LadyDpiano: Learn How To Play Gospel Music

Learn how to play gospel piano, gospel piano lessons!

Learn Gospel Songs By Ear

Learn how to play gospel piano by ear. For free gospel piano lessons visit our gospel piano site. There are lots of gospel piano courses from beginner to advance.

Musicians, check out gospel piano lessons at:

http://www.icanplaygospel.com

Ascending bass run (1-5):

Ab C Db D Eb F Gb G Ab

Descending bass run (1-5):

Ab Gb F E Eb F Gb G Ab

So, a good break down on l.h. bass walk downs can be found by the best teacher of Gospel music, Jermaine Griggs at his blog on "How to Play Uptempo Shouting Music By Ear!"

http://www.hearandplay.com/main/how-to-play-uptempo-shouting-music-by-ear

Ascending bass run (1-4):

Ab Bb B C Db F Gb G Ab

Descending bass run (1-4):

Ab Gb Eb D Db F Gb G Ab

Play Shouting Music Today!

So, what are bass runs?

"In popular music, a walking bass is a style of bass accompaniment or line, common in jazz, which creates a feeling of regular quarter note movement, akin to the regular alteration of feet while walking.

Thus walking basslines generally consisting of unsyncopated notes of equal value, usually quarter notes (known in jazz as a "four feel"). Walking basslines use a mixture of scale tones, arpeggios,chromatic runs, and passing tones to outline the chord progression of a song or tune, often with a melodic shape that alternately rises and falls in pitch over several bars.

Walking basslines are usually performed on the double bass or the electric bass, but they can also be performed using the low register of a piano, Hammond organ, or other instruments. While walking bass lines are most commonly associated with jazz and blues, they are also used in rock, rockabilly, ska, R&B, gospel, latin, country, and many other genres."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walking_bass

Another article I found regarding playing shout music can be found at:

http://www.strugglingchurchmusician.us/shouting-music

And another great resource you will want to sign up for free newsletters:

http://www.learngospelmusic.com/articles/view.php?1gmid=4

Now let's say you want to slow things down a bit. I found this cool technique online from Matthew Stephens newsletter:

http://thepianobyear.com

* Hand Technique

The tenth chord is an excellent technique you can use on your left hand. The 10th chord is basically following this:

Every major chord is made up of these three numbers 1-3-5 of the scale played simultaneously. Basically, the 10th chord is made up of these three numbers inverted and played either simultaneously or in a "roll" form.

1-5-3 (the 3 actually becomes the 10)

For example:

C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
1 2 3 4 7 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

That means that on the left hand you would play C-G-E. Now this may be rather hard for some of you. In fact, when I started playing the 10th chord I have to "roll" it until my fingers stretched out enough to play it as a chord. I have small hands...lol!

* How Do I Use The 10th Chord On Slow To Moderate Songs?

The most common way of using the 10th chord is to use the left hand on most "down" beats. It creates a wonderful full sound. Another common way to use the 10th chord is in a roll. This would mean the pianist would create the rhythm to the song playing the following numbers:

Moving up the keyboard: 1-5-3-5-1 (repeat)

Give your left hand a work out with Gospel piano bass runs!

All the best,
~ LadyD