Learn To Play Gospel: God Favored Me by Hezekiah Walker

 I love to play Gospel. It is always a pleasure to hear from fellow musicians how much they enjoy playing Hezekiah Walker's songs. Robert, thanks for your note and I hope you will look at the links for additional resources to answer your video request on "Souled Out."





Also, thanks Byron for sending a note my way. I think you'll find this video tutorial an excellent teaching source for learning how to chord the song, God favored Me by Hezekiah Walker. I have posted most of the chords here, so have a listener and tell me how it goes for you. Most requests from my readers are for the church musician but I teach piano to all ages and at all levels. Thanks a bunch for writing and for all your positive feedback. It's very encouraging to hear from you.

Hezekiah Walker-God Favored Me Part 1 (intro)





1. Chords to Song (God Favored Me)


DAD/ ADGb

DAD/ ADbE

DAD/ GBD

        / EADb

        / GBD

       
        / BDEG




        / ADGb


        / ADbE



 2. Intro Chords to God Favored Me

DAD/ DEGbA  (r.h. single notes: E,E,D,Db,D)
       
        / BDEG     (r.h. single notes: Gb,E,D,B,G)


        / DEGbA


3. Chord Chart:

DAD/ DEGbA


EBE/ DEGbA

DAD/ DEGbA

AD/ BDEG


DAD/ DEGbA

DAD/ BDEG

D/DEGbA

The song modulates to E and then to F#. It's a very beautiful song and I just love the lyrics. You will find another great tutorial of the song, God Favored Me, at:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCBLO1hJTxQ&feature=related


Blessings,
-- LadyD

Related Resources:

Souled Out by Hezekiah Walker

 ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2009/05/souled-out-by-hezekiah-walker.html

Chord Progressions for Souled Out by Hezekiah Walker
ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2009/08/progressions-used-in-souled-out-by.html


Progressions for Souled Out - Hezekiah Walker
 ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html

I Need You To Survive
ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2009/03/i-need-you-to-survive-hezekiah-walker.html


Hezekiah Walker - I Need You To Survive Lyrics
ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King
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Tips on Playing Phat Chords

I want to thank all of my readers for your messages. I appreciate all the requests and I will post some answers that will hopefully take your piano playing to the next level.
One reader, Akindele asked for help regarding phat chord application. You might want to check on my former posts regarding phat chords, too.
"PHAT" is just a slang term used by most musicians to define the flavour of Black Gospel music - specifically, the chord progressions. However, all phat chords are simply "extended" chords.
So let me explain what an extended chord is. Extended chords are mainly featured in Jazz music and you need a firm understanding of these chords in order to apply them effectively. This is because they don't make sense initially. Anyway, so to understand PHAT chords, you must have a good understanding of jazz chords, or extended chords. To understand extended chords, you must know scale degrees and how to form extended or altered chords. Let's look at an extended scale in C:

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

The number below each letter represents what position that note falls on in the scale. The C is the 1 chord, D is the 2 chord etc.

Most chords are built upon using the 1,3,5,7,9,11,&13th notes in the scale in varying combinations.  If we want to form a C7 chord for example, we have to use the notes C, E, G, and B, which would be a Bb.

If we want to form a C9 chord, we have to use all the previous notes plus add the D, which is the 9th note in the extended scale. C, E, G, Bb, D

Ok now we want to build a C11 chord.  Just add the llth note, which is F and we would have C, E, G, Bb, D, F Now you see why they are called extended chords. Now obviously you cannot play all six notes in the right hand. With extended chords, you must utilize both the right and left hands to get in all the notes. This is called voicing the chord and can be done a number of different ways. The easiest way is to play the 1 & 5 notes in the left hand, and play the others in the right. Left Hand/Right Hand or CG/BbDEF or another way might be to just play the CEG ( a C chord) in the left hand and BbDF (a Bb chord) in the right. Or CEG/BbDF. You always want to voice the chords with the root of the chord (It is the C here) in the pinky of the left hand as that becomes the base note and identifies what type of chord it actually is.

And then lastly, to form a C13 chord you would add the 13th note, A to the others for a whopping big ("phat") chord. C, E, G, Bb, D, F, A

Some chord charts will shorten the chord to just include the extended notes. They might list a C13 as having just C, Bb, D, F, A, which will work, but technically speaking, it is all 7 notes. Because there are numbers of ways to voice extended chords, a comparison of several different chord charts could yield different voicings. Do what works best for you. The chord needs to comfortable and easy for you to play and have the correct sound to it. Let your ear make the decision. (Great tips from Kwaku on Facebook).
 
