The Musical Superpower You Can Learn

It happened again last summer.

Our band had been invited to a college weekend getaway out in Fremont, NE. I was playing keys when our worship leader turned to me between songs and whispered, "Let's add 'Christ Be Magnified' right after this one."

No rehearsal. No chord chart. No warning. Just a spontaneous addition moments before we needed to play it.

For many keyboard players (or any band member, really), this could trigger instant anxiety. But instead, I just nodded, mentally worked out the key, and when the time came, played it as if we'd practiced it all week.

This isn't some special talent I was born with. It's something I learned, practiced, and refined over time – the ability to play piano by ear.

It's been a while since my last email – about two months, actually. Between work demands, attending all the events for our daughter's senior year, and a minor health hiccup (all good now!), life’s been wonderfully full. Sometimes you need to step away and it was good to be fully present for the moments that matter most.

Thanks for sticking with me during this quiet period - I'm excited to be back with regular newsletters again.

During this break, I've been secretly working on something I think you'll find valuable – especially if you've ever wanted to develop your ability to play piano by ear. It's just about ready, and I can't wait to share it with you next week.

In the meantime, I'd love to hear from you. What have you been working on musically? Any particular skills or techniques you've been trying to develop on piano?

Reach out and let me know – I read every response and would genuinely like to hear about your musical journey.

Looking forward to reconnecting,

- Dan -

P.S. Next week I'll be sharing a completely free resource I've developed to help you begin growing your 'playing by ear' skills, so stay tuned!