• Exposed: Top 4 Gospel Progressions

    in Chords & Progressions,Gospel music,Piano

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    In this lesson, we’ll be covering top ten chord progressions every gospel pianist must know.

    Just like jazz music, gospel music is one of the influential styles in American popular music. Featuring syncopated rhythm, captivating melodies, and most importantly, sophisticated progressions.

    Consequently, the average gospel pianist has a lot of work to do, especially in the aspect of learning how to play a variety of chord progressions.

    Although there are tons of chord progressions to learn (and sometimes this can be frustrating), there are certain chord progressions that people look out for when you label yourself as a “gospel pianist or keyboardist” and this is because they can be found in a variety of songs.

    Our focus in this lesson is to present you with top ten chord progression everyone expects you to know as a gospel pianist and to show you how they can be applied in gospel music.

    But before we delve into all that, let’s refresh our minds on chord progressions.

    A Quick Review On The Concept Of Chord Progression

    In any given major and minor key, there are seven unique tones and these tones can be seen in the scale (major or minor scale). For example, the seven unique tones in the key of C major can be seen in the C natural major scale:

    C is the first tone

    D is the second tone

    E is the third tone

    F is the fourth tone

    G is the fifth tone

    A is the sixth tone

    B is the seventh tone

    Every tone in the key has its unique chord (aka – “scale tone chord”). For example, the scale tone chord of the first tone (which is C):

    …is the C major triad:

    …or C major seventh chord:

    …or C major ninth chord:

    The scale tone chord of the fourth tone (which is F):

    …is the F major triad:

    …or F major seventh chord:

    …or F major ninth chord:

    “Pay Attention To This…”

    The movement in harmony from one scale tone chord to another produces chord progressions. The chord movement from the C major seventh chord:

    …to the F major seventh chord:

    ,,,produces a chord progression.

    The Notation Of Chord Progressions

    Chord progressions can be written or indicated using the Nashville number system — where a number is assigned to every tone of the scale.

    In the key of C major:

    …the chord of the first tone (which is C) in the key of C major is notated as chord 1 or 1. The chord of the fourth tone (which is F) in the key of C major is notated as chord 4 or 4.

    So, a chord progression from chord 1 to chord 4 can be notated as a 1-4 chord progression.

    A Short Note On Chromatic Chord Progressions

    Chromatic progressions are also commonly used in gospel music.

    A chromatic chord progression consists of chords that are foreign to the prevalent key. In the key of C major:

    …the G altered chord:

    …is chromatic because it consists of D# and A#:

    …which are foreign to the key of C major.

    In the top ten chord progressions, there are chromatic chord progressions and a variety of diatonic progressions that resonate with the key as well.

    Let’s explore them!

    Top Ten Chord Progressions Every Gospel Pianist Must Know

    Although there are other important chord progressions (heck, the list is inexhaustible), we singled out these 10 progressions because they are right on top of the list.

    #1 – The Classic 2-5-1 Chord Progression

    The classic 2-5-1 chord progression is commonly found at the end of several gospel songs. If you sing 10 gospel songs, 9 of them (if not 10) end with the 2-5-1 chord progression.

    “A Breakdown Of The 2-5-1 Chord Progression”

    In the key of C major:

    …the 2-5-1 chord progression moves from the chord of the second tone (aka – “chord 2”) to chord 5, then to chord 1.

    Chord 2:

    …is the D minor seventh chord.

    Chord 5:

    …is the G dominant seventh chord (played in second inversion).

    Chord 1:

    …is the C major seventh chord.

    Attention: Although seventh chords are used in the example above, triads and extended chords can also be used.

    “Altogether, Here’s The 2-5-1 Chord Progression…”

    Chord 2:

    Chord 5:

    Chord 1:

    #2 – The Popular 1-5-6-4 Chord Progression

    If you turn on the radio and listen to 10 songs (or so), the chances that 3 (to 5) out of the 10 songs are based on the 1-5-6-4 chord progression are high.

    “A Breakdown Of The 1-5-6-4 Chord Progression”

    In the key of C major:

    …the 1-5-6-4 chord progression moves from the chord of the first tone (aka – “chord 1”) to chord 5, then to chord 6, before ending on chord 4.

    Chord 1:

    …is the C major triad (played in second inversion).

    Chord 5:

    …is the G major triad.

    Chord 6:

    …is the A minor triad.

    Chord 4:

    …is the F major triad (played in first inversion).

    Attention: Although triads are used in the example above, seventh and extended chords can also be used.

    “Altogether, Here’s The 1-5-6-4 Chord Progression…”

    Chord 1:

    Chord 5:

    Chord 6:

    Chord 4:

    #3 – The Classic 1-6-2-5 Chord Progression

    The 1-6-2-5 chord progression is one of the top progressions every serious gospel pianist must learn; not just because it is common in songs, but because it can be played as a turnaround progression.

    “A Breakdown Of The 1-6-2-5 Chord Progression”

    In the key of C major:

    …the 1-6-2-5 chord progression moves from the chord of the first tone (aka – “chord 1”) to chord 6, then to chord 2, before ending on chord 5.

    Chord 1:

    …is the C major ninth chord.

    Chord 6:

    …is the A minor ninth chord.

    Chord 2:

    …is the D minor ninth chord.

    Chord 5:

    …is the G dominant seventh [flat ninth].

    Attention: Although extended chords are used in the example above, seventh chords can also be used.

    “Altogether, Here’s  The 1-6-2-5 Chord Progression…”

    Chord 1:

    Chord 6:

    Chord 2:

    Chord 5:

    #4 – The 3-4-#4-5-5 Chord Progression

    The 3-4-#4-5-5 chord progression is one of the signature progressions in gospel and jazz music.

    It is used as a fanciful turnaround progression especially in traditional gospel.

    “A Breakdown Of The 3-4-#4-5-5 Chord Progression”

    In the key of C major:

    …the 3-4-#4-5-5 chord progression moves from the chord of the first tone (aka – “chord 1”) played over the 3 on the bass, to chord 4, then to chord #4, then chord 1 over the 5, before ending on chord 5.

    Chord 1 over the 3:

    …is the C major triad.

    Chord 4:

    …is the F major triad.

    Chord #4:

    …is the F# diminished seventh.

    Chord 1 over the 5:

    …is the C major triad.

    Chord 5:

    …is the G dominant seventh [#9, #5].

    Attention: Although extended chords are used in the example above, seventh chords can also be used.

    “Altogether, Here’s  The 3-4-#4-5-5 Chord Progression…”

    Chord 3:

    Chord 4:

    Chord #4:

    Chord 5:

    Chord 5:

    Final Words

    These chord progressions are commonly found in a variety of gospel songs and we’ll be covering how they can be applied in gospel music.

    See you in the next lesson!

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    Onyemachi "Onye" Chuku is a Nigerian musicologist, pianist, and author. Inspired by his role model (Jermaine Griggs) who has become his mentor, what he started off as teaching musicians in his Aba-Nigeria neighborhood in April 2005 eventually morphed into an international career that has helped hundreds of thousands of musicians all around the world. Onye lives in Dubai and is currently the Head of Education at HearandPlay Music Group and the music consultant of the Gospel Music Training Center, all in California, USA.




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