12-Week Plan

The Worship Keyboard
Master Plan

Learn 12 Christian worship songs by September 15

Method: Chord-based playing (RH chords, LH bass octaves) Schedule: 4-hour blocks, overnight church retreats twice/week

Weekly Schedule

SunMental prep, chord charts, virtual piano
MonCommute → 4hr practice → stay overnight
Tue4hr practice → commute home
WedRest hands, visual chord changes, mental review
ThuCommute → 4hr practice → stay overnight
Fri4hr practice → commute home
SatNo practice. Watch & learn from the church keyboardist.
Weeks 1–3 June 21 – July 10

Phase 1: Foundations & Four-Chord Loops

Build finger strength. Learn major & minor chords.

Re-build finger strength. Re-learn Major chords (C, D, E, F, G, A, B) and essential Minor relatives (Am, Em, Dm, Bm, F#m). These songs are chosen first because they use repetitive, 4-chord loops.

3 songs 3 weeks
Play 3 worship songs along with original audio at 0.75x speed.
Week 1: June 21–26 1 song
Yeshu Ko Pachi Ma (I Have Decided) Joshua Himalayas

Simple 3-chord structure. Practice smooth transitions between A, Bm, D.

beginner A
ABmDE

Checkpoints

Week 2: June 28–July 3 1 song
Happy Day Tim Hughes

Driving right-hand quarter notes (1, 2, 3, 4). Lock into the rhythm.

beginner C
CFAmG

Checkpoints

Week 3: July 5–10 1 song
One Way Hillsong Worship

Locking in with the drum beat. Transpose to G or C if B is too hard.

beginner G
GEmDC +1

Checkpoints

Weeks 4–6 July 12 – July 31

Phase 2: The Nepali Worship Bounce

Learn syncopation, off-beats, and broken arpeggios.

Move away from basic 4/4 playing. Learn right-hand syncopation (playing on the off-beats) and broken arpeggios. These songs introduce the specific joyous rhythm of Nepali worship.

3 songs 3 weeks
Play Nepali worship rhythm with steady tempo and no wrist fatigue.
Week 4: July 12–17 1 song
Ramaune Karan Adrian Dewan

Upbeat bouncing rhythm. Practice the right-hand bounce pattern.

intermediate C
CFGAm +2

Checkpoints

Week 5: July 19–24 1 song
Sarara Adrian Dewan

Keeping fast tempo steady without hands getting tired.

intermediate A
ADEBm +1

Checkpoints

Week 6: July 26–31 1 song
Akash Bhanda Ucha (Bhajan 510) Bhajan 510 / Psalms Unplugged

Arpeggios — playing chord notes one-by-one in a rolling motion.

intermediate A
AF#mC#mD +1

Checkpoints

Weeks 7–9 August 2 – August 21

Phase 3: Dynamics & Inversions

Smooth chord transitions. Quiet verses, loud choruses.

Stop hands from jumping wildly. Learn chord inversions to keep hands in one zone. Learn to play quietly (verses) and loudly (choruses). These songs are highly emotional and require smooth, connected playing.

3 songs 3 weeks
Play emotional worship songs smoothly with inversions and sustain pedal.
Week 7: August 2–7 1 song
Yeshu Tera Naam Sabse Ucha Hai Yeshua Ministries

Building dynamics — start soft, pulse chords during big chorus.

beginner A
AGDE

Checkpoints

Week 8: August 9–14 1 song
Bhela Bhayeka Thau Traditional

Slow smooth transitions with sustain pedal.

intermediate D
DGABm

Checkpoints

Week 9: August 16–21 1 song
Tapaiko Dharma (Tapai Ko Chheuma) Adrian Dewan

Smooth emotional transitions with a gentle ballad feel. Uses E major chord voicings.

intermediate E
EABC#m

Checkpoints

Weeks 10–12 August 23 – September 15

Phase 4: Advanced Riffs & Final Polish

Left-hand octaves, complex voicings, full setlist playback.

Tackle the hardest songs. Introduce left-hand octaves (playing two of the same bass notes to sound huge). Prepare for full setlist playback.

3 songs 3 weeks
Play all 12 songs through without stopping — simulate a live worship set.
Week 10: August 23–28 2 songs
Sarvabhaumik (Saarwavoumik) Adrian Dewan

Chords not yet available. Use the YouTube video to identify the progression by ear. Focus on creating a massive sound using left-hand octaves.

advanced —
Nothing Is Impossible Planetshakers

Learn the signature synth intro riff (YouTube at 0.5x speed).

intermediate C
CGAmF +1

Checkpoints

Week 11: August 30–September 4 1 song
Man Yo Mandaina Adrian Dewan

Complex chord voicings and deep emotive playing.

advanced G
GFC

Checkpoints

Week 12: September 6–15 0 songs

Checkpoints

Quick Rules for Success

  1. Never play the melody. Your job is chords and rhythm. Let the singer sing.
  2. Use Ultimate-Guitar. Look up guitar chords and translate to piano. Fastest way to get chord sheets.
  3. If you mess up, keep going. Live bands don't stop. Jump back in on the next beat.