Acknowledgments: The Rocket Piano series was created on behalf of Rock Star Recipes LTD. Author & Music:
Asheigh Southam
Co-Author & Additional Music: Ruth Searle Multimedia Content:
Rock Star Recipes Studios
Cover & Photography:
Simon Waterhouse
Edit & Graphic Design:
Rock Star Recipes LTD
Publisher:
Rock Star Recipes LTD
www.rocketpiano.com www.rockstarrecipes.com All other enquiries visit our support team at: http://help.rockstarrecipes.com/rocketpiano
Terms of use: By purchasing The Rocket Piano series - you agree to the following: You will use The Rocket Piano series, Chordinator, Keycelerator, Perfect Your Pitch Pro, Jayde Musica, Advanced Learning Techniques for Piano and other Rock Star Recipes Ltd products and services for your personal and private use only. The Rocket Piano series, Chordinator, Jayde Musica, Advanced Learning Techniques for Piano remain the property of Rock Star Recipes Ltd. and may not be resold, repackaged or otherwise transferred. Course and bonus product materials may not be duplicated or distributed in any way without expressed, written permission from Rock Star Recipes Ltd. Rock Star Recipes Ltd. retains all rights to these products. Copyright, © 2004-2010 Rock Star Recipes Ltd.
Welcome to Rocket Piano’s Introduction to Gospel, Spirituals and Hymns! A personal message from me In this book you will learn what constitutes Gospel tunes, Spirituals and Hymns. You will find out what each type of music contains and how they relate to each other. More importantly you will be playing a whole lot of these tunes yourself. This book follows on nicely from the first book in the Rocket Piano series but is valuable at any level. The information in the book is relevant to anyone interested in the Gospel, Spirituals and Hymns. By the end of the book the tunes get more and more complicated and thus more rewarding. This book gives you a very straight forward introduction to Gospel songs, Spirituals and Hymns. It introduces a couple of new scales, new key signatures, plus some new notes to show you how most Gospel, Spirituals and Hymns are made up melodically, harmonically and rhythmically. These three aspects also serve to link each style to one another. This book will be perfect for those of you who want to play in church, sing along to your own playing, or accompany someone else. This is also for anyone who just wants to learn more songs. Each type of music has very interchangable aspects and their styles sometimes blend. Some songs that might be considered spiritual may also sometimes be considered or played as gospel tunes, and the same goes with hymns. This is partly because in the history of the respective styles the lines where one style ends and the other begins are naturally quite blurry. More on that later. For the purpose of this book some songs may be considered as either types of genre.
The Rocket Piano
Page 3
Table Of Contents Welcome...................................................................3 A personal message from me...................................3 Table of Contents......................................................4 Rocket Piano Progress Tracker................................5
Chapter five. I, IV, V in spirituals.........26
Chapter one. A brief history of Spirituals..... 6
Chapter seven. E major.......................36 I, IV, V progression in E major................................37
Chapter two. Spirituals, three main types......7 The Ballad................................................................7 Faster tempo syncopated tunes...............................8 Chapter three. Spiritual melody............9 Major pentatonic.......................................................9 Minor Pentatonic.....................................................12 D minor pentatonic ................................................14 ‘Blues’ pentatonic...................................................16 ‘Blues’ pentatonic tune...........................................18
Chapter six. Gospel songs..................33 A brief history..........................................................33 Gospel songs..........................................................34
Chapter eight. Hymns..........................43 A brief history..........................................................43 Amazing Grace.......................................................44 Battle hymn of the Republic....................................46 Hark the herald angels sing....................................48 Holy, holy, holy........................................................50 Joy to the world......................................................52 Conclusion..............................................................54
Chapter four. Dotted 8th notes............20 Dotted 8th note tune...............................................22 Here are a few more Spirituals...............................23 More spirituals........................................................24
01
01
Every time you see this button, play the relevant video.
Page 4
Every time you see this button, listen to the relevant track.
Rocket Piano Progress Tracker This Progress Tracker has been specifically designed for you to keep a record of each individual skill, concept and technique that you learn in the Rocket Piano course. By the end of this book you will be able to pin point exactly how far you’ve progressed in becoming a skilled pianist and a knowledgeable musician. Once you have mastered a lesson or skill tick it off on the Progress Tracker, and move on to the next lesson! Commit yourself to ticking off the skills you learn as you go and see your improvement instantly!
Lesson or Skill
Page # .Date Signature
Call and response Ballad Faster tempo syncopated tunes Major pentatonic Minor pentatonic D minor pentatonic Blues pentatonic (b5) Dotted 8th notes I IV V chord progression E flat major scale I IV V progression in E flat major
Page 5
........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ...........
........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ...........
. ................... . ................... . ................... . ................... . ................... . ................... . ................... . ................... . ................... . ................... . ...................
