Finding the right tools for WORSHIP with limited MUSICIAN resources
Churches with limited musician resources seem to be occurring in epidemic proportions. Also, many churches want to be able to utilize modern worship songs in their times of worship, but find it difficult to do so without proper instrumentation. Today, we have technologies available that provide great solutions for churches that need help. In this series of posts, I will be talking about many great solutions for churches of all worship styles–whether you need just a pianist or an entire band to assist in your times of corporate worship. This post is about one of several virtual band solutions. This iSingWorship is especially good when you have no instruments or only an acoustic guitar. Check out my summary at the end.
Kenny
iSingWorship will provide you with great sounding music from top producers and musicians in congregationally-friendly keys. The app will also automatically display the lyrics accurately in perfect sync (no need for separate video presentation software) and, most importantly, allow for highly flexible control of the music. You can even display the chords with the lyrics on your screen to use if you play along.
“iSingWorship is a brilliant and creative resource for worship leaders and churches. This will be particularly exciting for people who are keen to lead worship but don’t have the musicians and resources to do so regularly. Well worth checking out and engaging with.”
Playing
While the song is playing, you can tap on the section of the song you would like to play next, giving you complete flexibility in how the sections of the song will flow. (End by going back to verse 1, repeat a chorus with drums only, insert a quiet instrumental section etc). If you tap on the section that is playing, it will repeat. If you tap on a section a third time will keep it repeating (loop). Occasionally, some sections may be grayed out if they wouldn’t work musically following the currently playing section. This feature is much more advanced than the feature in Worship Band in Hand.
Audio Setting
iSingWorship’s audio mixer is simpler than the other virtual bands, but it does not give you as many options. However, in many settings, it is just what you need. You can choose to have lead vocals assist you at any volume level. You can choose to have accompaniment by full band, by acoustic guitar only, or by band without acoustic guitar (so you can play along).
Lyrics
A great feature of this app is that it will display lyrics to the song. You can display song lyrics on an external screen (TV, computer screen or via a projector) automatically in perfect sync with the music. A range of nice background pictures or simple solid colors can be chosen to display behind the lyrics. Wireless support included via AirPlay mirroring with compatible devices. Only Fly Worship (post coming soon) also gives you a video output option.
Chords
Option to display chords (with lyrics) on your device screen alone so they are not seen by the congregation. A further option allows for display of chords on the external screen for band rehearsals.
Key Change
Each song can be played back in a choice of 7 keys. This ensures the vocal ranges will be comfortable for congregations, men’s groups, women’s groups or your own personal worship times. Be sure to choose congregationally friendly keys for your songs.
Events/Playlists
Prepare a set list of songs and presentations in advance for your service. You can leave each song to play continuously one into the next or insert pauses between any or all of them.
Congregationally Friendly Arrangements
Musical, natural and fresh sounding arrangements performed and recorded by some of the nation’s top musicians and producers in congregational friendly keys.
Lead with live guitar and/or vocals
If you simply want to use the app as a backing band, you can switch the acoustic guitar parts off and lead worship with live guitar. You can also turn the lead vocals down if you prefer to lead yourself. Included is an option to display the song’s chords on your device screen while your congregation still sees only the song lyrics.
Create and save your own arrangements
You can also set up your own arrangements of songs in advance. For example, you may want to start a particular song with a chorus instead of a verse of play a softer version of an entire song for a more reflective service. Song key and lyric background settings can also be saved as part of an arrangement.
Edit and save alternative song lyrics
Opens up the possibility of singing any song in multiple languages.
Growing Library of Songs
The song library contains some of the the most popular worship songs with many more currently in production. Songs can be purchased from the built-in song store using your iTunes account details. Currently there are only about 80 songs available–far less than the other four virtual worship band options.
Fully licensed congregational versions of songs (includes all instrumental and vocal parts, lyrics, guitar chords and complete flexibility) for $2.99–far more affordable than any of the other virtual worship band options.
Any purchased song may be downloaded again free of charge onto different devices owned by the same person using their iTunes account details.
Compatibility
- iOS Version: iOS7 or later.
- Windows Version: Windows 8 or newer, 2GB memory and 100Mb free disc space. [NEW]
- macOS Version: OS X Lion or newer, min 2GB memory, 100Mb free disc space. [NEW]
Download the Getting Started Guide here.
The App is FREE. Purchase the songs you want at $2.99 each. They also offer a monthly subscription giving access to all songs and features for $12.99/month. See special offer below.
At last! A resource that uses current technology to serve the local Church where it is often most vulnerable. Worship! Not all churches are blessed with gifted musicians and worship leaders. The small church, care group, even children and youth ministries sometimes need to resort to an inflexible sing-a-long with a favourite CD recording. ‘iSingWorship’ provides a well produced version of a song that can be used incorporating a great measure of spontaneity and sensitivity. The controller of this great app in effect becomes the worship leader and can determine the arrangement of the song ‘on the fly’, repeating verses, bridge sections, instrumental verses, even varying how each song starts and ends. It also has immense potential as a teaching resource; emerging musicians can play along with the tracks without having to carry the weight of ultimate responsibility. I have talked about a resource like this for years. ‘iSingWorship’ has done it!
Amazing Offer
Our friends at iSingWorship have worked with me to create a worship starter pack of 12 great songs–including older and newer songs for a great price (save $10.89 off buying single titles). Check out the Renewing Worship Starter Pack and get started with this great app!
Final Thoughts
I fell in love with iSingWorship the first time I used it. It is perfect for situations where you want to lead worship and need a backing track AND want to send words to video. The cost is the best of any similar solution at $2.99 for each song. You have tremendous flexibility in what you can do.
This application is especially perfect for worship leaders who have no instrumentalists or only an acoustic guitar. For churches who sing predominantly classic hymns, this may not be your best choice (or you may use it in addition to one of the other options). The accompaniments are all modern and the majority of the songs are more current. You will, however, find a good number of hymns in great arrangements here as well.
Save some money with the Renewing Worship Starter Pack highlighted in the block above. I am thankful for iSingWorship’s partnership!
Kenny
Is there any chance iSingWorship tracks will add click tracks?
I checked with the producers and they responded: “Click tracks is something we’ve talked about but I think we feel that iSingWorship users are really those in smaller situations where they have only very few (or even no) musicians. Those wanting to play with the tracks with a click tend to need more control over all the stems so that they can for example turn off the bass or piano etc.” I did discover that they no make many of their songs available in full MultiTrack format. These also include click and cue tracks and are ideal for when people need the maximum control over the mix. You can find these on this site: https://www.multitracksforworship.com
I would like to get as much information as possible on this system… I believe it would be a game changer for our church…
Allen Taylor
Assoc. Pastor/ Worship Leader
CityBridge Church… Pensacola Florida
Just follow the links to their site and you should get all the information you need. It is a great product.