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The Rocket Piano series was created on behalf of Rock Star Recipes LTD.
Author & Music: Asheigh Southam
Co-Author & Additional Music: Ruth Searle
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www.rockstarrecipes.com
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Page 3
Welcome to Rocket Pianos Introduction to Gospel,
Spirituals and Hymns!
A personal message from me
In this book you will learn what constitutes Gospel tunes, Spirituals and Hymns. You
will fnd out what each type of music contains and how they relate to each other. More
importantly you will be playing a whole lot of these tunes yourself.
This book follows on nicely from the frst book in the Rocket Piano series but is valuable
at any level. The information in the book is relevant to anyone interested in the Gospel,
Spirituals and Hymns. By the end of the book the tunes get more and more complicated
and thus more rewarding.
This book gives you a very straight forward introduction to Gospel songs, Spirituals and
Hymns. It introduces a couple of new scales, new key signatures, plus some new notes to
show you how most Gospel, Spirituals and Hymns are made up melodically, harmonically
and rhythmically. These three aspects also serve to link each style to one another.
This book will be perfect for those of you who want to play in church, sing along to your
own playing, or accompany someone else. This is also for anyone who just wants to learn
more songs.
Each type of music has very interchangable aspects and their styles sometimes blend.
Some songs that might be considered spiritual may also sometimes be considered or
played as gospel tunes, and the same goes with hymns.
This is partly because in the history of the respective styles the lines where one style ends
and the other begins are naturally quite blurry. More on that later.
For the purpose of this book some songs may be considered as either types of genre.
The Rocket Piano
Page 4
Every time you see
this button, listen to
the relevant track.
01
01
Every time you see
this button, play the
relevant video.
Table Of Contents
Welcome ..................................................................3
A personal message from me ..................................3
Table of Contents .....................................................4
Rocket Piano Progress Tracker ...............................5
Chapter one. A brief history of Spirituals .... 6
Chapter two. Spirituals, three main types .....7
The Ballad ...............................................................7
Faster tempo syncopated tunes ..............................8
Chapter three. Spiritual melody ...........9
Major pentatonic ......................................................9
Minor Pentatonic ....................................................12
D minor pentatonic ...............................................14
Blues pentatonic ..................................................16
Blues pentatonic tune ..........................................18
Chapter four. Dotted 8th notes ...........20
Dotted 8th note tune ..............................................22
Here are a few more Spirituals. .............................23
More spirituals. ......................................................24
Chapter fve. I, IV, V in spirituals ........26
Chapter six. Gospel songs .................33
A brief history .........................................................33
Gospel songs .........................................................34
Chapter seven. E major.......................36
I, IV, V progression in E major. ..............................37
Chapter eight. Hymns .........................43
A brief history .........................................................43
Amazing Grace ......................................................44
Battle hymn of the Republic ...................................46
Hark the herald angels sing ...................................48
Holy, holy, holy .......................................................50
Joy to the world .....................................................52
Conclusion .............................................................54
Page 5
This Progress Tracker has been specifcally designed for you to keep a record of each
individual skill, concept and technique that you learn in the Rocket Piano course. By
the end of this book you will be able to pin point exactly how far youve progressed in
becoming a skilled pianist and a knowledgeable musician.
Once you have mastered a lesson or skill tick it off on the Progress Tracker, and move on
to the next lesson! Commit yourself to ticking off the skills you learn as you go and see
your improvement instantly!
Lesson or Skill Page # Date Signature
Call and response .......... .......... ....................
Ballad .......... .......... ....................
Faster tempo syncopated tunes .......... .......... ....................
Major pentatonic .......... .......... ....................
Minor pentatonic .......... .......... ....................
D minor pentatonic .......... .......... ....................
Blues pentatonic (b5) .......... .......... ....................
Dotted 8th notes .......... .......... ....................
I IV V chord progression .......... .......... ....................
E fat major scale .......... .......... ....................
I IV V progression in E fat major .......... .......... ....................
Rocket Piano Progress Tracker
Page 6
Chapter one. A brief history of the Spirituals
Its hard to exactly pin-point the period in which the African American spirituals assumed
a particular type of character. This is partly because there were no attempts to acquire
any of the spirituals before 1840. It is thought that spirituals appeared as early as the
1600s.
These spirituals cannot be associated with any particular authors but are instead attributed
to the African American people and their musical abilities. The songs were learned and
handed down through oral tradition and preserved that way through the generations.
Music played an important role in African life and culture. When they were removed from
Africa and placed in a foreign land under the hostile conditions of enslavement, these
terrible circumstances inspired the spiritual songs. With the roots of African musical ideas
infused with this new culture and religion, these new songs emerged.
The songs are called Spirituals because the authors of the songs used lyrics inspired
by biblical stories and ideals and they believed the Spirit of God was the source. When
they felt moved and inspired by the Spirit of God that was when they sang, prayed and
conceived the songs.
They drew the content and lyrics from the Bible and applied their African style of singing.
They sung of their circumstances and experiences. They sung of their yearning for
freedom and justice. They also felt a great kinship with the similarly enslaved Hebrews of
ancient Egypt.
The African-American slaves also used the spirituals as codes to communicate and
express their hopes and desires for freedom. Also contained in the coded spirituals was
information on secret meetings and escape plans. So through the songs they resisted
and fought their enslavement. Such songs like Swing low sweet chariot, Go down
Moses and Steal away all had incrypted meanings about the underground movement
for slave abolitionism and the underground railroad network.
When the slave regime ended so too did the advancement of the spiritual folk song. By
this stage there were some 6000 known spiritual folk songs. The spirituals were now an
established musical style.
The spiritual songs have infuenced a huge number of musicians and musical styles.
Their importance as a musical form cannot be undervalued or denied. Gospel music has
frm roots with the spiritual style of music, as do blues music, jazz, rock, soul and even
country. The spiritual styles scope in terms of importance and infuence is visible right
across a vast range of musical styles and genres.
Page 7
Chapter two. Spirituals, the three main types
Call and response
There are three main types of spiritual song: The call and response, the ballad and the
faster swing spiritual.
Theres the call and response chant. This means the main melody is sung solo by a
leader, the call. Then the next phrase is sung by the chorus as a response. There are a
large amount of spirituals written in this format, especially the earlier ones. These songs
have a slightly fery aspect to them. They are generally a faster type of tune.
Some songs in this style:
Shout for joy
Good morning everybody
Swing low sweet chariot
Ballad type
The next type of tune is the slower more sustained tune, the slower ballad type of Spiritual.
This type of Spiritual has long phrases and more sustained notes. Also the lyrics have
longer sentences and the melody tends to be longer and more drawn out.
Some songs in this style:
Deep river
Nobody knows the trouble I see
Were you there

