LearnJazzPiano.com archives: Gospel progression

teiz -- 04/08/2007, 03:06:16 -- #34428

I'm looking for a some nice gospel progression:) do U know anyone?

jaledin -- 04/08/2007, 03:21:13 -- #34428

There are lots of terrific gospel and spirituals out there.  "Precious Lord" and "Higher Ground" are two of my favorites -- Hank Crawford with Mac Rebennack on B3 have a great version of the former, while pianist Chuck Leavell has a nice solo piano version of the latter (in A [?!]). Ray Charles's "Drown in My Own Tears," "Hallelujah I Love Her So," and "Let's Go Get Stoned" all feature beautiful "sanctified" progressions as well.   Hampton Hawes's album "The Sermon" has a bunch of brilliant improvisations in a jazz context on spirituals and gospels.  Leroy Vinnegar is on the bass, I believe. Think triadic harmony coupled with basslines moving stepwise (frequent inversion of chords) and use of diminished passing chords.  Octaves in the right hand, octaves in the left hand, octaves everywhere.  Since it seems like you may not have heard much of this music, getting an authentic rhythm may be the major difficulty -- I think it's the most important element, by far, in this music.

teiz -- 04/08/2007, 06:59:42 -- #34428

thanks:)

Scot -- 04/08/2007, 08:35:39 -- #34428

In one of the new real books there is a yellowjackets song called Redemption (I think) that is packed full of modern gospel licks, all chorded out for piano too.

jaledin -- 04/08/2007, 12:11:42 -- #34428

I think the tune is called "Revelation" -- it's in the third volume of the New Real Book.

jaledin -- 04/08/2007, 22:05:22 -- #34428

I forgot to mention that if you decide to learn the changes to any particular tune (it's probably best to learn a *tune* rather than spend too much time on generic patterns, like I --> III7/5 --> vi or I --> V7+ --> I --> I+5/3 [sometimes spelled III7+] --> IV --> #IVo etc., which, taken out of context, can be pretty meaningless), whether off the record or from the original sheet music, I'd be happy to help spice up the progressions with passing chords or suggestions as needed.   There's a Homespun video with an excellent gospel pianist (I can't remember her name just now) which I'd recommend as well.  She really breaks everything down, plus she can *really* play.  Homespun videos are worth the money, IMO, for the amount of stuff you can pick up by watching them.  If you buy it, you should try to use the link in the upper left corner of the page so Scot gets credit for referring a purchase.  Or find it at a library.

teiz -- 04/09/2007, 14:25:57 -- #34428

thanks a lot:)

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