Worship This Summer (2018)

I usually take a bit of a break from volunteering over the summer because I'm pretty busy over the course of the school year.  However this summer, our church was needing some help with music (people going on vacation, etc.) and I felt God telling me to help since we had no major vacation plans.  Bible verses like 'Don't be weary in well doing...' Gal. 6:9, 'Cast your bread upon the waters...' Eccl 11:1, and the idea of 'scattering seed' Matt. 23 kept bouncing around in my head.   I agreed to help, and ended up being busy almost all summer - either playing or leading.  I don't take these commitments lightly - there's practice and preparation involved before each week.  For the most part, I enjoy doing it.  After everything is over on Sunday afternoon, I'm wiped.  I think I'm getting older.

The band's schedule was ironed out as the summer progressed, so I didn't actually know what my full engagement level and responsibilities would be over the course of the summer until the second week of August.  As summer began, I had been asked to lead the band earlier in July, which I agreed to.  I ended up getting a nasty cold at the beginning of July that hung on all through the month and wore me down a bit.  I could sing, but I tired easily.  After leading on July 15th, I wrote in my journal '...and while the band did well, I didn't think or feel like worship was anything special.  No one said anything about it.  So I let it go and was fine with never leading worship again at church.'

Several thoughts here:

1. We have a lot of good worship leaders at church.  I was a little surprised to be asked to lead, but I always try and do my best.  Writing that journal entry, I was more resigned to the fact that I'm getting older, maybe a bit out of date, and there is a new generation that is more motivated.  I was OK with letting go dreams and desires of being involved in church in the capacity of a worship leader - that is more what that written comment was about.
2. I read an interesting post on the 'Worship Leaders Collective' Facebook group this morning that went like this:
         Random church-goer: "I didn't really like worship today"
         Response:  "That's fine.  We weren't worshipping you"
   That's not meant to be a dig at any one individual or a group.  For me its a good reminder not to look at the outside response.
3. Its a bit disturbing how easily I throw out absolute thoughts and/or words like 'never'.  A similar word that my wife often catches me with is 'always'.  I think/speak in exaggerations like this to make a point, but I think sometimes they cross a line.  I need to be careful with what I say and think!

Ironically, a couple days after writing that journal entry, I was rather surprised when I got asked to help lead again - two more Sundays in August.  I agreed again.  With both of these I wasn't entirely sure what kind of band I'd be playing with as schedules were getting juggled, which added a bit to the burden.  In situations where things happen that are outside of my control, I've come to a point where I just commit everything to God and leave it in His hands.  I do my part and let Him take care of the rest.  If the mid-week rehearsal is cancelled because the sound guy is on holidays, I try to come more prepared on Sunday.  Even then, I later wrote in my journal after one of the services:  "I don't know if I've ever felt more inadequate before leading a worship service."  That's a good place to be though, given what Paul said in 2 Cor. 12:10.  "That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, ... in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 

Its been amazing to me how God comes through when I let go and learn to trust Him.  I'm realizing that my perspective of 'how things went' is not something I should focus on.  God has His own way of using lyrics and words to impact His people... He places ideas and thoughts into people's minds based on their experiences - things I'd have no idea about - that end up having a greater influence and influence than I could ask or even hope to accomplish.

Its funny.  This post was supposed to be about 'Doing or Being' but I got totally side-tracked writing about something else.  Guess I had to get it off my chest.

I Will Follow You - Trusting God

I've rediscovered a song recently that I hadn't heard in a couple of decades.  Its called 'I Will Follow You', by Maranatha Singers. (listen below)  When I first heard the song I was travelling in Poland in 1993, staying with my future wife and her family.  She had the album, and I had some down time. It was a time in my life where I was intensely searching, trying to determine and discover what God's will and direction for my life was.  Big decisions were in front of me: marriage, career, family, and where we'd live.  I was trying to listen for God's direction and guidance on these concerns every day. As a result, the lyrics song ended up feeling like an extension of my heart at that time.

Fast forward 25 years.

I don't recall what prompted me to look for the song recently, but something jogged my memory and I went looking for it and found it on Spotify.  Hearing the lyrics and the minimalistic (but so dramatic and melancholic) riffs and refrains took my mind right back to the searching questions I had so long ago.  What an amazing reference for me!

