Piano Chords: Let It Be



Here I sit waiting for the arrival of Grandbaby #4...
There is a song that comes to my mind, Let It Be by The Beatles.


If you are a piano player who enjoys reading music notes, you can find free sheet music to 
this song at:
Piano Sheets


 While I was downloading the music, I started reading this short blurb:
"The Beatles were a pop and rock group from Liverpool, England formed in 1960. Primarily consisting of John Lennon (rhythm guitar, vocals), Paul McCartney (bass guitar, vocals), George Harrison (lead guitar, vocals) and Ringo Starr (drums, vocals) throughout their career, The Beatles are recognised for leading the mid-1960s musical "British Invasion" into the United States. Although their initial musical style was rooted in 1950s rock and roll and homegrown skiffle, the group explored genres ranging from Tin Pan Alley to psychedelic rock. Their clothes, styles, and statements made them trend-setters, while their growing social awareness saw their influence extend into the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s. After the band broke up in 1970, all four members embarked upon solo careers.

The Beatles are one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands in the history of popular music, selling over a billion records internationally. In the
United Kingdom, The Beatles released more than 40 different singles, albums, and EPs that reached number one, earning more number one albums (15) than any other group in UK chart history. This commercial success was repeated in many other countries; their record company, EMI, estimated that by 1985 they had sold over one billion records worldwide. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, The Beatles have sold more albums in the United States than any other band. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked The Beatles number one on its list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. According to that same magazine, The Beatles' innovative music and cultural impact helped define the 1960s, and their influence on pop culture is still evident today. In 2008, Billboard magazine released a list of top-selling Hot 100 artists to celebrate the chart's fiftieth anniversary; The Beatles reached #1 again."

If you are new to the piano and you are discovering chord progressions in the Key of C, 
this is a great Beatles song to practice with. So have fun!

The Beatles - Let It Be

       C              G                Am          F
When I find myself in times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me
C                   G            F C-Dm7-C
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
                     G            Am                   F
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me
C                   G             F  C-Dm7-C
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

       Am         G             F        C
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
                  G              F  C-Dm7-C
whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
whisper words of wisdom, let it be

| F C Dm7 C | F   C   | G F C . | F  C  | G F C . |


Instrumental verse

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me
Shine until tomorrow, let it be
I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
whisper words of wisdom, let it be

| F  C  | G F C . |
 
Here are the piano chords to the above chord chart:
 
C Major = CEG 
 
F Major 2nd inversion = CFA
 
G Major 1st inversion = BDG
 
A minor 1st inversion = CEA
 
 
 
Here is the song in the Key of G
 
intro: G  D  Em  C  G  D  C / / G

          G                     D                Em          C
          When I find myself in times of trouble mother Mary comes to me
          G                 D              C  / / G
          Speaking words of wisdom, let it be,
          G                 D               Em                C
          And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me
          G                 D              C  / / G
          Speaking words of wisdom, let it be,

                 Em         D          C          G         
          Let it be, Let it be, Let it be, Let it be
                          D             C     / / G
          Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

          G                     D              Em               C  
          And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree
          G             D                 C         
          There will be an answer, let it be  / / G
          G                     D              Em               C
          For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see
          G             D                 C
          There will be an answer, let it be  / / G  
                   Em        D           C         G
           Let it be, Let it be, Let it be, Let it be
                             D            C / / G
          There will be an answer, let it be
                   Em        D           C        G
          Let it be, Let it be, Let it be, Let it be
                             D            C / / G
          Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

          G  D Em  C  G  D C / / G
          Solo:(verse)
                  Em         D          C          G
          Let it be, Let it be, Let it be, Let it be
                            D             C / / G
          Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
           G                      D                       Em          C
          And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me
           G            D       C   /  /    G
          Shine until tomorrow, let it be
          G                  D              Em          C     
          I wake up to the sound of music mother Mary comes to me
            G                  D            C / / G
          Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
                  Em         D         C          G
          Let it be, Let it be, Let it be, Let it be
                             D             C / / G
          There will be an answer, let it be      Em          D          C          G
          Let it be, Let it be, Let it be, Let it be
             /     /    /    D            C / / G
          Whisper words of wisdom, let it be 
 
I enjoyed hearing this young man play Let It Be. 
Sometimes he sounds like Bruce Hornsby to me.
What do you think?


