Mastering Gospel Music: Expert Insights From 4 Established Artists
I always felt that gospel music was somewhat enigmatic. It felt like it was part blues, part jazz mixed with soul.
I wanted to understand the nuances of gospel music so I spoke with 4 top professionals.
Bazil Meade
Bazil Meade is a pioneer and founder of the UK’s first gospel community choir (LCGC).
He has provided musical direction for the hit west end production ‘Mama, I Want To Sing’, and the BBC film ‘Hallelujah Anyhow’ and provided his music and choir for The National Theatre’s production of “The Amen Corner” by James Baldwin.
Magesh Magesh, Musicngear: What is the biggest misconception about playing gospel music?
I am unsure about misconceptions held about playing Gospel. What I do know is being able to play chords does not suggest you are able to play Gospel.
Like the vocalist, there has to be a routing and connection to the spirit of the music, influencing how chords are strung together creating a complementary connection with vocalists.
Do you need to take lessons from a teacher to learn to play gospel piano?
To get the best results when learning to play the Gospel, spending time with an experienced Gospel musician is the more productive way to learn
You are more likely to get a feel for the timing and movement of chords as the song moves through its stages. The type and shape of chords are also a must and a main feature in the Gospel sound
Is reading music a necessity for Gospel?
Being able to read is helpful but not essential to playing Gospel.
The ability to hear, feel, and execute the appropriate chord in the timing and feel of the song is the key to delivering soulful accompaniment. A good ear is a must.
Getting the feel and spirit of music learning in an environment where a Gospel band or musicians are part of the learning process is best
There are a lot of tutorials that talk about important gospel chord progressions, do you have a favorite progression for this style of music?
There are Chord progressions that, when played correctly, can identify a player with Gospel Experience. I do have a few that I use in my playing and they are unique to the Gospel tradition.
Can you learn to play gospel piano in your bedroom through online tutorials or do you need to interact with a band?
Learning to play Gospel effectively is best learned by playing in church services where a Gospel Choir is singing Gospel songs, or by playing with other Gospel musicians or having them come to your bedroom to have a band rehearsal.
Bedroom learning is a start, but getting the feel and spirit of music learning in an environment where a Gospel band or musicians are part of the learning process is best.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am currently preparing to travel to Valenza Italy to facilitate a Gospel Festival Weekend with the local Choir, “Joy Gospel Singers “. I have worked with this choir for several years
They are keen to present themselves as Italians singing Gospel in the best possible way and request the presence of my team to help them prepare, understand, and deliver their best performances.
I also conduct workshops open to the public. This workshop choir will also perform in the resulting concert during the weekend.
A few weeks after that, I travel to France for a short tour of 5 Cities with a small team from my LCGC Choir.
A few weeks later, I travel to Ireland, County Cavan, for the Drumlinia Music Festival, now in its second year, to teach a Gospel Singing Master Class on the 25th and 26th of October.
LCGC at Christmas will be at the Royal Albert Hall with Orchestra and Special Guests on the 20th of December, 2024.
On the 28th of December, LCGC will perform live in Bilbao, Spain.
LCGC Live 'Sanctified' will take place at the Jazz Cafe, Camden Town, on the 5th of January, 2025.
Peace always
Bazil Meade MBE
Director and Founder
London Community Gospel Choir Ltd
Connect with Bazil Meade
LCGC / Website / Facebook
James Testani
James Testani is a professional guitarist whose online courses have had over 10,000 enrollments.
His online courses are for all levels of students covering multiple topics like barre chords, fingerstyle, and acoustic blues.
What is the biggest misconception about playing gospel music?
That it's strictly church music. For me, gospel is one of those genres that brings many other genres together.
My formal education is in Jazz Studies, but when I was learning guitar, like many people, I took a deep dive into the blues. Later, as a performer, I covered a lot of R&B and Motown.
It's even in rock and roll. If you're into music and guitar in general, gospel music is pretty much unavoidable at some point.
Do you need to take lessons from a teacher to learn to play gospel guitar?