 
1. Keyboardman sharing Phat Chord Patterns in G:
Here are some phat chord progressions I use in G. Now you have to have a good reach because I love to use all the fingers to phatten up the chord sound. Enjoy.........
L.h / R.h
G D / A B D Gb B
Gb Db E / A Db E Ab B
F C Eb / A D G B
E B D / G B E Gb A
D A D /F A C E G
Db / F B Eb G
C G C / E G D C
F C Eb / A D Eb G
G D / A B D Gb
2. Here's a popular hymn using smooth phat chords. Are you familiar with Because He lives?
Ab/ Gb-C-Eb-Ab, Gb-C-F    Db/ Bb-Db-F-Ab   Bb/ Ab-Db-F     A/ G-C-E
God sent his                           son                     they
Ab/ Gb-B-Eb  Db/ F-Bb-B-Eb  Gb/ F-Ab-Bb-Eb  G/ F-Ab-Bb-Db 
called                  him                  Jesus                  he         
C/ A-Ab-Bb-Eb   F/ C-Eb-F-Ab  G/ D-Eb-G-Bb   A/ Eb-Gb-A-C
came                   to love
Bb/ F-Ab-Bb-Db   Gb/ Bb-Eb-E-Ab  B/ Gb-Bb-Db-Eb  E/ Ab-Db-Gb
                            heal and              forgive
Eb/ A-Db-E   Ab/ A-C-Eb-Ab  Db/ A-Eb-F-Ab  Ab/ Gb-B-Eb  Db/ F-Bb-D
                      he lived and      died to              buy                my
Gb/ Ab-Bb-Db-F   Gb/ A-Db-E-Ab  B/ A-Db-Eb-Gb  Ab/ Ab-Db-F 
Pardon                    an                     empty                grave                     
Bb/ Ab-D-Gb  Eb/ G-Bb-Db-F  Ab/ Gb-Bb-Db-Eb, Gb-Bb-C-Eb 
is there               to prove                   my savior 
Db/ Eb-F-Ab-Db  Ab/ Eb-Ab-Db, Ab-C-Eb  Db/ Ab-C-F  Ab/ B-Eb-Gb   
lives                           because he                lives           I
Db/ F-B-Eb   Gb/ F-Bb-Eb  G/ E-A-Db  C/ Gb-B-Eb  F/ C-Eb-Ab   
can face         tomorrow          be          cause         he lives
F/A-Db-Eb-Ab, Gb  Bb/C-F-A  Eb/G-C-Db-F  Ab/Gb-Bb-Eb  Bb/F-Ab-Db 
                                                    all fear is        gone       because
C/Ab-C-Eb  Db/Ab-Db-F  G/B-Eb-G-Bb Gb/F-Ab-Bb-Eb  Eb/A-Db-Eb-Gb 
I                   know               he holds          the future     and
F/ Ab-Db-Eb-F   Gb/ A-Db-Eb-Gb  Ab/ Ab-Db-F    Bb/ D-Gb-Bb-Db   
    Life                    is                   worth the             living
Eb/ C-F-G-C   Ab/ Gb-Bb-C-Eb   B/ Eb-Ab-Db   
  just                 because            he lives
__________________

Fat Piano Chord Progression Voicings Phat 2








3. Mr. Phatness shares some phat chord tips over at gotphatchords.com 
Try this 2-5-1 out.. it may only be a few notes but it sounds great. These are rootless voicing meaning that the root of each chord is not being playing in either the LH or the RH so you could use these chords with either a bass player or when the organist is running bass.. I would use these chords during a slow song.. it has a that type of sound to me.

To get the sound if rootless voicing are new to you... play the bass note (BN) and use the sustain pedal to hold the bass note then move up the piano to play the chords...

You'll be in the key of C
Dm / G / C
BN/LH/RH

D/FC/EA
G/FB/EA
C/EA/DG

Now to the key of Db
Ebm / Ab / Db
BN/LH/RH

Eb/GbDb/FBb
Ab/GbC/FBb
Db/FBb/EbAb

Keep going until you get to Gb, now play the 2-5-1 progression this way when you get to key of Gb (this voicing will help you stay in the same range on the keyboard as you're changing keys... keeping the chord changes smooth...)
Key of Gb
Abm  / Db / Gb
BN/LH/RH

Ab/GbCb/EbBb
Db/FCb/EbAb
Gb/EbBb/DbAb

Now to key of G
Am / D / G
BN/LH/RH

A/GC/EB
D/F#C/EB
G/EB/DA


Continue to Cb and you've done you're 2-5-1 in every Major key!!! These are great voicings to use in group settings when the piano is not the only instrument.

