How to Play Gospel Songs on Piano
Looking to add some gospel flavor to your piano playing? Check out our guide on how to play gospel songs on piano! We’ll walk you through some of the basics and give you some tips on how to make your performance truly shine.
Research
When people think of gospel music, they often think of Negro spirituals or the blues. While these are both important parts of the genre, gospel music actually encompasses a wide range of styles, including hymns, praise songs, and even traditional church music. If you’re interested in learning how to play gospel songs on piano, the first step is to do some research and find the style that you’re most interested in.
Find a list of popular gospel songs
1.How Great Is Our God
2.Amazing Grace
3.He Lives
4.Because He Lives
5.Blessed Assurance
6.Victory in Jesus
7.What a Friend We Have in Jesus
8.Just As I Am
9.Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling
10. Footsteps of Jesus
Find the sheet music or chords for the songs
Before you can start playing gospel songs on piano, you need to find the sheet music or chords for the songs you want to play. If you’re not sure where to find this type of music, try searching online or in a music store. Once you’ve found the right materials, take some time to practice the songs before you perform them for others.
Learn the Basics
Interested in learning how to play gospel songs on piano? This post will cover the basics you need to get started. We’ll go over some easy chords and melodies that you can use to play your favorite gospel songs.
Learn about the different types of chords
One of the first things you need to know when learning how to play gospel songs on piano is the different types of chords. There are three main types of chords: major, minor, and seventh. Each type of chord has a different sound, and they can be played in different ways.
Major chords are usually played with the root note on the bottom, the third note in the middle, and the fifth note on top. To create a major chord, you simply add together the root note, the third note, and the fifth note. For example, if you were playing a C major chord, you would use the notes C (the root), E (the third), and G (the fifth).
Minor chords are similar to major chords, but they have a slightly different sound. To create a minor chord, you take the root note, lower the third note by one half step, and keep the fifth note where it is. So if you were playing a C minor chord, you would use the notes C (the root), Eb (the third), and G (the fifth).
Seventh chords are made up of four notes: the root, third, fifth, and seventh. To create a seventh chord, you take the root note, add the third note, add the fifth note, and then adds another note that is seven steps above the root. For example, if you were playing a C7 chord, you would use the notes C (root), E (third), G (fifth), and Bb (seventh).
Learn about the different types of progressions
There are basically three types of chord progressions: those based on the major scale, those based on the minor scale, and those that don’t really fit into either category. The most common type of progression is the I-IV-V-I, which is based on the major scale. This progression starts on the tonic (I), moves to the subdominant (IV), then to the dominant (V), and finally back to the tonic. You’ll find this progression in countless songs in just about every genre of music.
The next most common type of progression is based on the minor scale and is often referred to as the “blues progression.” The typical blues progression goes I-IV-V, with the IV being a minor chord and the V being a major chord. You’ll find this type of progression in blues songs as well as in many rock and pop songs.
The last type of chord progression is one that doesn’t really fit into either category. This could be a I-VII-III-VI progression or anything else that doesn’t use chords from the major or minor scales. These progressions can produce some interesting sounds, but they can also be very confusing for beginning pianists. If you’re just starting out, it’s probably best to stick with progressions based on the major or minor scales.
Learn about the different voicings
When playing gospel songs on the piano, it is important to use the appropriate voicings in order to produce the desired sound. There are four main types of voicings that can be used when playing gospel music: close, drop 2, drop 3, and open.
Close voicings are when the hands are close together on the keyboard, with the melody being played in the right hand and the chords being played in the left hand. This type of voicing is best used for slower songs or ballads.
Drop 2 voicings are when the second note in the chord is dropped down an octave. This gives the chords a fuller sound and is best used for uptempo songs.
Drop 3 voicing is similar to drop 2 voicings, except that the third note in the chord is dropped down an octave instead of the second note. This type of voicing can be used for both slow and fast songs.
Open voicings are when the hands are spread apart on the keyboard, with the chords being played in the right hand and the melody being played in the left hand. This type of voicing is best used for fast-paced or upbeat songs.
Practice
In order to play gospel songs on piano, you must first practice. This means finding a song that you like, and learning the chords. You can do this by ear, or by using a piano chord chart. You will also need to learn how to read sheet music, or find someone who can teach you.
Choose a song and start practicing
Now that you know some of the basic chords, you can start practicing different gospel songs on the piano. One of the great things about gospel music is that many of the songs use similar chord progressions, so once you know how to play one song, it will be easier to learn others.
Here are a few popular gospel songs to get you started:
-“Amazing Grace”
-“The Old Rugged Cross”
-“O How I Love Jesus”
-“Blessed Assurance”
When you are practicing these songs, don’t worry if you can’t play them perfectly. Just focus on getting the chords right and flowing smoothly from one to the next. With a little practice, you’ll be playing gospel songs on the piano like a pro!
Experiment with different voicings and progressions
As you experiment with different voicings and progressions, you’ll want to stay mindful of the overall mood and feel of the song. In general, gospel songs have a light, uplifting feeling. As you play around with different voicings, pay attention to how they affect the mood of the song. You may find that certain progressions sound better than others depending on the specific song.
One common technique in gospel music is to use what’s called a “call and response” pattern. This involves having one person sing or play a phrase, and then having someone else sing or play a response to that phrase. This can be done with two people, or with a whole group of people. If you’re playing solo, you can still create this effect by playing a phrase and then answering it yourself with another phrase. This back-and-forth pattern creates a sense of conversation and can be really effective in conveying the emotional message of a gospel song.
Record yourself and listen back
One of the best ways to improve your skills on the piano is to record yourself playing and then listen back. This will help you to hear any mistakes that you may have made and also help you to get a feel for how you sound. You can use a simple tape recorder or even your computer to record yourself. Be sure to practice regularly so that you can continue to improve.
