Podcast Notes: Interview with Carson Bruce of The Worship Keys Episode Overview

In this episode of the Church Front Worship and Tech Podcast, Luke Jackson interviews Carson Bruce, founder of The Worship Keys platform—a resource dedicated to helping keys players in worship settings improve their skills and understanding of their role.

About Carson Bruce & The Worship Keys

• Founder of The Worship Keys platform, which focuses on four main areas: music theory, gear/software, ministry, and industry
• Classically trained pianist who now lives in Nashville
• The Worship Keys podcast releases weekly on Wednesdays, featuring interviews with keys players

Origin Story

• Carson created the platform because he "wished something like this existed" when he was younger
• Piano has been central to his personal faith journey—often serving as his "prayer closet"
• Noticed a gap in resources specifically for worship keys players

Essential Skills for Worship Pianists

1. Heart Posture: "If your heart is not in ministry...you're not going to stay on that stage satisfied"
2. Playing by Ear: Learning to listen and replicate what you hear is crucial
3. Nashville Number System: Understanding music theory through the number system
4. Ear Training: Practice playing unfamiliar worship songs by ear, then verify with chord charts
5. Focus on Fundamentals: Learn to play well before worrying about gear

Transitioning from Classical to Contemporary

• Classical training often emphasizes sight-reading and technical precision
• Worship contexts require playing by ear, improvisation, and band awareness
• Many pianists struggle with this transition because the learning approaches are fundamentally different

Nashville Number System for Keys Players

Despite some believing it's mainly useful for guitarists, Carson advocates for pianists using the Nashville Number System because:

• It facilitates whole-band communication
• Makes modulation easier
• Numbers are quicker to call out than complex chord names
• Works internationally across language barriers
• Promotes collaboration rather than piano-centric leadership

Common Mistakes Worship Keys Players Make

1. Overplaying the Low End: Creates muddiness when there's already a bass player
2. Doing Too Much: Sometimes simplicity serves the song better
3. Playing Full Triads in Both Hands: Consider simpler voicings like fifths or suspended chords
4. Not Understanding Context: Different musical styles require different approaches

Technology Tips Software Options

• MainStage: Good for Mac users, moderate learning curve
• Ableton Live: Most powerful but steeper learning curve
• Sunday Keys App: User-friendly iPad app with AI capabilities ($120)

Hardware Highlight

• Atmosphere Pedal by Aerospace Audio: Physical pedal with high-quality atmospheric pads built in
• Allows pianists to trigger pads without needing a computer on stage
• Features 10 different pad sounds based on atmospheric layers
• Small footprint allows it to be placed directly on the keyboard

Keys Players' Rigs

Carson's typical setup includes:

• Arturia KeyLab MIDI controller
• MainStage software for sounds
• Focusrite 18i20 interface when running tracks
• Software from Sunday Sounds or Aerospace Audio for pads

Decision-Making for Keys Equipment

Carson's advice:

• If your keyboard works well, keep it and upgrade your sounds through software
• Consider Sunday Keys app for simplicity and ease of use
• MainStage for Mac users who want more control
• Ableton Live for those willing to invest time in learning a comprehensive system
• Use iPad apps when available to avoid complex computer setups

Sunday Keys App Highlights

• Features AI-generated sounds based on text or emoji descriptions
• Allows easy sharing of setlists between multiple campuses
• Affordable one-time purchase with optional annual updates
• Limitation: Cannot currently import custom-created patches

Artists That Inspire Carson

• Red Rocks Worship (particularly Spooky Scott)
• Elevation Rhythm (especially "Goodbye Yesterday")
• The Ramp Worship from Hamilton, Alabama
• Various gospel artists for technical inspiration

Connect with The Worship Keys

• Instagram: @theworshipkeys
• YouTube: The Worship Keys
• Email: [email protected]

Key Quotes

• "If you're not using the number system as a pianist, maybe you're not meaning to, but it's like you're trying to say one up almost."
• "It's like buying a Lamborghini and driving it in first gear everywhere you go."
• "The piano was once looked at as a secular instrument that you only play in the bars and the pubs, and then it was brought into the church and people had big problems with that."
• "A lot of times they're asking you to do less in a full band context."

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