Accompaniment Patterns for Worship Piano - Left Hand
One of the most common questions I am asked as a worship piano teacher is, "What are some interesting accompaniment patterns I can use?" In this tutorial, you will learn several beginning- and intermediate-level patterns that you can use in the left hand.
Pattern 1: Bass Note
The most basic left hand pattern (and the first one that you should learn) is to simply play one note per measure:
This video demonstrates the Bass Note pattern in more detail, using the worship songs "Majesty" and "Way Maker":
This accompaniment pattern is the foundation of all other patterns and is used the most often, so be sure to master it before moving on to the other patterns.
Pattern 2: Octaves
For the Octaves pattern, we simply play the bass note in octaves. It is best to use this accompaniment pattern in combination with others to avoid tension in the left hand.
This video explains the Octaves pattern in more detail:
Pattern 3: 1-5-8 Arpeggio
The 1-5-8 Arpeggio is a flowing accompaniment pattern that adds beauty, elegance, and a sense of movement to your playing. Be sure to watch the video to learn how to find the 1-5-8 notes, how to play the pattern for slash chords, and how to use the proper technique to avoid tension or pain as you play.
This video explains the 1-5-8 Arpeggio pattern in detail:
Want to learn more?
These are the three foundational left hand accompaniment patterns for worship piano. However, there are certainly many others that you can use as well, which I discuss in detail in the Early Advanced Worship Piano course.
If you would like to learn more accompaniment patterns as well as 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!