Gospel Piano Harmony & Theory in C Major
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- Today we are breaking down everything you need to know to play in C Major! Everything from C Major scales, to chord voicings, to essential chord progressions and everything in between.
We will even dive into approaching C Major from a more intermediate level and how you can add chords that are "outside" of the key to get a more advanced sound.
Let's dive into it!
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Wow! You are the first RUclips gospel pianist I've seen who actually explains what he's doing. All the rest will say, let's play a 251 and then play forty different chords with various fills and runs without explanation.
Thank You I'm glad the content was helpful.
@@jeroenfigee thats dope and all but isn't the point of a tutorial/lesson to break those passing chords down instead of tossing em all over the place
u are right
Right!
@@f67739 the tutorial is about diatonic chords and gospel type chord structures. passing chords and using notes out of key is a different topic altogether
0:20 Somethin' Extra (Save for later)
0:38: Know the scale
0:55 Know the Diatonic chords
2:07 Circle-of-Fifths (CoF) Progression
3:34 Somethin' a little fancy (Using outside notes and the CoF to create resolution)
4:00 Learn the basics, and then branch out
4:30 I Surrender All Song Demo
5:40 Break down Begins ("A buncha black notes")
----------------------------------
Embellishment Tips
7:09 Embellishment Tip 1: Invert Chords, Move different chord notes to root or Left Hand (LH) and add movement to LH
8:15 Add the ninth
8:39 "Drop 2" Voicing, then creating a "walk-up" movement
8:58 5sus → 5Dom → 1 Chord Progression
9:27 Passing chords using CoF (Same as 3:34)
10:30 Subbing out 2min for 2half-dim (I call it "minor 4")
10:32 - :34 Delayed ninth / sixth addition
11:33 - :37 Modal Switch of the Relative minor: CoF using relative minor. Having a hard time phrasing this (I've had to re-edit this line a thousand times to interpret it right). At this spot he plays F# A E → Ab F D B → Amin. Depending on how you look at it, it can be one of these things: Modal Switch, or a 1-5-1 chord progression using C's relative minor (Amin). If you're looking at it as a modal switch, he's moving from Amin to AMaj. It fits because it explain the F#, which is a diatonic 6 in AMaj, and the EMaj, which is also diatonic to AMaj (5). However, what makes it weird, and thus hard to nail down if this is the case, is that the chord progression for that would be 6half-dim → 5 → and then subbing out AMaj for Amin. The Major-to-minor switch is a thing, but 6-5-1 is a weird progression, and sixth is supposed to be major, not half-dim.
Using the second interpretation (Cof off Amin) the progresssion is basicaly a 1-5-1 progression. The first 1 can be interpreted as Amin / F, the 5 was made major, and then it jumped back to Amin. What makes it weird, though, is that F# belongs to AMaj, not Amin, and the 5 is also major, which isn't the case in the minor scale. So...uh...not sure what to call this; both of them have trade-offs. I just stopped here because he doesn't play these chords again, and they're quite beautiful, and should be covered.
12:27 Chorus Demo
12:57 Break down Begins ("So we can do a buncha stuff")
13:36 Creating a 5-1 Chord Prog by adding a 5min passing chord
15:20 Using CoF for a turnaround
15:54 Using 5Maj in a minor scale
16:12 Another 5-1 prog creation, but the Ddom adds a 9, omits, the root, and starts on the F# (~16:22)
17:58 Gmin9 (add 11) → C9
18:00 CMaj7 → AbMaj7#5 / E
18:27 New Song (I Need Thee)
For the most part, just a lot of examples of the 2-5-1 chord prog injection, like with the CoF examples in I Surrender All
20:22 (explanation starts at 21:00) Main example of chord injection and modal switching
21:26 Modal switching: minor to major
22:40 2-5-1 chord progression injection
24:32 Non-diatonic passing chord (seems like it's just a chromatic move downward, which is why it works)
25:05 "a little chuchy"
25:12 Substitute chord for their Dom7 counterparts to add tension
Wow, this is so helpful. Thanks so much for putting in the time to do this.
Thank you sooo muchhh!!
thanks!
I LOVE YOU, HEHE
You deserve a paycheck for the thorough detailed recap of everything here you nailed it!!
Just want to add this for the beginners. Notice all the passing chords he played have a note from the blue scale except for the E dominant going to the 6th. Also, he is using the blues scale to make those runs that he plays over the chords. So make sure you know the blues scales as well as you know the major scales.
That is very helpful. thank you.
im pretty sure there is a formula for everything, blues scales got one too
I've never heard C sound this good 👍🏾
You put everything were it belongs ! God created music & when given back to Him it is at it's sweetest! Thanks for this awesome teaching.
