May 26, 2009
- Playing with Confidence
In the recent survey there were two related questions: "How to control stage fright?" and "Tips on playing in front of an audience."In looking at the questions it occurred to me a better question is "How to play with confidence."
Years ago I learned that even when the poles are far apart, there were a lot of people hitting telephone or electrical poles in accidents. Before the accident, turns out their predominant thought was 'I can't hit that pole!' You naturally head towards what you're focused on.
"How to control stage fright" presupposes you will have stage fright. When I first started playing the guitar, I was very nervous playing in front of people, so I'm not saying it doesn't exist. I does. You can experience stage fright, but you don't have to stay there. Stage fright can become a distant memory. Yes, every one of you can learn to play with full confidence.
Here are my suggestions for playing with full confidence: More on Playing with Confidence
May 18, 2009
- Tips On Practicing Music
In the last survey, quite a few people requested help with finding time to practice and tips on how to practice. Here are a few ideas that you may find helpful.
April 16, 2009
- I Know That My Redeemer Lives - Song
We just celebrated Resurection Sunday and I wanted to make you a song arrangement of 'I Know My Redeemer Lives.' I was hoping to have it for you before Easter Sunday, but didn't get a chance to get it out. Click here for the song. Hope you enjoy the song!
April 10, 2009
- New Headstock Tuner
I heard about a new headstock tuner and just got an opportunity to try one yesterday. Wow… it's so easy to use. It just clips on the head of you guitar and can tell what the note is by the vibration of your guitar.
February 19, 2009
- Encourage Young Musicians
In talking with Alice Adams the other day it got me thinking about my own musical journey and how special it is to both worship everyday and also to play for others. Alice shared with me how much they they are benefiting from the Worship Guitar Class program.What caught my attention was when she mentioned that her kids play once a month with a Christian bluegrass group. I remembered that as a young player I used to play once a month at hootenannies. These were casual musical evenings in private homes.
Some of you are Pastors or lead Home Groups. Keep your eyes open for opportunities to invite younger musicians to lead worship. If you are a worship leaders, why not ask less experienced players to join you?
More on Encourage Young Musicians
January 10, 2009
- Delightful Dolphins
God has His fingerprints all over this world. Here is a delightful video of dolphins creating and playing with bubble rings.
Years ago I was playing music at a wedding in a ship on the open seas. A school of dolphins were spotted in the distance. One of the wedding guests asked the captain to go out to them, but he relied that they would come to us because dolphins just loved ships.
December 25, 2008
- Merry Christmas - 2008
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. The birth of Christ was a unique time in history. Jesus emptied Himself to show us God's Love. Can you imagine the Creator of the Universe entering the human race as a fragile dependent baby! He is coming back, but the next time it's not going to be so discreet. No one will miss the second coming of Christ.
December 4, 2008
- His Thoughts Outnumber The Sand
In the last Worship Guitar Class Newsletter I mentioned my thoughts on Psalm 139:16-17:"How precious are Your thoughts towards me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand"
Cheryl Perry sent me this photo and message:
Dear Jean,
I have received your email for a few years now and want to say how much I enjoy the scripture you included today with your mini testament. I too love the beach and have a great appreciation for it. Being a sister in Christ also, I am part of a women's group that shares what God has done for us and ways we can serve Him better.
I have made a ministry of using personal photos that I have taken and placing scripture with them. Here is the one that I used for today along with the scripture that you have brought to light. This photo however is of me at Wilmington Beach, NC taken by my husband.
God bless you and your ministry.
Cheryl D. PerryTami sent this fascinating email with the actual sand count in a teaspoon and an excellent gift idea:
August 28, 2008
- Olympic Lessons for Christian Guitarists
I don't know about you, but I sure enjoyed watching the Olympics from Beijing. What an incredible opening night and how inspirational to hear the stories about these athletes.Did you notice how often the news commentators talked about their relaxed technique? I did. Several times the newscasters talked about Michael Phelps' relaxed swimming style. When Rebecca Soni finished swimming they mentioned her big smile and that you have to have a relaxed face to smile like that right after a swim.
May 23, 2008
- How To Practice The Guitar
Christian Guitar Practice - Pray First
The exciting difference between just practicing the guitar and using it as a tool for worshipping an Awesome God is that our purpose and focus shifts.
