D a couple of times, then go into Lion’s intro. Many songs can transition just like this. The more you practice, the easier it becomes.

4. Find song couplets.

Notice how Lion and the Lamb can go strait into Raise a Hallelujah without much transition. Just stay on D until you’re ready for Raise. I love when songs just naturally go together like these two do in this instance. In choosing your songs, you want to find couplets like these that go hand in hand. It really makes for an easier time of making a set list.

5. Hitting basic chords (no frills) helps to transition into different times.

Raise a Hallelujah ends on D, so just hang out there for a second, then go into “You give life” (the beginning of Great are You Lord) and don’t forget the change in time from 4/4 to 6/8. To start, just do basic chords, making sure to sustain them well with the pedal (if you’re on lead piano). I like to use strings behind my piano so it naturally sustains. Once the chorus hits, start playing as you normally would.

6. Avoid abrupt stops.

When the set is complete, don’t just abruptly stop the music. At this time, pastors normally come up and say a few words, and sometimes ask the worship team to even sing a chorus again (or more). Just be ready to do what he asks as he feels the Lord lead! Keep playing through the song until he prays or tells people to be seated. That’s usually your cue to vacate the stage. 🙂 At this point, the worship has set the atmosphere for the preaching. Although the music stops, the continuation of worship will flow into the rest of the service and people’s hearts will be more receptive to hear what God is saying to the church. As I said, music is an important tool! 🙂

Questions or comments? Leave a line below! We would love to hear from you!

Anna De Lay

I am a wife, homeschool mom, musician, and songwriter; but most importantly, I am a daughter of the King. My heart’s desire is to draw closer to God and bring other people with me! Truly, there is no greater joy.

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