There's two passages from the Bible that have been 'highlighted' lately for me lately by God:

• Romans 12:1-2  '....in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.'
• James 4:6-8  'But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud
  but shows favour to the humble."  Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you.'

These past 25 years I've been on a journey of learning to trust God.  At times my expectations and

ambitions got in the way.  Life is messy.  I'm not perfect.  I've compared myself to others and fallen into a trap.  God wants me to look to Him, and trust Him - with the big decisions and the small things.  And when I do trust Him, there's rest, peace, hope.

Trusting for me lately means:

• Saying what I believe God wants me to say, ignoring how I think I sound, and trusting that God will let people to hear what He wants them to hear.
• Doing what I believe God wants me to do with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength - believing that in He will accomplish everything He wants to through me in His time.
• Living in the 'now.'  Stop being distracted with regrets, and 'my plan' for the future.  Being completely open and submitted to God today, in the next 5 minutes, etc.  
• Letting go of my reputation (what I think people are thinking about me).  Resting in my identity in God. I'm his valued child.

I knew much of this stuff 'in my head' back in 1993.  I didn't have a lot of life experience.  Its interesting how time and experience come together to provide perspective.

My Growth as a Keyboardist

One of the questions asked in the Keyboard Workshop at the Fire and Fragrance conference last weekend was from a fellow wondering if I could go through my 'evolution/growth' as a keyboard player.  I was thinking about that again yesterday and thought it would make an interesting blog post.  (ha, I guess y'all can tell me if you think its interesting or not)

I took lessons growing up, following the Royal Conservatory of Music curriculum for the most part.  As a result, I learned to read notes.  Teachers had a major impact on my progress and development - most negative, and one in particular mostly positive.  To read more about that experience, check this post out in my other blog.

Betty-Anne, the teacher who had the best influence on me, encouraged me to learn songs by ear, rather than using notes.  I began playing in church at around 13, and played most songs by ear there - first picking out the melody a note at a time with my right hand, and then adding simple chords with my left hand as I gained more confidence.  Back then (mid-80's) we were in a small church.  My Dad led worship, my Mom played the organ, and I played the piano.  There wasn't much thought given to arrangements or parts.

Around the end of high school I was still playing in church and getting better.  I was learning other songs by ear (lots of Keith Green) and I was trying to implement some of his style and riffs into my church playing.  This meant I played 3 note chords in my right hand (trying to ensure that the highest note followed the melody of the song) and octave bass notes in my left hand with it providing more of the rhythm.

Right after high school I did one year as a music major at Summit Pacific College (called Western Pentecostal Bible College back then).  I continued to get more comfortable with adding licks and riffs to my playing with following the 3 note RH and octave LH paradigm.  I also started to learn song and key transitions as well as playing free worship music - something I enjoy and feels natural to me.

After one year of college I went to Texas to Last Days Ministries (the one founded by Keith Green and his wife Melody) and lived there for almost 4 years.  I worked in the Print Shop there, and played keys with the Last Days Ministries Band.  Playing with the band was my start in learning to play less - keeping things more simple.  While I was there I also played in a small local church as the only instrumentalist they had (piano).  This was exclusively hymns.

I spent the next 15 years playing in churches off and on, balancing family responsibilities.  Sometimes I'd play piano in church, sometimes drums, but thinking that I was accomplished enough to not worry about practicing much (lazy attitude, with some pride thrown in).  I got to a point where I felt like I was stuck in a rut - God wasn't moving me forward in my music ministry the way I felt like He should based on the 'giftings' that I felt I had.  I was getting frustrated.  God let me stew for a while.

Several things happened fairly close together (within a year or two) at this point in my life.

• We got rid of the acoustic piano I learned on and I bought a Roland RD700GX.  This allowed me to practice with earphones on while the kids were sleeping.  I also didn't have to worry about tuning the piano anymore (or playing an out of tune piano).
• I felt God convicting/encouraging me to start to get serious about playing in church.  To get engaged, practice, and prepare for the sets to the best of my ability with the time that I had.  To bring my heart, soul, mind, and strength with me when I play in church.  Within a year of doing that, other doors started to open....

