The Worship Path

Step 2

Next Steps

You've started building the foundation. Now it's time to expand it. Step 2 develops your ability to harmonize melodies, create richer worship textures, play in new keys, understand more theory, train your ear, and become more independent at the piano.

Suggested pace: 1–6 months or more. Keep building slowly and consistently.

Your Step 2 Roadmap

Keep working through the training in order. Your Step 2 checkoff sheet follows this same sequence.

1 Melody Harmonization Learn how to build harmony around a melody. 2 Pads & Strings Expand the atmospheric tools from Step 1. 3 Sustain Pedal Training Extra help if clean pedal technique is still difficult. 4 Jam Time — Key of D Broken chords, shapes, dynamics and worship flow. 5 Theory Understanding Inversions, 7ths, scales, signatures and chord colors. 6 Play & Sing Train your brain to handle two musical jobs at once. 7 Ear Training Begin finding keys without relying entirely on a chart. 8 Jam Time 2 — Key of E Rolling chords, fills, band playing and more.

Keep the Habit Going

Step 2 adds more skills, but the goal hasn't changed: consistent practice over time. Keep protecting a regular time to sit at the piano and work through the path.

Use Your Step 2 Checkoff Sheet

Keep the PDF visible and check off each part as you work through it. The lesson order below matches the checklist.

Download Step 2 PDF →
1

Melody Harmonization

Turn a melody into an arrangement

Learn how to take a melody and build harmony around it. This lesson uses a familiar song to show you how a simple melody can become a complete piano arrangement.

Away in a Manger — All Videos
2

Pads & Strings

Take your atmospheric playing a little farther

Step 1 introduced you to simple pad techniques. Now add fills and larger chord shapes so you can create an even fuller, more prayerful atmosphere.

Fills Bigger Chords
3

Sustain Pedal Training

Only if you still need help with the pedal

If your chords are still getting muddy or disconnected, spend some extra time here. Do only as much training as you need.

The Basics Sustain Pedal Training
4

Jam Time

Key of D • Chord shapes, broken chords and dynamics
Before You Start: Review the D Scale and D Diatonic Chords. You don't need to perfect them first — just understand what you're working with.
Review: D Scale Review: D Diatonic Chords

Chords Used: D, G, A and Bm

Checkpoint 1 — Grounded in Prayer & Basic Chords

Start in prayer and begin playing the right and left hand together. Give yourself time to become comfortable with the shapes.

Prayer and Chords
  1. Prayer and Chords
  2. Basic Jam Track
Sustain Pedal

Checkpoint 2 — Broken Chords

Break the chords into patterns to create movement and a completely different musical dynamic.

Broken Chords
  1. Broken Chords
  2. Jam Track

Checkpoint 3 — Chord Shapes

Combine these shapes with your root chords to begin creating that characteristic flowing worship sound.

Chord Shapes 1 Chord Shapes 2

Checkpoint 4 — Setting the Mood & Advanced Broken Chords

Learn another way to create atmosphere, then challenge yourself with a more advanced broken-chord pattern.

Advanced warning: If the advanced broken chords feel overwhelming, skip them for now and come back later.
Setting the Mood Advanced Broken Chords

Checkpoint 5 — All Together

Watch how the different tools you've learned can be combined to create changes in emotion, energy and dynamics.

All Together
Extra Credit — More Songs

Apply the techniques above to more songs in the Key of D.

As The Deer Great Is Thy Faithfulness What a Beautiful Name More Songs in the Key of D
5

Theory Understanding

Go deeper into why the music works

The theory gets a little deeper in Step 2, but that's a good thing. When you begin understanding why and how something works, you gain the ability to create new things on your own.

Inversions Intermediate — All Videos 7th Chord Trick — All Videos 7th Chord Trick with Inversions — All Videos Major Scale Construction Key Signatures Augmented, Add9 & Suspended Chords — All Videos Diminished Chords — All Videos
Need More Key Signature Practice?
MusicTheory.net Key Signature Exercise
6

Play & Sing

Train your brain to do two things at once

Playing piano already requires a lot of coordination. Adding singing takes that independence to another level. Use this familiar hymn as a simple place to begin.

Amazing Grace — All Videos
7

Ear Training

Start identifying what you're hearing

Everything you've done so far has already been developing your ear. Now begin learning a few practical ways to identify the key of a song without depending completely on written information.

Find the Key by Chords Find the Key by “Home Base”
8

Jam Time 2

Key of E • Rolling chords, fills and band playing

Keep it up. Work hard. Give glory.

Before you begin, review the E Scale and E Diatonic Chords. You don't need perfection — just enough understanding to connect what you're learning.

Review: E Scale Review: E Diatonic Chords

Chords Used: E, F#m, A, B and C#m

Checkpoint 1 — Prayer, Intro & Basic Chords

Begin in prayer, learn a signature intro lick, then establish the right-hand chords and progression.

Prayer and Intro Chords
  1. Right Hand Chords
  2. Chord Progression
  3. Jam Track

Checkpoint 2 — Sustain Pedal & Left Hand

Continue developing smooth pedal technique while strengthening the left hand.

Sustain Pedal Left Hand
  1. Left Hand
  2. Jam Track

Checkpoint 3 — Rolling Chords & 5125 Fills

These patterns begin giving your playing another level of movement and personality.

Rolling
  1. Rolling Chords
  2. Jam Track
5125
  1. 5125 Fills
  2. Jam Track

Checkpoint 4 — More Fills

A little harder: If these fills give you trouble, don't force them. Come back later as your hands continue developing.
More Fills
  1. More Fills
  2. Jam Track

Checkpoint 5 — Other Important Information

Finish the workout by looking at atmosphere, how your role changes in a band, and how pads can support the overall worship sound.

Setting the Mood Playing with a Band Pads
Extra Credit — More Songs

Apply your growing Key of E vocabulary to more complete songs.

I Can Only Imagine Way Maker Fighting For Me More Songs in the Key of E

Step 2 Complete!

You've now moved beyond simply learning worship chords. You're beginning to harmonize melodies, hear music differently, understand deeper chord concepts, play in more keys, and make musical choices for yourself.

Repeat anything that still feels shaky. When these ideas begin to settle into your hands and ears, you're ready to keep moving forward.

Continue to Step 3 →