Dave Helmuth 2/18/26 Dave Helmuth 2/18/26

Confidence

The note ringing out from the bass in my hands was jarring and dissonant. I quickly stopped it and frantically tried to find out which key we were playing in. If you had been in my head a few moments before, it might have sounded something like this...

Dave Helmuth 1/21/26 Dave Helmuth 1/21/26

Singing With A Click?

“Should the singers have click in their ears?” many a worship leader has asked.

I can almost feel the visceral reactions as you read that.

Dave Helmuth 11/12/25 Dave Helmuth 11/12/25

Chord Nuances

Slash chords, color chords, inversions, and magic chords shape musical expression. I'll illustrate their unique roles with piano examples, but all melodic instruments can benefit from understanding these nuances.

Dave Helmuth 10/15/25 Dave Helmuth 10/15/25

Resurrender

There’s a song the 16 church worship teams will sing at this Saturday’s workshop in Lancaster. Though it’s not widely known—currently at number 473 on Planning Center Online’s Top Songs chart—it carries a message our community especially needs.

Dave Helmuth 10/8/25 Dave Helmuth 10/8/25

The Five Faders Book is HERE!

Have you appreciated receiving the Worship Fertilizer or any of the many resources from Ad Lib Music?

Can I ask you a big favor?

The Five Faders book launches TODAY!

Dave Helmuth 8/13/25 Dave Helmuth 8/13/25

Steady Beats Cool

I love that my kids are multi-instrumentalists. Most mornings, we have family worship from 7:30 to 8:00. We take turns choosing the songs and rotate on the instruments from piano, bass, drums, acoustic or electric guitar, violin, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, percussion, and of course, voice.

Dave Helmuth 7/9/25 Dave Helmuth 7/9/25

The Berkey Water Filter and the Scarcity Mindset

“Dad, aren’t you going to use filtered water to soak the oats?” Aspen scolded.

Dave Helmuth 6/18/25 Dave Helmuth 6/18/25

Need A Suppository?

I was reviewing a worship video recording for a local church. I was struck by the singular thing they could do to improve their music quickly and increase congregational engagement exponentially.

Dave Helmuth 5/21/25 Dave Helmuth 5/21/25

Why You Don’t Know What To SAY When You Lead Worship

Have you ever felt stuck at what to say when you open a worship service or introduce a song?

Dave Helmuth 5/14/25 Dave Helmuth 5/14/25

How To Avoid Song Killers

Every week, our team sets about the task of creating music to worship with. We create spaces where our congregation can meet with God. And we do it primarily through the tool of music.

Dave Helmuth 4/23/25 Dave Helmuth 4/23/25

Light A Fire

Sometimes lighting a fire feels like lighting you’re using soaking-wet wood. It’s impossible despite your best efforts. Other times, the gas-lit fire practically jumps on you.

Dave Helmuth 1/1/25 Dave Helmuth 1/1/25

Hack: Learning New Songs

Do you struggle to learn new songs? Before you say you don’t, let me clarify what I mean.

Dave Helmuth 6/13/24 Dave Helmuth 6/13/24

Rehearsal Notes

Next week, I fly to Columbus, Ohio, to encourage a worship and creative team. I’ll be rehearsing them and leading the Sunday services as part of the training weekend. In preparation, I’m sending them notes on one of the songs we’ll lead.