What does it mean to play vertically?

Playing vertically means that with the every note we play, we give all glory and honor to God.

If you're here, more than likely you are (1) a guitarist and (2) playing in a church or religious organization. Praise and worship, as a genre, is honestly a fairly new one. As it gains popularity, we, as guitarists, are often trying to catch up with the music as it progresses. We're often told to make that cool sound off the new Hillsong CD, (you know, the one that goes duga duga duga duga) or to play more "Edge-like" (U2 reference-be warned there will be several). We then go searching eBay and Craigslist for a DD20 and a Fulldrive 2. And with our good friend YouTube, we can now quickly see what new pedal the Droff has or how Daniel Carson gets that killer tone that fills an arena with just a B string and a capo.

However, I'll be the first to admit, it's very easy to begin focusing more on the guitar and the notes, than on the reason we are playing. As worship guitarists, we have the amazing privelage of using our craft and our art to lead others in worship of our creator! How awesome is that? Think of how God took that kid learning "Smoke On the Water" in his bedroom and led you down the paths to eventually be able to give that talent back to Him.

This blog is not designed to be another TAB website. Check ultimate-guitar.com for that (cause you know we all do). This blog is intended to be a community. Bringing together musicians to share our stories of what God has done.

Are we going to talk music? Yes. Are we going to discuss pedals? Absolutely! But overall, the goal is to be there to help others along each of our individual journeys, whether that be amp discussions or passages of scripture. I hope you check back frequently as posts begins and remember, may all glory and honor be His.

-Lance