Chapter one. A brief history of the Spirituals It’s hard to exactly pin-point the period in which the African American spirituals assumed a particular type of character. This is partly because there were no attempts to acquire any of the spirituals before 1840. It is thought that spirituals appeared as early as the 1600s. These spirituals cannot be associated with any particular authors but are instead attributed to the African American people and their musical abilities. The songs were learned and handed down through oral tradition and preserved that way through the generations. Music played an important role in African life and culture. When they were removed from Africa and placed in a foreign land under the hostile conditions of enslavement, these terrible circumstances inspired the spiritual songs. With the roots of African musical ideas infused with this new culture and religion, these new songs emerged. The songs are called “Spirituals” because the authors of the songs used lyrics inspired by biblical stories and ideals and they believed the Spirit of God was the source. When they felt moved and inspired by the Spirit of God that was when they sang, prayed and conceived the songs. They drew the content and lyrics from the Bible and applied their African style of singing. They sung of their circumstances and experiences. They sung of their yearning for freedom and justice. They also felt a great kinship with the similarly enslaved Hebrews of ancient Egypt. The African-American slaves also used the spirituals as codes to communicate and express their hopes and desires for freedom. Also contained in the coded spirituals was information on secret meetings and escape plans. So through the songs they resisted and fought their enslavement. Such songs like “Swing low sweet chariot”, “Go down Moses” and “Steal away” all had incrypted meanings about the underground movement for slave abolitionism and the underground railroad network. When the slave regime ended so too did the advancement of the spiritual folk song. By this stage there were some 6000 known spiritual folk songs. The spirituals were now an established musical style. The spiritual songs have influenced a huge number of musicians and musical styles. Their importance as a musical form cannot be undervalued or denied. Gospel music has firm roots with the spiritual style of music, as do blues music, jazz, rock, soul and even country. The spiritual styles scope in terms of importance and influence is visible right across a vast range of musical styles and genres. Page 6
Chapter two. Spirituals, the three main types ‘Call and response’ There are three main types of spiritual song: The call and response, the ballad and the faster swing spiritual. There’s the ‘call and response chant’. This means the main melody is sung solo by a leader, the ‘call’. Then the next phrase is sung by the chorus as a ‘response’. There are a large amount of spirituals written in this format, especially the earlier ones. These songs have a slightly ‘fiery’ aspect to them. They are generally a faster type of tune.
Some songs in this style:
• “Shout for joy” • “Good morning everybody” • “Swing low sweet chariot” This type of song helped the slaves keep rhythm while they worked. Rhythm was often important in working together on specific tasks. So the leader would sing the lead part and the group of workers would ‘respond’ .
‘Ballad’ type The next type of tune is the slower more sustained tune, the slower ‘ballad’ type of Spiritual. This type of Spiritual has long phrases and more sustained notes. Also the lyrics have longer sentences and the melody tends to be longer and more drawn out.
Some songs in this style:
• “Deep river” • “Nobody knows the trouble I see” • “Were you there”
Page 7
Faster tempo syncopated tunes The last type of spiritual song is the most popular type of Spiritual. It has a faster tempo and has a ‘swing’ feel that is designed to simulate the sway of body movement while singing. The melody is usually segmented or in rhythmically syncopated phrases. Syncopation is a shift in the rhythmical placement or accent of notes or chords. The lyrics are in shorter sentences in order to fit the syncopation. Because of this there is a lot of repetition in the lyrics.
Some songs in this style:
• “Shout all over God’s heab’n” • “Little David play on yo harp” • “Ol’ ark’s a-moverin”
Page 8
Chapter three. Spiritual melody In these Spiritual songs there are a certain type of theoretical aspects that appear. The first of these aspects is the scale that is used in the melody. In general the melody of the song uses what we call the pentatonic scale. There are several types of pentatonic scale: The major pentatonic, the minor pentatonic and an altered version of the minor pentatonic called the blues pentatonic These pentatonic scales feature in spiritual songs as well as gospel songs and hymns.
Major pentatonic We’ll start with the major pentatonic. The major pentatonic is the same as a normal major scale the only difference is the scale doesn’t use the 4th and 7th notes in the scale. The pentatonic scale is made from 5 notes. This term comes from the hebrew word for five, ‘pente’. For example a pentagon is a shape made up of 5 sides. Here is the normal C major scale.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
50
Now the major pentatonic scale omitting the 4th and 7th notes.
1
2
3
5
6
8
Play through the scale and notice when omitting the 4th and 7th notes from the scale it gives it a very pleasant major sound to it. Experiment with playing the notes in any order and you’ll notice that you can create beautiful melodies quite easily when you limit yourself to just the notes in the major pentatonic scale.
Page 9
It is a good idea to learn the pentatonic scale in all of the keys we’ve looked at so far.
C major, G major, F major, D major
Here’s the G major pentatonic.
1
2
3
5
6
8
The melody of this spiritual only uses the notes from the G major pentatonic.
1
You shall reap
You shall reap
jes what you sow
2
5
you shall reap
what you sow
on the
1
moun - tain
in the val - ley
01
you shall reap
jes what you sow
As you can see only notes from the G major petatonic scale appear in this melody. This is a common feature in the melodies of the Spiritual songs. The major pentatonic also appears in Gospel tunes and Hymns.
Page 10
Here’s another Spiritual tune using only notes from the G major pentatonic scale. Play through the tune yourself with just the right hand and have a listen to the track.
02
O lamb, beautiful lamb
3
O
O
lamb
Lamb
beau - ti - ful Lamb I'm going to
beau - ti - ful
Lamb
serve
God till
I'm going to serve
Page 11
God
i
die
till
I
die
Minor Pentatonic The next scale we’re going to look at is the minor pentatonic. This one is a little more tricky. Now we’re going to briefly re-cap how we get the minor scale. Remember that the major scale has the same key signature as it’s relative minor scale. To find the relative minor go up a major sixth interval from the key note of the major scale you began with. These two scales are relative to each other because they share the same notes. Let’s refresh your memory by looking again at C major.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
51
The scale played from the 6th note using the same notes is the relative natural minor scale. Here’s the A natural minor scale.