This type of song helped the slaves keep
rhythm while they worked. Rhythm was often
important in working together on specifc tasks.
So the leader would sing the lead part and the
group of workers would respond .
Page 8
Faster tempo syncopated tunes
The last type of spiritual song is the most popular type of Spiritual. It has a faster tempo and
has a swing feel that is designed to simulate the sway of body movement while singing.
The melody is usually segmented or in rhythmically syncopated phrases. Syncopation is
a shift in the rhythmical placement or accent of notes or chords. The lyrics are in shorter
sentences in order to ft the syncopation. Because of this there is a lot of repetition in the
lyrics.
Some songs in this style:
Shout all over Gods heabn
Little David play on yo harp
Ol arks a-moverin
Page 9
Chapter three. Spiritual melody
In these Spiritual songs there are a certain type of theoretical aspects that appear.
The frst of these aspects is the scale that is used in the melody. In general the melody
of the song uses what we call the pentatonic scale.
There are several types of pentatonic scale: The major pentatonic, the minor pentatonic
and an altered version of the minor pentatonic called the blues pentatonic
These pentatonic scales feature in spiritual songs as well as gospel songs and hymns.
Major pentatonic
Well start with the major pentatonic.
The major pentatonic is the same as a normal major scale the only difference is the scale
doesnt use the 4th and 7th notes in the scale.
The pentatonic scale is made from 5 notes. This term comes from the hebrew word for
fve, pente. For example a pentagon is a shape made up of 5 sides.
Here is the normal C major scale.
Now the major pentatonic scale omitting the 4th and 7th notes.

Play through the scale and notice when omitting the 4th and 7th notes from the scale
it gives it a very pleasant major sound to it. Experiment with playing the notes in any
order and youll notice that you can create beautiful melodies quite easily when you limit
yourself to just the notes in the major pentatonic scale.
50
Page 10
It is a good idea to learn the pentatonic scale in all of the keys weve looked at so far.
C major, G major, F major, D major
Heres the G major pentatonic.
The melody of this spiritual only uses the notes from the G major pentatonic.
As you can see only notes from the G major petatonic scale appear in this melody.
This is a common feature in the melodies of the Spiritual songs. The major pentatonic
also appears in Gospel tunes and Hymns.

You shall reap

You
1
shall reap


jes what

you sow

you
2
shall reap

what you sow

on the
5

moun tain

-
1

in the val

ley -

you shall reap

jes what

you sow

01
Page 11
02
Heres another Spiritual tune using only notes from the G major pentatonic scale.
Play through the tune yourself with just the right hand and have a listen to the track.

O lamb, beautiful lamb

lamb

beau ti - ful

- Lamb I'm

going to serve

God till

i die

Lamb

beau ti - ful

- Lamb I'm

going to serve

God till

I die

Page 12
Minor Pentatonic
The next scale were going to look at is the minor pentatonic.
This one is a little more tricky. Now were going to briefy re-cap how we get the minor
scale.
Remember that the major scale has the same key signature as its relative minor scale.
To fnd the relative minor go up a major sixth interval from the key note of the major scale
you began with.
These two scales are relative to each other because they share the same notes. Lets
refresh your memory by looking again at C major.
The scale played from the 6th note using the same notes is the relative natural minor
scale. Heres the A natural minor scale.
This applies to the pentatonic scales aswell. For example the C major pentaonic scale
has the same notes as the A minor pentatonic scale. They are relative.
When forming the minor pentatonic scale we use the notes from the relative major
pentatonic scale and start from the minor note.
When playing the A minor pentatonic you use only the notes from C major pentatonic and
start the scale from A.
Heres C major pentatonic again:

Now the same scale except this time it starts on A.

51
Page 13
Another way to think of it is that you are playing the natural minor scale without the 2nd
and 6th notes from the scale. This gives you the A minor pentatonic. By omitting these
notes from the A natural minor scale you are left with the same notes that appear in the
C major pentatonic. This is because the scales are relative. You are playing the notes of
the C major pentatonic except starting the scale from A, making it an A minor pentatonic.
A natural minor A minor pentatonic (omits the 2nd and 6th)

I know this all seems very confusing!
But once you can get your head around
how the different scales work, pretty soon
you will be able to play them on demand
without even thinking about it!
Page 14
D minor pentatonic
This tune is a call and response tune. It is also in the key of D minor pentatonic scale.
So that means it uses the notes from F major pentatonic because they are relative.
This tune is also designed to be sung by a leader and then a chorus.
Because it is designed to be sung, the chorus sings a melody thats in the same register
as the leader melody line. (If something is in the same register this means that the notes
are played in the same area of the piano or the same area on the music staff)
For the purpose of playing this tune on the piano the chorus line is an octave lower than
what it would normally be if it was sung.
Use the left hand for the chorus line (in the bass staff) and the right hand for the leader
line (in the treble staff).
Heres the F major pentatonic.
Now the D minor pentatonic, that uses the same notes from F major pentatonic.