 And one more video to see where the chords fall with the lyrics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=397Yj3Drj3I&feature=related 
 
One of the best sites that I would like to share with my readers who are beginners to 
chord progressions, please visit: Analyzing Progressions
 
Here is the cool chord wheel for starters, so head on over to the site when you have time.
Jim Fleser, Chord Wheel Author
Hope this helps. Next time we chat, hopefully I"ll be holding 
a new grandbaby!
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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How to Play Always: Chords by Kirk Franklin

The Rebirth of Kirk FranklinImage via WikipediaHappy Sunday!

I want to thank all my readers who have stopped by this past week letting me know that they are beginners to the piano. Some have mentioned taking piano lessons for ten years or so. Many folks write about feeling frustrated with playing the piano with both hands. Please be patient with yourself. Then I receive letters from those who are hungry for reharmonization, phat chords and improvising techniques. I'm hoping to post more on these topics.


I thought I would keep Saturday/Sunday lessons for those requests I receive from church musicians, gospel fans and praise and worship team keyboard players. Keep in mind that many of you will be watching football games and probably check out this post during the week! lol


If you're familiar with the song Always by Kirk Franklin, then you probably can tell by ear that the song is in the Key of C and then it modulates to Db, then to the Key of D and then modulates again to the Key of Eb. Here's a breakdown of the chords:


Kirk Franklin


Kirk Franklin
Always
by Apostolic

These are the notes to the chords for the beginners in the group. God Bless
C2 - C/ C D E G
F2 - F/ G C F
D7 - D/ F# A# C F
G13 - G B/ F A E
G7 - G/ G B D F
Am7 - A/ G C E
E7 - E/ G# B D (add G)
Gm7 - G/ G Bb D F
Fmaj9 - F / A C E G
Em7 - E/ G B D
Dm7 - D/ A C D F
Fm6 - F/ C D Ab
Bbmaj7 - Bb/ A D F

Verse 1 and 2 are the same as far as chords are concerned. Here are the chords. (PLAY THE NOTES IN THE
BASS SEPARATELY)

C - G - D - E - D - G / C2
F - C - G -A - G / F2
C - G - D - E - D - G / C2
F - C - G -A - G / F2
*repeat

Verse 1
You know, I've had some-C - G - D - E - D - G / C2
Lonely Days - F - C - G -A - G / F2
I've made mistakes and - C - G - D - E - D - G / C2
had to pay - F - C - G -A - G / F2
I've had some friends that - C - G - D - E - D - G / C2
Walked away - F - C - G -A - G / F2
Just like mama told - E / C2
me - D/ D7 G / F G / G13

But there's someone who's - C - G - D - E - D - G / C2
Love is real - F - C - G -A - G / F2
Who cares about the - C - G - D - E - D - G / C2
Way I feel - F - C - G -A - G / F2
Every pain and - C - G - D - E - D - G / C2
Erase every stain. There's - F - C - G -A - G / F2
Peace when I call out your name - Bb/ Bb
(Filler)
G/ F
G/ G7

Chorus
Jesus, you're my - C - G - D - E - D - G / C2
everything - F - C - G -A - G / F2
The cross, you did that - C - G - D - E - D - G / C2
just for - F/ F2
me. So - E/ E 7 A/ Am7
what ever you - G/ Gm7
take me through. I - F/ Fmaj9
promise - E/ Em7
you I'll - A/ Am7
spend my always with you. - Dm7 G/ F

While he is talking.
C - G - D - E - D - G / C2
F - C - G -A - G / F2
C - G - D - E - D - G / C2
F - C - G -A - G / F2
*repeat for verse 2 & chorus

After the chorus the second time you will play these chords to lead you into the modulation.
A/ Am7
G# / E7 G# / E
G/ C
F#/ D
F/ Fm6
E/ C2
Bb/ Bbmaj7
G/ F
(transition chord)
Ab/ Gb
modulate to Db chorus (use the same chords in the chorus just go up a half step)

(transition chord) - from Db to D
(Bb,C,Db,Eb)
Spend my always - A/ Em7
with you - A/ A

Je - D/ D
sus E/ Em
you're my - F#/ D
every - G/ D
thing - G/ G
The cross - D/ D
you - D/ Em
did that - D/ D
just - G/ D
for me - F/ F#7
So - B/ Bm7
what ever you - A/ Am7
take me through. I - G/ Gmaj9
promise you I'll - F/ F#m7 B/ Bm7
spend my always with you. - E/ Em7

