heartbeat for worship

Live Acoustic KJ & Will

2011-01-24T07:11:00.001-08:00

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The KJ and Will show!... Just kidding everyone. ; Last week I had the privilege of rehearsing with KJ Scriven for a worship concert in Florence South Carolina. This is an original song KJ wrote that we only performed once together. We only rehearsed the song together once before we shot this video. KJ is one of those artists you have to pay close attention to because his style is often full of improvisation. Also KJ is a drummer so he knows what he likes and wants. That can be intimidating if you are not confident and the artist is not humble. KJ however is a very humble guy and I will say that we are of one heart and mind musically. While performing together we tend to speak the same language, spiritually, emotionally, and technically. I believe this is a good video to display improvisation, creativity, and technique upon the congas in an urban, jazz, pop, Gospel & R&B type setting (whew that is a mouthful). The tones and notes I am applying here are bass, slap, muff and some open notes. Focus mainly on the bass, slap, and muff and use open to accent the breaks and vocals of the song. I find that in many melodic soulful or pop settings it is very important to use a combination of bass and muff to deliver a full fat sound. The bass gives it the low end and the muff delivers a full softer open resonance of the drum.

Below this paragraph is a rough notation of what I am actually playing.
Remember L=Left hand R=Right hand B=Bass S=Slap M=Muff and T=Touch (although in this scenario the touches are not necessarily ghost notes but rather slightly softer than a regular open or muff tone. Listen to the sound and let that be your guide. It should blend well with the rythm.) The Bass is played on the 1 and downbeats while slaps are used for the accent. Notice artists like KJ will have a body language that will tell you when and where to play the downbeat or on the one. In this case when he rocks forward, dips his right shoulder and administers a harder sharper down stroke on the guitar that is him feeling the downbeat or bass as well as the accents. Also the intonation and inflection of his voice will change. There are improvisations of course and this is only a crude explanation however I hope it gives insight to what is going on in our minds as we play. A lot of it is in technique and development of such but the reliance upon following your heart after you have practiced (what "feels" right) and above all God's guidance during the song should be your strongest leading. God bless you guys and don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and give us feedback.

Percussion Instruction Podcast; Congas/percussion in worship/pop

2011-01-11T20:35:00.001-08:00

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This is the first part of a new series where I will be uploading videos of playing with other instrumentation to show some ideas of how to apply the congas, cajon, djembe, shakers, etc. to modern styles and genres of music. Notice here towards the end that I use a "tumbao" shortly to show how Latin or other actual patterns can be applied to contemporary styles. The song is actually Revelation song and can be found by searching for Phillips Craig and Dean as well as Kari Jobe. ;The next video upload for this podcast will be a series to further explain practice methods as it pertains to the rudiments found in Lawrence Stone's famous

Multicultural Worship Concert Heartbeat 2010

2010-09-30T09:28:00.001-07:00

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Multi-Cultural worship concert featuring percussion and music from around the world. Award winning percussionist Luis Conte & Lou Santiago Jr., Phil Routszong and Unveil, Trinity Takeover (Latin Dance & Reggaeton artists) and more...
Find out more about the event and purchase tickets at ;http://www.itickets.com/events/245207/Fayetteville_NC/Heartbeat_for_Worship.html?brand=22

Multicultural Worship Concert Heartbeat 2010

2010-09-30T08:43:00.001-07:00

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Percussion Instruction Podcast; Rudiments on Congas Pt.1

2010-06-23T23:46:00.001-07:00

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In this episode we continue to explore rudiments on congas and how they can be used. This is part 1 in a series and we will go more into the clave, contemporary worship and Gospel settings/ styles, as well as improvisation using different rudiments.

Watch the Heartbeat For Worship DVD trailer

2010-05-18T12:02:00.001-07:00

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Heartbeat for Worship DVD available Friday May 28, 2010For those of you who can we are asking if you can share this video. Thank you and God bless you!

Stick Control Part 3

2010-04-03T19:34:00.001-07:00

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In this episode we are continuing to explore stick control techniques and basic rudiment exercises.

Stick Control Part Two

2010-03-25T22:22:00.001-07:00

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In this episode we explore some rudiments and exercises to develop technique and hand control.

Stick Control & Open Slap Series

2010-03-07T15:20:00.001-08:00

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In this episode we will be exploring the concept of stick control and further instruction of the open slap. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast. Also please feel free to ask questions and leave a comment!