This applies to the pentatonic scales aswell. For example the C major pentaonic scale has the same notes as the A minor pentatonic scale. They are relative. When forming the minor pentatonic scale we use the notes from the relative major pentatonic scale and start from the minor note. When playing the A minor pentatonic you use only the notes from C major pentatonic and start the scale from A.
Here’s C major pentatonic again:
1
2
3
5
6
8
Now the same scale except this time it starts on A.
Page 12
Another way to think of it is that you are playing the natural minor scale without the 2nd and 6th notes from the scale. This gives you the A minor pentatonic. By omitting these notes from the A natural minor scale you are left with the same notes that appear in the C major pentatonic. This is because the scales are relative. You are playing the notes of the C major pentatonic except starting the scale from A, making it an A minor pentatonic. A natural minor
A minor pentatonic (omits the 2nd and 6th)
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1
I know this all seems very confusing! But once you can get your head around how the different scales work, pretty soon you will be able to play them on demand without even thinking about it!
Page 13
3 4 5 7 8 1
D minor pentatonic This tune is a ‘call and response’ tune. It is also in the key of D minor pentatonic scale. So that means it uses the notes from F major pentatonic because they are relative. This tune is also designed to be sung by a leader and then a chorus. Because it is designed to be sung, the chorus sings a melody thats in the same register as the leader melody line. (If something is in the same register this means that the notes are played in the same area of the piano or the same area on the music staff) For the purpose of playing this tune on the piano the chorus line is an octave lower than what it would normally be if it was sung. Use the left hand for the chorus line (in the bass staff) and the right hand for the leader line (in the treble staff). Here’s the F major pentatonic.
Now the D minor pentatonic, that uses the same notes from F major pentatonic.
Page 14
03
Sittin down beside O' the Lamb 1
5
New
Je - ru - sa - lem
4
1
1
sit - tin down be - side o' 3
-
I'd
mour - ner
Lamb
lay
in
pray
my
5
mourn
a - long
the Lamb
a -
Je - ru - sa - lem
the Lamb
long
self
a -
way
sit - tin down
Page 15
O
good Lord
sit - tin down be - side o'
hell one day good Lord
the Lamb
mourn
sing an'
O mour - ner
sit - tin down be - side o'
I'd
the Lamb 5
3 5
fore
1
5
13
5
sit - tin down be - side o'
10
Be
New
sit - tin down be - side o' 1
7
5
1
5
be - side o'
the Lamb
the
‘Blues’ pentatonic The last scale for us to look at is the blues pentatonic. This scale is basically the minor pentatonic with one slight alteration. The blues scale adds one extra chromatic note to a minor pentatonic scale. So lets continue with the A minor pentatonic scale and alter it to get the A blues pentatonic scale. The note that gets added is a chromatic note between the 4th and 5th notes of the scale. So in the A minor pentatonic scale, this note goes between the D and E which are the 6th and 7th notes in the scale. The note chromatically between the D and E is E . This is the ‘blue’ note. b Here’s the A minor pentatonic scale
3 4 5 7 8 Now here’s the blues pentatonic scale with the 1added chromatic note between the 4th and 5th notes.
The 5th note is flattened to E and then raised again to E natural.
b
So the added note in the scale is the E . This 5 gives the scale its ‘blues’ feeling.
b,
b,
52 1 3 4 5b 5 7 8
Added chromatic note, E b
Page 16
Play through the scale and listen to the difference the extra added note makes. Can you hear its ‘blues’ quality? This scale is very common and like the other scales we’ve looked at so far, is used in all kinds of music. It is important to us now because it features throughout the Spiritual songs. It is also thought that the origin of the blues scale actually came from the spiritual songs. Like with the major pentatonic and minor pentatonic, play through this scale and try and make up some of your own little melodies using the notes of the blue pentatonic scale.
When the blues pentatonic scale was first used people hadn’t heard this kind of sound before. The flat 5th note became known as the ‘devils’ note because it was new and strange.
Page 17
‘Blues’ pentatonic tune Here are a few examples of some of the spirituals that use the ‘blues’ pentatonic scale in the melody. This tune is in the key of D minor pentatonic. There is a chromatic alteration to the scale in this tune though. It uses the B natural in the melody which usually doesn’t appear in the scale. Even though this tune uses a couple of notes that aren’t in the minor pentatonic scale it still uses the ‘blue’ note. You can also hear the effect that the blue note has on the feel of the piece.
04
I know it was the blood q = 110
I know it was the blood
7
blood
for
me
died up - on the cross
I
know it
12
One
was the
blood
Page 18
I
day when I
I know it was the blood for
was
me
was the
lost
Je - sus
know it
This tune is using the D minor blues pentatonic as well. Play through the track slowly to start with. You will hear the ‘blue’ notes in the tune.