"The rule of the secondary dominant is that you play the diatonic 5th chord away from the destination chord"
Damn. That was a powerful tip.
Can someone please dumb this down for me
@@mosessatyam diatonic means in a scale, dominant is a chord quality that not all diatonic chords have. secondary dominant is a dominant chord that leads to a diatonic chord but is not in that diatonic scale, such as the E7, or E dominant chord that he is constantly playing in the beginning of the video. The E chord in C major is E minor 7, and he is playing it dominant, so that is from the A major scale, so it is a secondary dominant in C major.
that part.
Chill OUT....
I’ll try to dumb it down. Say we’re in C major and we want to go to the G major chord. We want to play the 5 chord of G, because we want to borrow from the key of G (borrow from the scale associated with the chord you’re going to). So temporarily, we are approaching the G chord with a chord from the actual G scale in this case.
In G major, the 5 is going to be D major, or D7, anything with that “flavor” / chord quality (chord type).
So again, you’re in playing in a key like C for example, you WANT to go to a chord like G, so you think ahead of the G, and put a transitional chord to pull you to the G. The most common way to do that is the secondary dominant, or in easy terms that means the 5 chord of the chord you’re trying to go to. So to get to G in the key of C, you could play some kind of D or D7 to get to the G chord, because D7 is the 5 chord in the key of G major. (G major scale has its own set of 7 chords, and to learn this concept, you need to already know the entire scale of the chord you’re trying to go to. Learn the G scale, then play the 5 chord from the G scale (D7) to pull you to G. It’s always about playing chords from the scale of the chord you’re going to. If you’re trying to get to D minor, you’re temporarily thinking in the key of D minor etc.)
This is WAY easier if you already know your scales. It will come naturally the more homework you’ve already done on scales and chords that belong in scales.
Another quick example is going to F in the key of C. We want to play a chord from the actual key of F major to pull us to F. Use a secondary dominant (means play the 5 chord of the scale from the chord you’re going to, so the 5 chord of the F major scale is C7). So before we play the F, play the F’s 5 chord.
You can go even further by borrowing more chords from that. Like if I’m going to F, I can also play a 2 5 1 in the key of F. So Gm7 C7 Fmaj7 for example.
The “1” is your target chord. For a moment. You’re picking a chord like F in the key of C major, and F is the 4. Think this: “ok I want to go to an F chord, so I’m going to pretend like the 4 chord, F, is my 1 for a sec. I will play a 2 5 1 in the key of F major to get to F, and when I land on F finally, the F is still the 4 of the key I’m in, C.”
The mindset is , “where do I want to go? Ok let’s go to F. Let me approach that in the key of F with a 2 5 1 in the key of F, so when I land on the F, I’m now in the 4 of the key of C which is F.”
You’re thinking ahead by playing a progression from the key of the chord you’re going to.
You can go to the 2, Dm, by playing an A7 because that is the 5 of a D harmonic minor scale. Stuff like that. It gets even more advanced as you get comfortable, dig deep, and realize what other musicians have done. Gospel songs and also jazz have almost a continuous cycle of these types of passing chord movements, one chord resolving to the next.
Fun stuff.
You've given great praise to Jesus with this tutorial. Please continue your praise of The Lord so we can be inspired to learn how to praise Him ourselves.
Your overlay with both the keys being pressed, the notes on the staff, and the chord being played is so unbelievably helpful thank you! Your layout is so clean.
This man is the only person on the internet who fully explains everything he does. I’m not left in the dust!!
Awesome job! Learned a whole lot. God bless you real good!
I SURRENDER ALL LYRICS:
All to Jesus, I Surrender.
All to him I freely give.
I will ever love and trust him,
In his presence daily live.
Chorus:
I surrender all 2X
All to thee my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
😂🤣 Thank you for the lyrics! This was definitely needed
@@thegiftedhandsmusic My pleasure 👏👏👏
Honestly this is exactly what I was needing, did not know how to search for it. I am not religious at all but I adore gospel music, it is my favorite harmony genre.
I think you mean gospel music?
Just fyi and not meant to be snarky, but "secular" is the opposite of "religious". So for instance pop music is usually secular, but gospel isn't.
Thanks for the correction all.
Thanks for this. 🤍
C Major works for me, it’s much easier to visualized when you call out the numbers.
Passes and chords that you play are just beautiful. Thank you for sharing this!
I have been teaching myself to play and this is really helpful! I am learning the old gospel songs. They have such meaning and we are not singing them much any more.