It's no longer just you learning to play the guitar. When you as God to help you, He can give you insights and help. You can use the guitar as a tool to worship Him. It helps to continue to ask Him for His help whenever you're playing the instrument.
In my guitar studio there were countless times when a student was having difficulties and I just said, '"Help him Lord.'" They always immediately played better. Then I'd always say '"Thank you Lord."
The first step as a Christian musician is to pray. Try to use your practice as a time of worship. It's a matter of where your heart is focused. It says in Scripture, if we seek Him with all of our hearts we will find Him. (For the rest of the article click the 'More' link below.). More on How To Practice The Guitar
May 20, 2008
- Laminin – It Holds Us Together
God is so AWESOME. I saw this video last night and it’s amazing how He glues us together with a substance that even looks like a cross.
April 18, 2008
- Praise and Worship
This year I’m reading through the ‘New Spirit Filled Life Bible’ translation. There are so many great versions of the Bible. I love reading all the commentaries from each one. In Psalm 99:5 it says,
March 19, 2008
- JW Worship Guitar Class on Facebook
Are you already in Facebook? I just posted a page there for Jean Welles Worship Guitar Class{TM.} Would love to have you become a ‘fan,’ Facebook is a great way to keep in touch and there are many people joining it every day. Click the blue link in this paragraph and when you get to the new URL, click the 'Become a fan' text in the upper right corner. You'll need to be logged in at Facebook to see this option.
- For Cat Lovers - a New Devotional Book
For those of you who love to read, there’s a new book out by my good friends Dottie Adams and Marion Wells, with their friend Connie Fleishauer.
It’s called Purr-ables from Heaven, Devotions for Cat Lovers.
On Page 71, Dottie talks about her friend Jean, a songwriter, worship leader and guitar teacher. I’m the Jean, it’s me.
Dottie is a teaching director for a Community Bible Study class. I was her worship leader for many years. You can listen to some of her teaching at DottieAdams.com.
Dottie, Marion and Connie are all wonderful writers and this book will encourage you in your walk with Christ. I highly recommend their new book. If you love cats and love to read… you'll especially adore this book.
To the left of this article is a link to order their book from Amazon.com, for your convenience.
On the back cover of Purr-ables from Heaven it says:
March 8, 2008
- Amazing Grace - Arrangements for you
In deep gratitude John Newton wrote ‘Amazing Grace’ over 200 years ago. Ex-slave trader turned preacher, John knew first hand God’s amazing grace!
Later, John Rees wrote the last verse, which is my favorite verse:
February 14, 2008
- Ruth - Known by her Love
I just finished reading the book of Ruth again. What a wonderful woman! Ruth had such a commitment to Naomi, her mother-in-law. She was loyal, a hard worker and humble. At the end of the book, the woman of Bethlehem told Naomi:
“May he (the son of Ruth & Boaz) be to you a restorer of your old age, for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, and is better to you than seven sons, has born him.”
The whole town saw Ruth’s love and beautiful traits!
More on Ruth - Known by her Love
January 26, 2008
- She Wanted To Quit the Worship Guitar Class
At the end of one of my worship guitar classes, Vicki wanted to quit. It was just the first lesson but she was discouraged that she couldn’t even understand how chord charts worked. It just seemed much harder than she thought!
December 4, 2007
- O Come O Come Emmanuel
My gift to you this Christmas is an arrangement I made for this lovely song. The Bible ends with a statement from Jesus that He is returning soon. It could be tonight. A pastor I know received Christ at the window of an AAA store, while buying car insurance.
November 7, 2007
- Guitar Ministry
King David didn't play the guitar, but if he had one I bet he would have written some beautiful worship songs with it!
Carlton and Sharon Jones are helping modern day 'Davids' acquire guitars in obscure places around the world. They started a ministry that gives guitars to missionaries - guitarministries.com.
November 5, 2007
- Fear Not!
Why does Jesus keep telling us to “Fear Not?” He tells us because we need to hear it. We have pretty amazing minds that can create vivid pictures of whatever we focus on.
If you watch and listen to the news, most of what we see or hear is pretty dismal. There are wars, famines, fires and threats of all sorts.
We have real enemies who would love to destroy us. We think our enemies are terrorist groups or specific people, but if you pull the veil back, it’s orchestrated by demonic powers.
More on Fear Not!