Page 15
_
_
_
_
Sittin down beside O' the Lamb
_
,
New
1
,
Je ru
5
,

- sa - lem
,
,
-
-
New
,
,
,
Je ru
5
,

- sa - lem
,
,
-
,
,
_
,
-
sit
5
tin - down
, ,
,
be side
1
,
,
- o'
,
,
,
the Lamb
,
,
, .
4
_
, .
Be
1
fore
3
,
,
,
- I'd
5
,
lay in
,
,
,
hell
,
one
,
day good Lord
,
,
,
_
,
sit
1
tin - down
, ,
,
be side
,
,
- o'
,
,
,
the
1
Lamb
,
,
, . -
7
_
, .
I'd
1
sing
,
,
,
an'
5
,
pray my
,
,
,
self
,
a
,
way - good
,
,
Lord
,
,
_
,
sit tin - down
, ,
,
be side
,
,
- o'
,
,
,
the Lamb
,
,
, . -
10
_
, . ,
O mour
5
,
,
ner - mourn
,
,
a
,
,
long
,

,
-
. ,
O
,
,
_
,
sit
5
tin - down
, ,
,
be side
,
,
- o'
3
,
,
,
the Lamb
,
,
, .
sit tin - down
, ,
,
be side
,
,
- o'
,
,
,
the
,
,
13
_
,
mour
5
ner - mourn
,
,
a
,
,
long
,
,
,
-
- -
_
,
Lamb
, .
sit tin - down
, ,
,
be side
,
,
- o'
,
,
,
the Lamb
,
,

03
Page 16
Blues pentatonic
The last scale for us to look at is the blues pentatonic.
This scale is basically the minor pentatonic with one slight alteration. The blues scale
adds one extra chromatic note to a minor pentatonic scale.
So lets continue with the A minor pentatonic scale and alter it to get the A blues pentatonic
scale.
The note that gets added is a chromatic note between the 4th and 5th notes of the
scale.
So in the A minor pentatonic scale, this note goes between the D and E which are the 6th
and 7th notes in the scale. The note chromatically between the D and E is E . This is
the blue note.
Heres the A minor pentatonic scale
Now heres the blues pentatonic scale with the added chromatic note between the 4th
and 5th notes.
The 5th note is fattened to E and then raised again to E natural.
So the added note in the scale is the E . This 5 gives the scale its blues feeling.




Added chromatic note, E

b

b
1 3 4 5 5 7 8
b
b
b
b
52
Page 17
Play through the scale and listen to the difference the extra added note makes. Can you
hear its blues quality?
This scale is very common and like the other scales weve looked at so far, is used in all
kinds of music.
It is important to us now because it features throughout the Spiritual songs. It is also
thought that the origin of the blues scale actually came from the spiritual songs.
Like with the major pentatonic and minor pentatonic, play through this scale and try and
make up some of your own little melodies using the notes of the blue pentatonic scale.
When the blues pentatonic scale was frst used people
hadnt heard this kind of sound before. The fat 5th note
became known as the devils note because it was new
and strange.
Page 18
Blues pentatonic tune
Here are a few examples of some of the spirituals that use the blues pentatonic scale in
the melody.
This tune is in the key of D minor pentatonic.
There is a chromatic alteration to the scale in this tune though. It uses the B natural in the
melody which usually doesnt appear in the scale.
Even though this tune uses a couple of notes that arent in the minor pentatonic scale it
still uses the blue note. You can also hear the effect that the blue note has on the feel
of the piece.
04
_
_
_
_
q = 110
I know it was the blood
_
,
I
,
know it
,

,
was
,
the
,
blood
,
I
,
knowit
,

,
was
,
the
,
blood
,
I
,
knowit
,

,
was
,
the
,
_
,
-
,
,

,
,

,
,
,

,
,

,
,
,

7
_
,
blood
,
for
, ,
me
,
One
,
day
,
when
,
I
,
was
,
lost
,
Je
,
sus
,
-
_
,
,
,

,
,

-
,
,

,
,
,

12
_
,
died
,
up
,
on
, ,
- the
,
cross
,
I
,
know it
,
,
,
was
,
the
,
blood
,
for
,
me
,
_
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

,
,

,
,
,
,
,
,

,
,

Page 19
This tune is using the D minor blues pentatonic as well.
Play through the track slowly to start with.
You will hear the blue notes in the tune.
05
_
_
_
_
Wish I's in heaven settin' down
_
,
Wish I's
,

,
in hea
,

ven - set
, ,
,
tin - down
,
,
,
set tin - down
,
,
, ,
,
,
,
wish I's
,
,
,
in hea
,
,
ven - set
, ,
,
tin -
,
,
_
,
- .
,
,
,
,
,
,
-
4
_
,
down
,
set tin - down
,
,
,
,
,
O
,
,
Ma
,
,
ry
,
,
- O
,
,
Mar
,
,
tha
,
- wishI's
,
,

,
,
inhea
,
,

ven - set
,
,
,
,
tin - down
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
_
,
-
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
Page 20
Chapter four. Dotted 8th notes
We will now have to look at a new note for playing some of the next tunes.
We already know about the dotted quarter note
These are used frequently in conjunction with 8th notes.
When you hear the word feel mentioned in relation to a song, it means the way the tune
has a certain style or sound to it. This generally refers to how the notes are played in
terms of the timing of the notes and their placement or dynamic range. When looking at
alot of these Gospel tunes they have a swaying or swing type of feel. To achieve this
type of feel we can use the dotted 8th note.
Dotted 8th notes make the music appear to swing. Immitating the swaying motion of a
lot of the Spiritual and Gospel singers.
This is like the other dotted notes weve looked at as its time value is now increased by
half its original value. So a dotted 8th note has the same time value as an 8th note tied
to a 16th note.
So =
Dotted 8th notes are usually seen connected with other
16th notes so they are generally found in music written
together like this:
This is another way of looking at the dotted 8th notes. This example uses ties which can
look rather complicated so the above method is preferred.
q.
q. e
x
e.
e
_
q = 96
Title
COMPOSER
Piano

q = 96
Title
COMPOSER
Piano

06
53
with
Page 21
1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e+ a 4 e + a 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 2 3 4

