February 3, 2010
- New Guitar Course
I'm working on a new guitar course that should start coming out, Lord willing, in February. Am currently working on Lesson 4 of a 17 week course. It will teach you how to read notes on the guitar, plus music theory. It's going to be geared towards the worshipper who wants to understand music and learn how they can easily transpose songs to any key and how chords and scales are constructed.
January 2, 2010
- Goals For The New Year
There is something about setting GOALS in a New Year. One of my goals is to read through the Bible every year. In 19981 I met an older believer who mentioned he had read through the Bible every year for the last 50+ years.
November 18, 2009
- Christmas Songs and Solos
Would you like to learn some fun arrangements of Christmas Songs? I have just made a new book and DVD that contains both the solo arrangements and chords for 14 familiar Christmas Songs.
September 4, 2009
- Delight Yourself In The Lord
Last weekend my Women's Bible Study attended a simulcast with Beth Moore. There were over 500 churches in 8 countries participating. Over 90,000 women were looking into the treasures in God's Word. He had given us such wonderful promises!The particular study last weekend was on Psalm 37 and focused on Psalm 37:4. I've always loved this verse and see that God changes our desires to more more like His desires. He gives us the desire to worship Him and inspires people to write such beautiful worship songs! (Will be announcing the next Worship Contest soon.)
Psalm 37:4 says:
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Beth had a good visual for us to remember, using verses in Psalm 37. She suggested looking at your JAW if we weren't delighting in God. More on Delight Yourself In The Lord
August 27, 2009
- Healthy Smoothies
How To Make Healthy Smoothies
God has made such a wonderful variety of foods for us to enjoy. One of my favorite meals is combining His fruits and vegetables in healthy smoothies. I made a short video to give you some ideas for making your own drinks. More on Healthy Smoothies
June 10, 2009
- The Cat and Deer
This is a very charming video that will put a smile on your face. The second half of the video is the cutest. God has certainly made 'A Wonderful World.' Here the the delightful friendship of a cat and a young deer.
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.
March 25, 2009
- Breathtaking Moments
God has created a beautiful place for us to live. I shared in a Newsletter one of the breathtaking moments I experienced backpacking. On an early morning walk, I saw a grove of trees with delicate round leaves. A soft breeze was making them shimmer and with the light of the morning sun, they sparkled and danced like shining silver dollars. I took my breath away!
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.