At first I thought you were going too fast through your examples, but then I realized that I was able to keep up in many cases. That's great because it's forcing my brain to go faster and learn to make these musical calculations quickly. The truth is that most material out there is too slow, which doesn't really challenge me enough to "level up." Thanks for this great video!
I swear I am atheist but gospel alone makes me want to convert
Same. My faith lasts as long as the music does hahaha.
@@MAandS Put that music on loop fam.
you should convert bro
It's a sign bro
God is speaking to you✝️
Thank you so much. An answer to prayer. I play by only by ear, in C and F, and I have been praying for someone that a couple help me better understand what I am doing. I think I have a mental block about learning to read music. I’ve missed so much. But this may be the key to help me develop my ability for God’s glory. Thank you brother ~ Duane
I’ve given up learning anything from these videos and just enjoy the music.
Oh my gosh, you made these concepts so simple! You have a humble, down to earth teacher's spirit. God bless you.
Thanks, Bro... You ACTUALLY taught this lesson concisely and clearly, as opposed to many out there who just show off without fully explaining the methodology. Nice.
Hey, glad you found it useful!
I just love me a C major! Like another commenter, i learned to play ages ago and play well by ear, but half the time not sure of the numberings im playing. Gift, some say. I play keys as part of a worship team and just came across this video that has given so much more to working with C. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Thank you for sharing. Blessings
Love the idea of taking such straight forward songs & improvise like this.Wish there were more lessons like this.People keep posting lessons that are not so understandable at times.Thanks for posting this.Pls do more like this.
I'm a guitarist. and I'VE BEEN WATHCHING YOUR VIDEO, BIT BY BIT. LEARNING A LITTLE AT A TIME. AND I'VE LEVELED UP
4:43 until.. “I don’t know the words” I felt that bruh. We just play!!! 🎹
Scholarly and humble man. It's nice that you're teaching us and showing us your learning process. "Just fooling around," or "What might this sound like, idk," it's so invaluable to us noobs. Thanks man.
It's cool to have someone like u out here teaching us. I was tired playing the same ol. And you did all this in C 💯
At last! I found a pianist who make the gospel songs as the example. Been searching for something like this. Thanks for sharing this✨🤍.
I consider myself an accomplished musician and play in our worship band. But your content is truly next level stuff. I’m looking for ways to make my own playing a little less bland at times, and this is exactly what I needed. Thanks so much! You’re an excellent teacher !
It really is amazing how you can play something so silky while casually talking and thinking about the circle of fiths and all this stuff.
I'm a long time gospel drummer that's just trying to branch into other instruments, and this video has been fantastic so far, I hope to be able to improv like this someday
If you practise everyday you’ll see that you can do it after a while too. It just like driving a car, eventually you’ll do it without thinking.
for years my playing skills became boring and i have been looking for ways to spice things up but no one to teach me utill now i saw this video. you blessed me now and i can enjoy playing the piano once more i do not know how to thank you a bunch for this clip.
You blessing the transpose ministry 😂
😂🤣 Blessings to my transposing brothers and sisters! 🙏🏾
🤣🤣
🤣
Crying 😂😂😂
Come on now 😂😂😂😂
I have been looking for this information for a very long time. Its been a dilemma and most videos out there dont tell you how to get from the simple to the eloquent. Your teaching is incredible. I will recommend this video to many. God bless you
Thanks so much for taking the time to go through this theory! I am a lead keyboardist on my worship team and this was very helpful. Bless you for your skill and willingness to share your gift.
I have been learning on my own for a year and a half. I am past the basic scales and chords. You unlocked the creative door in the first 3 mins. Thank you for sharing. We all learn in the key of “C” and you did a great job in teaching us.
I'm Buddhist ,Guitarist And Music teacher .This brother is Really Gifted cat..thanks for this your Knowledge is spot on.
The day of the Lord is coming soon. Please repent and turn to him. At least, read the Bible and discover the truth and make your own decision. Matthew and Revelation. Have a blessed day
@@princemarvel8461 wtf
Music speaks to the spirit
I learned so much, subscribed, and saved this to my playlist for learning. Blessed by your willingness to serve through your gifts. Going to try to take the lessons from here and then apply them to various keys. So thankful I found this
Thank you for being a great blessing in the lives of others; and for letting The ALMIGHTY GOD use you to encourage others to use their gifts and talents. God bless you and keep you.
3:21- 3.29 is so cool. Had to replay. Nice!
Thanks!
I'm only at 2:07 and I already "Liked" and "Subscribed." Come on Bruh!!! Keep bringing the knowledge.
Oh Lord, the gospel is about inversion chord, seventh and ninth..maybe i am wrong but i already find the soul. Thanks bro..