Using dotted 8th notes in music is quite tricky to get the hang of. So take your time when
going over the songs that have dotted 8th notes in them. Listen carefully to the tracks to
hear what they should sound like played.
Clap out the beats while counting aloud the rhythm.
Listen carefully to the track and notice how the notes are played with the swing feel.
Tapping the beat with your
foot can be a helpful way of
staying in time!
Page 22
Dotted 8th note tune
Take as long as you need to get this tune right in terms of its feel. Listen carefully to the
track and take a note where the tune uses dotted 8th notes.
This tune uses a version of the blues scale. It has the fat 7 note which is an alteration on
the standard blues pentatonic weve been looking at.
The blues pentatonic will appear throughout this book in several tunes so look out for it.
_
_
_
_
q = 80
Roll, Jorden, roll
_
Roll
,
Jor dan - roll
,
,
,
Roll
, ,
Jor dan - roll
,
, ,

I
,
,
_
,
,
,
,
, ,
,
, ,
,
,
5
_
want to go

to hea

ven - when I die


to hear

old Jor

dan - roll

,
,

,
, , ,
, ,
,
, ,
,
,
,
,
, ,
,
,
, ,
9
_
bro
.
ther - you ought to been
.
there Yes
,
,
my lord
,
,
,
,
,

A
,
_
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
, ,
,
,
,
,
,
,

13
_
sit
.
ting - in - the - king
,
- dom

- to hear
,

old Jor
,
,
,
,
dan - roll
,
,
,
,
,
_
,
, ,
,
,
,
,
,

,
,
,
,
, ,
,
,
,
07
Page 23
Here are a few more Spirituals to look at and learn.
08

q = 110
Go down Moses

When
1

Is
5

rael

- was

in

gypt's

- land

let
2

my

peo

ple

- go

Op

pressed

so
,
hard
,
they
,
_
- - -
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

-
7
_

could
5
,
not
,
stand
,
let
,
my
,
peo
,
,
ple
,
,
- go
4
1

Go
1
,
down
,

Mo
4
,
ses
,
- way
,
down
,

in
,

_
-
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

5
, ,
, ,
, ,
,
,
13
_

E
,
gypt's
,
- land
,

tell
3
old
,
, ,

Pha roah -
,
, ,
2
,
let
1
,
my
,
peo
,
,
ple
,
,
- go

_
1
, ,
,
,
, ,
, ,
,
,
,
, ,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

Page 24
More spirituals.
This next tune has a lot of jumping around in the left hand. Take it slowly and learn the left
hand frst and then put it together with the right hand. Its quite diffcult to get this tune so
its okay if it takes you a while to learn. The fngering in this tune is also just a guide at this
stage. If you can fnd a more comfortable way to play the notes with your own fngering
then you should.
09

q = 78
My Lord what a morning

My
5
3

Lord

what a morn
4
1

ing

my
5
3

Lord

what a morn

ing

1
5

1
5

1
4

my
5
2

Lord

what
5
1
a morn

ing

- when the stars

be gin

- to

fall

Fine

you'
1
ll hear
4

the trum

pet
3

- sound
1

to wake

the
4

na
,
tions
,
- un
,
der
,
- ground
,

_
,
- - - - -
14
_
,
look ing - to
, ,
my God's
, ,
,
right
,
hand
,
when the stars
,
,
,
,
,
,

be gin
,
,

,
,
,
- to
,
,
fall
,
,

D.C al fine

_
,
- .
1
5
,
,
,
,
,
,

,
,
,
,
,

Page 25
Here are the rest of the verse lyrics to My Lord what a morning
2. Youll hear the sinner mourn, 4. Done quit all my worlly ways
To wake the nations underground Jine dat hebbenly ban?
Looking to my Gods right hand Done quit all my worlly ways
When the stars begin to fall Jine dat hebbenly ban.
3. Youll hear the Christian shout,
To wake the nations underground
Looking to my Gods right hand
When the stars begin to fall
Your doin GREAT. Keep
up the good work!
Page 26
Chapter fve I, IV, V in spirituals
Another feature of the Spirituals, Gospels and the Hymns is that they often use the I, IV,
V progressions weve already been studying in book one.
Sometimes the tunes will change the order of the progression but generally you will fnd
that the tunes use these chords often.
This next tune uses the I, IV, V chords from C major.
Remember that the I, IV, V chords in C major are C major, F major and G major.
See if you can identify where these chords appear in this next tune
Here is a brief mention about the structure of this tune;
Look out for indicators describing the intro verse and chorus. These divide the tune
into different sections.
Intro stands for the introduction to the piece. This can last several bars but is usually
quite a short section.
Verse and chorus go together and a verse will usually come before a chorus. The verse
will either tell a story or explain a sentiment. The chorus will give an overview, or express
the basic point or emotion of the song.
Many song structures are very similar. Verses, choruses, and bridges are used to create
a structure made up of different and interesting sections.
Page 27
10
q = 86
Piano

3 2 1
3
3

2 1
3
3

2 1
3
3

2 1
3
3

2 1
3
3

3

3

3
3

3

3

3

3

3 2 1
3
3

2 1
3
3

2 1
3
3

2 1
3
3

2 1
3
3

3

3

3
3

3

3

3

3

4

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

7

3

3

3

3
descending
3

2 1
3
3

2 1
3
3

2 1
3
3

2 1
3
3

2 1
3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3
3

2 1
3
3

2 1
3
3

2 1
3
3

2 1
3
3

2 1
3

3

3

3

10

3
3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3
3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

