Play songs, anytime, anywhere

(sheet music not required)

It happened again last summer.

Our band had been invited to a college weekend getaway out in Fremont, NE. I was playing keys when our worship leader turned to me between songs and whispered, “Let’s add ‘Christ Be Magnified’ right after this one.”

No rehearsal. No chord chart. No warning. Just a spontaneous addition moments before we needed to play it.

For many keyboard players (or any band member, really), this could trigger instant anxiety. But instead, I just nodded, mentally worked out the key, and when the time came, played it as if we’d practiced it all week.

This isn’t some special talent I was born with. It’s something I learned, practiced, and refined over time – the ability to play piano by ear.

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plus what’s ahead this year

[Photo by Petr Sevcovic on Unsplash]

You know what everyone’s doing this month? Cramming their schedules full, making wild promises about “new year, new me,” and beating themselves up when life gets in the way.

Me? I’ve been spending nights playing cards with my wife and girls (they destroy me every time), reading & staying warm by the fireplace, grabbing coffees with friends, binging movies, laughing a lot, and even sneaking in a work trip to Austin last week.

Normal schedule? What normal schedule?

As we approached the new year, my wife shared a quote with me from Austin Kleon, NYTimes bestselling author of STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST, that resonated & inspired me:

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Your favorite lessons hit some wild numbers this year

[Packing up for the last holiday gig of the year ]

Heyyyyy holiday keys players!
pauses from sorting cables & gear

Come here, I’ve got something to tell you…

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Taking a Mindful Pause Together

Dear friends,

As we head into the holiday season, I wanted to take a different approach with this week’s video. Instead of the usual tutorial, I’ve created something special – a gentle piano meditation called “Breathe.”

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…your fingers will thank you

Happy Monday!

When I was younger, I loved watching musicians. I wondered how they made big sounds with little movement. I thought they were lazy, but I later realized they were smart.

Remember the chord shapes from last week? Today, I want to share something cool about “Lazy Piano.”

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Work Smarter, Not Harder

Hey there,

Ever notice those pro players who barely seem to move, yet create massive sounds? That’s not laziness – that’s efficiency.

This week, I’m sharing the foundation of what I call “Lazy Piano” (spoiler: it took a lot of work to get this lazy ). We’re diving into:

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From Rookie to Pro: Choose Your Difficulty

Hey there,

Want to know your current piano level?

This week, I’m sharing 3 moves that’ll test your skills and power up your playing. Think of it like a video game – start at Level 1 and work your way up to the boss level.

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Versatile Chord Moves Every Musician Should Know

Hey there,

Ever notice those silky-smooth intros and outros that just feel right?

This week, I’m sharing 3 exercises straight from the church musician’s playbook. But here’s the kicker – they work wonders in pop, jazz, and pretty much any genre you throw at them.

In just a few minutes, you’ll:
• Boost your hand dexterity
• Create soothing sounds that’ll hook listeners, plus you’ll love them too!
• Build a rock-solid foundation for more advanced techniques

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Practice This For 7 Days & Revolutionize Your Chord Game

This week, we’re turning theory into jaw-dropping practice.

I’ve distilled pro-level chord techniques into a 5-minute daily routine that’ll revolutionize your playing. My new video breaks it all down:

• Silky-smooth diatonic V-I’s
• ii-V-I’s that’ll make listeners’ heads spin
• Tritone subs to instantly elevate any progression

You’ll get a free chart of all the exercises (in the description of the video) plus newsletter subscribers scored an exclusive drum groove to practice along with.

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Unlock Your Musical Superpowers with This Simple Chord Trick

Ever wonder why some musicians sound like they’re playing 4D chess while you’re stuck with checkers? Here’s one of their secret weapons: tritone substitution.

This isn’t some mystical technique passed down by jazz gods. It’s a practical, learnable skill that separates the pros from the amateurs.

Think of it as your musical lockpick. It opens doors to progressions you never knew existed.

But what exactly is this pro-level trick?

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