What to Expect During a Gospel Piano Tutorial—For Beginners!

A quality tutorial—whether in person or online--will combine solid musical foundations and innovative teaching techniques that will allow even the most novice student to learn how to play Gospel music on the piano, quite quickly!  Once one has the basic foundation, it will be a matter of being introduced to more challenging steps and perfecting one's skills.  And yes, this will take some time; but, oh, what a wonderful journey!

Below, you will find the type of instruction that you could expect as you begin to play Gospel music on the piano.

Determining the Key

First and foremost, your instructor will want you to pick the key you want for your music.  Various keys have different scales which will directly determine the other notes in the music's melody.  Those notes act as the foundation for the chords played in a certain chord progression.

Becoming Familiar with Chord Progression

Secondly, your instructor will discuss chord progression.  There are specific chord progressions that give Gospel music its own, unique sound.  You will be instructed in some very common Gospel progressions which will include:  a) 7-3-6-2-5-1 b) 3-6-2-5-1 and c) 6-2-5-1.

Learning the Extended Chords

Thirdly, your instruction will focus on extending your chords which is the 'secret ingredient' that allows Gospel music to possess its smooth and rhythmic beat.  You will be able to hear how extended chords are really a variation of the basic chords with added notes.  Extended chords are a basic, yet vital, component of Gospel music; and you will be introduced to how Gospel piano players play all seven notes of the scale in a given chord—usually with both hands.

Incorporating the Voiced Chords

Fourthly, as your skills become more perfected, you will be introduced on how to play a certain chord in a different way via the voicing of a chord.  Here, to get the lowest note of each chord to function as a base line, you will learn how to utilize alternate voicings of chords to create various sounds.  A single chord can be played in multiple ways by rearranging and omitting various notes in the chord.

You will discover how composers will, often, arrange the notes of a chord in a variety of ways in order to vary its sound.  The very process of doing this is what voicing is all about.

During a Gospel piano tutorial, you will begin with the very basics and follow a methodical approach to gain more and more perfection on the keyboard as you immerse yourself in the very rich feel that Gospel music provides.  You will find that learning to play Gospel music on the piano will become a love affair between you and the music you bring to life—your playing will not only seem to fill the air with an intense spiritual essence, but it will permeate the senses and emotions of those around you.

Source : articlesbase.com