Percussion Instruction; Melodies and Improvisation

2010-01-21T21:06:00.001-08:00

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In this episode we continue to explore the possibilities of providing melodies upon the congas and how to improvise using a reference point to come back to the melody.

Conga Solo On three Congas

2010-01-01T11:10:00.001-08:00

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This solo is designed to derive ideas for improvisation upon the congas. I hope you enjoy and don't forget to subscribe.

Ghatam Podcast Part 1

2009-12-31T13:08:00.001-08:00

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In this episode I am introducing a new episode to the podcast. The Ghatam is a clay pot from India with beautiful tones.

Three Conga Solo

2009-12-27T20:19:00.001-08:00

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This episode is a conga solo designed to help implement some of the ideas that were discussed in the rhythmic concepts. I hope it helps and everyone enjoys.

Rythmic Concepts on Congas Part 1

2009-12-18T12:58:00.001-08:00

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Second part of Rythmic Concepts on the congas. Exploring the triplet, five stroke rolls and accents...

Rythmic Concepts on Congas Part 1

2009-12-15T23:11:00.001-08:00

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in this podcast we explore some of the melodic ideas of playing on the congas and specific movements such as the five stroke roll and triplets. The tumbao however is found however in 4/4 just as often as in songs in 6. Thanks for watching!

Tuning The Congas Part 2

2009-09-25T07:03:00.001-07:00

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Episode two of tuning the congas. In this episode we will be going over how to tune your congas. We will begin from the very basics and then further develop more complex techniques in coming episodes. thank you for viewing. Please visit the blog on my site at www.heartbeatforworship.com and leave any comments or questions you may have. Also please subscribe to our email list so that we may notify you of future events. Thank you and may God bless you!

Intro To Tuning Your Congas

2009-09-24T21:47:00.001-07:00

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In this episode we will be going over how to tune your congas. We will begin from the very basics and then further develop more complex techniques in coming episodes. thank you for viewing. Please visit the blog on my site at www.heartbeatforworship.com and leave any comments or questions you may have. Also please subscribe to our email list so that we may notify you of future events. Thank you and may God bless you!

Slap Continued

2009-08-01T10:59:00.001-07:00

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In this episode we explore the slap tone on the congas and include the "muff".

2009-07-31T21:09:00.000-07:00

Hello eyeryone! I am working on uploading some videos! Hope to see something in a couple days! Pass on the word about the new site! William

Slap Tone On Congas Part Two

2009-06-07T22:31:00.001-07:00

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Part two of the "slap" technique on the congas. In this lesson we will explore further the slap technique of hand drumming as it pertains to the congas. More specifically we will be explaining the open slap tone. Victor VillaFania will be with us in this episode and the next several ones to come. He is a tremendous percussionist and very humble. So humble in fact he requested himself that he'd rather not speak much. We will however have him speak more in the very near future since he has so much to offer in the way of playing and teaching. Enjoy, and please feel free to send us your questions. The link to our podcast is on the site www.heartbeatforworship.com. God bless you all!

Conga Heel Toe Technique

2009-05-04T20:36:00.001-07:00

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In this podcast we will introduce the "heel toe" and go over a couple exercises to develop it. Please feel free to post questions on the blog. You can also go to www.heartbeatforworship.com for additional resources and information. The new website is currently being upgraded and will be ready in June. We do encourage you to subscribe to our podcast so that you may recieve automatic updates on new episodes. Thank you for watching.

Conga Slap tone Part 1

2009-04-11T21:34:00.001-07:00

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*This is a shorter version and will download faster. In this episode we will go over the slap tone on the congas. We will also go over a couple of exercises to develop the technique further. Thank you everyone for your patience in waiting for this podcast. We will do our best to upload future episodes more frequently. Please visit my blog and post any questions you may have. You can go to www.heartbeatforworship.com and follow the link for the blog. If you subscribe to my podcast on my blog or in itunes you will be automatically notified of future episodes by email. Also feel free to visit the site and drop us a line and let us know how you are doing. God bless you and heaven smile upon you is my prayer. William

2009-03-25T21:54:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that a bunch of new videos will be added to the percussion instruction library next week. I will be adding a couple perhaps initially to make up for the gap. I want to thank everyone for there patience!
William

Grace

2009-03-04T19:09:00.000-08:00

Well this post is not a percussion post, but seeming as this is also a Christian worship blog it was impressed upon my heart to write this note.