I do not believe that anybody NEEDS lessons per se. It is possible to do it all yourself. There's so much information out there, and so many resources to go by, that with enough focus and perseverance, you can do it without a teacher.
However, with all that said, because there is so much information out there, sometimes it's really hard to sift through it all... sometimes you'll spend a lot more time trying to figure out what to learn, instead of spending that time learning it.
A good teacher can help you speed up the process and challenge you in ways that promote the most growth and open more doors to future possibilities.
Gospel is one of those genres that brings many other genres together
Is reading music a necessity for Gospel?
For a lot of guitarists, sheet music is a bad word. But the truth is, there's more than one way to write and read music.
All those little black dots on the page don't line up with the fretboard in the simplest way, as they do on piano, so it can be tough for guitarists. But things like chord charts and rhythm notation - it works so well on guitar.
It can make the process a lot easier, especially for a gigging musician who can be expected to learn and play dozens of songs with minimal preparation. Ultimately, it's not necessary, but it helps.
There are a lot of tutorials that talk about important gospel chord progressions, do you have a favorite progressions for this style of music?
I'm not sure if the chord progressions are so different in gospel than in any other kind of music. I mean, when you review those videos, they'll mention the 251, or 1564, progressions. And while you'll certainly find those in gospel music, you'll find them in Green Day and Paul Simon and any other genre you can think of.
So I don't know if I could say that any chord progression is going to sound, "gospely" as the melody and the lyrical content would have a lot more to do with it, as well as the instrumentation and how you voice the chords.
With that said, a sound that keeps coming up that I love is I⁶/⁴ - #Vᵈᶦᵐ - vi. In the key of C that would be C/G - G#ᵈᶦᵐ - Am. It's usually used during the climax of a song and carries a lot of emotion in it.
Can you learn to play gospel guitar in your bedroom through online tutorials or do you need to interact with a band?
You can learn anything online in your bedroom, I mean, as an online guitar instructor, that's exactly what I help people with. But at the same time, I always encourage my students to come up with some outlet - some way to perform.
It is good for you to have that. It's good for you socially. It gives you a community of people with whom you can bounce ideas off and learn together. It gives you a chance to learn from people better than you or to share what you know with people who are just getting started.
I know that not everybody wants to play in a band and, fortunately, there are so many other great options. Some people dream of performing at an open mic night. Or you could keep it simple and just play some songs for your family at Christmas or a backyard barbecue.
Nowadays, with all this technology, you can even record music in a really simple way - you don't need a million-dollar recording studio to record good music anymore. So even though you're technically in your bedroom, you can still put yourself out there.
What projects are you currently working on?
My biggest project, which is forever ongoing, is my YouTube channel, GoodGuitarist. With over 500,000 subscribers, I'm constantly putting out multiple lessons every week.
I'm also working on some new courses including a traditional songbook, where I teach the rhythm and melody for a whole bunch of classic traditional songs like House of the Rising Sun, I'll Fly Away, Amazing Grace, and more.
I'm also constantly adding content to my beginner course "Learn Guitar Once-And-For-All" which has already helped thousands of absolute beginners and eternal beginners (people stuck in those early phases of guitar) get to the point where they can confidently strum their favorite songs.
Connect with James Testani
Website / YouTube / Patreon
Warren McPherson
Warren McPherson is the creator of Piano Lesson with Warren. His YouTube channel has over 240k subscribers! It's very easy to see in Warren's videos how passionate he is about helping people learn the piano.
What is the biggest misconception about playing gospel music?
The biggest misconception about gospel music, particularly among those outside the gospel community, is the tendency to lump all Christian music under the umbrella of "Gospel music."
However, Gospel music is a very specific genre deeply rooted in African American church traditions, particularly in the southern United States. Its origins trace back to Negro spirituals sung during slavery, and these spirituals eventually evolved into the gospel music we know today. Unlike other forms of Christian music, Gospel has a unique cultural, rhythmic, and emotional depth, which is intricately tied to the African American experience. For example, Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) and traditional hymns, while also expressions of Christian faith, differ significantly in style, structure, and purpose from Gospel music. Gospel often emphasizes improvisation, call-and-response, and a soulful blend of vocal harmonies that reflect its cultural heritage.