12

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

Page 28
Here are the rest of the lyrics for the verses in In dat great gittin up mornin.
2. Dat de time shall be no longer,
For judgment day is comin
Den you hear de sinner sayin
Down Im rollin down Im
rollin..
3. De Lord spoke to Gabriel
Go look behin de altar
Take down de silvah trumpet
Blow yo trumpet Gabriel..
4. Lord how shall I blow it
Blow it right calm an easy
Do not alarm my people
Tell em to come to judgment..
5. Gabriel blow yo trumpet
Lord how shall I blow it
Loud as seven peals of thunder
Wake de livin nations..
6. Place one foot upon de dry lan
Place de other on de sea
Den youll see de coffns bustin
See de dry bones come
a creepin..
7. Hell shall be uncappd an burnin
Den de dragon shall be loosend
Where you runnin po sinner
Where you runnin po sinner..
8. Den youll see po sinners risin
Den youll see de worl on fah
See de moon a bleedin
See de stars a fallin..
9. See de elements a meltin
See de forked lightnin
Den youll cry out for cold water
While de Christians shout in glory..
10. Sayin Amen to you damnation
No mercy for po siner
Hear de rumblin of de thunder
Earth shall reel an totter..
11. Den youll see de Christian risin
Den youll see de righteous marchin
See dem marchin home to heabn
Den youll see my Jesus comin..
12. Wid all His holy angels
Take de righteous home to glory
Dere dey live wid God forever
On de right hand side of my Saviour..
Page 29
This next tune is one your surely familiar with.
This tune is in the call and response style but the tune has been played in many
different ways.
11
_
_
_
_
q = 56
Swing low sweet chariot
_
,
Swing
5
low
,

,
sweet char
,

i - ot
, ,
- com
4
1
,
,

ing - for to car

3
1
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
ry - me home
5
3
,
, ,
,
,
, ,
,
_
,
- -
1
5
1
5
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
5
_
,
swing low
,

,
sweet char
,

i - ot
, ,
-
com
,
,

ing
-
for to car
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
ry - me home
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
_
,
- -
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
1
5
2
4

Fine
9

I
3
looked

o ver - Jor

dan - and what

did I see

com

ing -
for to car
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
ry - me
,
, ,
,
,
,
_
,
, - -
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
13
_
,
home
,
,

a
4
band
,
,
of an
,
,
,
gels - com
3
,
,
ing - af ter - me
, , , ,
com
,
,

ing - for to car

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
ry - me
home
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
D.C al fine
_
,
,
,

, - -
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
Page 30
Here are the rest of the lyrics for the remaining verses in Swing low sweet chariot
2. If you get there before I do
Coming fot to carry me home
Tell all my friends Im comin too
Coming for to carry me home..
3. The brightest day that ever I saw
Coming for to carry me home
When Jesus washd my sins away
Coming for to carry me home..
4. Im sometimes up, Im sometimes down
Coming for to carry me home
But still my soul feels heavenly bound
Coming for to carry me home..
This next tune, Wade in the water is quite a diffcult piece and is one of the most diffcult
Spirituals you will play in this book so take your time. It is in this book as a good challenge
for you to learn.

It is also a call and response tune.
Page 31
12

1 4 2 5 1

4 2 5

5 2 4 1 5

2 4 1

4 2 4 5

4 2 1

2 4 2 1

2 4 5

5 2 4 1 5

2 4 1

1 4 2 5 1

4 2 5

3 2 3 1

3 5 4 5

Page 32
Here are the rest of the lyrics for the verses in Wade in the water
2. See that band all dressed in red
Gods a going to trouble the water
Looks like the band that Moses led
Gods a going to trouble the water..
3. Look over yonder what do I see?
Gods a going to trouble the water
The Holy Ghost a coming on me
Gods a going to trouble the water
4. If you dont believe Ive been redeemed
Gods a going to trouble the water
Just follow me down to Jordans stream
Gods a going to trouble the water
Try singing along with the tune
while you play. Some of the words
are a bit different to what you are
used to. Have some fun trying to
pronounce them!
Page 33
Chapter six. Gospel songs
A brief history
Its quite diffcult to attain the exact time when Gospel music actually began.
There are two main divisions of Gospel music, Historic and Contemporary or Modern.
The Historic Gospel is said to have begun as early as 1870. It can also be said to have
begun in the years just prior to the depression up to around 1950. Gospel is comprised
of Gospel songs written from about the 1960s to the present.
Around four million slaves were freed following the civil war in the 1870s. Unfortunately
their circumstances hardly improved at all. Although they were considered legally free
from slavery they still faced prejudice and racism. A large amount of the the freed slaves
stayed behind in the south but many travelled north in search of employment and a new
start. In the climate of prejudice and racism and the urbanisation of the African Americans,
Gospel music had its early beginnings.
During the end of the historic period of Gospel songs many of the songs were considered
freedom songs. Even though the civil rights movement didnt begin until much later
these Gospel songs already showed the mood of the movement that was to eventuate.
The type of Gospel music sung most often in African American churches then and now is
generally the songs that were written in the historic period.
One of the most important and prolifc writers of these songs was Thomas A. Dorsey. He
has over eight hundred songs credited to his name. He is considered by many as the
Father of Gospel music.
Another similar Gospel composer was Charles Albert Tindley. From his humble beginnings
(his parents were slaves and he was hired out to work as soon as he was old enough) he
went on to overcome adversity and compose some of the most infuential Gospel songs.
Alot of Gospel is improvised meaning it is spontaneous and expresses the singers
inspiration that is said comes from the Holy Spirit.
Gospel music is still hugely popular today and infuences a variety of musical styles such
as blues, jazz, hymns and many more.
Page 34
Gospel songs
The next lot of tunes were going to be looking at are Gospel tunes.
Dividing up each genre specifcally into groups is quite diffcult because all these musical
genres infuence each other in terms of style content and theoretical aspects.
So some of the songs youve already played in this book could be considered Gospel
songs as well as Spiritual and it would be hard to argue the difference.
Alot of these songs will sound very similar to the Spirituals and Hymns.
Take this next tune slowly and listen to the track. Follow the music to help iron out any
problems.
Page 35

q = 58
Bye and bye

Bye
4
1

an' bye

we
5
1
all

shall meet

a gain

3
5

2
4

Bye
5
1

an' bye

we
all
5
1

shall meet

a gain

- O
5
1

1
5

3
5

bye

an' bye

we all

shall meet

a gain

- an'
4
2
I

2
4

would
5
1
n't - mind

dy
5
2
in - if dy

in - was all

1
5

13
Page 36

W W
H W W
W
H
1st tetrachord 2nd tetrachord
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
R.H
W W
H W W
W
H
1st tetrachord 2nd tetrachord
5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1
L.H
key
signature