05
Wish I's in heaven settin' down Wish I's
4
down
in hea - ven
set - tin down
set - tin down O
Ma - ry
O
set - tin down wish I's
in hea - ven set - tin
Mar - tha wishI's in hea - ven set - tin down
Page 19
Chapter four. Dotted 8th notes We will now have to look at a new note for playing some of the next tunes. We already know about the dotted quarter note
q.
These are used frequently in conjunction with 8th notes.
q.
e
with
When you hear the word ‘feel’ mentioned in relation to a song, it means the way the tune has a certain style or sound to it. This generally refers to how the notes are played in terms of the timing of the notes and their placement or dynamic range. When looking at alot of these Gospel tunes they have a ‘swaying’ or ‘swing’ type of feel. To achieve this type of feel we can use the dotted 8th note. Dotted 8th notes make the music appear to ‘swing’. Immitating the swaying motion of a lot of the Spiritual and Gospel singers. This is like the other dotted notes we’ve looked at as its time value is now increased by half its original value. So a dotted 8th note has the same time value as an 8th note tied to a 16th note. So
Title
= e. q = 96e_ x
COMPOS
Title
Dotted 8th notes are usually seen connected with other 53 16th notes so they are generally found in music written together like this: Piano
This is another way of looking at the dotted 8th notes. This example uses ties which can look rather complicated so the above method is preferred.
q = 96
Piano
Page 20
06
CO
Using dotted 8th notes in music is quite tricky to get the hang of. So take your time when going over the songs that have dotted 8th notes in them. Listen carefully to the tracks to hear what they should sound like played. Clap out the beats while counting aloud the rhythm. Listen carefully to the track and notice how the notes are played with the ‘swing’ feel. 1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e+ a 4 e + a
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
Tapping the beat with your foot can be a helpful way of staying in time!
Page 21
1
2
3
4
Dotted 8th note tune Take as long as you need to get this tune right in terms of its feel. Listen carefully to the track and take a note where the tune uses dotted 8th notes. This tune uses a version of the blues scale. It has the flat 7 note which is an alteration on the standard blues pentatonic we’ve been looking at. The blues pentatonic will appear throughout this book in several tunes so look out for it.
Roll, Jorden, roll q = 80
Roll
Jor - dan
5
want
to go
to
roll
Roll
9
you
ought
13
to
to
been
to
Page 22
Yes
hear old Jor - dan
there
roll
sit - ting - in - the - king - dom
die
Jor - dan
bro - ther
hea - ven when I
07
my
hear
old
I
roll
O
lord
Jor - dan
roll
A
Here are a few more Spirituals to look at and learn. 08
Go down Moses
q = 110
1
5
When Is - rael was in
7
could not stand
13
E - gypt's land
1
let my peo - ple
E - gypt's land
5
2
let my peo - ple 3
tell
old
4 1
go
go
Op pressed so hard they
Go down
way
Mo - ses
4
1
down in
5
Pha - roah
Page 23
2
1
let my peo - ple
go
More spirituals. This next tune has a lot of jumping around in the left hand. Take it slowly and learn the left hand first and then put it together with the right hand. It’s quite difficult to get this tune so it’s okay if it takes you a while to learn. The fingering in this tune is also just a guide at this stage. If you can find a more comfortable way to play the notes with your own fingering then you should.
My Lord what a morning
q = 78
5 3
4 1
1 5 5 2
my Lord
9
1
you' ll
4
14
hear
3
the trum - pet
look - ing to my God's right hand
my Lord
5 1
what a morn - ing
5 3
what a morn - ing
My Lord
5
09
1 5
when the stars
1
4
sound to wake the
when the stars
1 5
Page 24
1
what a morn - ing
4
be - gin to
fall
Fine
na - tions un - der - ground
be - gin to
fall
D.C al fine
Here are the rest of the verse lyrics to ‘My Lord what a morning’ 2. You’ll hear the sinner mourn, To wake the nations underground Looking to my God’s right hand When the stars begin to fall
4. Done quit all my worl’ly ways Jine dat hebbenly ban? Done quit all my worl’ly ways Jine dat hebbenly ban.
3. You’ll hear the Christian shout, To wake the nations underground Looking to my God’s right hand When the stars begin to fall
Your doin’ GREAT. Keep up the good work!
Page 25
Chapter five I, IV, V in spirituals Another feature of the Spirituals, Gospels and the Hymns is that they often use the I, IV, V progressions we’ve already been studying in book one. Sometimes the tunes will change the order of the progression but generally you will find that the tunes use these chords often. This next tune uses the I, IV, V chords from C major. Remember that the I, IV, V chords in C major are C major, F major and G major. See if you can identify where these chords appear in this next tune Here is a brief mention about the structure of this tune; Look out for indicators describing the ‘intro’ ‘verse’ and ‘chorus’. These divide the tune into different sections. ‘Intro’ stands for the introduction to the piece. This can last several bars but is usually quite a short section. ‘Verse’ and ‘chorus’ go together and a verse will usually come before a chorus. The verse will either tell a story or explain a sentiment. The chorus will give an overview, or express the basic point or emotion of the song. Many song structures are very similar. Verses, choruses, and bridges are used to create a structure made up of different and interesting sections.
