ps – while you’re here don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter using the blue box over on the right –>

ps – while you’re here don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter using the blue box over on the right –>
I promise it will be better than meatloaf!

ps – while you’re here don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter using the blue box over on the right –>
I promise you won’t want to miss it!

We’re going to try out this widget because there were a few problems with the one from yesterday… so we’ll see how it goes! Happy writing…

special day – first time my son (Jesse) helped me lead worship. he played cajon, my sister played keys, & I was on the guitar.

it was also (acoustic) family sunday @ the family room. wonderful day.

here’s a link to the songs - http://spoti.fi/ZFrjl5

DJ

Learning and growing should feel like [an]…attack on our own assumptions. It should leave us feeling overwhelmed, heads spinning, staggering to our cars… desperate for some alone-time to process this haunting new perspective. And then we go back and apply it, leaving us never the same.

Really encouraging right? Actually it is and it’s my hope for all of us. That we’ll stretch and grow through this process and hopefully make songwriting more of a habit throughout the year… not necessarily writing 5 songs in 5 days, but… I think you get what I’m saying.

Now onto the 5in5 fun. I am really looking forward to our songwriting this year & have already had conversations with many of you about if we would be having it or not this year. So – YES – we are having it and here are this year’s dates:

5in5 is May 13th – 17th (click to tweet)

Secondly, if you don’t know what 5in5 is (or just need a refresher) please read through our 5 simple rules:

1) you must start and finish 1 song every day for 5 days.
the goal is not to write 5 amazing songs… it’s simply to start and finish a song to stretch your creativity and discipline as a writer.

2) old material cannot be used.
you can’t brush off the dust from an old song, or one that was started a while ago. it must be a brand new song. phrases & words from old journals can be used, but old songs or uncompleted songs cannot be used.

3) co-writing with a person might save your sanity.
this has really helped me write better songs these last 2 years of 5in5 and is something we highly encourage you to try at least once during the week.

4) post the song in some public forum.
most people post their songs on a blog, youtube, facebook, soundcloud, etc. part of the beauty of 5in5 is forcing yourself to be vulnerable with your writing by putting it out there. plus, when you do this, it feels like we’re all in this together.

5) post your link at danieljohnmusic.com each day.
this helps us find each other’s songs and leave encouraging comments for one another.

Last few things for you.

If you are going to participate please let us know by telling us “I’m IN!” (or something comparable) in the comments below.

I would love to add even more writers to our 5in5 challenge this year. This is such a good exercise for songwriters, and it doesn’t matter if you are an amateur or a pro. Everyone is welcome! So please – if you would – share this post and invite others to come join us! - (click to tweet).

AND…I already have 2 GREAT BONUSES which will be ready & waiting for you after we finish 5in5 this year! I cannot wait to share them with you!!

Now I gotta go sign up…you??

DJ

Quick update before we get to the music: I feel like it’s been a while since we’ve chatted. Most of you know this already, but for anyone looking in and wondering what I’m talking about, our family recently completed our move to Omaha, Nebraska back in August. It has taken us a while to find our groove, but we’re finding our way and this has been a really great season for our family. It hasn’t been without its bumps and challenges, but we are doing well and sometime soon I’ll give you the full update on our new life here.

Today though I thought it would be nice to start the blog back up by doing a little setlist sharing. Here’s the idea: a few weeks back my friend Rachel asked a bunch of us (via Facebook) about what our Easter services and setlists looked like. We all enjoyed sharing and hearing what each person was doing. No one had an identical setlist and it was beautiful to see the differences in our worship. Then, yesterday I (finally) sent an email to a friend with a bunch of song ideas I had been promising to send.

It struck me then that it might be nice to share some of the setlist ideas I’ve been collecting lately. After you read through this list maybe you could do the same and share some songs/setlists/ideas that you have been using?