(G,A,B,D)
Spend my always with you - Bb/ Ab

Je - Eb/ Eb
sus F/ Fm
my whole - G/ Eb
life - Ab/ Eb
changed - Ab/ Ab
since - Eb/ Eb
that - Eb/ Fm
day I - Eb/ Eb
cried your - Ab/ Eb
name - G/ G7
For - C/ Cm7
every time you - Bb/ Bbm7
brought me through. I - Ab/ Abmaj9
promise you I'll - G/ Gm7 C/ Cm7
spend my always with you. -F/ Fm7 Bb/ Ab

Eb - Bb - F - G - F/ Eb2
Ab - Eb - Bb/ Ab2
Eb - Bb - F - G - F/ Eb2
spend - Ab/ Fm
my - Ab/ Eb
Al - Ab/ Fm
ways with you - Ab/ Eb
Eb - Bb - F - G - F/ Eb2
Ab - Eb - Bb/ Ab2
Eb - Bb - F - G - F/ Eb2
Ab/ Ab2(#4) Ab/ Ab2


If you have the time, stop by Earnest and Roline Ministries site:

http://www.earnestandroline.com/Music/Chords/always.html 

Also, you might want to order this music resource:
GospelKeys Ministry Musician

Always (Cover) credit: crazaywarrior92




Play Always in 4/4 time as a Moderate Ballad.
I love the ending arpeggio notes.
Eb/ Bb,Eb,F,G,F,Bb
Ab/Eb
Eb/BbDbEb 
Ab/AbBbCEb

Here are the Spanish lyrics and the chords to Always.

Intro.: C9 F C9 F C9 F C9 F/G 

C9                      F               C9                        F 
Dias solitários eu passei,     cometi erros e paguei 
C9                         F                   Em    Am     F#° 
Com amigos me decepcionei, me alertavam assim! 
C9                             F               C9                                   F                        C9 
Mas há alguém que ama a mim ,      se importa com o meu sentir, 
       Em        F                        Bb9           F/A        G9 
E a dor ele vem destruir, se clamo seu nome há paz. 
C9                      F 
    Jesus meu tesouro és 
C9                     F         G#°   Am  
tudo sofreu ali por mim 
            Am/G                   F                     Em Am 
Quais forem as minhas provações ? prometo sim! 
            F               G/B     C9 F C9 F/G 
Que sempre estarei em ti!         
C9                        F           C9                           F                   C9 
Ninguém me toca como tu,     se importa com o meu sentir, 
        Em                 F                       Em      Am       F#°       C9  
Pois finalmente achei alguém , que tem amor por mim , 
                                    F            C9                         F                C9 
Quando sem força eu me sentir,       tua vida fortalece a mim 
        Em                 F               Bb9            F/A 
Tua mão toca meu coração, levou minha dor  
             G            F/G             C9 
Meu pecado tambémmmmmmmm!! 
                     F 
Jesus meu tesouro és.... 
  

  C9                    F              C9 
Jesus mudou meu viver, 
                         F      G#°   Am 
Desde que eu o aceiteeeeeeei 
            Am/G                  F                     Em      Am 
Quais forem as minhas provações;- prometo sim! 
           F/G           G/B      Am 
Que sempre estarei em ti! 
Am - E/G# Em/G F#° F Em Am Bb9 F/G F#/G# C#9 

                      F#          C#9 
Jesus meu tesouro és 
                         F#   A°  Bbm 
Tudo sofreste ali por mim 
            Bbm/G#    C#9          F#7M             Fm     Bbm 
Quais forem as minhas provações;- prometo sim  
             F#/G#     G#/C   C#9 
Que sempre estarei em ti 
                       F#         C#9 
Jesus mudou meu viver...
( F#/G# G/A D ) 

D  Em  F#m  A  G7M 
Jesus meu tesouro és...
( G/A G#/A# D# ) 

D# Fm Gm Bb G#      D# 
Jesus mudou meu viver... 
 
Final: 
D# G#7M 4x 

If the chords are not clear to read, visit the guitar site at:
http://www.911tabs.com/link/?4435059

 As always, so nice to hear from you,
-- LadyD


"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King
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Learn to Play Heaven by Salvador

Latin Worship Band
When I think of Christian Latin artists, I immediately think of Salvador. Yes, there are many great, rhythm rocking bands and it's difficult to chose a favorite, so I won't. But I can tell you that the song Heaven sung by Salvador and written by Los Lonely Boys is loved by many. In fact, I used this particular song on one of my biker videos. Oh yes, I am on YouTube. Who isn't these day? lol This was one of my first attempts at uploading slides with music. I've learned a lot since then. Anyways, I love this song and I hope you enjoy learning the song as well.
 
