It can be a little intimidating playing behind your pastor while they're preaching. It's one thing to just learn a few chords and play a song but how do you play behind someone speaking? Do you just make it up as you go? How do you not be a distraction?

Here are 5 tips for playing behind your pastor at the end of their sermon:

1 | Learn instrumental music

If you want to improve your background instrumental music skills, it doesn't just magically happen. It starts by learning existing instrumental music. Put some time in learning some instrumental songs - ones that are more than just chords. Learn how to finger pick if you're a guitarist or how to play a melody if you're a keyboardist. Then, you can use what you've learned to create what you want to play while your pastor is preaching.

2 | Come in soft

The key to starting to play behind your pastor is to come in soft. Just hang on a few notes and slowly fade in. There's nothing more jarring than complete silence and a guitar suddenly strumming out of nowhere. Pick a few notes and slowly ease into your playing.

3 | Play unrecognizable melodies

Even though you learned instrumental music in tip 1, you don't want to play melodies that are familiar to people. The purpose of playing behind your pastor is to keep people focused not to distract them by trying to get them to guess what song you're playing. Play a generic simple melody.

4 | Musically support what your pastor is preaching

Use your music to support what your pastor is saying. If they're landing on their main point, amp up the intensity of what you're playing. If they're speaking softly, you should be playing softly too. Follow the tone and rhythm of their voice with your instrumental.

5 | Keep it repetitive

It's okay for what you're playing to be repetitive. That's one way to make sure it doesn't distract people. Every time you switch things up (melody or chord structure) there's a chance that you'll draw attention to yourself. Make subtle changes throughout what you're playing but, in general, keep it fairly repetitive.

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