Using Planned Spontaneity to Connect Songs in Worship

If you did not read our last post on Providing Seamless Transitions Between Songs in Your Worship Set, take a look now. Each post will be building upon the previous information.

Planned Spontaneity describes a planned connection between two songs where it seems as you end the first song you suddenly think of a second song that would be a great response to what we just sang, then you lead directly into singing it. Often, the spontaneous second song would begin with very little instrumentation—perhaps just keyboard pads. The song could then build as you move forward. Planned Spontaneity works best between songs in the same key, but also works nicely in settings such as the above example in which a song that ends on the IV chord goes to a song in a key a fourth higher. The critical part, in this case, is that the worship leader must know what note to begin on and must get the new key in his/her head immediately since there is no introduction to establish the key. This effect can be very powerful in worship.

These “spontaneous” transitions use the SHORT GAP method of connecting songs as described in lesson 1.

Watch this brief explainer video, followed by many examples to spur your imagination.

Example 1:
Your Name (in A) – How Great Is Our God (in A)

The first song, Your Name, comes to an end, then after a brief pause, the worship leader begins singing the chorus of How Great Is Our God. It should seem very spontaneous as if the worship leader just thought of the second song and begins to sing it.

Long Version

Short Version

Example 2:
Your Name (in A) – How Great Is Our God (in A)

In this example, we reverse the two songs in the previous example. At the conclusion of How Great Is Our God, the worship leader begins to sing the chorus of Your Name. The long version will give you a better feel of the entire context of establishing the second song.

Long Version

Short Version

Example 3:

You Are My King (Eb) – At the Cross (Eb)

In this example, at the completion of You Are My King, the worship leader begins singing the chorus of At the Cross.

Long Version

Short Version

Example 4:

Here I Am to Worship (E) – Worthy Is the Lamb (A)

In this example, at the completion of Here I Am to Worship, the worship leader begins singing the verse of Worthy Is the Lamb. Note that the keys are a fourth apart. We will discuss this in a later lesson.

Long Version

Short Version

ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES

Here are some excerpts from a recent event’s worship times. I have edited these videos to give examples of Planned Spontaneity using the Short Gap connection in worship.

EXAMPLE 1

This transition was part of a set of three songs as described below. The three songs were arranged to connect in a couple of ways as noted, to provide a seamless experience for the worshippers.

Scripture Reading (in preparation for the three songs speaking to “worthy is the Lamb”) Revelation 5:1-12. Keys provided quiet music during reading.

Congregational Songs

Agnus Dei (key of A) – Out of the quiet music playing under the scripture reading, at the close of the reading, we immediately began to lead the opening of Agnus Dei (no formal introduction). We sang one verse, one chorus, repeated the verse, then two choruses with the last half of the final chorus with little accompaniment for the voices to ring out. We finished the song leaving off the final “amen” and building for two measures to a huge “Worthy Is the Lamb,” a cappella, from the chorus of the next song at a faster tempo.
Worthy Is the Lamb (key of A) – the drums and then the band enter after the a cappella opening and we sing chorus, verse, chorus. We finished the song on the second “Worthy is the Lamb” (no tag) staying on a D chord and let it ring out sustained. (we used an arrangement no longer published. Check LifeWayWorship.com for great choices)
Worthy, You Are Worthy (key of D) – in an almost spontaneous way, we then led into the simple chorus with very little accompaniment singing the chorus twice. Although in different keys, note that the last held note of Worthy Is the Lamb is the same note that this chorus begins on and is contained in a sustained D chord, which is the one chord of the new key, making an easy transition. (For this simple song, we used the SongSelect version)

Video of the entire worship set

You can locate the beginning of the the noted transition around 6:30.

EXAMPLE 2

This transition was part of a set of two as described below.

Congregational Song: All Hail the Power of Jesus Name (key of F)

Scripture was read over the introduction to this song and we did three stanzas with a ritard at the end of stanza three and sustained the final chord.

Congregational Song – Great Are You Lord (key of F)

In a spontaneous way, the congregation was led to begin singing the bridge of this song–“all the earth will shout your praise.” The final phrase of the previous song was “Lord of all” going into “all the earth.” There is a word and key connection making the transition work very well. We sang the song as written from the beginning of the bridge to the end and had a brief prayer over the outro.

Video of the transition

EXAMPLE 3

This Scripture reading and songs continued after the above segment.

Scripture Reading Keys provided quiet music during the reading in the key of A. These were selected passages on the goodness of God to set up the next song.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)

The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth. (Exodus 34:6)

Good and upright is the Lord. (Psalm 25:8)

And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord: “For He is good, for His mercy endures forever toward Israel.” (Ezra 3:11)

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalm 34:8)

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting. (Psalm 100:4-5)

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. (Psalm 107:8-9)

Congregational Song: Goodness of God (key of A)

The acoustic guitar began the intro as the last passage was completed and the congregation began to sing. We used this arrangement as written.

Congregational Song – God You’re So Good (key of A)

In a spontaneous way, the congregation is led to begin singing the chorus from this song three times in the low register. The final time is only accompanied by quiet pads to let the voices ring out.