Picture this: The worship leader points at you and asks you to play an intro. No big deal, right? But then you realize it’s a new song, and you don’t know the melody. You glance down at the chord/lyric sheet, and the details are pretty sparse. Uh-oh! Don’t panic—here are a few tips to help you navigate this situation with confidence.
We recently received an email asking how to create an introduction for a song during worship when all you have is a chord/lyric sheet. This is a common challenge for pianists and accompanists, especially when you’re unfamiliar with the song. Knowing how to create generic, yet engaging, intros is an essential skill in these moments. One great trick is to borrow from guitarists, who often pick a chord and strum it repeatedly. This technique is called “vamping.” Below are three different ways to vamp and create a simple, effective intro.
1. Vamp the Chord
The simplest approach is to take a single chord and repeat it several times. This may seem a bit repetitive, but it’s actually perfect for setting the tone for an intro. You can play it softly while someone speaks or prays, and when the time is right, they can transition into the song. Just pick a chord (for example, C major) and vamp it—play it over and over again. It’s a great way to fill the space and set the mood without overwhelming the moment.
2. Vamp a Chord Progression
If you want a bit more movement in your intro, try vamping through a simple chord progression. For example, you could play:
- G, then E minor, then C, followed by D, and back to G. This chord sequence gives you a little more variety while still staying straightforward. Keep cycling through the progression, and you’ll create a smooth, natural intro that leads easily into the song.
3. Add a Fill for More Flavor
If you’re feeling a bit more advanced, you can spice up your vamp with a fill. For example, play a basic three-note chord (like C, E, G for C major) and throw in a fill every now and then—a simple melody or a quick run between the notes. These small additions keep things interesting, preventing the vamp from feeling too monotonous while still maintaining simplicity.
Final Thoughts
With these three techniques—vamping a single chord, vamping a chord progression, and adding a fill—you’ll be able to confidently create an intro for any song, even when you don’t have written music. The key is to keep it simple and not overthink it. Trust in your ability to create a smooth, flowing intro that sets the stage for the rest of the worship service.
Watch the video HERE if you want to see what I’m talking about.
Don’t forget to check the comments below for more ideas and tips from our readers and students!
-by Wade McNutt
16 Comments on “Creating Worship Intros with Little Information”
Thank you for addressing this subject! I needed a way to get started in accompanying Christian Contemporary songs, and had no idea where to begin. This is a great help!
Thanks Cheryle! Keep moving forward and thank you for what you do for the church. -wade
This is the type of stuff we need! It’s nice to have a song mapped out and some suggestions for “Going Pro” with it, but having the tools to put the pieces together is the STUFF!
It’s like Lego blocks. Having a drawing of how to re-create something already ‘charted’ is nice, but being able to take your own stack of Legos and put them together into something unique to you is really satisfying.
I guess what I’m trying to say is it’s really great that you do both types of videos: Play-alongs and skill/chop builders.
Thank you! I’ll keep creating more. If you ever have a good topic please email me. Blessings! -wade
Thanks for the tutorial. Great technique!
Thank you for your Awesome Great music notes… And videos… I am so Happy for your helping me to play chords…. God bless you …
Brilliant. It’s hard to find clear, straight forward techniques like this without the tutor suddenly getting too complicated, Thanks very much for staying within reach!
You are very welcome. Please let me know if you think of any other good topics and I’ll put it down for future blogs. -wade
Lord know how much I needed this! I have been playing guitar for a bit now and have been given several new instruments to start on. It is quite hard when we have no instructor but our mission is to serve God. I recently saw your tutorial on Thy Will and loved it. I started checking out your site and blog and finally know where I need to be. I am certainly looking forward to more blogs, tutorials and tips! God bless you and your family and may you continue to lead us on our mission.
Thank you and God bless you too! Learn a lot 🙂 -wade
Apart from watching online is it possible you send the video for download
Or maybe through wattsup
Thanks Wade for your simple straight forward way you instruct. I play by ear and have been for fifty years, but its good to look at your simple beginners instruction as well as advance, I always pick up something that I have forgotten or take for granted..
God Bless you in your ministry!!
Keep Up the good work!!!
I’m happy to serve! Blessings to you,
Wade
Thanks Wade! Learning how to play the piano at the age of 16 for my church.
Awesome! Let me know if you have any questions…just use the “Contact” page. I’m excited to see all that you will learn!!
-Wade
Amazing thank you ,you save my life just started playing in church.God bless