| If you've ever listened to blues music and jazz | | | | important position. On one hand, he is a musician. |
| piano, then you must have noticed the similarities | | | | On the other hand, he is a deliverer. The gospel |
| that both genres share with black gospel piano | | | | pianist's role is to deliver his audience into a higher |
| lessons. Quite often, the most significant | | | | state of consciousness so that it may reach a |
| difference between gospel piano and blues or jazz | | | | spiritual awareness or recognizing. As a vehicle of |
| is the tempo, pitch or chords! We don't mean to | | | | this distribution, the gospel pianist must also deliver |
| suggest that these genres are exactly alike | | | | the right rhythms and tones that will enable a |
| however. We mean to instead, underscore that | | | | divine transformation. Pianists who are tense, |
| the philosophies or motivations behind these styles | | | | nervous, or unsure about playing the piano can |
| are alike and they contribute to their | | | | not adequately facilitate this transference. |
| resemblances. | | | | Understanding The Role Is Essential To |
| Gospel piano shares deep roots with blues and | | | | Preparation |
| jazz in that it originated from a desire to break | | | | Understanding the important role of the gospel |
| from existing styles -- styles that bore strong | | | | pianist then is essential to preparation. To fulfill this |
| classical and patriotic American themes. It differs | | | | role, some go to the length of getting a spiritual |
| from blues and jazz however because of its | | | | cleansing before they play. Others will pray over |
| spiritual and historical connotations. In the far past, | | | | the instrument and its music, while others may |
| gospel piano accompanied lyrics that both (1) | | | | participate in a group meditation. We can not tell |
| worshipped and (2) instructed slaves out of | | | | you in good faith what is extreme and what isn't |
| slavery. | | | | because the perspectives vary. What's adequate |
| Gospel May Indicate A Greater Significance | | | | preparation to one gospel pianist is extreme to |
| This gives gospel music a greater significance for | | | | the other (and vice versa). |
| specific groups of people and as a gospel pianist, | | | | So the most important thing that you can do is |
| you'll need to prepare yourself for this importance. | | | | recognize your role as a spiritual administrator and |
| With traditional piano, lesson preparation usually | | | | then find a comfortable method of fulfilling that |
| entails little more than a few finger exercises and | | | | role. Every external event -- whether positive or |
| a strong desire to learn. With gospel piano, lesson | | | | negative -- can influence the way that you learn |
| preparation may necessitate prayer, meditation, | | | | and play the music. Stress factors will not only |
| or any other type of exercise that's relaxing. | | | | work against you and cause frustration, they'll also |
| The Gospel Pianist's Role | | | | prevent you from absorbing the messages that |
| This is because the gospel pianist is put into an | | | | your lessons try to teach. |