In this episode, we welcome Curt Buell back! He covers five crucial techniques every Hammond B3 organist should know for playing in church settings. Topics include glissandos and slides, walking bass lines, inversions and voice leading, church walk-ups, and major/minor blues licks. Curt also shares a preview of his Organ Masterclass, where these techniques are explored in greater detail

Curt Buell

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We welcome back Curt Buell to the podcast for an in-depth tutorial on the Hammond B3 organ. Curt provides an extensive overview of the organ's features, including its drawbars, vibrato settings, presets, and expression pedals. He demonstrates the dynamic range and the versatility of the B3, offering practical tips and favorite settings for various musical contexts, especially for church and contemporary music. Curt also introduces his organ masterclass, designed to elevate your organ-playing skills with advanced techniques and music theory. Join us for this comprehensive guide to mastering the Hammond B3 organ.

Curt Buell

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Welcome to Part 2 with Otto Gross, an exceptionally talented and creative pianist. Otto shares tips for improvisation, playing in different church settings, mastering scales, chords, rhythms, and more. Discover Otto's techniques on playing dominant chords, utilizing pentatonic scales, and integrating bluesy elements to enhance your keys playing.

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Carson talks with Otto Gross II, an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and worship director at a church in Nashville, TN. Otto shares his journey through scoliosis surgery, discovering his love for the piano, graduating from Berklee College of Music, and his time playing keys on the road with Eddie James Ministries. Otto also discusses his personal production ventures, including the #OttoDailyDitty series and his contributions to children's music education. Tune in for an enriching conversation filled with life lessons, musical insights, and a demonstration of Otto's incredible talent.

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This is Part 2 with Tyler Wester from Church of the Highlands in Alabama. He shares his journey from MainStage to Ableton, breaks down his go-to piano sounds, and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at his custom setup, gear, favorite plugins, his tracks rig, and more. They also dive into the creative process behind the Church of the Highlands’ Christmas program, why practice and music theory matter for key players, and how to take your worship sound to the next level. Plus, Tyler gives a live demo on playing piano under a pastor’s sermon, perfect for anyone looking to refine their skills in a worship setting.

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Church of the Highlands

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Carson interviews Tyler Wester, the musical director of the multi-site Church of the Highlands in Alabama. Tyler shares his journey from learning piano as a child to being full time with Highlands for nearly a decade, offering valuable insight into the heart and logistics of his music ministry. Tyler breaks down the key differences between megachurch worship and smaller church settings, the pursuit of musical excellence in a ministry setting, and practical tips for effective music directing (MDing on stage). Get a behind-the-scenes look at how Church of the Highlands creates seamless worship experiences across multiple campuses. Whether you're a worship leader, musician, or passionate about church music, this conversation will equip and inspire you.

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Church of the Highlands

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Welcome Austin Seale from Seale Keyworks. Austin, who just tuned my Acrosonic Baldwin upright piano, shares insights into the world of piano maintenance and tuning. We discuss the success of Seale Keyworks and its comprehensive services that has been around for 40 years now, including moving, tuning repair, restoration, player systems, and sales. Austin offers valuable advice for worship leaders and piano owners on proper piano care, common misconceptions, and tips for aspiring piano tuners. Listen to Austin's journey in piano tuning, and the importance of regular maintenance, and explore the fascinating technologies behind modern tuning devices. Perfect for anyone considering a career change or needing expert piano care. Plus, learn about a chance to win a free piano tuning!

Seale Keyworks
Win FREE professional piano tuning
Playing Worship Keys By Ear FREE eBook

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Thanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email [email protected]. New episodes release every Wednesday!

Carson sits down with Jin Choi, host of the On Water Podcast and a psychotherapist from Toronto, Canada. They dive deep into the topics of discipleship, heart posture, and the importance of connection within worship teams. Jin shares her personal journey from childhood in a Korean church to her current role at Church on the Queensway. Don't miss her insights on fostering authentic worship both on and off stage, as well as practical advice for creating deeper connections in your church community. Plus, enjoy a special segment featuring different musical instruments that Jin has played throughout her life!

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On Water Podcast
FREE eBook "Playing Worship Keys By Ear"

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Thanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email [email protected]. New episodes release every Wednesday!

In this episode of the Worship Keys Podcast, host Carson Bruce dives deep into the world of playback rigs with Seth Penn from Seth Builds Rigs. They discuss the importance of playback tracks in worship settings, how to build pedal boards for keyboards, and explore various levels of playback rig setups from entry-level to pro-level with redundancy. Seth shares his experiences working with notable artists like Ed Sheeran and Steven Curtis Chapman and provides valuable insights into creating efficient and reliable playback systems for churches. Whether you're a small church or managing a multi-campus setup, this episode offers practical tips and detailed explanations to enhance your worship music production.

Seth Build Rigs
Cross Point
Playing Worship By Ear

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In this episode, Carson sits down with Matt McCoy, founder and owner of Loop Community, to discuss the intersection of technology and worship. They dive deep into the vision behind the Worship Innovators Conference, practical implementations of technology in worship services, and making multi-tracks accessible through Prime and other Loop Community products. Matt shares personal stories, insights on integrations, and the importance of preserving personal creativity in worship. Join us for an inspiring conversation designed to help you elevate your worship services to the next level.

Worship Innovators
Loop Community
Help with Tracks
Playing Worship Keys By Ear 

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Thanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email [email protected]. New episodes release every Wednesday!