W W
H W W
W
H
1st tetrachord 2nd tetrachord
5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1
L.H OR
written
this way
an
octave
lower
Chapter seven. E major
To be able to play some of the other tunes in this book we have to look at a new key
signature.
You will remember the techniques we use to get key signatures and we will apply the
same rules to make the new key signature and subsequent scale. The scale we are
going to look at is the scale of E major. E major has 3 fats in it E B and A .
E major appears quite frequently in Gospel, Spirituals and Hymns so its an important
key signature and scale to learn.
As before well start off in the R.H using the two tetrachord rule to make up our scale.
b b b b
b
b
b
Page 37
Now the same progression in the L.H with the chords in root position.
Here is the same progression this time with the inversions
A lot of the time these chords will not always appear in root position. So you will see the
chords played in a variety of inversions. Heres a few inversions of the diffferent chords
of E major. Take a look at the inversions play through them. See if you can recognise
the chords in any of the tunes used in this book.
This time when playing the I, IV, V progression try using different inversions in different
hands. Try playing the standard inversions in both hands and then on the next page play
the different inversions in each hand and notice the tonal quality difference. Play through
slowly and take your time, its tricky.

I IV V
E A B
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8
b b b

I
IV
V
E A B
L.H
1 2 3 4 5
b b b

L.H
I
IV V
E A B
1 2 3 4 5
root position 2nd inversion 1st inversion
b
b b
b
I, IV, V progression in E major.
This is important for us to recognise the chords when playing alot of these tunes.
Remember that alot of this music uses chords from the I, IV, V progression.
The three primary triads of E major are E A and B
1st note of the scale: E major triad: the I chord
4th note of the scale: A major triad: the IV chord
5th note of the scale: B major tirad: the V chord
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
Page 38
This next tune is in E major.
There are lots of chords in this tune so take your time and make sure your getting all the
notes correct.

q = 96
I love the Lord

I
4
2

love

the

Lord
4
1

He

heard

my

cries

and

pit

ied
4
1

2
5

1
5

3
5

ev
5
2

ry

- groan

3
1

long

as

live
5
1

when
5
3

trou

bles

1
5

3
5

11

rise

5
3

I'll

has

ten

- to
5
3

His

throne

1
5

14

I I V IV I I V IV
2nd inversion root position root position root position 1st inversion 2nd inversion 1st inversion 1st inversion
I I V IV I I V IV
root position 1st inversion 1st inversion 2nd inversion root position root position 2nd inversion 2nd inversion
b
The next tune is in the key of E minor. The different key gives this Gospel tune a different
feel.
Page 39
15
Here are the rest of the lyrics to The downward road is crowded.
2. Some people say they believe in him You cant ride the empty air
An then wont do what he says An get to heaven that day

q = 96
The downward road is crowded

O the down

ward

- road

is
4
2

crowd
5
3

ed

- crowd
4
1

ed

- crowd

ed

- O the

3
5

1
5

down

ward
4
2

- road

is

crowd
,
,
ed
,
,
- with
,
,
un
,
,
be
5
1
,
,
- liev - in'
3
1
,
,
,
,
,
- souls
,
,
,

The
4
,
win'
,
blows
,
east
,
an' the
, ,
_
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
1
5
,
,
1
4
,
,
,
,
1
4
1
5
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

1
4
,
, ,
,
11
_

win'
,
blows
,
west
,
it blows
,

,
like the judg
, ,
,
ment
,
- day
,
,

an'
,
,
_
,
,
,
,
,
,
, ,
,
,
14
_

ev ry - po'
, ,
soul
,
,
,
that
,
ne
5
ver - did
, , ,
pray will
,
,
be glad
, ,
,
to
,
pray that
,
,
,
day
,
,
,

_
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
, ,
,
1
5
,
,
,
,
1
4
,
,
,
,
,
,
5
,

Page 40
Here is another Gospel tune for you to learn. Listen to the track frst to get an idea about
how the tune sounds, then try playing through it.
If you can, its a good idea to read the music while listening to the track and see if you can
follow it.
16

Stand by me
Albert Tindley

When
3
the storms

of life

are rag

ing
2
- stand

by me

(stand
3
be me)

3
5

1
5

when the storms

5
1

of life

are rag

ing - stand

by me
4

(stand by me)
3
1

when the world

is toss
4
2

ing - me

like a ship
5
3

u pon

- the sea

1
5

thou
3
1
who rul
5
3

est - wind

and wa

ter
2
- stand

by me

(stand by me)

5 4
1
5

Page 41
2. In the midst of tribulations
Stand by me
In the midst of tribulations
Stand by me
When the hosts of hell assail
And my strength begins to fail
Thou who never lost a battle
Stand by me
3. In the midst of faults and failures
Stand by me
In the midst of faults and failures
Stand by me
When I do the best I can
And my friends misunderstand
Thou who knowest all about me
Stand by me
Here are the rest of the lyrics for Stand by me
4. In the midst of of persecution
Stand by me
In the midst of persecution
Stand by me
When my foes in battle array
Undertake to stop my way
Thou who saved Paul and Silas
Stand by me
5. When Im growing old and feeble
Stand by me
When Im growing old and feeble
Stand by me
When my life becomes a burden
And Im nearing chilly Jordan
O thou Lily of the Valley
Stand by me
Page 42
This is the last Gospel tune we will look at in this book.
There are a lot of chords in this tune so take our time to get them right.
_
_
_
_
There's something on my mind
_

