Keys for Editing Songs By John Corbin
1) There are two data bases in Easy Worship 2006. The one in the upper left hand corner is the data base for a particular worship service. The one in the lower left hand corner is the main data base.
2) To set up a specific service schedule use the upper left hand data base. To do this, find the worship song in the lower left hand data base (the primary data base) and double click on it. That will place the song in the service schedule (upper left hand data base). They can then be moved by dragging and dropping them into different positions.
3) To edit a song in the service schedule - right click the song (in the upper left hand window) and then select "edit song." This will bring the song up in a narrow display near the center of the monitor and will allow you to customize the song for the worship leader for that particular service. If the song is to be "permanently" changed then it may be changed when signing out of the program (a menu comes up asking if you want to change the main data base).
** hint - whenever the word " tag" is used at the beginning of a phrase the entire line becomes colored purple and then you can enter notations between parenthesis for the lyrics person to follow. Notations in parenthesis following the word " tag" are not projected on the screen.
4) The following " tags" are the ones I use to edit with.
tag (edited 5-5- 2007 I See The Lord)
I begin by typing the date that the song is being edited and to let you know what the title of the song is.
tag (so many beats or measures for the introduction)
This lets you know when to start and when to cue the video person to place the words on the screen. If there is no mention of an introduction then the song starts almost immediately. Please become familiar with the songs so that you will know when to cue the video person.
tag (fast)
This designates hitting the down key twice, quickly together. What this does is give a visual break to the words. It is used when the identical phrase is repeated and gives a visual separation telling the congregation to sing it again. When the tag is designated as "fast" please hit the down key twice quickly. What we are attempting to do is give a quick visual break - nothing more.
tag (x beats) beats = beats of music
This is for short breaks. This designates how many beats to wait from when the last word was sung until the down key is hit revealing the next word or phrase. I make this break a couple of beats shorter than the pause so that the congregation will have the time to see, recognize, read, and then sing the next word or verse.
tag (x measures) measures = 4 beats per measure
This is for longer breaks. This designates how many measures (always four beats to a measure) to wait from when the last word was sung until the down key is hit revealing the next word or phrase. I make this break a couple of beats shorter than the pause so that the congregation will have the time to see, recognize, read, and then sing the next word or verse. If there is a protracted instrumental you can cue your video person and they can do a close up of the soloist.
tag (some description about solos or something necessary for the service)
I use this to let you know whether there is a specific instrumental solo, blend to another song, or etc. It would be great if you would take the time to review these comments before service - if not I will make it as descriptive as possible.
tag (end)
This designates that the song is over. Please down key to this tag so that the background is left projecting without lyrics.
A few suggestions:
1) Better no words than the wrong words.
The congregation is depending upon the lyrics being projected correctly. If the lyrics are wrong then the congregation may lose confidence and not sing along with us.
2) Better early than late.
This is a common problem because we become accustomed to the songs. What is ideal is to have the lyrics projected in enough time for the congregation (and please be especially sensitive to first time visitors) to see, recognize, read, and then sing the lyrics with us during praise. As a lyrics person you are actually "sticking your neck out" because, to allow folks to join us in praise, you must project the lyrics before they are sung. We have been discussing the projecting of lyrics on the "back wall" of the sanctuary so that the praise team will be able to follow the exact sequence of words without having to commit them to memory (as they do now). As with all music, the page must be turned before the music can be played or sung, so you need to be bold. I edit and follow the worship leader on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings for many hours to make certain that the lyrics are as correct as possible. There will occasionally be variances (until the praise team can see the lyrics projected) and when they occur we need to be able to respond and correct the lyrics as quickly as possible. I suggest going to "clear" until the lyrics are back in cue before going back to projecting. If you are in good communication with your video counterpart then this is the perfect situation where they can assist you. The video person can switch to images of the praise team until you have recovered the lyrics.
3) Watch the left monitor as it is real time.
Try to think of yourself as a "first time visitor" and place the words up in time to see, recognize, read, and then sing the lyrics with our praise team.
4) Continually scroll down on the right display to be able to read the "tag" notes and breaks. Keep ahead of the lyrics.
5) When a word or phrase is complete don't hang onto it. Go on. There is no reason to hang onto a word or phrase that has already been sung.
6) Develop a rapport with your video counterpart. Whether projecting lyrics or power point it is important that you work together and make the presentation as timely and seamless as possible. Don't be afraid to cue your video person - they are busy too.
7) Get a feel for the songs and assist your video person by informing them of the relative length of introductions (when the lyrics begin) and let them know when instrumentals and solos are occurring .
8) Let your video person know when the lyrics are finished. Some of the songs have long endings and they will then be free to do close ups & etc.
9) If possible, meet between services to let the second lyrics person know what's up.
