The Mariachi Ending
We were talking about how the band ended the songs and how they lacked flow between them. He said, “They do them all with the mariachi ending. Tan-TAN!”
I paused. Listened in my head for what he meant. And then burst into laughter.
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Have you ever been at a restaurant on a date with your spouse, minding your own business, when all of a sudden a wall of passionate sound bursts through the doors, trumpets poking themselves into your ear canals?
What am I talking about?
A mariachi band.
It’s one of those epic experiences where you can’t help but stop and take it in. You don’t have a choice. You certainly can’t carry on a regular conversation anymore.
I think we were eating casados on our anniversary at the appropriately named “Restaurante Casa Grande,” because it’s a restaurant converted from a big house. Clever. It must have been some lady’s birthday, and suddenly we were engulfed.
And I love mariachi bands. Their colorful matching outfits and passionate belting that’s loud enough to rise above the trumpets, violins, vihuela, guitars, and guitarrón. I remember a couple of the songs from my growing-up days here in Costa Rica and can hum along. The music is so different from what I’m used to and, come on, it’s a free mini-concert. What’s not to love!?
So back to my friend’s wisecrack about the worship team’s “mariachi endings.”
I wanted to give you this clear picture so you’d have language to use with your team. “Can we do something more interesting than another mariachi band ending? Tan-TAN!”
Like this: https://youtu.be/jQy2MvTr8Ek?si=GiCJvW2JXeQWmuNh&t=148
Ask yourself what you want to happen between songs.
I’m honestly amazed at how little thought goes into planning the segues between songs. Often, it’s stop, flip, start. Or repeat some line from the last song; allude to a phrase in the next song; start.
Even a pad in between is a place to start. Or intentional silence (used sparingly). Or a medley. Or the ending of one is the downbeat of the next. Or a scripture.
Every time there’s a tan-TAN! ending, my mind starts to drift. I lose focus. I start looking around.
Imagine you’re starting a fire. You roll up some cardboard and get it going with your torch. The dry wood begins to crackle and pop. But then, you dump a bucket of water on it. Steam and smoke ensue. Then you roll up another piece of cardboard and start again.
That’s what it feels like when you don’t flow between songs. Start, stop, splash, start (over), stop…
So what are your ideas to avoid the mariachi ending?
And just for fun, here’s some mariachi worship: https://youtu.be/HoSH4k9QLGo?si=WuAtFIvvMhPlQULgand https://youtu.be/HFgdbylLo0s?si=itQzrWB4KaN-pRuC
-Dave Helmuth
Author of the Five Faders and Founder of Ad Lib Music
The Mariachi Ending (Nº490)
Why do some leaders succeed at building lasting worship ministries while others fail? In the Five Faders, Dave Helmuth explores the process of development and breaks down the lies, myths, and traps keeping you from being the fruitful leader God desires. Using decades of evidence-based insights, Dave reveals how understanding what motivates you is the first step in becoming a Five Faders Leader.
With our framework for becoming the best Artist, Shepherd, Priest, Educator, and Producer, you'll learn to slide each Fader up or down as Love requires you in each moment of leadership. Through relatable stories, insight gained from years of coaching worship teams in every kind of setting, and step-by-step advice, readers learn how to become the healthy expression of their Fader, build a culture of honor on your team to bring out the best in everyone, and be the most effective leader in the ever-changing landscape of ministry. Whether you’re looking to relieve frustration, increase confidence, or outlast change, this book offers the tools to become a Five Faders Leader.
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