Nothing But a Miracle Chords: Diane Birch

Just the other day my husband and I were watching Daryl's House on television and we heard Diane Birch play the keys and sing this popular song, Nothing But a Miracle. Well, I just loved her from the very beginning. She's tops in my book. If you have the time, check her videos out on YouTube. Here's one to get you started on. I think this talented gal (she's 30) plays the violin, too.

What I found with this chord chart is that it pretty much goes with the mp3. So, have fun with this one. I just love the sounds of these 2 chords, Dmaj7 to Cmaj7. I could vamp on these all day! lol

Artist: Diane Birch
Song: Nothing But a Miracle
Album: Bible Belt



INTRO: 
Amaj7, Bmaj7, Cmaj7, Dmaj7, Bm7, F#m7, 
Em7, A
Dmaj7, Cmaj7x2

Verse 1:
Dmaj7
Gettin tired of living
Cmaj7
Living for a moment
Dmaj7          Cmaj7
Gettin tired of hanging on the line
Dmaj7
Wake up every morning
Cmaj7
And I pull back the curtain
Dmaj7
Wonder if it's gonna rain or shine

G               F#m7     
Gettin tired of thinking
Em7                   F#m7
Gettin so tired of begging
G               F#m7
Gettin tired of forgetting
             B
That there's two of us
               Em7           
I'm getting so tired of loving a man
     A  
that just don't give a damn

CHORUS:
     F#m7 Bm7
Just tell me
                  Em7
Tell baby why I'm holding on
          A                 F#m7
When your lovin's long gone
        Bm7
I got a good mind
    Em7
So, why don't you tell me why
        A
I can't say goodbye
     F#m7    Bm7                 Em7
Just tell me baby, why I've been holding on
A
For so long
    F#m7          Bm7              Em7
And nothing but a miracle is gonna bring ya back
A
Bring ya back to me now

VERSE 2:
Dmaj7                       
I gotta get myself together
Cmaj7        
Gotta stop telling myself that I can do no better
Dmaj7           
Gotta go out and maybe start meeting some new people
Cmaj7
I gotta go out and buy myself one of those little black dresses
         G                 F#m7    
Cause I'm so tired of this t-shirt
Em7        A
I'm so tired of cryin off all my make-up

G   F#m7
Gettin just so tired of waking up
        B
With a lonely heart
               Em7
I'm getting so tired of giving a damn
         A
About an absent hearted man

CHORUS 2:
     F#m7 Bm7
Just tell me
                  Em7
Tell baby why I'm holding on
          A                 F#m7
When your lovin's long gone
        Bm7
I got a good mind
    Em7
So, why don't you tell me why
        A
I can't say goodbye
     F#m7    Bm7                 Em7
Just tell me baby, why I've been holding on
A
For so long
    F#m7          Bm7              Em7
And nothing but a miracle is gonna bring ya back
A
Bring ya back to me now


*(Chord changes a bit tricky here, listen for changes)*
BRIDGE:
  
G F#m7           Em7
        Oh, I can see it
     A
(Coming down the shadows)

Coming down the shadows

G F#m7
        I can see it
Em7
It's coming through
A    
It's coming through the windows

G F#m7      Em7
 Oh, I can see it

(Coming down the ceiling)
A                   G                F#m7
I can see it coming down the ceiling

I Can't escape it
Em7
(Can't escape the feeling)

I can't escape it
A
Can't escape the feeling


CHORUS 3:
F#m7     Bm7
Tell me, yeah
 Em7
Why I'm holding on
   A
When your love is long gone
F#m7 Bm7
I got a good mind
    Em7
So, why don't you tell me why
 A
I can't say goodbye
     F#m7    Bm7                Em7
Just tell me baby why I've been holding on
A
For so long
    F#m7          Bm7                 Em7 
And nothing but a miracle is gonna to bring it back
A
Bring ya back to me now

OUTRO:
G  F#m7                   Em7
        Oh, nothing but a miracle
         A
Is gonna bring you back to me now
G F#m7     C       B
        Oh, nothing but a miracle oh no no no
G F#m7                    Em7
        Oh, nothing but a miracle
  A        Dmaj7 Cmaj7
Is gonna bring you back to me now


Dmaj7 Cmaj7

End on Dmaj7

Diane Birch - Bible Belt

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All the best,






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

Mailbox Monday: How Do I Modulate?

Virginia, I want to thank you for your note and for your request. Such a great question... "How do I modulate?" If your playing for your own enjoyment or for church, you'll definitely want to learn how to do it. I've blogged about it before and if you have the time, look at these posts: What if there isn't a transpose button? and How to transpose, modulate, and memorize.