I discovered the Alberta Children's Hospital had a beautiful grand piano in their cafeteria that they

I'm playing the piano at ACH (in the background)

were inviting people to play.  I totally felt God nudging me to get involved there.  I got my security clearance and started working up a repetoire.  That has been a really good exercise for me, because it forces me to play songs alone...   Through that continued experience (I still play there), I've learned to listen as I play.  Hear what others are hearing, and in doing I've realized its not how busy and complex I can play, but am I feeling the piece?  Is it grabbing my emotions?  If I can feel the piece as I play it, and its getting a hold of my emotions, other people tune into that.  Its been quite interesting to see and hear the different responses as I play there.  My wife has encouraged me to write some blog posts about some of those experiences, so hopefully I'll get to those soon.

Another door that opened was I was asked to lead a student worship band at one of the local Christian schools.  I've been doing that for 5 years now, and that experience forces me to constantly think about how to simplify and communicate keyboard playing in the context of a band.

Currently when I play keys, I do several things:

• I look for open space to fill with simple, ear-catching riffs
• I try and find repetitive patterns to use in songs as a simple background/rhythm 
• I enjoy using an organ patch on fast songs that are guitar driven (that can be a lot of fun)
• I try and stay out of the guitar register(s) if I can
• I'm conscious of what the bass guitar is playing and I try not to clobber it with my left hand.
• I find (right hand) octaves are great for getting loud dynamically and for playing riffs with a big band.

Fire & Fragrance Calgary - 2018 My Thoughts

Fire & Fragrance Calgary 2018 - My Thoughts

It been a long time since I attended a full on conference of any kind.  I guess perhaps one reason I don't attend conferences very often is because I find I get discouraged afterwards comparing my life to the lives of the people who were leading/speaking.  And they make for a really busy weekend.

Some good things I'd forgotten about conferences though that pleasantly surprised me this weekend were:

• Meeting a bunch of people with similar passions and desires as myself and being able to talk and share with them.
• Getting challenged by good teaching - even though sometimes I do get discouraged, the 'wrestle' with God about what they said versus what I'm doing or where I am is, I believe, good.

I had been asked to teach a keyboard seminar at the conference this weekend, so I was actually involved in a way.  That was fun.  You can see/download my notes on that seminar/workshop here.

Here's my thoughts and feelings on what the speakers said...

Sean Feucht

I had never heard the vision behind 'The Burn' before.  The story about the inception of The Burn in Sean's college dorm room reminded me of something that happened after my first year of college, and made me wonder if I had missed an opportunity.  I got past that train of thought pretty quickly though.  

His whole talk on David was great - I hadn't heard it put quite like that before either.  His thoughts on 'What possessed the heart of David to say he wouldn't sleep until he found a home where God would feel welcome on the earth?'  and how David ended up transforming the nation by creating a 'government ministry and dedicating government resources - essentially taking money from the nation's economy' to fund full time worship to God were great.  The impact and influence of David was so great that people actually called Jesus 'the son of David' and he answered to that!

Paul & Hanna McClure

Paul serves as the worship pastor at Bethel.  They shared together on Saturday morning about their journey getting to Bethel and their path of growth while they've been there.  Two things have stuck in my mind from their talk:

1. God doesn't waste anything.  ANYTHING.  He doesn't waste time in preparing us for what he has in store for us.  They really encouraged everything to be 'thankful and present' where we're currently at.  'Faithfulness in my current assignment is my greatest assignment'  
2. All the 'creatives' at Bethel are unpaid (!!!)  I had heard this before, but not first-hand.  Knowing the expectations and effort that goes into a worship service at that caliber, the question that I'm sure came to everyone's mind that Paul addresses was 'How do you keep these creatives around and engaged?'  His answers:
• Jenn Johnson always says 'Are you called to be here?'
• They have a monthly team meeting that is mandatory where they do team building an encouragement.  I've seen meetings like this done in a patronizing way and I can't see how that would fly given the high expectations there, so it must be a good 'real' meeting.
• Expectations are clear from the start.
• Dealing with confrontation: honour people with brave communication.  They do debriefs after every service with personal feedback.  People can feel bad because they don't feel cared for.  How would love communicate and care in a difficult situation?

I'll be honest - Lately I can get stressed at our own church with the expectations there on the level of excellence for the worship service.  Some weeks where I wonder to myself if I really want to keep doing this.  Several times at the conference it was said that serving in the music ministry in the church should be considered 'a privilege'.  That almost came across as patronizing to me.