I needed this so bad, C helps me to convert to the other keys, thanks and please go deeper, God bless you it’s time I started sounding more contemporary and I’m motivated by this to start practicing again.
I just start to learn piano for chord research, and I realize that chords and their relations are much much more clear in a keyboard than in a guitar. Thank you for your video.
Wish they had videos like this when I was a kid. We didn't even have keyboards. There's a ton of information here; I like the way you can see the notes being played.
Dude. I learned more about jazz/gospel theory in this video that the past 3 years, like using a 251 just to pass
Thanks bro for this clear lesson. I think you did a better job than many keyboardists showing off their skills, but without the clarity necessary for beginners to learn. Thumbs up!!!!!!!!
Great lesson. God bless you
For a guy like me playing by ear like during the ice age, I have no idea how to keep up with your explanations. But, Man, you're playing is super and so pleasant to the ear! More power to you...
Thanks for this great video! I just started to learn piano and this video will help me.
I finally understand how to use circle of 5ths from your breakdown. Not to the fullest extent , but still. Awesome lesson man. 🙏🏾
You've gave me so much understanding of chords and I barley understood chords and cycle of fiths before this thank you for the beautiful detailed explanations🙌🏽💯
"I surrender... I dont know the words" Bros a true Musician 😂😂😂
The way you're passing on the knowledge, is as beautiful as the chords themselves.
I really appreciate this.
The paired visual representation (both in sheet music and played-notes form) of what you're playing, much the same
Well done.Really appreciate you.Its easier for me to learn in C major and translate the concepts into other keys.Will appreciate anything you do in C major including tritone substitutions,arpeggios,reharmonisations etc.God bless
That's the Truth ! ✌
Oh my word… I have been playing for 20 years and I’ve only just clicked… amazing work bro.
Finally! A tutorial on gospel that is easy to understand, and pretty easy for beginners to jump into! God bless you man!
I'm from Srilanka
And Thank you for your lessons. Really really useful. Learning new stuffs. God bless you.
more C major work bro.... this was so fire 🔥 and i feel like its easier for people to take what they learn in C and move it into different keys
I have been watching piano tutorials for over 10years i never understood those concept , the way you explaining the concept of 5th OMG you are a great Teacher, being a Musician and teaching someone how to play music is two different thing ,many guys on RUclips they are musician cant really teach. You must be gifted to breakdown stuff like this and make it easier even for beginners thanks brother we really appreciate the hard work🤝
Where were you when I learned to play piano? These chords would have made my life easier!
Thank God! A video in C Major! It’s been over 30 years and this seems to be the only key I know how to play in. Lol. I need lessons
I’m a drummer trying to get versatile with my music I know my notes but had no understanding on how to put things together but when I tell you after I watched this video EVERYTHING CLICKED thank you soooo much god bless bro keep grinding🔥🔥🔥🔥❤️💪🏾
Yessir! That's a great feeling when all of the dots start to connect.
The best video EVER. I've been searching for this content for ages and nobody was so clear!!!
I can't tell you how many people have a course covering this, or privately tried to teach this to me... this is the first time its made sense. And I'm getting old! Thank you! Will you please show me basic exercises to practice the core components of this lesson. For example you mentioned that a good passing chord is a 5th from where we're going. Is there a good exercise to do to practice that in all keys?
Hey Ramon, I go into even more details in my Gospel Keys Masterclass. I cover exercises you can use to get comfortable with passing chords, playing in all 12 keys and much more!
@@thegiftedhandsmusic where can i get access to the masterclass?
@@Mattomo Hi you can checkout all my masterclasses here: www.thegiftedhandsmusic.com/store... blessings!
@@zeldan64fan50 erase the word “store” from the link.
@@thegiftedhandsmusic There are two dots at the end of the url that's makes it go to a 404 not found page. Remove the two dots at the end of the url (after the store)
Took me about 7 or 8 months to get to the point where I can follow. Happy can I follow now.
Man, I wish I could play like you bro. You are amazing!
I really appreciate that! Just keep practicing and playing every day and you will be as good as you want to be.
Awesome! Passing chords, substitute dominant for minor chords, and drop 2 voicing added so much! Thanks you for sharing your talent.
4 minutes in and I know my life is changed forever. I have to see you in person
a bunch of black notes. I love that and I'm white
Its hard to find a good tutorial for something new that isnt too far out of reach. Ive been watching alot of gospel tutorials that are over my head, but finally this one was great
Thanks so much, glad we could help!
Many gospel pianists start by insinuating that " IT IS HARD AND THEY WILL MAKE IT EASY!" You have started by implying "HOW EASY IT IS AND HAVE SHOWN IT BY EXAMPLE AFTER ANOTHER!!" You are on your way to becoming a Master of something.......!
