By Don Chapman
I create instrumental parts (flute, trumpet, clarinet, etc.) for all my arrangements, but I adapt those parts in my recordings for a more contemporary praise band sound. Here’s how you can do the same with your band.
On my new recording Glory to His Name you’ll hear a synth lead line in the intro and throughout the song. That melodic riff is simply bits and pieces of the C Instruments part played by a mono synth lead (dig around in your synthesizer for a similar, pure-sounding tone – they’re often called “synth leads.”)
In the below examples you’ll see how you can create the part. Some synth players can just pick up the part by ear. If you have a sight-reading musician, try printing out the C Instruments sheet music, and using a colored highlighting pen, mark which parts to play.
In this case, I’m using the secondary part for the intro, midtros and the 2nd and 3rd verses, then I switch to the primary bottom note on the final chorus.
Have fun and create your own synth parts using your own taste to find which melodic lines work best in your ministry.