My answer: Usually it's the V7 chord of the next key you want to go to that is the pivotal chord. You can hear how the sound sets it up. So, if you're playing along in the Key of D, you've landed on the V chord which is A, and you want to head over to the Key of E, then play B7 chord. Do you hear the change?



Modulation and the Pivot Chord
Most basic teaching on the process of modulation concentrates on the role of the pivot chord. A chord is chosen which is common to the two keys involved. The chord is ambiguous and takes on one function in the first key and is reinterpreted as a chord on a different degree of the scale in the new key. For the chord to be truly ambiguous then it should be neither the tonic nor dominant of either key. This process smoothes the flow from the first key to the second key. An outline of this would be as follows:

In this harmonic outline, the A minor chord is common to the keys: C major and G major and consequently can be used to smooth the transition form one key to the other. The A minor chord is moved to as chord VI in C major and quit as chord II in G major. This idea assumes that the mind perceives chords differently in relation to the keys preceding and following the chord. This is only an assumption. (Credit: http://www.harmony.org.uk/book/modulation_basics.htm)

While we're on the subject of transposition, I'd like to share Chapter 18 from Edly's Music Theory For Practical People - Third Edition. I sure hope the information helps many of you.

Transposition

What is transposition? It is simply changing the key of the melody, a chord progression, or even an entire song.

Why might one want to transpose? Common reasons include: to put a song within a certain singer's vocal range, or a certain instrument's best playing range, or to allow instrumentalists to play in a key with fewer accidentals, or for a transposing instrument to read from concert key sheet music. Lastly, transposition is used part way through a song in the form of modulation (changing key), to "freshen" the aural palette, and especially in pop music, to create a feeling of intensity.

Basic Transposition... Transposing Melodies

How does one transpose? The most basic way to transpose a melody is to use the chromatic scale, and move each note the same number of half-steps up or down. A common example of this is men and women singing the same melody together. Women's vocal ranges are naturally about an octave higher than those of men. Singing the same melody separated by an octave is the simplest transposition: octave transposition.

Some melodies fall into a range that men and women share. In this case, they can sing in unison. An example requiring a bit more thought on the part of the transposer is a melody which is a bit too slow for a female singer and a bit too high for the male singer to sing in unison. A solution for this is to transpose the melody up, for example, five half-steps for the woman, and down seven half-steps for the man.

One could use this method (of transposing using half-steps) to transpose any distance, but there is an easier way for anyone comfortable with intervals. This easier, quicker, way is to transpose by interval. If you know your intervals, transposing each chord or melody note up or down the appropriate interval is a breeze. Up five half-steps is a perfect fourth, and down seven half-steps is a perfect fifth. Why count half-steps when you can calculate by interval? So, both of these techniques yield the same result: the men and women will be singing in octaves in the key a fourth higher (or a fifth lower).

More Advanced Transposition... Transposing Chords

Chords can also be transposed. I'll show you an example... When transposing chords, change only the root of the chord! Do not change the chord type at all. If you were to change the chord type, you'd be reharmonizing (changing the harmony), not transposing. 

For example, take the chord progression Em, Eb, Abmaj7, G6, and transpose the roots up a minor third. You wind up with Gm, F#, Bmaj7, Bb6. Easy!

* There's lots more to the chapter but basically this last point is essential here. *

The quickest way to transpose is based on understanding keys well enough that you can think of (and ideally, hear) what you're playing, whether melodies or chords, in non-key-specific terms. This would mean that you are sufficiently aware of chords' (or notes') relationships to each other, that you see (and hear) the original key as just one of twelve possibilities. That is, instead of thinking of C, F, and G7, you think think of I, IV, V7 occurring. If you know your keys and scaled well enough, it is easy to think of I, IV and V7 in any of the twelve keys.

The more you transpose, the more it will come naturally to you!

You may want to check out Song Robot Software to help with modulation of songs.

Best,

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

Learn To Play Smile: More Kirk Franklin Songs

Photo Credit: Starpulse.com

Thank you Felix for your kind words, and requesting chords to this wonderful song. Awhile back I had posted the chords in an easy key, How-to-play-i-smile. I absolutely LOVE Kirk Franklin and have read his book and reviewed Blueprint. Hope this is what you're looking for. Have a blessed day!

Chords to Smile from Ultimate Guitar.com

Buildup: Ab7sus

              DbM7
Today's a new day
                Eb7
but there is no sunshine,
             GbM7
Nothing but clouds
and it's dark in my heart
                    B7
And it feels like a cold night.
              DbM7
Today's a new day,
                     Eb7
tell me where are my blue skies?
               GbM7
Where is that love
and the joy that you promised me?
            B7
Tell me it's all right?