All the best,
-- LadyD

Related Resources:
 ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2008/09/phat-chords.html 
www.playpianotoday.com/piano-lessons_phat_chord_voicings_2-video.html

Learn to Play Your Favorite Praise Songs by Ear in Minutes!

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King
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How To Play Far Away by Nickelback


Far Away: Music by Nickelback. Lyrics by Chad Kroeger

"Nickelback is a Canadian rock band from Hanna, Alberta, formed in 1995 by Chad Kroeger, Mike Kroeger, Ryan Peake and then-drummer Brandon Kroeger. While largely a rock band, the group has also experimented with various other musical styles such as pop and country, aside from their hard rock and post-grunge base. Nickelback is one of the most commercially successful Canadian groups, having sold 30 million records worldwide. Nickelback ranks as the 11th best selling music act of the 2000s, and is the 2nd best selling foreign act in the US behind The Beatles for the 2000s.  In December 2009, Nickelback were ranked 7th on Billboard Magazine's list of "Artists of the Decade" - both the highest-ranked band and the highest-ranked rock artist in the list. Billboard Magazine also named Nickelback as the Adult Pop Artist of the decade. The band has sold 21,000,000 album copies in the U.S." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickelback

Sheet Music:

For those who read sheet music, you can get a free download to Far Away by Nickelback.
http://www.sheetzbox.com/piano/sheets/8714/Nickelback-Far_Away_PianoChords.html


How to Play Far Away by Nickleback On Piano




Nickelback: All the Right Reasons (Piano/Vocal/Chords)
 

Nickelback Far Away Tab:

D          A           
This time, This place
Bm      E 
Misused, Mistakes
D         A
Too long, Too late
Bm          E
Who was I to make you wait
D
Just one chance
A
Just one breath
Bm              E
Just in case there's just one left
C#m
'Cause you know,
C#m       B
you know, you know

[CHORUS]
D
That I love you
A
I have loved you all along
Bm
And I miss you
E
Been far away for far too long
D            A       Bm  
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
E
and you'll never go
D      A         Bm 
Stop breathing if
E
I don't see you anymore
D            A           
On my knees, I'll ask
Bm              E 
Last chance for one last dance
D                A
'Cause with you, I'd withstand
Bm             E
All of Hell to hold your hand
D
I'd give it all
A
I'd give for us
Bm             E
Give anything, but I won't give up
C#m              C#m       Bm
'Cause you know, you know, you know

D
That I love you
A
I have loved you all along
Bm
And I miss you
E
Been far away for far too long
D            A       Bm  
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
E
and you'll never go
D      A         Bm 
Stop breathing if
E
I don't see you anymore
D
So far away
D
So far away
D
Far away for far too long
D
So far away
D
So far away
D
Far away for far too long
C#m           C#m       Bm
But you know, you know, you know
D
I wanted
A
I wanted you to stay
Bm
'Cause I needed
E
I need to hear you say
D
I love you
A
I loved you all along
Bm
And I forgive you
E
For being away for far too long
D
So keep breathing
A             Bm                 E
'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
D
Believe it
A             
Hold on to me,and never let me go
Bm
Keep breathing
E
'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
D
Believe it
A
Hold on to me never let me go
Bm
Keep breathing
E
Hold on to me, never let me go
D
Keep breathing
A
Hold on to me, never let me go

    

 Far Away Chords:

Chorus
B       F#m   
That I love you
Ab          Em
I have loved you all along
B        F#m
And I miss you
Ab                Em
Been far away for far too long
B        F#m          Ab
I keep dreamin' you'll be with me
     Em              B      F#m
And you'll never go stop breathin
Ab               Em
If I don't see you anymore
Chorus
B   F#m
I wanted
Ab          Em
I wanted you to say
B         F#m
Cause I needed 
    Ab     
I need to hear you say
C#        Ab  
That I love you
Bb              F#m
I have love you all along
C#          Ab
And I forgive you 
Bb                    F#m
For being far away for far too long
C#          Ab       Bb                   F#m
So keep Breathin' cause I'm not leavin' you anymore
C#     Ab     Bb                     F#m
Not leavin' hold on to me and never let me go
C#        Ab    Bb                    F#m
keep Breathin' cause I'm not leavin' you anymore
C#     Ab     Bb                     F#m
Not leavin' hold on to me and never let me go
C#        Ab    Bb                      F#m  
Keep Breathin' Hold on to me and never let me go
C#        Ab    Bb        F#m
Keep Breathin' and never let me go
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/n/nickelback/far_away_crd.htm


