Gospel Piano Path › The path

The Gospel Piano Path

Where are you on the Gospel Piano Path?

Every church pianist starts somewhere. I started at 35, when my pastor asked me to play. I have played every Sunday in St. Louis since 2007, and I still learn something new. This page shows the whole path in six stages. Answer eight quick questions and you will see where you are and what to do next.

Skip the quiz and see the whole path ↓

Where am I on the path?

Tap one answer for each question. There are no wrong answers. It takes about two minutes, and nothing you pick is saved or sent anywhere.

Question 1 of 8Can you find the 1, 4 and 5 chords in the key of C?
Question 2 of 8If the singer asks for a lower key, can you move the song?
Question 3 of 8How many keys can you play a 1-4-5 in?
Question 4 of 8Can you play a whole hymn with the hymnal chords?
Question 5 of 8Do you know a 7-3-6 or a 1-2-3-4 walk-up?
Question 6 of 8Can you follow a singer who changes the song as they go?
Question 7 of 8Can you play under the preacher?
Question 8 of 8How often do you play at church?

The six stages

From the day someone hands you a keyboard to the day you lead the music for the whole service. Six stages for now. The path may grow.

  1. Stage 1

    First Sunday

    You are here if you have never played, or you only know a few keys.

    What to learn

    • Find the 1 on the keyboard. Learn the 1, 4 and 5 chords in one key.
    • Play a simple hymn with the left hand on chords and the right hand on the melody.
    • Start a song and end it.

    What helps

  2. Stage 2

    Three chords in every key

    You are here if you can play 1, 4 and 5 in one key but get lost when the key changes.

    What to learn

    • Think in numbers. Find the 1, 4 and 5 in the common church keys.
    • Change the key when the singer asks.
    • The 1-5-6-4 and the minor chords, the 2, 3 and 6.

    What helps

  3. Stage 3

    Every hymn, the hymnal way

    You are here if you can play hymns with simple chords, but they sound thin or you miss chords.

    What to learn

    • The full hymnal harmony, chord by chord.
    • Intros and endings. Keep it steady for the congregation.
    • Hear a hymn and follow it.

    What helps

  4. Stage 4

    Make it sound like church

    You are here if you play the hymns right, but they do not sound like gospel yet.

    What to learn

    • 7ths, 9ths and 13ths, and why they work.
    • The Sunday moves, like the 1-2-3-4 walk-up, the 7-3-6, the 2-5sus-5, the 5-6-7-1 and the flat 6.
    • Practice with a band track.

    What helps

  5. Stage 5

    The church musician

    You are here if you play gospel chords, and now you want to play the whole service.

    What to learn

    • Follow a singer. Follow the preacher. Play the shout music.
    • Play by ear from a recording. Play with drums and a band.
    • Voicings, color and passing chords.

    What helps

    • Lessons with Henry, online and by ear
    • Coming Preacher Chords, how to play under the preacher
    • Coming The next teaching book, on voicings, color, gospel and worship voicings, and playing live

  6. Stage 6

    Leading and passing it on

    You are here if you lead the music most Sundays.

    What to learn

    • Plan a service from start to finish. Lead a choir or praise team from the piano.
    • Teach a new pianist. Write your own songs.

    What helps

Who made this map. I am Henry Q Allen, a self-taught church pianist. I started at thirty-five, by ear, and I am legally blind, so everything here is in large print. This is the path I wish someone had shown me.

Not sure where you fit? Book a lesson and we will find out together.