Contemporary Music Styles: The Worship Band's Guide to Excellence by Bob Barrett (1996, 234 pages). Published by Taylor Made Music: 24651 Via Alvorado, Mission Viejo, CA (949) 457-0892

This book comes packaged with a demonstration audio CD and helps the worship band gain skill in the following styles: Gospel, Afro Caribbean, Brazillian, Contemporary Pop Rock, Ballads, Funk, and Country.

Order directly from Bob Barrett (full-time worship arranger at the "mega" Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, and for ten years a teacher at Dick Groves School of commercial music in LA) at the address above.

Table of Contents

  1. The Rhythm Section: The foundation of contemporary music
  2. Contemporary Rop/Rock: Songs of celebration
  3. Ballads--Part One: Songs of Adoration
  4. Ballads--Part Two: Songs of Meditation
  5. Country: The sound of Nashville
  6. Gospel: Songs of Rejoicing
  7. Latin--Part One: The Afro-Caribbean Influence
  8. Latin--Part Two: The Samba of Brazil
  9. Funk/R& B: Songs from the Soul
  10. Old Songs--New Styles: Playing Hymns in a Contemporary Service
    Appendix I: Rhythm Section Arrangements
    Appendix II: Resources for Learning

Bob Barrett is passionate about worship. He is intensely interested in helping worship bands all across the country. Over a three year period, he produced this manual on the worship rhythm section, the music examples and the layout--all by himself on his computer. Since I write books too, I understand firsthand the amount of effort it takes to do quality work. He's done a very professional job both content-wise and layout -wise. The book has about 300 notated musical examples and a readable running commentary that goes with the examples. Bob's writing style is lucid, and his chapters are well organized. Get it and grow!

The accompanying CD, that provides performances of many of the notated examples, is well done. It provides a clear, sonic illustration  of most of the musical examples. In addition, it includes the sound track for four arrangements (He Has Made Me Glad, For the Beauty of the Earth, I will Celebrate, More of You, and Lord I Lift Your Name on High) which illustrate the various styles (contemporary/pop, Salsa, etc) notated in full in appendix 1.

Barrett writes: "It is my hope that the information here will help your understanding of the instruments in the rhythm section in a way that will allow you to be specific in your directions to them. My purpose in including various musical styles is to help you avoid the generic worship band sound that is so prevalent. Music can be expressive when played in a wide range of tempos, rhythmic patterns, and chord structure. My hope is that worship musicians will experience more joy in playing for their Lord and will have an eternal impact on the communities they serve."