I noticed new grey hairs on my wife today. Surprisingly they were very striking to me. They symbolized the beautiful grace God has given to her and me through the years. I am still a young man (30) but yet it seems like yesterday when I was just a child worshipping my father...my personal superhero, and now here I am a father. Shaving is no longer as exciting as it once was during my adolescence, and I am just starting to feel sore on Monday after service (only slightly guys of course depending upon how hard I played :)) What I am trying to say is that life is very short and we should treasure each moment. When the weight of the world seems to be resting on your shoulders and there is so much yet to do...do not forget about or ignore the very ones who love you. Before you know it they will be fathers and you will be an old man reflecting upon those precious days of their dependence upon you. If I could put it in musical terms... the rhythm of your life will one day be over and the song will end. Make each moment count...

Percussion Instruction Episode 3; Exercises For Congas

2009-02-28T17:36:00.000-08:00

In this episode we will be going over a couple exercises to develop good technique on the congas. Thanks to everyone who has waited patiently. If you have any questions leave them in the comment box and I will try my best to answer all of them as quickly as I can.

If you would like to stay updated on these episodes add your email address to our newsletter list in the form below.
Episodes are usually uploaded and emailed once a week.
We respect your email privacy and will never spam you or share your email address with anyone

Also, The new album Freedom; Joybeat is soon to be released. For more information be sure to visit the main site at heartbeatforworship.com
Thanks again.
William
The Percussion Instruction Podcast

Percussion Instruction Episode 2; Closed Tones, Congas

2009-02-04T09:46:00.001-08:00

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Right click here to download

In this episode we continue with the closed tones. It is basic but presents instructionon how to produce a good "closed" note on the conga drum. In future episodes we will expound on this tone further as well as exercises to develop the note. Thank you for viewing and as always, God bless you!

If you would like to stay updated on these episodes add your email address to our newsletter list in the form below.
Episodes are usually uploaded and emailed once a week.
We respect your email privacy and will never spam you or share your email address with anyone

http://heartbeatforworship.com

Podcast Instruction Episode 1; Introduction to the Congas

2009-01-28T07:35:00.000-08:00

Download video by right clicking here and clicking save file as

Hello Everyone,

This is part one of the conga introduction with percussionist William Johnson.Learn about history, tuning and basic strokes of the congas. In this video I am playing on two intermediate level Toca congas. They have a good sound. If you are looking for a professional level sounding conga, I play Isla Percussion congas and they have an awesome sound. Also I have a set of Meinl Luis Conte signature congas that sound really nice as well. If you have any questions on what drums to buy contact me and I will be happy to assist you.
If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them in the comment box below
You can also subscribe to the percussion instruction podcast in iTunes or through the email subscription form at heartbeatforworship.com
Thank you

If you would like to stay updated on these episodes add your email address to our newsletter list in the form below.
Episodes are usually uploaded and emailed once a week.
We respect your email privacy and will never spam you or share your email address with anyone

Will
www.heartbeatforworship.com

2008-07-09T20:39:00.000-07:00

As I pen this blog (It is ironic I understand to use such terminology in the digital world we live in:)) I am currently listening to a song on my itunes that was accidentally picked. It is amazing how in life we go through so many different transitions. Joy, pain, tears of sadness, death, deceit, love, marriage, new families, etc are all a part of the journey of life. More importantly however it is an amazing fact that the purpose of life is to dwell in the presence of God...to fellowship in with Him in true friendship. As the notes of a song long forgotten drop like honey upon my eardrums it is the memories of a sweet communion with a God who is too big to go unnoticed but easy to forget by us mere mortals that intoxicates my heart. My friend...the heart of a worshiper is to be compared to a fabric woven by intricate threads of grace, thankfulness, love, mercy, and most of all, a broken heart...willing to admit that sin only leads to death, but His presence is life! These are perhaps random, contemplative, meditative thoughts but if I could leave you with one great thought it would be this...To die is gain, but to live is Christ...Jesus Christ that is. The pursuit of happiness my friend, ends in Him. Unless He takes the place in your heart that was designed for Him to fill (which only He can) you will only find yourself falling into a life led by anxiety, irritation, and frustration. If you confess with your mouth, and believe in your heart that the Lord raised Jesus Christ from the dead, and ask Him to live in your heart and help you in this life...you will be saved. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life! God Bless You!