Maybe I'm getting older and tire out easier?  Maybe some of the situations (both good and bad) I've had are leaving me feeling like... my experience is ignored and/or not considered?  Its challenging to come to a new church with so many years of experience playing in bands and just serve.  I liked playing the drums in a church service and feeling that there was no other place in the world I would rather be in that moment - that I was in the centre of God's will for me at that time.  Now there are so many things to think about and to get right while I play, I feel like I'm starting to lose that 'centre'.  

This challenge has been good, because its driven me to do a lot more praying.  And the benefits of that have been amazing.  So, all in all, I've been experiencing a lot of growth lately, and I'm thankful for it.  I have to remember my big take-away from the weekend:  God doesn't waste anything!  I need to find Him and my purpose where I'm currently at and live in the present and not wish I was somewhere else, doing something else.

The Day Worship Changed for Me - Early 1990

Early Spring, 1990.   The day worship changed for me.

Unfortunately, I didn't write an actual journal entry about this event at the time.  It happened before March 1990. I was 'busy.'  I was in Bible College and had an assignment to read I & II Samuel, I & II Kings, and I & II Chronicles.  I also had a friend who had given me a cassette tape of 'new' worship music to check out.  I thought 'why not kill two birds with one stone and do both at the same time?'  I did exactly that on my top bunk in my dorm room late at night, with no expectation of anything.

The worship music I was listening to turned out to be the first Maranatha Praise Band album.  It was quite a bit better than I was expecting.  Songs like 'Jesus, Mighty God' and 'Lord I Life Your Name on High' played as I read, and I was actually enjoying myself.  Things changed when I got to II Samuel 6:14 where David is bringing the Ark of the Lord into Jerusalem and dancing before the Lord 'with all his might.'  The song that was playing on the cassette when I read that was 'The Lord Reigns.'  At the end of the song the refrain repeats 'Bless the Name of the Lord' while the band continues to build and grow the intensity of the music.  I had this picture in my mind of David dancing before the Lord with all his might, kicking up dust, sweating like crazy, out of breath.

I paused and wondered, 'What would it be like to worship God like that?'

I stopped reading and re-wound the song in the cassette player (I didn't have the CD).  I listened to the song again and read that passage again and asked myself the question:  'What would it be like to worship God, to dance before Him, with all my might??'

Worship changed for me that day.  God opened my eyes to see a different perspective of what worship was.  Before that, it was songs that we sang in church before a sermon.  Some were fast, some were slow, and most of them talked about God.  After that evening of reading, I slowly began to realize that worship is so much more than that.  Its a connection between God and myself.  Its me recognizing who God is, and my place in His scheme of things.  Its wonder, exuberance - so much more than just singing about God.  Its getting my mind and my heart... and my strength involved.

I rarely get to that place of worship where David was.  I'm not really sure I've even been in that zone that David was in.  But I want to be one day.  I want my love and exuberance for God be stronger than my fear of what people will think.  And worship God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Worship Piano/Keyboard Workshop

Worship Piano/Keyboard Workshop

 

What is the keyboard's 'place' in the context of worship music?  “For the body is not made up of one part, but of many...  But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be”  I Corinthians 12:14,18

-       Is the worship in your church mostly guitar led, or keyboard led?  If its guitar led, pick little ditties or play passing notes here and there to fill things in.

-       When there is free worship or sharing, be sensitive to providing a quiet background wash – simple chords with no recognizable melody.  Change chords slowly, with precision.

-       Watch your posture.   Try not to stand with your hand on your hip.  Try not to make faces when you make a mistake if you can help it

Less is more  “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:15

-       Let notes sing their allotted time. Think of the notes as voices. Don't be concerned about trying to play too much. 

-       Rest, stillness, peace - 23^rd Psalm.  How can we help people hear God (especially if He's talking with a still small voice)?

Be Prepared

-       I like to have 3 different ideas of how to play each song.  

-       A full band keyboard part (minimal – find motifs to fill in ‘blank’ areas)

-       An ensemble keyboard part (fuller keys, but not super busy)

-       Keys alone – you’re covering all the instrumental parts

-       (chords & rhythm)

-       upper RH plays melody

Additionally here's some questions you can ask yourself:

-       Are you prepared to switch keys?

-       Do you know which patches you want to use?

-       How will you manage dynamics/intensity changes?

-       Which arrangement of the song are you playing?  Do you know your part for that arrangement?

