Gospel Chords

[4hisglory]

This week, Thekeynote made a statement that has stuck with me all week.  She said:

"I think of all the chords I posted and it really is contrary to what I believe--we should be musicians first---again---not imitators of chord posts. "

If I would have followed this piece of advice, I would be much  further along in playing.  In the past, Learngospemusic was based chords but now with the "enhanced" site I am building, it will be based on musicianship.  I truely believe that if you spent a year or two on musicianship, you will be able to get all the chords you need by yourself without depending on other people.

[bernie879]

For those that are starting to play listing chords is a very helpful tool because the more you play them the more you get familiar with them so I feel that posting the chords is a helpful tool because sometimes you may hear something I don't hear

[4hisglory]

I see what you are saying but you will progress much faster (in my opinion) if you under how the chords are being used in tontext.

[jkelly]

For those that are starting to play listing chords is a very helpful tool because the more you play them the more you get familiar with them so I feel that posting the chords is a helpful tool because sometimes you may hear something I don't hear

I do agree with this point if you're just starting to play gospel music and are not familiar with the traditional and common gospel chord progressions.  When I first started playing in church and for other choirs, someone showed me how to play song and gave me the chords.  But they also made me go home and sit in front of the piano with headphones and learn some songs on my own to help strengthen my ear.    

I think that 4hisglory is 100% right.  I think once you get to a certain level in your playing, it is very beneficial to learn songs on your own, it gives you better understanding of the theory behind it which you can then take and apply to other songs.  We all know here that alot of gospel songs are very similiar and sometimes identical, once you learn a couple the rest will just start clicking, and next thing you know you're learning songs in 5 to 10 minutes.  Its actually kinda like a game to me when I go to rehearsal to see how fast I can learn a song.  Its not an arrogant or cocky thing but its about the "musicianship" in you that 4hisglory speaks about, you want to expand the gift that God has placed upon you especially when its to give him the honor and glory.  

Now don't get me wrong, when its Saturday night at 10 pm and your director calls you to tell you that the march in song is being changed to such-n-such and you have NO CLUE how to play such-n-such and no one has a cd (I know y'all can feel me on this Amen?) then I'm the first one on this site and Sister Roline's site to see if I can learn it right fast :lol:   But I definitely prefer to learn them myself.  

Be Blessed y'all

I saw thekeynote posts ( actually it was 2 posts).

Now while I absolutely agree with her comments.  I absolutely disagree with the  way in which they were made.  I'm not trying to put anyone on front street or  anything like that, but I was actually shocked  at the way the original poster of the message  was shot down.  Granted they made some comments about  complexity of the song and  number of notes in a chord,  but talking about someone's skill level in  addition to someone's band like that is not  neccessary in my opinion.

The reason I liked this site so much in the first place was the amount of encouragement that was give to new  members and to people willing to practice and learn.

If you are an accomplished musician then that is great.  Cherish the gift and use it for Gods glory.   Encourage others to press on. Some will fall by the wayside and so be it. But others will continue to struggle through the early years and see their gift to  blossom.

But the focus should be character building and edification.  Comments about the number of notes someone can play in the bass cleff and the quality of their home band should be left  on the cutting room floor.

We can state the truth without tearing down someone's spirit at the same time.

I say this because this site has been a blessing to me and I don't want to see it  corrupted into a forum where only a select few benefit from it.  There is material here for musicians of all levels of skill ( if you are willing to search and practice).

Thanks

J

[4hisglory]

Jaylewis,
   I've read, re-read, and then read again her comments and I didn't see anything bad about her comments.  Maybe because I know her.  She just cut straight to the heart of things.

Well,

I'm at a disadvantage since I don't know anyone on here personally.

So If my comments are in error, then I apologize.  

Please forgive me theKeynote and anyone else who took my comments personally.

Again,  I love the site and am blessed by any and all participants.

J

[SisterT]

Well,

So If my comments are in error, then I apologize.  

Now, that's how we should do it!!!!

[PastorB]

I agree with both views. Both have validity.  Posted songs help you visualize patterns and they also excite the beginner because they experience an instant amount of progress. (Helps with the frustration level)

At the same time even as a beginner I hunger for the theory of gospel so that I can figure it out on my own.
Like once you learn how to put together any type of chord. if you hear someone say, a 7 chord in 2nd position goes there. Then one can figure it out on there own no matter what the key.

As we all know Black Gospel has a theory all of its own and if you have a terrible ear like mine some runs or chord progressions you are just not going to pick up or figure out. You need the theory. That's why I am thankful for this site. I learn common gospel theory and I go home and play it and go "ahhh haa that's how they do it. I could have never figured that one on my own."
That's me opinion )
God bless the masters of learn gospel

[thekeynote]

Good discussion.  Thank you Daryl for standing up for me.  