There's another song by Nickelback called How You Remind Me.
You'll find a riff lesson at: http://www.8notes.com/school/riffs/guitar/nickelback.asp
Looks something like this:
D-A-D, G-D-A-D, C-G-C, F-C-G-C



So, pretty much the chords on the original sheet music fro piano to Far Away is:
                                       6
Bmaj7,  F#sus, G#m7, E9 (and there's a C#2)

For the chorus, you'll pretty much play:


B,  F#5,  G#m,  E maj7

Enjoy the song and keep playing. 
-- LadyD




"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King
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5 Tips for Charting Songs

Learning jazz repertoire takes time. I recently read an article by Ed Harlow and wanted to share some of it with you. I hope the information is of help to you. Here are 5 tips that will help you organize what you have learned.
1. Key 
Although the first chord of a song is often indicative  of a song's overall key center, this is not always the case. Sweet Georgia Brown is an example song that settles into the key center after the first chord has sounded. verifying the key helps to clarify any doubts that may exist for those songs that don't begin in the song's overall key.


2. First Chord


Knowing the first chord of a song whether or not it overtly indicates the overall key is critical information.


3. First chord of the "B" Section (assuming there is a "B" section).


Sometimes the transition from the "A" to the "B" section is a common one - such as up a fourth, as the case with "Take The A Train" and "I Remember You". The transition to the "B" sections of such songs are usually relatively predictable - since the key of "A" and "B" sections of such songs are so closely related, your ear will tend to lead you there.


Other times, the relationship between the "A" and "B" sections is a much less common  one. For example, in "Cherokee," the "B" section begins with a II-7-V7 I up a half-step from the song's primary key. In "The Girl From Ipanema," the "B" section begins with a Major 7th chord up a half-step from the primary key. It is important to be very familiar with the construction of these types of songs because the chordal movements from the "A" to "B" sections of such songs is not as predictable.


4. Form


AABA, ABAB and 12-bar Blues arre very common song forms in jazz, but there are others that crop up now and then that should keep any player from becoming complacent on the matter of form.


For instance, "One Note Samba," and "Besame Mucho" have an ABA form with 16 bar "A" sections and 8 bar "B" sections. It's easy to accidentally add an extra "A" section before the "B" section in an ABA song form.


"Chega De Saudade" (ABCD) and "Cheek to Cheek" (AABBCA) are two songs that start simply enough, but are quite lengthy and have unusual forms that can easily go awry for those who are unprepared.


Be rock solid with the form of every song you learn.


5. First Note


"Stella by Starlight" is in Bb, but you'd never know it by the opening series of chords. Knowing what the first note of a song is helps to cut through any confusion when the key of a song is not overtly stated in the first few measures.
Song Information chart.


The prospect of memorizing dozens or hundreds of jazz tunes can seem overwhelming. Making a spreadsheet with song names along with their basic components is very useful in getting to know each song's basic structure, for keeping a record of the songs you've worked on and as a tune list for practice, sessions and gigs.


TITLE/        / KEY/     FIRST CHORD/     FIRST CHORD B SECT./ FORM/     FIRST NOTE/    


Wine and roses      F                      F                A-                                        ABAC               C
Girl from Ipanema Db                Db              D                                          AABA                Eb
I Remember You    F                    F                Bb                                        AABA                E
This is a quick and direct way of familiarizing the player with one or more songs. This not only gives you a valuable reference for practicing, sessions and gigs, but it can also serve as a list of songs you've taken the time to map out. This is far more effective than flipping through endless songs in a book or on a phone.
For those who read sheet music or chord charts:
The Girl From Ipanema: The Antonio Carlos Jobim Songbook
Other related topics you might enjoy:
ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2010/02/learn-to-play-latin-jazz.html
ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2009/04/cd-review-diana-krall-quiet-nights.html
Have a great weekend,
-- LadyD
"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King
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Piano and Keyboard Salsa



 I just returned home from vacationing in Santa Barbara and experiencing "Fiesta Days." I must say the mariachi musicians caught my ear to many happy, marching moments. Reflecting on some of my past blog entries, I seem to like salsa music. How about you? For more information, visit:
ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html

ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2009_12_01_archive.html

ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2010/02/learn-to-play-latin-jazz.html


Chord Chart for Piano and Keyboard Salsa:

Bb/ Bb-Eb-G

Eb/ A-Eb-G

Bb/ Bb-Eb-G

Bb/ Bb-E-Gb

Eb/ A-Eb-G

Eb/ A-Eb-G

Bb/ Bb-Eb-G

Bb/ Bb-Eb-G

F/ F-B-Eb

Eb/ A-Eb-G

Bb/ Bb-Eb-G

F/ G7+5

(Practice 4 beats with each chord).