Pre-Chorus:
   GbM7                         Eb7
I almost gave up at a power that I can't explain!
B7                                   Ab7sus
Fell from Heaven, like a shower now.

Chorus:
  DbM7                            Db7
I smile, even though I hurt see I smile,
                           GbM7
I know God is working so I smile,
                                 B7
Even though I've been here for a while
         DbM7
I smile, smile!
                                         Db7
It's so hard to look up when you've been down,
                                   GbM7
Sure would hate to see you give up now,
                                  B7
You look so much better when you smile!

Coda:
GbM7      Fm
Smile for me!
             GbM7      DbM7
Can you just smile for me!
GbM7      Fm
Smile for me!
             GbM7      DbM7
Can you just smile for me!
And my people say
        GbM7
oh, oh, oh!
                                         Fm
You look so much better when you oh, oh, oh!
                                        GbM7
You look so much better when you oh, oh, oh!
                                         Fm
You look so much better when you oh, oh, oh
                                      (GbM7)  
You look so much better when you smile!

Here's another chord progression that might be easier for you to read but remember that C# is the same as Db, e-chords.com

If you're looking for other Kirk Franklin songs and the chords, here's a few.

1. Always
2. Brighter Day
3. Caught Up
4. Great Is Your Mercy
5. He Reigns
6. Imagine Me
7. It's Rainin
8. Love
9. More Than I Can Bear
10. Now Behold The Lamb
11. When I Get There

Do you have a favorite Kirk Franklin song?

You may be interested in Advanced Gospel Courses

All the best,






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

9 Back to School Songs

I hope those of you who are returning back to school or know someone who is about to start a new school year... well, I'm wishing all of you a great school year ahead. One of my grandson's elementary school starts Monday, August 12... today! When does it begin for you? I do hope your summer has been marvelous. I've been with 3 of my 5 grandchildren for the past week, so I've been a bit behind on the computer. So, hopefully I'll catch up!

I've mostly been playing I-V or I-IV-V7 progressions, especially when it comes to kids' songs.  In case you missed a few of my articles on some beginner-intermediate level articles on the subject, if you want, visit Understanding-2-5-1-Progressions and The-II-V-I-Chord-Progression

Wherever you are, enjoy playing some easy familiar tunes with different lyrics for back to school... whether on the piano or guitar, these simple songs will help children feel at ease going to school on the very first day! Lyric credits go to Judy Hall, Cindy Dingwall, Lindsay Hall and Betty Ruth Baker.

1. We Like to Come to School
    Sung to: The farmer in the Dell

       D
We like to come to school,
We like to come to school.
Our school is such a happy place,
                   A7        D
We like to come to school.

Substitute the words terrific, great, yummy, friendly, fun, exciting, etc. for the word happy.

2. It's Time to Go to School
Sung to: She'll be Coming Round the Mountain

        F
It is time to go to school, here we come,
                                                         C7
It is time to go to school, here we come.
        F
It is time to go to school,
                  Bb
We think school is pretty cool,
        F                   C7                      F
It is time to go to school, here we come.

3. I Like to Go to School
Sung to: The Farmer In the Dell

   D
I like to go to school,
I like to go to school.
Heigh-ho-the derry-oh,
   A7                D
I like to go to school.

Additional verses: I like to look at books; I like to build with blocks; I like to listen to stories; I like to draw and paint; I like to sing new songs; I like to play with friends.

4. Off to School We Go
Sung to: A-Hunting We Will Go

C
Off to school we go,
      G
It's off to school we go.
          C                              F
We'll take our lunch and ride the bus,
          C      G         C
With everyone we know.
C
Off to school we go,
      G
It's off to school we go.
       C                    F
We learn our ABC's and more,
          C       G          C
With everyone we know.

5. Waiting For the Bus
Sung to: Frere Jacques

C
I am waiting, I am waiting,
For the bus, for the bus.
When will it get here?
Hopefully it is near.
Here it comes, here it comes.

6. Down At the Bus Stop
Sung to: Down By the Station

C
Down at the bus stop
G                   C
Early in the morning,
See all the children,
G                    C
Everyone we know.
Waiting for the school bus
G                      C
Safely on the sidewalk,
Honk-honk, beep-beep,
G         C
Off we go.

7. The Children On the Bus
Sung to: The Wheels On the Bus

        F
The children on the bus sit nice and quiet
C                        F
Nice and quiet, nice and quiet.
the children on the bus sit nice and quiet
C                          F
When we take a ride.