@@thegiftedhandsmusic Many gospel pianists start by insinuating that " IT IS HARD AND THEY WILL MAKE IT EASY!" You have started by implying "HOW EASY IT IS AND HAVE SHOWN IT BY EXAMPLE AFTER ANOTHER!!" You are on your way to becoming a Master of something.......!
i just love how you breakdown these complex movements and Concepts into something very simple and learnable. really helpful . God bless you Sir
6:46 that A minor voicing is lovely man!
God Bless You my brother your an awesome teacher and are truly blessed, I pray God continues top bless everything that you touch, 100!!!
Bro, I lost it when you started singing "I surrender all" wrong. 😂 Enjoyed the video, much needed.
If you lived in England, I'd be round at your place for lessons. I've rarely come across such an inspiring and natural teacher.
Yoooooo!!! I so appreciate this video! I’ve been learning piano this past year or so, and starting to play for my church. This was beautiful bro! Imma be taking all you’ve given us in this video and soak it in and practice all day!!! What a blessing! I appreciate you!!!
The same here. I started learning to play the piano last year and so happy to discover this channel. The lessons make sense and bring you a level up each time, which is very exciting! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
❤🔥🔥 love doing these progressions 🎹
Fantastic video. Thank you for taking the time to record it. Easy to follow, beautiful to hear and well paced. Please keep posting!
very informational
💯💯💯💯
Oh man, you can play bro. What a blessing to watch you playing a piano. What a gift of playing a piano you have. That’s exactly how i want to play a piano with no limits like you bro. How do i get lessons from you? Let me know please. God bless. 🙏🏾
The absolute best description of the Circle of 5ths. Thank you !!! A New door opened for me today !! WOW !
very helpful lesson. Thank you for giving this for free
I came to learn, i stayed for your performance. you're a natural. great chords
I just stared on piano. Coming from bass guitar and knowing some theory your lessons are super helpful. I understand enough to follow you and you’re a really good teacher. Thx man
Thanks for the kind words and for watching. Good luck on your piano journey!
I too am a bass player , now playing keys for about 9 years …. Love playing keys .
Played bass for about 30 years .
After watching videos about gospel piano and guitar jazz tutorials, the main idea behind the passing chords such as in 11:30 is that you can take any chord even outside the key's diatonic scale as long as its last note fits the melody of the song. Passing chords being played in a very quick moment makes the music dissonant in a way that resolves to the diatonic chord being played next to it.
I love this Idea. God bless you; I look forward to see more of this
Bra Im getting paid playing for churches soon thank you so much
This the teacher RUclips needs.
Such an eye-opening lesson. Thank you! I have never heard the topic explained so clearly :) So glad you popped up in my timeline today :)
YESSS. Thank you for this vid. You're the first gospel pianist who breaks down what they're doing and it is cool.
God, this has really taken my playing to the next level
I'm glad I could help !
Thank you for such a clear explanation. I hear and play this stuff but don’t always know why the theory as to why it works. I just know it sounds good when I play it!
What I want to see is like a 5 level breakdown of a song from beginner to advance with your style of playing
I do that in my Gospel Keys Masterclasses with multiple songs. We go through multiple songs and how to play them at different levels. I also talk about the concepts and techniques you can use to get to the next level in your playing.
@@thegiftedhandsmusic I just purchased that package bro. This video was key in winning me over. Thanks for your hard word to share this information in a high quality delivery. Changing my life from one minute to the next.
@@thegiftedhandsmusic where can I find the package at
Yes
@@fabo.vibezz9138 go to his website thru one of the links in the description. Nice!
you make me wanna cry with these chords.
I've been blessed a lot with this
I felt like i didnt progress on my piano playing.
Watching your videos, it encourage me to study again. Thanks Bro.
That was truly an amazing lesson, could you please do this tutorial in G major? It would be a huge blessing. I have been sharing this channel with everyone I know. Much appreciated.
You will never be the same. Best move I’ve ever made!!
Getting some autumn leaves vibes on this tune. Thanks for the video, I enjoyed watching your chord subs.
Autumn Leaves is based on the Circle of Fifths so when playing Circle of Fifths exercises you can't help hearing Autumn Leaves.
Thanks a lot.
This video really transformed my play cos most of all u played is applicable in so many other gospel songs.
Thanks again!!!
Gifted hands music
I've been needing this instruction for quite some time. I've been playing for a while,, but was lacking in certain areas.. A lot of times self-taught musicians tend to miss a lot of the fundamentals which are the building blocks for more advanced playing. I can't thank you enough for this tutorial.
Me as well!