Page 26
q = 86
3
Piano
10
2
3
1
3
3
2
3
1
3
3
2
3
1
3
3
2
3
1
3
3
2
3
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
2
1
3
2
1
3
2
1
3
2
1
3
2
3
3
1
3
3 3
3 3
3
3
3
3
3 3 3 3 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
descending 7
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
3
2
1
3
2
1
3
2
1
3
2
1
3
2
1
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
3
10
3
2
1
3
3
3
3
3
2
1
3
3
2
1
3
3
3 3
3
2
1
3
2
3
1
3
3
3
3 3 3
3
3 3 3 3
12
3 3 3 3
Page 27
3
3 3 3
3
3
Here are the rest of the lyrics for the verses in ‘In dat great gittin’ up mornin’. 2. Dat de time shall be no longer, For judgment day is comin’ Den you hear de sinner sayin Down I’m rollin down I’m rollin.. 3. De Lord spoke to Gabriel Go look behin de altar Take down de silvah trumpet Blow yo’ trumpet Gabriel.. 4. Lord how shall I blow it Blow it right calm an’ easy Do not alarm my people Tell ‘em to come to judgment.. 5. Gabriel blow yo’ trumpet Lord how shall I blow it Loud as seven peals of thunder Wake de livin nations.. 6. Place one foot upon de dry lan’ Place de other on de sea Den you’ll see de coffins bustin’ See de dry bones come a creepin..
7. Hell shall be uncapp’d an’ burnin’ Den de dragon shall be loosen’d Where you runnin po’ sinner Where you runnin po’ sinner.. 8. Den you’ll see po’ sinners risin Den you’ll see de worl’ on fiah See de moon a bleedin See de stars a fallin.. 9. See de elements a meltin See de forked lightnin Den you’ll cry out for cold water While de Christians shout in glory.. 10. Sayin Amen to you damnation No mercy for po’ siner Hear de rumblin of de thunder Earth shall reel an totter.. 11. Den you’ll see de Christian risin Den you’ll see de righteous marchin See dem marchin home to heab’n Den you’ll see my Jesus comin.. 12. Wid all His holy angels Take de righteous home to glory Dere dey live wid God forever On de right hand side of my Saviour..
Page 28
This next tune is one your surely familiar with. This tune is in the call and response style but the tune has been played in many different ways.
11
Swing low sweet chariot q = 56
Swing
low
sweet
5
char - i - ot
swing low
sweet
char - i - ot
9
3
com - ing
13
home
for to car - ry me
com - ing for to car - ry me
1
5
home
5
I looked o - ver Jor - dan and what did I
1
1 5
5 3
3 1
5
4 1
see
home
2 4
Fine
com - ing for to car - ry
me
D.C al fine
4 3 a band of an - gels com - ing af - ter me com - ing for to car - ry me home
Page 29
Here are the rest of the lyrics for the remaining verses in ‘Swing low sweet chariot’ 2. If you get there before I do Coming fot to carry me home Tell all my friends I’m comin too Coming for to carry me home..
4. I’m sometimes up, I’m sometimes down Coming for to carry me home But still my soul feels heavenly bound Coming for to carry me home..
3. The brightest day that ever I saw Coming for to carry me home When Jesus wash’d my sins away Coming for to carry me home..
This next tune, ‘Wade in the water’ is quite a difficult piece and is one of the most difficult Spirituals you will play in this book so take your time. It is in this book as a good challenge for you to learn. It is also a ‘call and response’ tune.
Page 30
12 1
5
4
2
5
1
4
2
5
2
4
1
5
2
4
1
3
1
4
2
4
5
4
2
5 5
7
2
4
1
5
2
4
5
4
2
5
1
4
2
2
4
2
1
2
4
5
1
1
1
5
5
3
2
3
1
1
Page 31
3
5
4
5
Here are the rest of the lyrics for the verses in ‘Wade in the water’ 2. See that band all dressed in red God’s a going to trouble the water Looks like the band that Moses led God’s a going to trouble the water..
4. If you don’t believe I’ve been redeemed God’s a going to trouble the water Just follow me down to Jordan’s stream God’s a going to trouble the water
3. Look over yonder what do I see? God’s a going to trouble the water The Holy Ghost a coming on me God’s a going to trouble the water
Try singing along with the tune while you play. Some of the words are a bit different to what you are used to. Have some fun trying to pronounce them!
Page 32
Chapter six. Gospel songs A brief history It’s quite difficult to attain the exact time when Gospel music actually began. There are two main divisions of Gospel music, Historic and Contemporary or Modern. The Historic Gospel is said to have begun as early as 1870. It can also be said to have begun in the years just prior to the depression up to around 1950. Gospel is comprised of Gospel songs written from about the 1960’s to the present. Around four million slaves were freed following the civil war in the 1870’s. Unfortunately their circumstances hardly improved at all. Although they were considered legally free from slavery they still faced prejudice and racism. A large amount of the the freed slaves stayed behind in the south but many travelled north in search of employment and a new start. In the climate of prejudice and racism and the urbanisation of the African Americans, Gospel music had its early beginnings. During the end of the historic period of Gospel songs many of the songs were considered ‘freedom’ songs. Even though the civil rights movement didn’t begin until much later these Gospel songs already showed the mood of the movement that was to eventuate. The type of Gospel music sung most often in African American churches then and now is generally the songs that were written in the historic period. One of the most important and prolific writers of these songs was Thomas A. Dorsey. He has over eight hundred songs credited to his name. He is considered by many as the Father of Gospel music. Another similar Gospel composer was Charles Albert Tindley. From his humble beginnings (his parents were slaves and he was ‘hired out’ to work as soon as he was old enough) he went on to overcome adversity and compose some of the most influential Gospel songs. Alot of Gospel is improvised meaning it is spontaneous and expresses the singers inspiration that is said comes from the Holy Spirit. Gospel music is still hugely popular today and influences a variety of musical styles such as blues, jazz, hymns and many more.