Cm9 = Bb-Eb-G

F13 = A-Eb-G

G13 = F-B-E


Salsa Piano By Ear Keyboard Lesson Sample of Jeff's Playing 



Salsa Piano 101 - Salsa, Salsa, and More Salsa... WOW!



Hear and Play Salsa 101: New Apporach To 1-4-5 Progression!



Have a great week! Viva La Fiesta!
-- LadyD

Here's a great resource for learning The difference between montunos and claves and how one affects the other.
Discover:
  • How to easily play tons of Salsa and Latin chord patterns that are guaranteed to make you look like you've been playing for years.
     
  • Learn several Latin rhythms that you can start playing today.  Like the montuno, clave, and more!
     
  • How to play several Salsa bass lines on your left hand and accompany them with powerful right-hand chord patterns.
     
  • How to lock in with the band and ensure that you're always playing the right rhythms at the right time (and how to listen for them).






"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King
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How To Play Jazz Piano

This morning I was looking online and found this great article over at TipDeck.com
I hope you find some useful tips that will help take your piano playing to the next level.

"Jazz as the name suggest is a soulful and most sought after genre of music. Jazz is the expression of the heart, a spirit of joy and a way to relax your senses. Like all the genres, Jazz came through many stages of evolution to become what it is now. Jazz is originally said to have been started from the New Orleans. The first form in the evolution of Jazz was Regtime which existed around 1897 to 1918. This kind of music was generally famous around the red light areas of the New Orleans. Since then it was a favorite for the night bars and night clubs.

Swing Jazz came as the next form of evolution around the 1930’s. Swing Jazz suddenly became popular among the marijuana smoker of the west land. It was the time when this form of Jazz was at its peak. During this phase of development Django Reinhardt started gypsy Jazz which was a combination of American swing and France dance music. Dixieland or commonly referred as the Hot Jazz became the next favorite of the people. This gradually descended from the New Orleans, the place of its origin, to other places like Chicago and New York by some group band. Then there was a sudden downfall of the Hot Jazz which was then replaced by the Bebop.

Jazz music has no limitations and there is great deal of rhythms owing to the use of a great deal of instruments. Piano forms the base music in the crescendo of the Jazz music. Therefore learning piano is the most important task in the series of learning Jazz music. Assuming that you know a little about the scales and rhythm of the piano, a few steps shall help you to achieve perfection in the learning process.

Step # 1: Listen: 

Though this may sound silly but listening carefully to the works of people who have already mastered this art helps. Listening gives you better grasp on the minute details of the music and you start differentiating between the different scales.

Step # 2: The Scales: 

There are twelve major scales in piano. Try learning all of them. Some people only go for six to seven scales. Therefore learning all the major scales gives you an edge over the other musicians.


Step # 3: Symbols: 

Try learning all the symbols of the piano music literature. In other words you must develop a capability to read music. Reading music and then performing it makes the learning process faster.

Step # 4: Songbooks: 

Do not hesitate to buy songbooks if you need one. Songbooks are the main source of learning things more quickly and efficiently. Learn a major 7th (1 3 5 7), minor 7th (1 b3 5 b7), dominant 7th (1 3 5 b7), half diminished (1 b3 b5 b7), and diminished chord (1 b3 b5 bb7) of every key. So, for example, to play C7 (C dominant 7th) you would play C, E, G, and Bb. For C diminished seventh, you would play C, Eb Gb, and A (Bbb).

Thus the learning process of the piano can be so much fun and rewarding."

I'd also like to add my 2 cents here. I have found these music resources very helpful  with learning piano tips for your jazz playing. Here' s my list:

1. Mark Levine: Jazz Theory Book
The Jazz Theory Book


 2. Luke Gillespie: Jazz Piano Voicings
Stylistic Ii/v7/i Voicings for Keyboardists


3. Dan Haerle: The Jazz Language
The Jazz Language


4. Mark Levine: Jazz Piano Book
The Jazz Piano Book

 Also, Yoke Wong provides good resources as well.

  Free Piano Tutorials And Video

Do you have any favorite Jazz songs?  I have tons, mostly Duke Ellington stuff.
Let me know what you think about thee jazz piano tips and music resources.

All the best,
-- LadyD

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King
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