        F
The children on the bus look out the window,
C                          F
Out the window, out the window.
The children on the bus look out the window
C                          F
When we take a ride.

        F
The children on the bus stay in their seats,
C                     F
In their seats, in their seats.
The children on the bus stay in their seats
C                         F
When we take a ride.

8. To Our School
Sung to: Over the River and through the Woods

C
Over the bridges and through the streets
      F          G7            C
It's to our school we go.
         F                           C
The drivers know the way to go
               G7                        C
As they drive us safe and slow.
C
Over the bridges and through the streets
      F              G7           C
In rain and sleet and snow.
            F                                 C
They drive with care, they get us there
      G7
As over the streets we go.

9. Early Morning Schoolyard
Sung to: Down by the Station

C
Down by the schoolyard
G                   C
Early in the morning,
See the yellow buses
G                    C
Lining up so well.
Dropping off the children
G                       C
Going to their classrooms,
Bong-bong, ding-dong,
G                 C
There's the bell.






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

Hillsong: Let Creation Sing

I am blessed to live in a very beautiful place where the sunrises are truly amazing! I often think of beautiful worship songs when I'm reminded of the beauty in creation.

Around 2005 Reuben Morgan wrote the song, Let Creation Sing. This cool song is played in the Key of G, with 4/4 time signature. Drums and keyboard sound great on the song. If you are leading, this is definitely a call to praise and worship.

Chord Chart

Intro:
D  Em  C/E (repeat)


Verse 1:
         D          Em  C/E
The whole earth overflowing
         D               Em  C/E
with Your pow'r and Your glory
        D/F#    Em        C
There is no one like You God
        D/F#     Em       C
There is no one like You God


Verse 2:
         D             Em  C/E
Mountains bow nations tremble
       D             Em  C/E
At Your feet we cry "Holy"
        D/F#     Em       C
There is no one like You God
        D/F#     Em       C
There is no one like You God


Chorus:
     Gsus4      G/C      Em        D
Let creation sing of the risen King
        Gsus4  G/C      Dsus4  Am
Let the universe resound
        Gsus4       G/C
With a shout of love
         Em        D
we will give to You
        Gsus4         G/C  Em  D  G  C  Em  D  G  C  Em  D
all the highest praise


Verse 3:
        D             Em  C/E
Let Your light shine upon us
        D             Em  C/E
Let Your light shine upon us
        D/F#  Em       C
For the glory of Your name
        D/F#  Em      C
will be over all the earth


Other:
G  C  D/F#  Am


Bridge:
   G       C      D/F#   Am
Forever Forever I'll sing
   G       C      D/F#   Am  (D)
Forever Forever I'll sing 

Chord Breakdown

Intro:

D/DF#A

E/EGB

E/EGC  (repeat)

Verse 1:

D/DF#A

E/EGB

E/EGC

D/DF#A

E/EGB

E/EGC

F#/DF#A

E/EGB

CC/CG

DD/DF#A

E/EGB

CC/CEG

Verse 2:

DD/DF#A

D/DF#D

E/EGB

EE/EGC

DD/DF#A

EE/EGB

EE/EGC

DD/DF#A

EE/EGB

CC/CEG

DD/DF#A

EE/EGB

CC/EGC

Chorus:

CC/DGC

G/DGC

CC/DGB

E/EGB

D/DF#A

CC/DGC (Gsus4)

CC/DGB

DD/DGA (Dsus4)

A/EGC

G/DGC

CC/DGB

E/DGB

DD/DF#D

G/DGC

CC/DGB

E/EGB

D/DF#A

G/DGC

CC/DGB

E/DGB

DD/DF#A

G/DGC

CC/DGB

E/EGB

D/DF#A

Verse 3:

E/EGB

D/DF#D

Instrumental:

G/DD

CC/EC

F#/DA

A/EC

Bridge:

G/DC

CC/DC

F#/DA

A/EC (play 5 times)

G/DC

CC/DC

F#/DA

A/EA 

* Chorus

* Coda

EE/EGB

D/F#AD

Tags:

G/DC

CC/DGC

DD/DA

A/EC (play 3 times)

G/DC

CC/EGC

DD/DF#A

If you're looking for bass tabs, you can find them here.

Another great song where I posted the chords is, God Is Great by Hillsong.

I like the sounds from Australia's Hillsong musicians. My cousin's son is a part of their worship team and we are all so proud of him. Do you have a favorite song from the album, God He Reigns?

Become A Better Church Pianist Now!
Learn How To Play Hymns Using Color Chords
& Exciting Runs & Fillers


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Blessings,

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