Page 33
Gospel songs The next lot of tunes we’re going to be looking at are Gospel tunes. Dividing up each genre specifically into groups is quite difficult because all these musical genres influence each other in terms of style content and theoretical aspects. So some of the songs you’ve already played in this book could be considered Gospel songs as well as Spiritual and it would be hard to argue the difference. Alot of these songs will sound very similar to the Spirituals and Hymns. Take this next tune slowly and listen to the track. Follow the music to help iron out any problems.
Page 34
Bye and bye
q = 58
1 4
3 5 5 1
Bye
an'
5
1
7
5
an'
would - n't
2 4
bye
mind
1 5
5 2
dy - in
if
all
all
shall
1 5
dy - in
Page 35
2 4
was
5 1
a - gain
meet
gain
meet
a -
1
shall
meet
5
shall
we
we
all
bye
we
bye
bye
5 1
an'
Bye
3
13
3 5
4 2
a - gain
an'
all
O
I
Chapter seven. E b major To be able to play some of the other tunes in this book we have to look at a new key signature. You will remember the techniques we use to get key signatures and we will apply the same rules to make the new key signature and subsequent scale. The scale we are going to look at is the scale of E major. E major has 3 flats in it E B and A . E major appears quite frequently in Gospel, Spirituals and Hymns so it’s an important key signature and scale to learn.
b
b b
b
b
b
As before we’ll start off in the R.H using the two tetrachord rule to make up our scale. R.H
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
W W H H W W W key 1st signature tetrachord 2nd tetrachord L.H
2 1 3 2 1 5
4
written this way an octave lower
H
W
W
OR
3
W H
W
tetrachord 2nd tetrachord 1st
L.H
5
4
W
3
W
W
2
H
1
W
1st tetrachord
Page 36
3
W
2
1
W H
2nd tetrachord
I, IV, V progression in E b major. This is important for us to recognise the chords when playing alot of these tunes. Remember that alot of this music uses chords from the I, IV, V progression.
b
b
b b
The three primary triads of E major are E A and B
1st note of the scale: 4th note of the scale: 5th note of the scale: I
1 E
b
2
4 A
3
the I chord the IV chord the V chord
IV
b b b
E major triad: A major triad: B major tirad: V
b
5 B
b
6
7
8
Now the same progression in the L.H with the chords in root position. L.H
I
b E
1
2
3
IV
b A
4
V
5 B
b
Here is the same progression this time with the inversions L.H
I
b E 1
root position
2
3
IV
b A 4
V
b
5
B
2nd inversion 1st inversion
A lot of the time these chords will not always appear in root position. So you will see the chords played in a variety of inversions. Here’s a few inversions of the diffferent chords of E major. Take a look at the inversions play through them. See if you can recognise the chords in any of the tunes used in this book.
b
This time when playing the I, IV, V progression try using different inversions in different hands. Try playing the standard inversions in both hands and then on the next page play the different inversions in each hand and notice the tonal quality difference. Play through slowly and take your time, it’s tricky.
Page 37
I
IV
1st inversion
root position
I
b
2nd inversion
IV
I
I
1st inversion
root position
V
2nd inversion
root position
I
V 1st inversion
I
root position
2nd inversion
IV
V
I
2nd inversion
1st inversion
IV
V
root position
I
1st inversion root position
2nd inversion
This next tune is in E major. There are lots of chords in this tune so take your time and make sure your getting all the notes correct. q = 96
I love the Lord
4
2
I love the
4 1
Lord
6
5 2
2 5
14
He heard my
2
1 5 3 1
3 5
5 1
11
1
rise
2
I'll has - ten
4
1 5
5 3
to
5 3
when trou - bles
3 5
4
5 3
and pit - ied
ev - ry groan long as I live 1 5
cries
4 1
His
5
throne
The next tune is in the key of E minor. The different key gives this Gospel tune a different feel. Page 38
15
The downward road is crowded q = 96
4 2
5 3
O the down - ward road is
4 2
down - ward road
11
win'
14
is crowd - ed with 1 5
blows
west
ev - ry po'
it
crowd - ed
3 1
un - be - liev - in' souls 1 1 1 4
4
blows like the judg - ment
O the
4
The win' blows east an' the
1 4
5
crowd - ed
5 1
day
5
ne - ver did pray
soul that
1 5
crowd - ed
3 5
6
4 1
an'
day pray that 1 1
will be glad to
5
4
5
Here are the rest of the lyrics to ‘The downward road is crowded”. 2. Some people say they believe in him An’ then won’t do what he says
Page 39
You can’t ride the empty air An’ get to heaven that day
Here is another Gospel tune for you to learn. Listen to the track first to get an idea about how the tune sounds, then try playing through it. If you can, it’s a good idea to read the music while listening to the track and see if you can follow it.
