Frequently Asked Questions
This section contains a listing of the most frequently asked questions. Before attempting to contact us, please read over the FAQ below to see if your question is answered there. If you are unable to find the answer to your question below, then you may contact us by email on the Contact page.

Audio File Questions
1. I can't hear the samples. What do I need to do?
2. When I click on the link to download the file, the file starts to play in my media player. How do I save it?
3. I'm having problems with the audio files and I'm using AOL or MSN. What do I need to do?
4. Where I can purchase the original recording of the songs featured on GreatWorshipSongs.com?
5. What formats do you use for the audio files?

Lead Sheet / Guitar Chart Questions
1. When I click on the link to download the file, the file that opens is a bunch of code. What do I need to do?
2. When the file opens up in Adobe Acrobat Reader, I get an error. What do I need to do?
3. What do the Lead Sheets look like?
4. What are Guitar Charts?
5. What are Cut Capo Charts?

General Questions
1. How do I get the Free Downloads?
2. What do the terms Mp3, Sheet and Chart mean?
3. The Mp3, Sheet or Chart link is grey and will not allow me to download the file. Why?
4. Where I can find information about song usage and CCLI reporting?
5. I'm a songwriter and would like to have my material reviewed. What is your submission policy?

Audio File Questions

1. I can't hear the samples. What do I need to do? - back to top

To listen to the samples, you will need one of the following media players:
Windows Media Player: http://www.microsoft.com
Real Audio Player: http://www.real.com
Quicktime: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/win.html :
WinAmp: http://www.winamp.com :
iTunes Player: http://www.apple.com

 

If you use iTunes as your default mp3 player, samples may open up a new Quicktime browser window in order to play. If this browser window is minimized or moves into the background (because you click on another browser window), the current sample will continue to play, but no additional samples will play until you open the browser window again. We are currently working to change the way samples are played so that this issue goes away. We apologize for the inconvenience. In the meantime, you may wish to make Windows Media your default player for mp3 files. You can do this by opening Windows Media, select the Tools menu, go to options and under File Types select Mp3. This should eliminate the problem.

2. When I click on the link to download the file, the file starts to play inside my browser. How do I save it? - back to top

If the file begins to start playing in your browser, follow the instructions in the question above for the Windows Media Player. You can then click on the link to download the file again and the file should open up in the Windows Media Player. You can then select File, Save As from within the player to save the file to your hard drive.

3. I'm having problems with the audio files and I'm using AOL or MSN. What do I need to do? - back to top

If you're using AOL or MSN, minimize the window of your respective browser and open a new Internet browser, using either Microsoft's Internet Explorer (http://www.microsoft.com) or Netscape Navigator (http://www.netscape.com). Then access the file from within the new browser.

4. Where I can purchase the original recording of the songs featured on GreatWorshipSongs.com? - back to top

The recordings available on GreatWorshipSongs.com are intended to assist the Music Minister in preparing worship services by providing a simplified arrangement easily adaptable to their situation. If you want to purchase original recordings of some of our more popular artists such as Third Day, Jars Of Clay, or FFH visit http://www.ChristianStores.org to find the nearest Christian Bookstore.

5. What formats do you use for the audio files? - back to top

Mp3: All audio files are encoded in a compressed Mp3 format for quick, easy listening which should play on the widest variety of music players.

Lead Sheet / Guitar Chart Questions

1. When I click the link to download, the file opens with a bunch of code. What do I need to do? - back to top

To view the Lead Sheet and/or Guitar Chart files, you need a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader. To obtain a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader, go to http://www.adobe.com. After installing, your computer will "assign" the .pdf file extension to the your files. You may need to reboot your computer for Lead Sheets and/or Guitar Charts to display properly.

2. When the file opens up in Adobe Acrobat Reader, I get an error. What do I need to do? - back to top

If you already have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer and you're receiving an error, you may need to upgrade your version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can upgrade your copy by going to http://www.adobe.com.

3. What do the Lead Sheets look like? - back to top

Each lead sheet is in the popular PDF format for easy accessibility. Here is a sample copy of one of our Lead Sheets.

4. What are Guitar Charts? - back to top

Our Guitar Chart is a simplified version of the Lead Sheet, with lyrics and guitar chords.

5. What are Cut Capo Charts? - back to top

Cut capo charts provide an alternative to the standard guitar chart. Cut capo gives the consumer/user an option of playing their guitar without actually retuning. You can even use a combination of six strings and cut capos to play in new tunings and different keys. Cut capos allows for chord “voicing” different from standard open chords.  These “voicing” are not necessarily true-to-theory chords meaning they may include or exclude a specific note.  And use of the cut capo often calls for very simple fingerings which make the chords easier for beginning players.

General Questions

1. How do I get the Free Downloads? - back to top

Free Downloads can be found throughout the site (each is marked Free), and may also be viewed on the Free Downloads page. To download a song, you must first be a registered member of the site, and be logged in. You may login on the home page or by clicking here.

After you've completed the steps above, right click on the Mp3, Sheet or Chart link and you will receive a dialog box asking you if you wish to save the file, open the file or cancel the operation. Simply save the file to your computer.

Should you use a standard click (instead of a right click) on the Mp3, Sheet or Chart links, the file will either open in the respective software application, or it may give you a dialog box as stated above, depending on the configuration of your computer. If the file opens in the respective application, you may save the file once it is open. Audio will begin playing immediately and should give you a dialog box as described above once the complete file has downloaded. For more specifics please see the Audio Questions at the top of this FAQ page. back to top

2. What do the terms Mp3, Sheet and Chart mean? - back to top

Mp3 = an audio file of the song that should be compatible with most computer music players and handheld music devices, such as iPods and Mp3 players. Some CD players will play Mp3 files that have been transferred to a CD.
Sheet = Lead Sheet. Lead Sheets are basic printed music with melody line, chord symbols and lyrics.
Chart = Guitar Chart. Our Guitar Charts are song lyrics with chord symbols.

3. The Mp3, Sheet or Chart link is grey and will not allow me to download the file. Why? - back to top

A grey link means the link is inactive. Links are inactive only where specific song components are not available at GreatWorshipSongs.com.

4. Where I can find information about song usage and CCLI reporting? - back to top

To read about song usage and CCLI reporting please visit the Download Usage page or the CCLI website.

5. I'm a songwriter and would like to have my material reviewed. What is your submission policy? - back to top

Unfortunately, we are not accepting any outside material. We are sorry for the disappointment this policy may cause; however, we are simply unable to process the large quantity of un-requested material we receive.

Sources for Songwriters

• Gospel Music Association’s Academy of Gospel Music Arts
  Holds seminars & competitions for aspiring songwriters and artists.
  Contact: 1-800-GMA-3211 or www.gospelmusic.org.
• Write About Jesus conference (St. Louis, MO) -
  Registration fee includes song competition, teaching, and one-on-one evaluation.
  Contact: 636-925-1265 or www.writeaboutjesus.com
• Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) -
  Contact: 615-256-3354 or www.nashvillesongwriters.com
• Recommended book - This Business of Music
  Contact your local library.