There's
3
,
some thin' - on
, ,
my mind
, , ,
that's
,
,
worr
5
1
,
,
yin' - me
,
,

There's
,
,
, , ,
,
_
- - ,
2
4
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
4
_

some thin' - on
,
,
,
,
my mind
4
1
,
,
,
,
,
,

that's
,
,
,
worr
,
,
yin - me
,
,

,
,
There's
,
,
some thin' - on
,
,

my mind

that's

1
5

1
3

worr

yin - me

so let
5
3

us watch

Lord

an'
3
1

pray as

we

live

1
5

17
Here are the rest of the lyrics for Theres somethin on my mind
2. Fathers drinkin with their sons thats whats worryin me
Theres Fathers drinkin with their sons thats whats worryin me
Theres Fathers drinkin with their sons thats whats worryin me
Let us watch Lord an pray as we live
3. The church is out of union thats whats worryin me
The church is out of union thats whats worryin me
The church is out of union thats whats worryin me
So let us watch Lord an pray as we live
Page 43
Chapter eight. Hymns
A brief history
A hymn is a song of praise or prayer towards God. Singing psalms and hymns has been
part of the Christian worship for hundreds of years.
The most musically interesting change to the hymn came 250 years ago. Dr. Issac Watts,
an English minister, saw that the music was lacking in lively and colorful expression. He
was interested in showing the power and passion of his belief and faith through music.
From this, the modern Hymn came about. Watts gave the religious psalms and hymns
much more freedom and interest. A far more powerful means of expression was created
by using variety. Watts wrote such songs as Jesus shall reign and Joy to the world.
After Watts paved the way with this new type of interpretation and composition it wasnt
long until he had many followers keen to write in a similar style.
Dr. Watts and others like him helped move the style of singing and hymns away from the
rigid singing of the time toward a more poetic style of religious song.
The songs that were written and played back then were used and adapted to a variety
of situations. The African American Baptist and the Methodist churches both sang these
hymns. They applied their own sense of culture and musical background to these songs
and effectively modifed many of the hymns.
Those songs written around 250 years ago are still sung and enjoyed throughout the
world. The infuence of these songs is huge affecting many different genres of music.
Page 44
John Newton, the man that wrote the lyrics to Amazing Grace, left school when he
was eleven to begin the dangerous and rough life of a seaman. He eventually became
involved with the dishonourable business of capturing slaves from West Africa and selling
them around the world markets.
One day there was a ferce storm while at sea and John Newton became fearful that he
would be shipwrecked. He turned to God to save him from the storm.
Later he began to read The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A. Kempis. It was through
this book and his fearful experience that he realised the error in his ways and wrote this
beautiful song. Through this spiritual experience John Newton decided to heed the call
to study for ministry. When he was thirty nine years old John Newton was ordained
as a Minister of the Anglican Church in a little village called Olney near Cambridge in
England.
18

Tune: "American melody" from

Cirginia Harmony
Words by John Newton
and John P. Rees
Amazing grace

A
3
1

maz

- ing
5
1
- grace

how

sweet

the
2
4

sound

that

saved

1
5

5 3

1
3

wretch

like

me

II

once
5

was

lost

but

12

now

am

found

was

blind

but now
5
3

see
4
1

2
4

2
5

Page 45
Here are the rest of the lyrics for Amazing grace.
2. Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
the hour I frst believed..
3. Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come
Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home..
4. The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures..
5. Yes, when this fesh and heart shall fail
and mortal life shall cease
I shall possess within the veil
a life of joy and peace..
6. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
the sun forbear to shine
But God, who called me here below
will be forever mine.
7. When weve been there ten-thousand
years,
bright shining as the sun
Weve no less days to sing Gods praise
than when wed frst begun.
A very common feature of the Hymns is that they use I, IV, V progressions.
So when playing some of these tunes try to look for and listen for the I, IV, V
progression.
In this next tune remember that the fngering is there only as a guide so you can use your
own fngering if you fnd it more comfortable.
Remember that the fngering has to be comfortable enough to allow you to play the notes
at the assigned speed.
Page 46
19

q = 82
Words by Julia Ward Howe
Battle hymn of the Republic
Music by William Steffe

Mine
5
3

eyes have seen

the glo

ry
4
2
- of

the com
5
1

ing - of

the Lord

He is

1
5

2
4

tram
3
1
pling - out

the vin

tage - where

the grapes
4
2

of wrath

are stored

He hath

1
5

1
5

loosed the fate

ful - light

ning
4
2
- of

His ter

ri - ble

- swift sword

- His

truth

is

march

ing

- on

2
4

10

Glo

Chorus
ry - glo

ry
4
2
- hal

le - lu

- jah

- Glo
3
1

ry - glo

ry - hal

le - lu

- jah

14

Glo

ry
4
2
- glo

ry - hal

le -
lu

-
jah

- His

truth

is

march

ing

- on

Page 47
You may recognise this next tune. It is often played as a Christmas carol but is also
considered a hymn.
Here are the other verse lyrics for Battle hymn of the Republic
2. I have seen Him in the watchfres
Of a hundred circling camps
They have buried Him an altar in
The evening dews and damps
I can read His righteous sentence
By the dim and faring lamps
His day is marching on..
3. He has sounded forth the trumpet
That shall never sound retreat
He is sifting out the hearts of men
Before His judgement seat
O be swift my soul to answer
Him be jubilant my feet
Our God is marching on..
4. In the beauty of the lillies Christ
Was born across the sea
With a glory in His bosom that
Transfgures you and me
As He died to make men holy
Let us die to make men free
While God is marching on.
Page 48