16
Stand by me 3
When
3 5
3
when
5
when
1 5
5 1
the storms
5 3
4
1 5
of life
4 2
the world
3 1
5
the storms of life
thou who rul
7
are rag - ing
are rag - ing
- est wind
stand
1 5
stand
2
and wa - ter
Page 40
4
by me
by me
a ship
like
5 3
is toss - ing me
2
Albert Tindley
stand
by me
3
3
(stand
(stand
5
u - pon
be
by
me)
3 1
me)
the sea
(stand by
me)
Here are the rest of the lyrics for ‘Stand by me’ 2. In the midst of tribulations Stand by me In the midst of tribulations Stand by me When the hosts of hell assail And my strength begins to fail Thou who never lost a battle Stand by me 3. In the midst of faults and failures Stand by me In the midst of faults and failures Stand by me When I do the best I can And my friends misunderstand Thou who knowest all about me Stand by me 4. In the midst of of persecution Stand by me In the midst of persecution Stand by me When my foes in battle array Undertake to stop my way Thou who saved Paul and Silas Stand by me 5. When I’m growing old and feeble Stand by me When I’m growing old and feeble Stand by me When my life becomes a burden And I’m nearing chilly Jordan O thou “Lily of the Valley” Stand by me
Page 41
This is the last Gospel tune we will look at in this book. There are a lot of chords in this tune so take our time to get them right.
17
There's something on my mind 3
There's
4
some - thin' on my mind
4 1
some - thin' on my mind that's 1 5
7
worr - yin me
so
5 1
that's
worr 2 4
worr - yin me There's
1 3
5 3
let us watch
3 1
Lord
1 5
an'
yin' me There's
some - thin' on my mind that's
pray as we live
Here are the rest of the lyrics for ‘There’s somethin’ on my mind’ 2. Father’s drinkin’ with their sons that’s what’s worryin’ me There’s Fathers drinkin’ with their sons that’s what’s worryin’ me There’s Fathers drinkin’ with their sons that’s what’s worryin’ me Let us watch Lord an’ pray as we live 3. The church is out of union that’s what’s worryin’ me The church is out of union that’s what’s worryin’ me The church is out of union that’s what’s worryin’ me So let us watch Lord an’ pray as we live
Page 42
Chapter eight. Hymns A brief history A hymn is a song of praise or prayer towards God. Singing psalms and hymns has been part of the Christian worship for hundreds of years. The most musically interesting change to the hymn came 250 years ago. Dr. Issac Watts, an English minister, saw that the music was lacking in lively and colorful expression. He was interested in showing the power and passion of his belief and faith through music. From this, the modern Hymn came about. Watts gave the religious psalms and hymns much more freedom and interest. A far more powerful means of expression was created by using variety. Watts wrote such songs as “Jesus shall reign” and “Joy to the world”. After Watts paved the way with this new type of interpretation and composition it wasn’t long until he had many followers keen to write in a similar style. Dr. Watts’ and others like him helped move the style of singing and hymns away from the rigid singing of the time toward a more poetic style of religious song. The songs that were written and played back then were used and adapted to a variety of situations. The African American Baptist and the Methodist churches both sang these hymns. They applied their own sense of culture and musical background to these songs and effectively modified many of the hymns. Those songs written around 250 years ago are still sung and enjoyed throughout the world. The influence of these songs is huge affecting many different genres of music.
Page 43
John Newton, the man that wrote the lyrics to ‘Amazing Grace’, left school when he was eleven to begin the dangerous and rough life of a seaman. He eventually became involved with the dishonourable business of capturing slaves from West Africa and selling them around the world markets. One day there was a fierce storm while at sea and John Newton became fearful that he would be shipwrecked. He turned to God to save him from the storm. Later he began to read ‘The Imitation of Christ’ by Thomas A. Kempis. It was through this book and his fearful experience that he realised the error in his ways and wrote this beautiful song. Through this spiritual experience John Newton decided to heed the call to study for ministry. When he was thirty nine years old John Newton was ordained as a Minister of the Anglican Church in a little village called Olney near Cambridge in England.
18 Words by John Newton and John P. Rees 3 1
A 1 5
7
wretch
12
now
- maz
like
Tune: "American melody" from Cirginia Harmony
Amazing grace 5 1
-
how sweet
5 3 ing
me
grace
1 3
2 4
the sound
5 3
am found was 5
I
blind 2 4
2 5
but
Page 44
once
5 3
now
saved
was lost
5
that
I
4 1
see
a
but
Here are the rest of the lyrics for ‘Amazing grace’. 2. ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, 5. Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail and grace my fears relieved and mortal life shall cease How precious did that grace appear I shall possess within the veil the hour I first believed.. a life of joy and peace.. 3. Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come ‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home..
6. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine But God, who called me here below will be forever mine.
4. The Lord has promised good to me His word my hope secures He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures..
7. When we’ve been there ten-thousand years, bright shining as the sun We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.
A very common feature of the Hymns is that they use I, IV, V progressions. So when playing some of these tunes try to look for and listen for the I, IV, V progression. In this next tune remember that the fingering is there only as a guide so you can use your own fingering if you find it more comfortable. Remember that the fingering has to be comfortable enough to allow you to play the notes at the assigned speed.