Do you need to take lessons from a teacher to learn to play gospel piano?
No, formal education isn't a necessity to learn gospel music. Many of the most accomplished gospel musicians are self-taught. It’s common for gospel musicians, even those who have achieved global recognition, to have learned to play by ear or through immersion in the music itself.
Gospel music is more than a genre; it’s a living, breathing culture. To truly learn this style, one must immerse oneself in the culture, primarily by listening to gospel music and attending African American church services, particularly in the South. These church settings provide a communal experience, where musicians learn not just from formal lessons but from the energy, spontaneity, and spirit of the music itself. For instance, you might find that a talented musician playing in a small church has never taken a formal piano lesson but can navigate complex chord structures with ease through sheer immersion in the musical culture.
Is reading music a necessity for Gospel?
No, reading music is not a requirement for learning or playing gospel piano. Many gospel musicians, particularly those who play in church settings, do not read music. Gospel music heavily emphasizes the ability to play by ear and improvise, making ear training an essential part of mastering the style.
The improvisational nature of gospel connects it closely to jazz and blues, where musicians often rely on feel and intuition rather than sheet music. This connection to improvisation allows gospel musicians to create a more personal and spiritual experience during their performances. Some of the greatest gospel pianists and organists have developed their skills purely through listening and playing along with others, rather than through formal music reading.
To truly learn this style, one must immerse oneself in the culture
There are a lot of tutorials that talk about important gospel chord progressions. Do you have favorite progressions for this style of music?
Yes, gospel music incorporates many of the same chord progressions found in jazz and blues, reflecting its shared musical heritage with those genres. Some of the most frequently used progressions in gospel are the I-IV-V and the ii-V-I progressions, which are also common in jazz standards.
These progressions serve as a foundation for both traditional and modern gospel. For example, the I-IV-V progression is simple yet powerful, and it often forms the backbone of many gospel songs, creating a familiar, uplifting sound. The ii-V-I progression adds more complexity and emotion, commonly used in gospel ballads and worship songs. The versatility of these progressions allows gospel musicians to move seamlessly between different musical styles and incorporate elements of improvisation and reharmonization.
Can you learn to play gospel piano in your bedroom through online tutorials, or do you need to interact with a band?
Yes, with today’s technology and the abundance of online resources, it is entirely possible to learn gospel piano from home. Countless online tutorials, videos, and programs teach gospel music techniques and styles.
However, gospel music, like most forms of music, is ultimately a communal craft. While online learning can help you build a strong foundation, playing in a live setting with other musicians offers invaluable experience. Gospel is often performed in a group, and much of the magic comes from the interaction between musicians, the choir, and the congregation.
Playing with a live band helps you improve timing, adaptability, and the emotional delivery of your performance. Eventually, to fully grow as a gospel musician, you will need to practice in a live setting to experience the nuances of playing with others and the energy of the music in its intended environment.
What projects are you currently working on?
At the moment, I’m finalizing an interactive app called the "Practice Path." This app is designed to teach students how to play gospel music by ear, guiding them from beginner to advanced levels in a structured, systematic manner.
It covers all the essential aspects of musicianship, including ear training, chord progressions, music theory, technique, improvisation, transcription, and song learning. The goal of the app is to break down the complexities of gospel music into manageable, digestible steps so that students can develop the skills they need to play with confidence and authenticity.
For example, the ear training component helps students develop the ability to recognize and reproduce melodies and harmonies by ear, a critical skill in gospel music. By integrating multiple elements of musical learning, the app provides a holistic approach to mastering gospel piano, one that goes beyond just playing notes and encourages true musical expression.
Connect with Warren McPherson
Learn Gospel Piano By Ear / Instagram
Dr Robin Harrison
Dr Robin Harrison began lessons with Graham Eccles, gaining his Grade 8 in two years. At 15 he received a bursary for masterclasses with David Titterington and Petr Eben at Dartington International Summer School. Regular teachers have included Noel Rawsthorne, Margaret Phillips (RNCM), and Roger Fisher. His PhD is on “The Late Style of Frank Bridge”.
