KEYS
WHAT TO PLAY ON AN EMPTY TANK | David Pfaltzgraff
Have we all collectively agreed to abandon our New Year ’ s resolutions yet ? Personally , I ’ ve never been much for them — not because I think they ’ re pointless , but simply because I am no good at sticking to them . My dismissive attitude has much more to do with that reality than any special ability to stick to resolutions made at other times of the year .
I ’ ve spent much of my life in places with heavy snowfall and cold winters , and the post- Christmas energy and emotional downturn is real . As a musician , I find myself gravitating towards ‘ cozy ’ music this time of year , often taking nostalgic trips down memory lane to songs I grew up with , chill ‘ lo-fi ,’ or really anything that would sound at home by a crackling fireplace .
I think what I ’ m trying to do when these preferences pop up year after year is simply to cope with the season ’ s natural effects . I must work that much harder to bring fresh , creative energy to the ways I contribute musically from the keyboard during these times .
So today , I thought I ’ d share some ways to navigate these moments — when we find ourselves feeling worn out , in a rut , drained of creative energy , or maybe just needing to purposefully dial back the effort for a given bit of preparation to prioritize other things . Here ’ s what to play on an empty tank from the keyboard .
WHAT ’ S AVAILABLE TO YOU
When I consider myself in the ‘ sweet spot ’ with my instrument , I don ’ t have to think about it . Call it being ‘ in the groove .’ In those moments , it often feels like I ’ m tapping into a blend of muscle memory , creativity , and spiritual connection that can ’ t be forced .
I think that ’ s part of what makes it so much harder to feel good about what you ’ re contributing in worship when you ’ re feeling a bit downtrodden . Perhaps your muscle memory is a touch slower , your creativity burning a bit less bright , or your heart and mind aren ’ t quite as in tune to what God may be doing in a time of worship .
But I ’ d like to propose that perhaps you can stir this up in yourself if your heart is in the right place .
In Psalm 57:8 , David says , “ Awake , my soul ! Awake , harp and lyre ! I will awaken the dawn .” To me , this passage sounds a lot less like someone responding to a moment that is happening and more like a person who is determined to reach a moment of authentic expression in worship — calling out to themselves , declaring that they will awaken in praise .
What could this look like for you ? Start with what feels ‘ available .’ Maybe a song or chord progression you ’ re already comfortable with , where you know you ’ ve had that spark of creativity before . It ’ s okay to ‘ stick to the hits ’ when you need to . That doesn ’ t make your expression ‘ less than ’— it makes it effective .
WHAT FEELS AUTHENTIC
It ’ s a tricky subject to talk about how worship musicians can bring back ‘ the spark ’ when it ’ s gone missing .
The last thing we want to do as artists in the church is to be nothing more than a resounding gong or clanging cymbal , right ? It ’ s important — perhaps more than anything else — when leading worship , to be sure that we ’ re not just putting on a show . Honestly , sometimes these days , I think it can be a hard thing to balance .
It can feel great to lock in with the band , sound good , look good , feel cool . But we know that ’ s not the point .
The danger , when you come to a time of worship running on empty , is to ‘ turn it on ’ and perform — either just to avoid standing out from the rest of the band or because we hope that by doing so , we may end up actually ‘ feeling it .’
In my opinion , ‘ fake it ‘ til you make it ’ doesn ’ t quite apply to corporate worship .
So the next time you ’ re behind the keyboard and feeling stuck , rather than thinking about what you should be doing , try and think about what you feel compelled to do . Ask God to open your heart and your perspective — to recall your attention to the past times when you ’ ve had more to give , and to help you respond authentically in worship .
It ’ s not a New Year ’ s resolution , but I am sure at some point — just like I do — you ’ ll come to a rehearsal or soundcheck feeling a bit worse for wear . Trust that for those times , God is still faithful and more than willing to use your offering of musicianship to bless and encourage the Church .
David Pfaltzgraff Founder and Lead Sound Designer at SundaySounds . com , a site that resources worship keys players and guitarists around the world . David currently resides in Des Moines , IA with his wife and two boys . He enjoys volunteering in his church ’ s worship ministry , old synthesizers , and a good super-hero movie .
SundaySounds . com
72 February 2025 Subscribe for Free ...