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| The Gospel Pianist |
The
pianist plays a vital role in producing the black gospel sound. He or she can
either enhance or cripple a service or performance. I wrote my books to provide
a reference for both the intermediate and advanced pianists. I have met many
keyboard players who were advanced in other idioms such as classical, pop, and
jazz, but who had a desire to play the black gospel style. There are also many
advanced and intermediate gospel pianists who have a desire to improve their
playing and learn more contemporary styles.
Black
gospel is not a written idiom in the sense that the written manuscripts are basically
guides that give the format of the song (very few gospel songs are written the
way they should actually be play). So, for those who were not directly exposed
to black gospel music, my books will provide you with a written source of
information. For instance, Gospel Music Performance Practice andTechnique Volume 1, can serve as an aid to musicians other than
keyboard players.
I
feel very fortunate to have come from a church background where the use of a
rhythm section was the exception rather than the rule. As a result, the pianists
were forced to provide the rhythmic as well as the chordal foundation for the
choir and congregation. One of my mentors, Alma Androzzo, (the composer of one
of Martin Luther King Jr's favorite songs, "If I Can Help Somebody") influenced me by introducing me to a
more classical style of gospel playing. She would fill her hymns and songs with
numerous runs and scale passages which always reminded me of musicians from the
black holiness churches. Thus I
developed a gospel style which incorporated a strong bass foundation, a
rhythmic feel, and the classical technique to draw upon when necessary. This
background enables me to easily adapt to the contemporary and constantly
developing gospel styles.
Today,
churches and gospel choirs use full rhythm sections as the norm. Keyboardists
often shuffle between the acoustic piano and various electronic keyboards. Many
also have an abundance of musicians to select from. Although the added
instrumentation helps to lighten the load of the keyboard play, the piano still
stands as the prominent instrument in producing the gospel sound. You also have
those occasions where additional musicians are unavailable. During these times
the pianists must be able to provide a solid musical foundation for the choir
and congregation to stand upon.
Sections
of Gospel Music Performance Practice and Technique Volume 1 are
perhaps very basic to the advance musician, but these sections provide a
foundation in the black gospel style. I have noticed that advanced musicians
sometimes have difficulty seeing the basics (or the obvious). I purposely have
sections that merely explain the obvious. They are also basic enough to be
comprehended by young musicians who have a desire to play for their church choirs
or church music department. Other sections have the more advanced musician in
mind.
In
the past, piano teacher did not have a written guide to teach black gospel. It
was instead taught by rote or "by ear." Gospel Music PerformancePractice and Technique Volume 1, provide teachers with a tool which will make their verbal instruction
even clearer by offering a visual aspect. Most of the examples are written in
the key of C (major or minor) to allow for easy transposition to other keys.
Many examples demonstrate root, first, and second inversion. Memorize these
chord progressions and practice them in every key.
CDs are also available which will allow you to hear
the written examples in a lengthened form. Sections of these CDS will enable
you to play along. This is a common method of learning in the black churches.
The soloists or the congregation will often begin a song acappella and it will
be up to the pianist or organist to catch on and add the necessary fills and
embellishments. The CDS are designed to enhance this learning process.
I don't claim that my books cover every aspect of
black gospel piano playing, but they will give you a strong foundation to build
on. It is up to you, the musician, to build on that foundation.
Finally, I believe that experience is one of the
best teachers. The term soul (black) gospel is just that "Soul"
gospel. In order for this music to be played correctly it must come from the
heart. You can hear the difference in a pianist who plays gospel merely by the
book and one who plays by experience. One thing I stress to my students is that
it is good to play by the book, and it is also good to be able to play "be
ear," but it is best to be able to do both. Once you have learned the
basics, gain experience by playing for a small gospel group, or play for a
choir or even better, find a church where gospel music is sung and play there.
Above all listen, listen until you develop your own unique soul gospel style.
Check us out at: www.jeffersonpresents.com
Sincerely,
Dr. Jefferson
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