William

Practical Ministry

2008-06-29T16:17:00.000-07:00

Now I must first say that I do realize that ministry in and of itself is to be practical. What my intentions of this blog are is to point out that sometimes in ministry or serving God with our lives we can so easily skip over the importance of a thing or event perhaps because it may not seem as though it is linked to ministry. Allow me to explain it this way. I was downtown one Friday night witnessing with some brothers from my church and a very interesting thing happened. We had flyers made up with the intention to witness Christ's Salvation as well as inviting them to church. Though it was in my mind perhaps to do such, I was not sure about telling anyone about the Heartbeat For Worship Celebration. It was my cousin, who also happens to be a co-laborer in the Gospel and my church began to tell people about the Heartbeat For Worship. In my mind I was thinking "well I do not want to advertise for something I am doing, but instead to remain focused on witnessing and inviting people to church". I was thinking small and did not even realize it. After talking to a couple of guys that were playing in a drum circle one of the brothers I was with askked me if I had told them (the drummers) about the concert (which happens to be a percussion/drumming concert). I replied no because I was not sure if I should since our main goal was otherwise. He responded..."it's ministry". That was all I needed to hear for the blinders to come from off of my spiritual eyes and be convicted. Who was I to think that the Heartbeat For Worship was "my thing". Now of course I do not really feel that way, but that was the way I was indirectly acting. God placed the idea of the concert and future conference in my heart as a strategy and tool to reach the lost and inspire believers. If it was God then, then at also means that since my church is endorsing it it is fruit from the church. It in no way competed with what we were doing but granted it was an extra tool in the toobox to do ministry for us that night. Sometimes we forget that the very details and fine makeup of our character and event the major events of our life can not only be used by God to do ministry, but also may be ordained to do such. This life is not our own. We are word in the earth. A message from God. That means that like Jacob God will bless the strategy that He gives to you because your heart desires to do His will. Your ministry no matter how practical or simple it may seem to the untrained and unsensitive eye is not a misnomer, mistake, or coincidental detail faction that is made up on a whim. No, as a matter of fact it may be an integral part of who you are. Whether crochet, drawing, painting, graphic design, web design, music, serving in any capacity that lines up with the Bible (the Word of God), if you are doing it because it is what you have a passion for and find yourself doing on a regular ask the Holy Spirit for *Divine Insight on how to put it in motion for the kingdom of God!

William

http://www.heartbeatforworship.com/

www.myspace.com/hearteatforworship

*For more on "Divine Insight" contact me for teaching lessons from Overcoming Church Ministries

http://www.overcomingchurch.com/

The Power of Inspiration

2008-05-25T20:13:00.000-07:00

The power of inspiration is often taken for granted. Many times we are under the misconception that imagination is completely unreal and separated from the natural. However as Christians we are not only given power and authority over the natural and tangible things that we see, but we are visionaries. We were created to be creative, because our God who is our maker is creative. This may sound redundant and unimportant, but one of the main things that satan attacks is our imagination. He desires to destroy our mind by placing us under bondage and therefore stifling our creativity and ability to imagine. I am not talking about fairy tales and stories that are just for play, but the power of vision. Everything that you see was once invisible to the natural eye, but eventually came into existence. This is not limited to nature, but it is also connected to business ideas, architecture, paintings and drawings, books, poems, music and song...etc. God has given us the ability to imagine not just for fun but for creativity. This creativity was given to us so that we may continue to have dominion and authority. What inspires you. What causes you to imagine. As long as it lines up with the Word of God it is imperative that you hold it near and dear to your heart. My friend, what causes you to dream...a painting, a song? If you can dream it...if you can imagine it...you can build it or have it built. Protect and nurture the things that inspire you, and you will be preserving your imagination.

The Hunger & Appetite Of A Worshipper

2008-04-26T14:25:00.000-07:00

There are times throughout the day when I develop an insatiable appetite for God's presence. It is not because of some mystical or unexplainable gifting that I have...but from a preparation to be in His will. When I go to the things that inspire me to worship, and wait in His presence, they feed my spirit, and therefore the hunger begins to develop. Like an athlete who trains with an indescribable fervor and works up an appetite after a training session, so is my hunger derived. What inspires you to get in God's presence? The last time you spent hours or minutes dancing and praying in His presence do you remember which vehicle it was that got you there? No I do not mean your actual car or truck, but what song, conversation, scripture, painting, etc. Whatever causes you to gain that momentum...do not stop it. The war for the Christian believer is the fight not to be distracted from the passion that develops your appetite for spiritual things such as prayer, fasting, and reading His Word as well as of course going to church. So, what is your inspiration? What develops your hunger? Keep it close to you and guard it for dear life!

William Johnson