He has recently played at Ripon and Durham Cathedrals and York Minster and has also performed at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool Cathedral, and Chester Cathedral.
What is the biggest misconception about playing gospel music?
The biggest misconception about playing gospel music is that you can learn to play it from a book. I didn't grow up in the gospel tradition, yet was hugely inspired by London Community Gospel Choir and others.
I desperately wanted to be a part of a church like that and to be able to play like legends such as Bazil Meade MBE.
I bought some books, but they didn't do the style justice. Often they were arrangements "in the style of" gospel. If you haven't grown up in the tradition, or you don't play by ear, then learning with a genuine gospel artist is the very best way to play.
Do you feel you need to take lessons from a teacher to learn to play gospel piano?
If you haven't grown up in the gospel tradition, then learning to play with a gospel pianist gives you many insights. Different artists, however, have different quirks.
I've learned the importance of the circle of 5ths and ii-V-Is from Mark Walker (who now tours with The Jacksons every year). I've learned the importance of "chord moves", tenor lines, and "flicks" from Howard Francis (Westlife and others).
I've learned voicing, gospel piano endings, phrasing, and the art of accompanying without playing the tune from Bazil Meade MBE (London Community Gospel Choir)
If you haven't grown up in the gospel tradition, then learning to play with a gospel pianist gives you many insights
Is reading music a necessity for Gospel?
It is by no means a necessity. Very few gospel artists read music. It's simply not part of their tradition because gospel uses an aural heritage.
You have to remember that gospel music grew out of the slave trade and the older generation of gospel artists still talk about the injustices that their forefathers endured. They see gospel as part pain, part the spirit of seeking freedom, part connection with their heritage and not forgetting what others have been through. Gospel did not evolve from rich people reading or writing notes, buying books, and paying for piano or singing lessons.
Gospel is about spirituals created whilst working plantations that then moved into churches, evolving choirs, fusing African heritage through slavery, and combining with Western chords to form the most organic, exciting melting pot ever known.
There are a lot of tutorials that talk about important gospel chord progressions, do you have a favorite progression for this style of music?
I don't believe that it is so simple. It's a bit like jazz licks - every artist has their stylistic inflections.
For instance, it's not just the chord progression, but the rhythmic and textural groove. Take Nicky Brown for instance (leading producer in the UK), you can spot the rhythm and texture in his playing a mile off. He can play one chord and change the style according to a thousand different songs.
When you hear any gospel artist play it's not about the chord, it's about what you do with it!
Can you learn to play gospel piano in your bedroom through online tutorials or do you need to interact with a band?
I explored many different options in my own playing, but it was only when Bazil Meade encouraged me, worked with me, and introduced me to others that I really began to understand.
That's why I collaborated with many gospel pianists for The Maestro Online - to bring courses from genuine artists who have grown up in the tradition to support other gospel pianists and those from other traditions who would like the gospel sound.
Watching them on video, practicing with scores, creating your own arrangements etc creates a really organic process.
What projects are you currently working on?
I'm currently working with Nicky Brown and Bazil Meade to bring gospel arrangements into Cathedral settings, to ensure that all spiritual backgrounds and styles are reflected.
We're working very closely with The Cathedral Music Trust.
Here are gospel piano courses by some of the finest gospel greats in the UK today: https://www.the-maestro-online.com/music-shop/Gospel-Piano-c172385084
Connect with Dr Robin Harrison
Instagram / Facebook / X / YouTube / TikTok
About Magesh Magesh
Magesh is a musician and producer who has worked with Rihanna, Lionel Richie, Ricky Martin, Chris Brown, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Nelly Furtado, and Vernon Reid of Living Colour.
He released an instructional drumming DVD called "Unique Beats" where he mixed the drum kit with electronics and Indian hand percussion. He recently moved from Australia to the UK to explore new musical opportunities.
Website: mageshdrumteacher.co.uk
Contact Magesh Magesh at magesh.magesh7@gmail.com
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