rooted music coaching

Today we have the pleasure of hearing from one of our coaches here at Rooted… EB Cole!

EB is one of our vocal / songwriting coaches here at RMC and has some great insight into how to begin writing the lyrics of a song.

EB has been a worship leader around some of the North Point Community Church locations around Atlanta for over 5 years. She’s an incredible singer, with an even bigger heart to see students learn to sing beautifully, and write music that’s in their souls!

Today, EB will share with us how to make the lyric process easier, as well as an awesome insight from legend, Johnny Cash.

So, take a few minutes and check out the video. Take it in, let us know what you think and see if this process can help you get started writing some lyrics today!

Have you ever wanted to write your own music?

Maybe you’ve had ideas whether musically or lyrically, but never had the teaching to bring those ideas to fruition.

Writing a song can be a daunting task…

There are so many chords to choose from, let alone what key should the song be in??

What parts will all the instruments play?

How do you go about writing lyrics?

What do you do when you just can’t seem to get any ideas out?

Today, we’re going to begin answering those questions for you and give you easy paths to overcome the problems you’ve faced writing your own music!

In today’s video we’re going to walk through how simple and easy it can be to begin writing your own music. And then next week, we’ll get into how to begin writing the lyrics of your song.

So, take a few minutes and check out the video. I know this process has worked for me, which is why I’m excited to share it with you! Take it in, let us know what you think and see if this process can help you get started writi...

One thing I’ve heard so much from beginner piano players, is that playing with both hands can be very challenging.

Maybe you’ve tried to simply play chords with both hands, but even doing that has taken time to get used to…

Or maybe you’ve been trying to learn songs with a lead line or melody line with your Right Hand, while playing chords with your Left, and it’s just not happening.

There are too many notes to think about on the right hand side of things..

Or matching up the rhythm of the chords in your left along with the melody in your right is just way too complicated…

I know the feeling and remember vividly learning the same skill myself as I grew up learning to play the piano. 

And the best way that I learned to do this was through playing songs I knew!

I began listening for and learning songs that I knew had a lead line in the Right Hand as well as chords in the Left. I would work slowly through both sections and then put them together once I was comfortable.

Th...

Today, I’ll be sharing the story behind Rooted and in that story, I’ll be sharing why we do what we do.

I think our story is important for a few reasons.

First, I think stories have the power to lift spirits and increase faith as we hear what God has done for others, and I hope our story does this for you today!

But, secondly, I think this will help you understand WHY we do what we do. We coach music to students and adults in our physical locations as well as in online formats, but there’s so much MORE to RMC than just music. As you understand the why, it will allow us to better serve you!

If you’re playing an event or have an audition coming up, I want to share one thing with you today that I feel is one of the most vital aspects which leads to getting asked back to play again.

There are lots of things to think about like making sure you have the gear you need, knowing the songs well enough, and feeling confident enough to play those songs well under pressure or scrutiny.

Those things are all important to make sure you’re prepare for and are good to think through… 

However, this one piece I’ll be sharing today, has NOTHING to do with your playing! 

Yet, as I said earlier, is often one of the biggest reasons anyone gets asked back to play again.

So, if you’re interested, I’d love for you to check out the video and see what you can do (without even playing) that will really help your chances of making your next event or audition a truly great experience for everyone!

Today we have something really special in store and I’m pumped to share it with you!

Having known and played with many great electric guitar players, I know the struggle it can be (and was for them initially) to find out how to produce great tone. It can be a bit elusive, right?

From having to think through the guitar you play, the types of cables you use (TRUE BYPASS!!!), the pedals, the amp…

It gets intense real quick, especially when you’re first getting started. If you don’t have someone helping you walk through it, or a lot of money to blow on different products as you narrow down your options, you’re in a tight spot.

This is why I wanted to sit down with one of the best lead guitar players out there - Daniel Carson. Daniel’s a friend of mine and has been playing lead with Chris Tomlin for almost 2 decades!

He’s gone through the struggles of finding the signature tone we all look for and came out the other side with the answers.

In this video below, Daniel is going to wa...

I’m excited to talk about a concept called the Nashville Number System with you guys today!

If you’ve never heard of it, it’s a system or concept of music that every professional musician understands and uses on a daily basis!

And it’s something you NEED to know too.  

Check out our video and feel free to let us know any questions or thoughts you have!

If you play electric guitar in any live setting, you know how big of a deal an amplifier is. It can be the secret to great tone, or it can be the reason your tone needs work.

 This is why I’m excited to share what Shane has to say. One of our great coaches at RMC, Shane Cole, shares with us some incredible thoughts on what types of amps you need in order to succeed.

Shane is an accomplished electric guitar as well as bass player. Shane plays for up and coming country artist, Seth Ennis, and has toured with many other artists including Daniel Bashta.

Check out the video and let us know what you think!

I’m excited to share another quick video from Paul Whittinghill. Paul plays drums for the Passion Band and has had incredible experiences leading worship all over the world.

As a drummer there are so many things in your head pulling at you during a set…

I need to stay with the click
Make sure to lock in with the other members of the band
Make sure to not take away from the lead vocal

And the list could really go on and on.

Today, he’s going to let us in on his #1 priority as a drummer and I think it has the potential to really change the way you play!

Hey friends -

I have a question for you… What instrument would you say is the “backbone” of the band?

Maybe one of the guitar players? Keys or bass player?

In my opinion, it’s the drummer. The drummer has the potential to control the pocket better than anyone else and can really “lead” the band dynamically.

Because the drums are such a key element in any band setting, we had one of the best drummers I know, Paul Whittinghill, let us know his 3 keys to being a better drummer.

Key #1: Be a student of music

Key #2: Play a simple groove to a fixed tempo

Key #3: Exercise your fingers and wrists with a practice pad

Paul is a fantastic drummer for many reasons, but the one thing that I really think sets him apart from many others, is that he LEADS the band when he plays.

Going back to what I mentioned earlier the drummer can keep the pocket where it needs to be and lead the band from section to section within any song. Paul does both of those things very well - and I would say as w...