While playing for church, i was once asked what my playing style was, to which i had no reply. Not because I am secretive or mysterious, but due to the fact that i feel my playing evolves and changes over time, depending on the songs I am playing.
When playing for church, my own feel is to use the notes where possible, otherwise just use chords and link them up. However the latter form requires some knowledge of what constitutes a particular chord, especially when the chords listed are no longer root or basic chords, and invariably involve a 7th, a suspended 4th, diminished, etc. This method ensures that the sound provided is full and complete in backing up the choir, and by sticking to the written chords, also helps the choir when they are singing their parts.
The next part of my playing is then filling in the gaps. For short pauses or long notes, these are places to just play the notes that are in between the transitioning chords, while long pauses (2-4 bars) require a little more thought but can be done. These are also opportunities to show off some musicality, by repeating the same rhythm pattern as the theme, or by repeating the theme an interval (3rd is popular) lower, or heading opposite direction from the theme (which ascends, then the fill decends). Having a variety of fills also builds your musical vocabulary, allowing you to tell the musical story using better terms. Keep practicing and keep trying! =)