      -       Try to learn the obvious keyboard parts or the arrangement by ear or by YouTube

Technical Prep (scales, chording, arpeggios)

-       Helps with accuracy

-       Simple scales

-       Alternate exaggerated short/long notes, strengthen fingers

-       Solid and broken chords

-       Alternate broken chord patterns

-       Alternate short/long notes

-       Arpeggios

-       Regular triads 1,3,5,1

Keep your playing as simple as you can.

-       Octaves - great in RH (right hand) for exaggerating a melodic line

-       Motifs

-       Dynamics

-       Rhythm

-       Tension with passing notes – accentuate them by stressing them louder and longer

-       Repeat single notes - surprisingly effective!

How to play simply to almost any song

I've been playing keys in church for over 3 decades and tried lots of different ways to sound good.  Surprisingly, one can actually sound quite good by playing 2 notes in the Right Hand (RH) that never move, and follow the chords of the song with a single bass note (or octaves) in the Left Hand (LH).  The two notes in the Right Hand that don't have to move are the I and the V (or a simple 5th interval in the key your playing.  Line them up in the charts below.  Sometimes the RH can change to use the 4th interval instead of the 5th.

Doodle notes (or passing notes) can be played in the spaces.  Experiment with different patters with them: octaves, hitting them twice in a row, different intensities, etc.  They can be super effective as well.  I have charts for most of the common keys that songs are played in below.

Key of C

                                  I                II                III                 IV                V                VI               VII

Song Sheet Chord	C	Dm	C/E	F	G	Am	G/B
RH	G	F	G	G	G	G	G
	C	C	D or C	C	D	C	D
LH	C	D	E	F	G	A	B
Doodle notes	B,C,D,G	E,F,G,C	B,C,D,G	E,F,G,C	B,C,D,G	B,C,D,G	B,C,D,G

Key of D

                                  I                II                III                 IV                V                VI               VII

Song Sheet Chord	D	Em	D/F#	G	A	Bm	A/C#
RH	A	G	A	A	A	A	A
	D	D	E or D	D	E	D	E
LH	D	E	F#	G	A	B	C#
Doodle notes	C#,D,E,A	F#,G,A D	C#,D,E,A	F#,G,A,D	C#,D,E,A	C#,D,E,A	C#,D,E,A

Key of E

                               I                  II                III                  IV                 V                VI                VII

Song Sheet Chord	E	F#m	E/G#	A	B	C#m	B/D#
RH	B	A	B	B	B	B	B
	E	E	F# or E	E	F#	E	F#
LH	E	F#	G#	A	B	C#	D#
Doodle notes	D#,E,F#,B	G#,A,B,E	D#,E,F#,B	G#,A,B,E	D#,E,F#,B	D#,E,F#,B	D#,E,F#,B

Key of G

           

Song Sheet Chord	G	Am	G/B	C	D	Em	D/F#
RH	D	C	D	D	D	D	D
	G	G	G or A	G	A	G	A
LH	G	A	B	C	D	E	F#
Doodle notes	F#,G,A,D	B,C,D,G	F#,G,A,D	B,C,D,G	F#,G,A,D	F#,G,A,D	F#,G,A,D

Key of A

                                   I                II                III                 IV                V                VI               VII

Song Sheet Chord	A	Bm	A/C#	D	E	F#m	B/G#
RH	E	D	E	E	E	E	E
	A	A	B or A	A	B	A	B
LH	A	B	C#	D	E	F#	G#
Doodle notes	G#,A,B,E	C#,D,E,A	G#,A,B,E	C#,D,E,A	G#,A,B,E	G#,A,B,E	G#,A,B,E

Key of Bb

                                    I                II                III                 IV                V                VI               VII

Song Sheet Chord	Bb	Cm	Bb/D	Eb	F	Gm	F/A
RH	F	Eb	F	F	F	F	F
	Bb	Bb	C or Bb	Bb	C	Bb	C
LH	Bb	C	D	Eb	F	G	A
Doodle notes	A,Bb,C,F	D,Eb,F, Bb	A,Bb,C,F	D,Eb,F, Bb	A,Bb,C,F	A,Bb,C,F	A,Bb,C,F

Key of F

                                I                  II                III                  IV                 V                VI                VII

Song Sheet Chord	F	Gm	F/A	Bb	C	Dm	C/E
RH	C	Bb	C	C	C	C	C
	F	F	G or F	F	G	F	G
LH	F	G	A	Bb	C	D	E
Doodle notes	E,F,G,C	A,Bb,C,F	E,F,G,C	A,Bb,C,F	E,F,G,C	E,F,G,C	E,F,G,C

