worship leader

hand signals

In a live setting we all know it can get a little crazy out there… You have the click, instruments, and a million voices in your ears on top of everything already happening in the room. It’s a lot to keep track of! So, what happens when we decide to go a little off script of the arrangement we prepared? That’s where hand signals come in! Maybe you want to loop that outro one more time, move on to the next song, or create a moment with a classic drums and vocals breakdown. We’ve got a hand signal that’s got you covered! Use these signals liberally to communicate with the team and your music director of where you want to go next in the song or setlist! Remember, being clear is being kind! The more we communicate as a team; the easier it will be to create distraction-free environments where the congregation can worship freely!

SECTION SIGNALS

  • CHORUS

    Making a “C” with your hand will let the MD know you want to go to the chorus next.

  • BRIDGE

    Making a “bridge” with your hand will let the MD know you want to go the bridge next. Be careful to keep your thumb tucked into your “bridge” so it doesn’t look like a “C” for Chorus!

  • VERSE

    Making a two (like a “V”) with your hand will let your MD know that you want to go to the verse.

  • INSTRUMENTAL

    If you’re looking to create an instrumental moment with no vocals or vocalists exhorting, take out your invisible guitar pick and start strumming!

  • VAMP & REPEAT

    If you want to repeat the section you’re in, point your index finger out to the side and rotate your wrist in a circular motion.

  • TAG

    A “tag” is where the band and vocals repeat the last sentence or phrase of the section, you’re in. If you’d like to tag the last line of the section you’re on, put two fingers together out to the side. Don’t rotate your wrist on this one to not get it confused with repeating the entire section!

DYNAMIC SIGNALS

  • BUILD

    If you want the band to start building up the dynamics of the song you’re in, stick your hand out flat and push upwards multiple times. The intensity of the hand signal should help differentiate whether the team should slowly build up or build more quickly.

  • BREAKDOWN

    If you want the band to bring the dynamics of the song down to a softer place, put your hand out flat and push downwards multiple times.

  • DRUMS & VOCALS ONLY

    Everyone loves a good breakdown of just drums and vocals! If you want to call for this moment in a song, make a fist out to the side and hold it in place for your MD to call this out.

  • STOP / END SONG

    All good things must come to an end… If you’re ready for the song to end, make a fist with your hand and hold it up for your MD to call out the end of that song or worship set.

  • START / NEXT SONG

    Whether the setlist is about to kick off, or you’re ready to move on from an exhortation or the end of a message, stick your thumb out to the side to let your MD know you’re ready to start!