How to Play Worship Piano
Would you like to learn how to play piano for worship? Follow this step-by-step tutorial to learn the basics of worship piano and start playing your favorite songs today! For more in-depth instruction, check out my Worship Essentials courses here.
As worship pianists, we typically do not play from sheet music (as classical musicians do). Instead, we usually play from chord charts. A chord chart shows the lyrics (words) of the song along with chords written above them. This is what a chord chart looks like for the traditional chorus “Alleluia”:
As worship pianists, we also do not usually play the melody. This is because the congregation typically knows the melody, and the worship leader is already singing the melody. So our job is to play chords and interesting fill-ins, much like a guitar would.
The Right Hand
This means that we need to know our chords! For the traditional chorus "Alleluia" (see the chord chart above), we need to know how to play a C chord, an F chord, and a G chord. This is how we play these chords:
Play each chord with the right hand, using fingers 1-3-5 (thumb, middle finger, pinky finger). The left hand will play something else shortly.
To play the song "Alleluia," we play each chord 4 times before changing to the next chord. For step-by-step guidance on how to play the right hand for this song, watch this excerpt from my Worship Essentials courses:
The Left Hand
Now it is time to add the left hand! While the right hand is playing chords, the left hand plays a single note. If the right hand is playing a C chord, the left hand plays a C single note. If the right hand is playing an F chord, the left hand plays an F note. You get the picture.
Watch this video excerpt from Worship Essentials to learn how to add the left hand:
The Pedal
Finally, we add the pedal. Pedal with the ball of your right foot. Hold the pedal down when you start playing a chord, and then change the pedal (lift and put it back down) when the chord changes. So hold the pedal down for the entire time that you are playing a C chord, and then change the pedal when you get to the F chord. And voila... you're playing worship music!
This is what “Alleluia” should sound like:
Want to learn more?
The right hand, left hand, and pedal... these are the basics of playing worship piano! From here, you can learn skills to make your playing sound more interesting by using chord inversions, learning creative chords like 7ths and suspended chords, improvising, trying new accompaniment patterns, and 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!