Key of Eb

           

Song Sheet Chord	Eb	Fm	Eb/G	Ab	Bb	Cm	Bb/D
RH	Bb	Ab	Bb	Bb	Bb	Bb	Bb
	Eb	Eb	Eb or F	Eb	F	Eb	F
LH	Eb	F	G	Ab	Bb	C	D
Doodle notes	D,Eb,F, Bb	G,Ab,Bb, Eb	D,Eb,F, Bb	G,Ab,Bb, Eb	D,Eb,F, Bb	D,Eb,F, Bb	D,Eb,F, Bb

Songs where Rhythm is important:

-       You Are Good (Israel Houghton)   Key of E

o   Shots are important in this song

o   Syncopated Rhythm between LH and RH in chorus

-       Forever (MWS)  Key of E

o   Certain chords held in verses, certain chords follow vocals

o   Syncopated Rhythm between LH and RH in chorus

-       Everlasting God  Key of G

o   Bridge – syncopated bass in LH with RH keeping straight beat playing 5th's

-       How Great is Our God (Chris Tomlin – live version)  Key of E

o   Simply keyboard rhythm with RH - super powerful

Songs with a strong Key melody (that you should know):

-       No Longer Slaves    Key of D

o   Really important to get the instrumental correct (as that is what people ‘generally’ expect to hear)

o   Use octave key?

-       Our God is Greater (Chris Tomlin)  Key of G

o   Piano with strings layered – again, people are listening for this riff

-       I Will Exalt    Key of D

o   Intro & instrumentals – good learn.

-       Great Are You Lord (Bridge)   Key of E

o   The bridge – keys carry it to begin and can really build intensity

o   Solid low piano notes can really add ‘umph’!

-       This is Amazing Grace   Key of D

o   Intro instrumental and chorus – people will be listening for this

-       At Your Name   Key of E

o   Intro

Songs with space (where you can add your own doodles/motifs):

-       Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone    Key of E

o   The fantastic scale down in the chorus (listen for counter melodies)

o   Octaves

-       Jesus We Love You     Key of G

o   Passing notes/chords with a rhythm can take this song to another level

o   Special chords and riffs

o   How do I play this on the grand piano?

o   Bridge is key in this song (getting the chords correct)

-       How He Loves (He is jealous for me…)    Key of E

o   The passing note riffs

o   Octave builds

-       Come As You are    Key of C or A

o   Intro – good to learn

o   Lots of space in the chorus – great place for tasteful motifs

-       All Who are Thirsty     Key of E

o   Passing notes in verses

o   Octave scale ups in chorus where there’s space

Fast songs – good for an organ patch

-       Happy Day    Key of D

-       The Happy Song     Key of D

-       You Are Good (Bethel)    Key of G

-       Let God Arise     Key of E

-       General tips for playing with an organ patch:

o   If there is a manual vibrato, USE IT!!  J  It will make your organ sound great!

o   Play higher on the keyboard than you normally would.

o   NEVER use you left hand to play keys on the organ patch

o   NEVER use the pedal on the patch

o   Slide up and down the keys!

Songs with Passing Chords

-       The Stand     Key of G or A

o   In the pre-chorus ‘What can I say…’

-       This is Amazing Grace     Key of D

o   The 70’s version

-       Jesus, We Love You  Key of G

o   The whole song

Other songs

-       Praises     Key of G

o   Falling scale passing notes

o   Lots of space in chorus for adding motifs and riffs

-       I am a Friend of God    Key of A

o   Either use organ patch with a bigger band, or

o   Piano with a smaller band, and tear it up

-       Good Good Father     Key of E

o   Dynamics are important

o   3 note riff in chorus (Chris Tomlin’s version) that sounds great and is quite simple – Just have to master the rhythm.

-       Hosanna (Praise is rising….)    Key of G

-       Agnus Dei (MWS)       Key of A
      I Will Boast (Hillsong)    Key of B

  Simple Chord Charts to Practice
   - I Will Exalt
   - Amazing Love
   - Praises
   - Great Are You Lord

         PDF Version of these notes

Click here for a Spotify playlist of the songs above
Note that the keyboard may NOT be the predominant instrument in many of the songs.  The playlist is for reference.  I'll give examples of what I do for many of the songs in the session.