Jaylewis, I am the first to admit that sometime folk get on my nerves, and I'm perhaps sometimes easily offended by the ignorance of others.  Pray for me   If I'm wrong, I can and will apologize.  I don't even want to be a moderator because I don't set an example for others when people tick me off.  Hey, like Daryl said: I'm honest!  

Nevertheless, what kills me is when people that ask for chords (CONSTANTLY) criticize the well intentioned advice someone who has been playing forever and giving the chords to other people.  I believe I said it was all in love, and not to criticize.  But, if you've been playing for 6 months, and I've been playing for 30 years, I just might know a little more than he or she does.  If I had the cost of a piece of sheet music for every song I've posted here and back to the Gospel Melodies days (4 years now?) I'd be semi-retired from my profession.  

As I recall, he asked why couldn't he play one note in his left hand, and I said why you can't say that "across the board".  That's not being a musician or going hire in becoming skillful on the instrument.  

Finally, the fact that I'm a woman just rubs some people the wrong way.  They'll be alright, and they'll get over it.  Men are musicians, women are singers (in theory).  An outspoken one is truly rare.  

I accept your apology too.  

God Bless you!
Lisa

[thekeynote]

Many people have A.D.D. (Attention Deficit Disorder) I know I do.  Chords are easier than studying theory, practicing scales, etc., and provides more "instant gratification"---like, "Hey, I just played a song."

I have said over the 4 years or so around here that I detest practicing scales!  Detest it.  And, don't do it either.  In some areas, I have limitations because of it.  I practice them for 10 minutes, and before long, I'm playing a song.  It's much more fun, I agree!

I also think it is easier to apply the principals learned while in the midst of practicing a song.  So, yes--song posts are great!  

BUT (there's always a BUT)

How many people take the advice of Hammondman, me, Sam, Jermaine, B3WannaBe and all the others providing information???  Whenever I used to post songs, I'd give a lesson with the song.  Then, they accused me of being a know-it-all (you can't win!).  I posted for example, "This Little Light of Mine" from easy to more complicated w/more substitutions and the explanation.  Then, I say: Practice this in at least 4 or 5 other keys that you play in often (NOT all 12--even that's hard for me) but the common ones.  AND, if you can play that song, you can play "On The Battle Field", and probably 50 other songs in that same pattern.  The next day, that same person would ask could someone post "On The Battlefield"!  

What bugs me is when people ask for the most complicated songs and they can't play Amazing Grace without memorizing where to move their hands.  If they studied the theory behind those lessons in those posts (by me and many others) the other songs will come.  It's all founded on those basic principles and theory.  Some folk don't want to crawl before the walk.  They want to be James Hall and Donald Lawrence overnight.

That's what I meant about "Posting chords is contrary to what I believe in as far as musicianship."

 :idea:

Lisa

[PastorB]

Amen to that Key note
So why don't the master of learn gospel limit the amount of songs and concentrate of Theory. Don't remove them all together but focus more on theory. I love that concept and progression thekeynote explained about posting a song with theory from simple to complicated, practice it in 5 or so main keys.

Weed out the slothful, get down to those that want to learn music and appreciate the art. You know the old saying focus on the one's that want it not the one's that don't.

Like I said I am not a natural so theory, runs, chord progression drills, and the like is how it stays with me and in my opinion how it should be done.

A bit of advice if I may. I think you and the others should simply refer back to the vision of the sight. I learned from a very wise man (my pastor) to always refer back to purpose. The purpose of a thing is the driving factor.  

It's all about balance and purpose. Those that cannot handle that, need to meditate on 1 Cor. 13:1-8 and Galatians 5:22-26.  

Ok I will not beat this horse any longer
God bless

[4hisglory]

PastorB, I don't think I've welcomed you to the Learngospelmusic.com website, sooooo "Welcome".    
What you are saying amkes a lot of sense.  What is going on is this:  I am getting organized as we speak.  In the past, pages, information, articles had just been throw up without any organization thought of.  So I have to go back and dot every 'i' and cross every 't'.  There is alot of good things that are planned for the puture, I just have to spend sometimes getting organized.   But there is definetely some good stuff coming down the road.

[PastorB]

Thanks for the welcome! I am looking forward to the upgrades. I use to go to the site about a year ago but my computer went down.

This is the best site for musicans on the web for any type of music bar none. People can look around you won't find anything like this anywhere. Only ministers would donate the time that you brothers and sisters do.

So I encourage all of you to continue to do what God has lead you to do for learngospel and don't be moved by our faces (or emails) LOL

Word to the wise. Don't take these ministers for granted. Like a very wise woman once said about the one whom we strive to be like. Do whatever He says. I say, "(even if He says it through others)"

Ya'll pray for an uncoordinated pastor can ya?