Words by Charles Wesley

q = 96
Hark the herald angel sing
Tune: Mendelssohn

Hark

the

her

ald
3
1
- an

gels

- sing
5
3

Glo

ry

- to

the new

born
4
2

- King

peace

on

earth

and

1
4

mer

cy
5
3

- mild

4
3

God

and

sin

ners - rec

on

- ciled

- joy

ful

- all

you
2

na
5
3

tions

,
- rise
,
,
,
,
_
,
2
4
,
,
,
,
3
,

,

,
,
,
5
,
,
,
,
,
3
5
,
, , , ,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
11
_
,
join
,
,
the
,
,
tri
,
,
umph
2
,
- of
,
,
the
,
,
skies
,
,
,
,
with
,
,
,
the
,
,
,
angel
,
,
,
ic
,
,
,
,
- host
,
,
,
pro
4
2
,
,

claim
,
,
- Christ
,
,
is born
,
,
,
,
,

in
4
1
,
,

_
,
, , ,
,
,
1
4
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
5
, ,
,
,
,
,
2
4
,
,
, ,
,
,
,

,
,
,
16

_
,
Beth
,
,
le
,
,
- hem
,
,
- Hark
,
,
,

the her
,
,
,

,
,
ald
,
,
- an
,
,
,
gels
,
,

- sing
,
,
Glo
,
,
ry
3
1
- to
,
,
,
,
,

the new
,
,

,
,
born
,
,
- King
,
_
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

,
,
4
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
, ,
,
,
,
,
,
20
Page 49
Here are the rest of the lyrics for the verses in Hark the herald angel sing.
2. Christ by highest heaven adored
Christ the everlasting Lord
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of the virgins womb
Veiled in fesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with us to dwell
Jesus out Emmanuel
3. Hail the heaven born Prince of peace
Hail the sun of righteousness
Light and life to all He brings
Rising with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that we no more may die
Born to raise us from the earth
Born to give us second birth
Keep going!! youre almost there....
Page 50
You may have noticed that alot of these tunes are mostly made up of chords, and not alot
of seperate bass notes of melody. Heres the next tune for you to learn.
21

Holy, holy , holy

Words by Reginald Heber Music by John B. Dykes

Ho
3
1

ly

- ho
5
3

ly

- ho

ly

Lord

God

al

might
5
3

- y

- ear

ly - in

the

1`
3

2
5

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
6
_
,
,
,
morn
,
,
,
ing
,
,
- our
,
,
song
2
,
shall
5
1
,
,
rise
,
,

to Thee
,
,

Ho
,
,
ly
,
,
- ho
,
,
ly
,
,
- ho
,
,
,
ly
,
,
-
,
_
,
,
,
2
5
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
, ,
,
,
,
2
5
,
,
1
,
,
,
,
11
_
,
,
,
mer
,
,
ci - ful
,
,
,
,
- and
,
,
might
5
3
,
,
y
,
,
- God
,
,
in
,
,
,
three
,
,
,
,
_
,
,
,
,
,
2 3
,
,
,
,
1
4
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
, ,
14
_
,
,
,
per
,
,
,
sons
,
,
-
2
, ,
bless
5
1
,
,
ed
,
,
- Trin
,
,

i -
ty
,

-
A

men

-
_
,
,
, ,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

,
,
,

Page 51
Here are the rest of the lyrics for the verses in Holy, holy, holy
2. Holy, holy, holy
All the saints adore thee
Casting down their golden crowns
Around the glassy sea
Cherubim and seraphim
Falling down before Thee
Which wert and art and
Evermore shall be..
3. Holy, holy, holy
Though the darkness hide Thee
Though the eye of sinful man
Thy glory may not see
Only Thou art holy
There is none beside Thee
Perfect in powr
In love and purity..
4. Holy, holy, holy
Lord God Almighty
All Thy works shall praise Thy name
In earth and sky and sea
Holy, holy, holy
Merciful and mighty
God in three persons
Blessed Trinity.
Page 52
This tune is designed to be played quite fast but dont worry if you have to start off slow
to get it right.
Remember that the fngering is also a guide so if you fnd a different fngering more
comfortable then use it.
22
_
_
_
_
q = 82
Music, 'Antioch' arranged from George F. Handel
Joy to the world
Words from Psalm 98, adapted by Issac Watts
_

Joy
,
,
to the world
,
,
,
,
,
,

the Lord
,
,
,

,
,
is
,
,
come
,
let earth
,
,

,
,

re
,
,

-
_

,
,
,
,

,
,
,
,

,
, ,
,
,
,

,
,
,
,
,

,
,
,
6
_

cieve
,
,

her King
,
,

,
,

let ev
,
,

ry

- heart

pre pare

- Him

room

and

12

heav'n and na

ture - sing

,
,

and heav'n
,
,
,
,
and na
,
,
,
,
- ture sing
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

and
,
,
,
,
_

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

, , , ,
,
16
_

heav'n
,

,
,
and heav'n
,
,

,
,

,
,
and na
,
,
,
,
,
,
ture
,
,
- sing
,
_

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
Page 53
Here are the rest of the lyrics for the verses in Joy to the world
2. Joy to the earth the Saviour reigns
Let men their songs employ
While felds and foods,
rock, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat repeat the sounding joy..
3. No more let sin and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make
His blessings fow
Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found
Far as, far as the curse is found..
4. He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of
His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders of His love.
Page 54
Youve done it! You have completed the Rocket Piano Gospel Book. Just think of all the
Gospel, Spiritual and Hymns youve learnt. Youre on your way to becoming a musician
... all you need is more practice!
Now you are ready to go on to the Rocket Piano Fingering Technique and Exercises book
if you havent already done so.
Thats it for now.
The Rocket Piano Team
Conclusion