I’ll go first – here are the 6 ideas I sent my friend yesterday:

1 – Passion – In Christ Alone – feat. Kristian Stanfill : a nice little update to this song & I have the chord chart if you need it.

2 – Passion – Here’s My Heart – feat. Crowder : great acoustic guitar song and sweet build at the VERY END of it. My friend Benson and I played this on Sunday along with my brother, Drew, and this song created an amazing moment for our community.

3 – Will Reagan & United Pursuit – Set A Fire – feat. Will Reagan : when we play this one we only use the main chorus “set a fire down in my soul…” and it has the same feel as the bridge of “the stand”. Basically it’s like throwing gasoline on the ol’ worship fire  Also, I’m sure the progression is 1 – 4 – 6 – 4… it’s pretty easy. Just start it low and then watch it take off…haha!

4 – Tim Hughes & Worship Central – Let It Be Known – feat. Tim Hughes : a newer upbeat song I heard from watching an online conference a few weeks ago. I’m always looking for fast songs and this one seems like it could be a lot of fun. I haven’t tried it live yet though.

5 – The Royal Royal – Praise Him – feat. Hillsong : super easy to play and another nice upbeat song. We use this one often and it’s a good solid congregational song.

6 – (medley) – Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)/Break Every Chain – feat. Gary Durbin : this idea is from a worship leader friend, Gary Durbin. He has the chart & audio clip for this on his blog (which is where this link leads you). This could be another great moment & I’m planning on using this idea soon.

Now it’s your turn – what setlist ideas are you using?

DJ

PS – I sent a bonus “sneak peak” to all who receive my newsletter about the upcoming details for our 2013 [5in5] event. I guarantee you won’t want to miss this year’s [5in5] songwriting event so sign up now using the box [to the right of this article] OR CLICK THIS LINK to be redirected to the signup page.

“Write your goals in concrete and your plans in sand.” – Anonymous

Hello my friends!

It has been a CrAZy month for us here at the (no-not-that-one-but-how-cool-would-that-be-if-it-were-the-actual) White House.

In case you had not yet heard, our family is moving to Omaha in July!

We are excited about the move and yet anxious about it too. We feel the sadness to be leaving the friends, family, and life we have known for 10+ years, and yet there is happiness in knowing we will join family and friends in the city I have loved since I was a kid. With all the various emotions this move is causing we know this is the step we are supposed to take as a family, so we are making THE LEAP.

I wanted to tell you all this so you knew what was going on, but also so that I could say this…I need to change plans.

As much as I love to challenge you, film piano videos for you, write music with you, and discuss ideas here with you, I need to take some time off to make this transition.

I do realize I have not gotten back to many of you about the thoughts/revision ideas I have for you. But not to worry…I have not forgotten.

Let’s make a new plan – keeping the original goal of making revisions to one of our [5in5] songs, we are going to move your revision due date to Tuesday, July 31st.

AND, I’m going to give myself the deadline of having all the revision emails sent out to you songwriters by Monday, July 2nd. So expect those notes soon.

You all are the best!

DJ

The 2 Minute Piano Lessons has returned & with it…the final lesson on The CHORD!

Next week we’ll move on to new concepts in our 2 Minute Piano Lessons. But, this week I have a few quick ideas to help you finish up using The CHORD.

PLUS in this video I’m giving you a secret riff (disguised as an exercise) that I use all the time on uptempo songs!

Also, if you’re not already a part of the daniel john email list you’re missing out. Just take a quick 5-seconds to sign up over on the right hand side of the page & I’ll immediately send you some FREE new music. You’ll also receive a monthly update when we post new videos, lessons, & songs here on the blog- so don’t miss out!

Here’s the 45-sec. bonus video on my secret delay riff:

Now that you’ve watched the video are there any things I can answer for you?

Or if you need a question to get you started: Are there any video lessons that you would like to see from me in the future?

As always, thanks for stopping by & watching. I REALLY appreciate you!

DJ