Step 3 - Blending Effects
Right click your text layer, and open blending effects. We are only going to add a base gradient to the layer, all other effects will be on new layers.

   * Check ìGradient Overlayî
   * Leave the default gradient
   * Set the blending mode to ìSoft Lightî
   * Set the Opacity to around 70%

You now have a base gradient.