Elevating the Worship of God by empowering musicians through the fundamentals of music.

The last fifteen years of serving in ministry of music has been a great privilege. Prior to serving as a full-time worship leader, I earned my living as a professional musician, in a career spanning some twenty-five years. I was fortunate to play alongside many talented and notable musicians. And in that time, whether working with monster musicians, building worship teams, or being a part of them, my forty plus years has taught me that there is a towering need for musicians to learn, if not master, the fundamentals.

A musician can be very gifted indeed, but when the basic language of their music does not come as natural as their speech, their gifting is hampered. It is not nearly developed as it can be, nor is the musician with latent knowledge ready to step into positions where God might unexpectedly lead. This can lead to dissatisfaction, stagnation, and being put on a shelf.

I too once came from such a place. I was a street-guy - an ear-player. Regardless of my gifts, I soon realized my craft had more holes than Swiss cheese. For me, the stark awareness of my deficiencies came to me while at a recording session in Los Angeles with first call recording musicians. I quickly discovered I was out of my league. I had always been confident in my abilities, but this sudden and very real feeling of inadequacy came as an utter shock. I knew then that I would have to do what it took to learn the language of music and ensure I would be equipped to handle whatever opportunity came my way.

By the grace of God I escaped this harrowing session - but barely. My natural abilities (God’s gifting) had taken me to places I had only dreamed, but the Lord showed me that His gift would take me only so far. If I wanted to make the most of it, I would need a baptism in fundamentals, and then some.

Regardless of how long a player has been at their instrument, many a musician’s talents, and the degree to which they might experience a more fulfilling sense of musical expression, are being shackled by faulty and incomplete knowledge. For a broad range of musicians, there are a host of deficiencies in the very basics of their craft. Understandably, I would prefer the holes in ones music be whole-notes rather than deficits. It is out of this concern, and a desire to see musicians excel in any venue God has in store, that 12 Tone ministry has emerged and exists today.

12 Tone has been designed to help every musician and vocalist develop the fundamentals of music - clearly, precisely, and at a quick pace. There is absolutely no requirement to read music in order to benefit from the materials prepared for you. The only stipulation we have is twofold: there must be a basic knowledge of one’s instrument, and a strong work ethic to grow.  As is with all life’s opportunities, what we get out of something depends largely on what we put into it.

Our prayer is that 12 Tone will be of great value to you and that our service will not only bring you personal joy, but it will translate to those who are blessed by your gift of music.

God bless,
Pastor Vernon Porter