Lesson Content:

Drum Curriculum

Beginner Level

Goal: To establish core technical competency and the fundamental role of the drummer in a contemporary worship setting.

1. Instrument Mastery & Timekeeping: Develop a practical understanding of the drum kit's components and their functions, and establish solid timekeeping skills through consistent practice with a metronome.

2. Technical Foundation: Build mechanical stability, control, and speed through targeted practice of essential drum rudiments and stamina-building exercises.

3. Genre-Specific Vocabulary: Learn and execute a repertoire of basic drum patterns (grooves) and fill-ins that form the core of contemporary worship music.

4. Active Listening & Song Implementation: Cultivate the ability to actively listen to a song, chart a basic drum arrangement, and confidently execute that arrangement in a play-along context.

Intermediate Level

Goal: To evolve from a proficient player to a dynamic, team-oriented musician who supports, enhances, and leads within the worship context.

1. Advanced Technique & Fluency: Refine stability, speed, and dynamic control through advanced rudimental studies and complex rhythmic exercises, translating them creatively to the drum kit.

2. Expanded Musical Vocabulary: Explore and apply genre-specific grooves, fills, and textures (e.g., gospel, rock, band sound) to adapt to diverse worship styles and songwriting.

3. Dynamic Arrangement & Musicality: Master the ability to analyze full song arrangements and use drum parts intentionally to build dynamics, emphasize lyrical themes, and support song structure.

4. Spontaneous Play & Prophetic Musicianship: Develop the skills for improvisational playing, sensitive musical dialogue, and stewarding spontaneous or prophetic moments within a worship set.

5. Team Leadership & Worship Application: Understand the drummer's role as a foundational team member, learning to sonically support other musicians, communicate effectively, and provide rhythmic leadership from a posture of serving.

   
   

Contemporary Keyboard Curriculum

Beginner Level

Goal: To establish fundamental keyboard proficiency and a practical understanding of music theory for contemporary worship settings.

1. Technical & Theoretical Foundation: Develop a working understanding of basic music theory (notes, scales, intervals) and keyboard mechanics, including proper hand position and posture.

2. Technical Dexterity & Scale Mastery: Build finger strength, coordination, and fluency through targeted exercises and the study of essential scales and arpeggios in multiple keys.

3. Harmonic Vocabulary: Learn to construct, voice, and transition between primary chords (major, minor) in common worship keys.

4. Genre-Specific Application: Acquire and execute a repertoire of foundational rhythmic patterns, chord progressions, and simple textures characteristic of contemporary worship music.

5. Active Listening & Song Implementation: Cultivate the ability to actively deconstruct a song, follow a basic chord chart, and accurately perform the keyboard part in a play-along context.

Intermediate Level

Goal: To transition from a proficient player to a versatile, arrangement-oriented musician who goes deeper in worship through dynamic support and prophetic expression.

1. Advanced Technique & Fluency: Refine technical agility, dynamic control, and speed through advanced exercises, incorporating more complex scales and arpeggios in all keys.

2. Expanded Musical Vocabulary: Get introduced to and explore diverse musical genres through their characteristic scales (Harmonic minor, pentatonics), harmonic colors, and rhythmic feels.

3. Advanced Harmony & Stylistic Patterns: Integrate extended chords (7ths, 9ths, sus chords), inversions, and genre-specific comping patterns to create richer, more stylistically authentic keyboard parts.

4. Arrangement Analysis & Dynamic Support: Master the intentional use of keyboard layers, textures, and dynamics to support song structure and highlight lyrical melodies within a full band arrangement.

5. Introduction to Improvisation & Spontaneity: Develop foundational skills in melodic improvisation, thematic development, and creating supportive chord changes or melodic lines in spontaneous musical moments.

6. Team Leadership & Worship Application: Understand the dual supportive/leadership role of the keyboardist, learning to sonically fill the frequency spectrum, communicate with other musicians, and contribute to team dynamics during worship.

   
   

Computer Keyboard (2nd keys) Curriculum

Goal: To establish the fundamental technical and musical role of the computer keyboardist within a contemporary worship setting, focusing on sonic support, technology integration, and song application.

1. Role Definition & Sonic Strategy: Understand the distinct and supportive role of a computer keyboardist ("2nd keys") within a worship team, including sound layering, frequency management, and the specific textures they provide to enhance the overall mix.

2. Sonic Vocabulary & Sound Design: Learn to select and execute foundational pad, string, bell, and atmospheric synth sounds appropriate for various worship song styles and dynamic moments.

3. Technology Integration: Acquire basic proficiency in Ableton Live (or primary DAW) for live performance, including session navigation, clip launching, and applying basic audio/MIDI effects in a worship setting.

4. Practical Application & Song Implementation: Synthesize all acquired skills by learning and executing the computer keyboard parts for contemporary worship songs, focusing on supporting the lead instruments and vocal melody with appropriate sounds and textures.
   

Acoustic Guitar Curriculum

Beginner Level
Goal: To establish foundational technical skills and musical understanding for confident rhythm playing in contemporary worship settings.

1. Theoretical & Technical Foundation: Develop a working understanding of the guitar, basic music theory (notes, scales, intervals), proper hand positioning, and posture for healthy, sustainable practice.

2. Fundamental Technique & Repertoire: Build finger strength, coordination, and rhythmic stability through exercises, while learning essential open chords and basic strumming patterns applicable to contemporary worship music.

3. Fretboard Navigation & Melodic Basics: Gain familiarity with the fretboard layout, and learn major/minor pentatonic scale forms as a foundation for melody and improvisation.

4. Active Listening & Song Application: Cultivate the ability to deconstruct a song, follow a basic chord chart, and accurately perform the acoustic guitar part in a play-along context.

Intermediate Level
Goal: To evolve from a rhythm player to a versatile, dynamic guitarist capable of leading worship through a full range of harmonic, melodic, and textural expression.

1. Advanced Technique & Dexterity: Refine technical agility, dynamic control (volume, attack), and speed through targeted exercises, incorporating scales and arpeggios across the neck and in various keys.

2. Advanced Harmony & Stylistic Vocabulary: Master movable chord shapes (CAGED system), integrate extended chords (7ths, 9ths, sus chords), and apply genre-specific strumming, fingerpicking, and percussive techniques.

3. Melodic Fluency & Improvisation: Achieve fluency in major and minor scale forms across the neck, developing the ability to create simple, supportive melodic lines and solos over backing tracks and standard progressions.

4. Adaptive Performance & Arrangement: Gain the skill to adapt guitar parts—from full rhythmic drive to sparse, textural accompaniment—to suit different genres, band sizes (solo, duo, full band), and dynamic moments within a worship set.

5. Team Musicianship & Worship Leadership: Understand the guitarist's dual role of support and leadership. Develop the musical discernment to play appropriately for each section of a song, communicate effectively with the team, and use musical dynamics to serve the flow of worship.