Page 45
Words by Julia Ward Howe
q = 82 5
3
4
3 1
6
1 5
5
1 the glo - ry of
tram - pling out
4 2
eyes have seen
1 5
Mine
the vin - tage where
4 2
1 5
Music by William Steffe
the Lord He is
the com - ing of
4 2
2 4
the grapes of wrath
are stored
He
hath
loosed the fate - ful light - ning of His ter - ri - ble swift - sword His truth is march - ing
on
10
19
Battle hymn of the Republic
Chorus
4
2
Glo - ry glo - ry hal - le - lu
14
3 1
-
4 2
Glo - ry glo - ry hal - le - lu
2 4
jah
His
Page 46
Glo - ry glo - ry hal - le - lu
jah
-
truth is march - ing
on
-
jah
Here are the other verse lyrics for ‘Battle hymn of the Republic’ 2. I have seen Him in the watchfires Of a hundred circling camps They have buried Him an altar in The evening dews and damps I can read His righteous sentence By the dim and flaring lamps His day is marching on..
4. In the beauty of the lillies Christ Was born across the sea With a glory in His bosom that Transfigures you and me As He died to make men holy Let us die to make men free While God is marching on.
3. He has sounded forth the trumpet That shall never sound retreat He is sifting out the hearts of men Before His judgement seat O be swift my soul to answer Him be jubilant my feet Our God is marching on..
You may recognise this next tune. It is often played as a Christmas carol but is also considered a hymn.
Page 47
20
Hark the herald angel sing
Words by Charles Wesley
q = 96
3 1
5 3
Tune: Mendelssohn
4 2
1
Hark the her - ald an - gels sing
Glo - ry
5 3
5
4 3
mer - cy mild God and sin - ners rec - on - ciled 3 2 3 5
4
the new - born King
4
6
to
joy - ful all you
16
Beth - le - hem
with the angel- ic
host pro - claim
5
2 4
Hark the her - ald
na - tions rise
5
4 2
1 4
2
2
peace on earth and
5 3
11
join the tri - umph of the skies
3 1
an - gels sing
Glo - ry
4
Page 48
to
4 1
Christ is
born in
the new - born King
Here are the rest of the lyrics for the verses in ‘Hark the herald angel sing’.
2. Christ by highest heaven adored Christ the everlasting Lord Late in time behold Him come Offspring of the virgin’s womb Veiled in flesh the Godhead see Hail the incarnate Deity Pleased as man with us to dwell Jesus out Emmanuel
3. Hail the heaven born Prince of peace Hail the sun of righteousness Light and life to all He brings Rising with healing in His wings Mild He lays His glory by Born that we no more may die Born to raise us from the earth Born to give us second birth
Keep going!! you’re almost there....
Page 49
You may have noticed that alot of these tunes are mostly made up of chords, and not alot of seperate bass notes of melody. Here’s the next tune for you to learn.
21
Holy, holy , holy
Words by Reginald Heber 3 1
5 3
Ho - ly ho - ly ho - ly Lord God 2
1` 3
2 5
1
2
6
5 1
2
to Thee
morn - ing our song shall rise
11
2 5
2
14
per
-
-
sons
and
3 2
ful
5 3
mer - ci
5 1
might
1 4
bless - ed
-
y
Trin - i - ty
Page 50
Music by John B. Dykes 5 3
al - might - y
Ho - ly ho - ly
God
A
ear - ly
-
in the
ho
-
2 5
1
ly
in
three
men
Here are the rest of the lyrics for the verses in ‘Holy, holy, holy’ 2. Holy, holy, holy All the saints adore thee Casting down their golden crowns Around the glassy sea Cherubim and seraphim Falling down before Thee Which wert and art and Evermore shall be..
4. Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty All Thy works shall praise Thy name In earth and sky and sea Holy, holy, holy Merciful and mighty God in three persons Blessed Trinity.
3. Holy, holy, holy Though the darkness hide Thee Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see Only Thou art holy There is none beside Thee Perfect in pow’r In love and purity..
Page 51
This tune is designed to be played quite fast but don’t worry if you have to start off slow to get it right. Remember that the fingering is also a guide so if you find a different fingering more comfortable then use it.
22
Joy to the world Words from Psalm 98, adapted by Issac Watts
q = 82
Joy
to
the
world
cieve her
the
King let
heav'n
is
and
come
heart
heav'n and na - ture sing
16
Lord
ev - ry
6
12
Music, 'Antioch' arranged from George F. Handel
and
heav'n
pre -
and
Page 52
let
ture sing
-
room and
and
na - ture
re
earth
pare Him
heav'n and na -
sing
Here are the rest of the lyrics for the verses in ‘Joy to the world’
2. Joy to the earth the Saviour reigns Let men their songs employ While fields and floods, rock, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy Repeat the sounding joy Repeat repeat the sounding joy..
4. He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love And wonders of His love And wonders, wonders of His love.
3. No more let sin and sorrows grow Nor thorns infest the ground He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found Far as the curse is found Far as, far as the curse is found..
Page 53
Conclusion You’ve done it! You have completed the Rocket Piano Gospel Book. Just think of all the Gospel, Spiritual and Hymns you’ve learnt. You’re on your way to becoming a musician ... all you need is more practice! Now you are ready to go on to the Rocket Piano Fingering Technique and Exercises book if you haven’t already done so. That’s it for now.
The Rocket Piano Team
Page 54
