Top 6 Mistakes Worship Piano Players Make (and How to Fix Them)
As a worship keys player and piano teacher, I have observed that several common mistakes that are easy to make - but the good news is that they are also easy to fix!
#1: Not playing from a heart of worship.
Ouch… this one stings a little. Often in our zeal to work hard and get everything right, we forget the #1 goal: to worship. Worship isn’t a genre of music; it is a priesthood. In Jeremiah 32:39, God says, “I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship Me forever.” Worship is our highest calling. Even if we are playing an instrument and focusing to play the right notes and chords, our hearts can (and should) be positioned to worship Jesus.
#2: Playing too much.
On a worship team with other vocalists and instrumentalists, less is more. Many times, keys players tend to overplay, taking space away from other instrumentalists and/or resulting in too much sound. The more instruments that are playing together, the less each one needs to play.
#3: Not listening to other members of the team.
Even as you are focusing on your part, be sure to also listen to other members of the team. What is the electric guitarist playing? Is the acoustic guitar trying to play out? (If so, you may want to play less to give him/her space to play.) Listening to the other singers and musicians shows humility as you work with them to balance and refine the overall sound.
#4: Trying to play in a style that is too complicated for your skill level.
All of us enjoy cool runs and accomaniment patterns… but be sure to first master the song in a simple format (just playing a chord on each beat in the right hand, with a single note in the left hand). Once you can play the song simply and accurately, with the correct chords and timing, then you can begin to add other accompaniment patterns, fill-in notes, and runs.
#5: Playing every chord at the same volume.
To add musicality to your songs, try playing slightly louder on beats where the chord changes, and slightly softer on the other beats. For example, if you have four beats of a C chord, play beat 1 a bit louder, and beats 2-4 at about half the volume. Try this… it will revolutionize your piano playing and make it sound more musical!
#6: Caring too much what people think.
We are not performers; we are worshippers. We do not perform for the people; we worship the Lord. As a result, our primary objective in playing keys is to play unto Jesus, with Him as our only audience.
After a worship set, when I am tempted to enter into self-criticism or ask other people what they thought of my playing… the first thing I do is ask Jesus what He thought. His answer provides me with the most important perspective I need, and it provides a filter through which to run other people’s opinions and suggestions. Worship is unto Jesus, and He is our only audience.
Free PDF Download
You can download a free PDF file of Worship Piano Reference Charts here. This resource kit includes piano key names, chord diagrams, seventh chords, scales, and chords in a key / Nashville Number System.
Want to learn more?
If you would like to learn how to play worship piano like a pro, check out my Worship Essentials courses. This unique approach combines a simple, easy-to-follow method of learning the piano along with teachings on the heart of worship - and it has proven successful for people of all ages and levels.
Or, if you would prefer one-on-one instruction, consider online lessons. Lessons incorporate the same content of the Worship Essentials courses but have the added bonus of one-on-one coaching and instruction.
Happy worshipping!