Call or Email me and ask for my help in developing the traditional James Cleveland Style.

925 833 9379

 

Class work

Practice Scales Daily and memorize fingering 10 mins daily

STUDY OF SCALES (VIDEO AVAILABLE & RECOMMENDED)

C MAJOR

C D E F G A B C

1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

D MAJOR

D E F# G A B C# D

2 3 1 2 3 4 5

E MAJOR

E F# G# A B C# D# E

1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

G MAJOR

G A B C D E F# G

1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

A MAJOR

A B C# D E F# G# A

1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

B MAJOR

B C# D# E F# G# A# B

1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5

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Instructions

Learn the meaning of Scale Degree and the number system for all 12 keys. Use a notebook and do 12 keys

Major Scales

There are 12 keys to play Gospel music on the keyboard.

Each key has a scale that you must learn and play.

Study and learn each scale by memory.

To develop speed first practice slowly with the correct fingering; Take time and count out loud slowly.

Learn scale with the right and the left hands. At first they should be practiced hands separately.

FINGERING

The right hand fingering for A B C D E G are the same. It is 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5.

The thumb is 1 than 2 and so on.

The left hand fingering for A B C D E G is the same. It is 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 with the exception of B start with 4 3 2 1.

Review the cassette or videotape for a demonstration.

Scales are composed of whole tones/steps and semitones or half steps.

See the demonstration of the video.

 

 

 

 

Below is the whole step distance from one note to the next. Whole step is two half steps or semitones. So a major scale is 2 whole steps ˝ step and 3 whole steps ˝ step.

 

 

C Major Scale

1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 Fingering for the Right hand

5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1 Fingering for the Left hand

 

C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C

Scale Degree is the number of the scale

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 15

For example C is 1st scale degree for the key of C

D is 2nd scale degree for the key of C

E is 3rd scale degree for the key of C

F is 4th scale degree for the key of C

G is 5th scale degree for the key of C

And so on……

Octave is 8 scale degrees…i.e. c to c is called an octave

Stop a few minutes and review. Make up flash cards to learn scale degrees for all 12 keys. Chords are built on scale degrees.

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Start your hymn study program by selecting 5 hymns and email me your study program

To play James Cleveland, Hezekiah Walker, John P. Kee, Timothy Wright, Shirley Caesar, and the rest of the Gospel artist, you must study their work and instrumentation.

Major Requirements for keyboardists:

Scales in all 12 keys

Chords in all 12 keys

Technique in playing keys

Songs to develop chordal patterns

 

The Beginner:

  1. Master the key of C major
  2. Master the use of Gifty's Circle
  3. Study scales on a regular basis
  4. Begin developing songs and understanding how to play them
  5. Study Rev. Fullard's Gospel Music Theory Program.

The Intermediate player:

1. Study Tritones and chord substitution

2.Study scales 2 octaves and chord structure

3. Study more complex songs and patterns

4. Study Rev. Fullard's Gospel Music Theory Program

 

The Advance player

1. Once who has studied all of the above and is now ready to master it.

2. Reading program to expand on what you already know.

3. Master over 300 hymns for church worship.

An on going study program is your best approach to improvement

  1. So, transcribe (write down) a song that you like.
  2. Listen to it daily and use the study method proposed and keep track of your progress.
  3. Develop a daily program and follow your plan.

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Equipment need to listen effectively:

  1. Tape, CD, Video, VCR, TV, Stereo, and or other quipment.

  2. If you read sheet music along with CD.

  3. Calendar to track daily progress.

  4. Schedule to determine what to do next

  5. Church to play for application of what has been learned.

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Homework:

 Give me a proposed schedule for completing the above assignment over the next 30 days