Worship Guitar Bootcamp

Boot Camp is designed for intermediate to advanced players and focuses on advanced techniques for modern worship guitar playing.

• How I approach tone

  In this section, which not only offers its own resources but also serves as a central "Tone Hub" to guide you through other key areas of the site, I’ll walk you through how I approach tone from a 30,000-foot view. Then, we’ll take a deeper dive into several important topics mentioned in the How I Approach Tone video—covering the Mono vs. Stereo conversation, Balanced vs. Bright tones, the Bookend Method for your drive section and the various Swirly and Wobbly effects I find to be the most useful for us.

• Playing through the mess of effects

  Playing with so much delay and reverb can be a huge hurdle, especially when using in-ear monitors. You have to push through, and this video demonstrates why.

• Practicing picking patterns/arpeggios

  Repetitive picking patterns and arpeggios are useful in so many situations. Add delay and reverb, and they can create a wonderful foundation for Christ-exalting lyrics.

• Tips for playing with TONS of reverb

  I love reverb. These tips will help you love it, too.

• The magic of major sixths and minor sixths

  These are the best chord shapes to fall back on for huge sounds.

• Tips for dialing in delay

  There are a few parameters you need to know well to get the most from your delay pedal.

• Picking dynamics

  Hard, soft, straight, angled—how you pick matters more than you think.

• Left-hand vibrato

  This is the one most people spend the least time on, but getting it right makes all the difference.

• Dialing in the perfect reverb tone

  Long tails, short tails, bright, dark—this video helps you dial in the perfect reverb tone for your style.

• An approach to overdrive pedals

  There's no accident in the way we order pedals and select them. This video explores methodology and order for overdrives.

• Pickup selector switch

  Is there a right or wrong? Find out in this detailed breakdown.

• Chord inversions made easy

  Easily the most effective way to improve your playing in this genre—mastering chord inversions.

• Tips for transposing

  Transposing is an inevitable part of playing on a worship team. Get good at it with these tips.

• The basics of delay tap divisions

  Delay is a huge part of worship guitar playing. Learn the basics to improve your ability to dial in the right delay.

• Stop playing all the strings

  Simplifying chord shapes can actually improve your tone and help you stand out in the mix.

• Muting technique

  Hone your muting technique to "stop playing all the strings" and improve your clarity.

• Chord shapes for swells

  Ambient playing is fun, especially when you know the best chord shapes for swells.

• Building swell tones...and fun things to add to swells

  This video explores the basics of creating swell tones and fun extras to take your sound to the next level.

• Seeing the Root, Third, and Fifth of each chord

  This helps you better understand the neck and immediately improves your ability to improvise.

• Applying the Root, Third, and Fifth concept

  Learn how to apply the concept of Root, Third, and Fifth in real-time playing.

• 3-heavy vs. 5-heavy chords

  The tonality of each chord can help you either stick out or blend in with the mix—learn how to control it.