 Here are the chords to Heaven:
       F#                G#m7                    F#         G#m7
Sa---ve me from this prison, Lord help me to get away
         F#                  G#m7                 F#        G#m7
Cause o--nly you can save me now from this misery
          F#                  G#m7                     F#m         
And I--ve been lost in my own place, and I’m getting’ weary (how far 
    G#m7
is heaven)
        F#                  G#m7              F#m                 
And I-- know that I need to change my ways of livin’ (how far is 
 G#m7
heaven)
                 F#                              
Lord can you tell me  (Prelude)
       F#                     G#m7               F#                 
I--’ve been locked up way too long In this crazy world (how far is 
 G#m7                            
heaven)
        F#                  G#m7               F#                  
And I-- just keep on prayin’ Lord Just keep on livin’ (how far is 
G#m7
heaven)
                     F#               G#m7 
Yeah Lord can you tell me (how far is heaven)
                            F#                 G#m7              
Cause I just got to know how far  (how far is heaven)
                       F#    G#m7                 
I just got to know how far        
(Solo)
   G#m7      Am7     Bbm7                     (-Emaj--Ebmin--Dbmaj--)
(Tu que estas en alto ciel—o, echame tu bendici---on)
          F#                    G#m7                     F#           
Cause I-- know there’s a better place Than this place I’m livin’ (how 
        G#m7
far is heaven)
        F#                    G#m7                   F# 
And I-- just got to have some faith and just keep on giving, (how far 
    G#m7
is heaven)
                      F#               G#m7         
Yeah Lord can you tell me (how far is heaven)
                            F#               G#m7                
Cause I just gotta know how far (how far is heaven)
                      F#               G#m7            
Yeah Lord can you tell me (how far is heaven)
                            F#     G#m7
Cause I just gotta know how far---
                       F#       G#m7
I just gotta know how far—
              F#       G#m7
Yeah hee—hee, hee 
Artist: Salvador
Copyright Credits: Written By: Los Lonely Boys Copyright: © Warner Bros
Many Latin tunes have a very simple harmony. In some cases only one or two chords. II-V progressions are very popular in salsa. As in most other II-V progressions, the seventh of the II chord resolves down a half-step to become the third of the V chord.  A montuno for a III-VI-II-V progression, you would play a C-7, F-7, Bb-7 Eb7.
Montunos can be played in tenths instead of octaves. In general, once you've started a montuno, you should not change it until a new section of the tune begins. Although the masters of the genre occasionally  alter the montuno in places, the importance of establishing a groove is paramount in Latin music, and changing the montuno breaks the groove. Remember, salsa is primarily dance music-you should play "in the pocket."
In a salsa band, each rhythm instrument-piano, bass, timbales, congas, bongos, cowbell-plays a different rhythm, and they all fit together nicely like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. The bass player's pattern is called tumbao.
Most tumbaos  accent the fourth beat of each bar, reinforcing the conga drum pattern. A great way to practice is to play the bass line with your left hand while you play the the montuno with your right hand. You wouldn't really do this in real life but for practice this is an invaluable exercise.
If you can master it, you'll probably feel a lot more comfortable in a salsa rhythm section. You should "lock in" with the bass player as much as possible since the two of you (unless there is a guitarist0 are the only harmony instruments in the rhythm section.
I admit, this rhythm is extremely challenging. I watch YouTube videos over and over and practice hard at it. IT just doesn't come natural for me. How is it for you? Here's an exercise I've broken down in 4 measures for you piano players who like salsa music:
Measure 1 = C-7 and F-7


C/Bb (single notes played together), then EbF (together)
F/A    (single notes played together), then EbF (together)
Bb (single note l.h.), then Ab (single note r.h.)
Measure 2 = Bb-7 and Eb7


DbEb (together in r.h.)
Eb/G (single notes played together), then DbEb (together)
C (single note l.h.), then Bb (single note r.h.)
Measure 3 = C-7 and F_7
Same as measure 1


Measure 4 = Bb-7 and Eb7
Same as measure 2
The note that your left hand plays on the fourth beat of each bar anticipates the chord in the next bar, showing a montuno and a tumbao in the left hand on a I-IV-V-IV.


One dvd course that I recommend is: Salsa 101
Here's a sneak peek: Salsa Piano Sound


Wishing you all the best with your piano playing,
-- LadyD


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