| If you're interested in beginner gospel piano lessons, | | | | chords quickly and without thinking too hard about the |
| you'll find that learning to play gospel piano is easier | | | | fingering. |
| than learning other forms of playing. With only a basic | | | | In most pop and gospel music scores, the chords are |
| knowledge of music theory, you can quickly learn to | | | | written above the score for the guitar. However, the |
| play your favorite gospel hymns and songs. | | | | guitar chords can be used on the piano. This makes |
| Learning to Play Gospel Piano: Chords | | | | playing much easier, because you do not need to |
| Before you begin to play gospel, you will need to learn | | | | worry about reading complicated piano music (with |
| the basics of the piano. When you sit at the instrument, | | | | two lines of notes). |
| you will notice that there are groups of 12 keys that | | | | Learning to Play Gospel Piano: Rhythm |
| consist of 7 white keys and 5 black keys. The 7 white | | | | At the top left hand corner of the sheet music, you will |
| keys create what is known as the C major scale, | | | | see two numbers one on top of the other. This tells |
| which is made up of the notes C,D,E,F,G,A and B. | | | | you how many beats there are in each bar of music. |
| With this in mind, you can begin to play a chord. Chords | | | | The most frequent time is known as "four-four" or |
| are usually three notes (but can be more) played | | | | "common" time, which means there are four beats to |
| simultaneously. The good news is that you do not | | | | each bar. Another common time signature is |
| need to know every single chord in order to play a | | | | "three-four" time, which indicates three beats to the |
| gospel song. In fact, a tune like Amazing Grace | | | | bar. When playing gospel music these two time |
| contains just three chords. | | | | signatures are the ones you will come across most |
| The three most commonly used chords in the key of | | | | frequently. |
| C major are C, which is made up of the notes C,D and | | | | The above advice just gives you the very basics of |
| G; the F chord, which is created by playing F,E and C; | | | | learning to play gospel music, but it gives you a great |
| and the G chord, which is played with G,B and D. | | | | starting point. Remember, you do not need to have |
| First, try playing these three chords one after the other. | | | | any formal gospel piano lessons in order to begin |
| Your fingers will soon become accustomed to the | | | | playing gospel songs. And, more importantly, the aim is |
| positioning, so eventually, you'll be able to find the | | | | to have fun with your music, so enjoy yourself! |