The Church Pianist: Canon in D Chord Progression Part Two with Accompaniment Tips

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Canon in D chord progression works
well for mundane bass lines... as I mentioned
in yesterday's article.

Clarification:

I only used the first three chords of the Canon
in D progression for yesterday's and today's
example.

The melody of a song determines the
the chord progression. Some songs are
suited to use the entire chord progression of
Canon in D, such as: This is My Father's World.

In today's example, notice how I deleted melody
notes in the right hand of the piano score.

Deleting repetitive melody notes prevents an
overworked tone and create a more flowing
accompaniment for the singer.

Try applying the Canon in D chord progression

to other hymns with mundane bass lines.

The Church Pianist: See Left Hand Pattern for Repetitive Bass Line

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Repetitive bass lines occur frequently in gospel songs.


The example at the right, applies

to gospel songs in 4/4 time.



I give an advanced and an easy version.



Notice the following in the advanced version:


*Playing an octave higher in the

right hand allows more creative

space for the left hand.

The use of chord inversions are then possible.

Description of Left Hand Pattern:

Measure one:




Octave (root of chord)



Chord (Adv. version allows room for chord inversions)


*Special note: The bottom note of the of the left hand
inverted chord, usually matches the melody note of the

right hand.



Octave (alternating bass; the 5th note of the C chord)



Chord


Measure Two:




Octave (alternating bass; the 3rd note of the C chord)




Chord (I added the minor 7th (b flat) of the C chord which leads to an F chord)




Stepping octaves in eight notes (this breaks up the octave - chord pattern for variety)







Hopefully, this visual will clarify previous text articles dealing with left hand patterns.

The Church Pianist: Left Hand Pattern(Marching Bass Octaves)

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Left Hand Pattern #2 (Marching Down Bass Octaves)
Once again, this pattern works well for Hymns with a repetitive bass line.
(Repetitive bass line refers to the same chord lasting for at least 3 beats or more)

Example Hymn: When We All Get to Heaven (Key of C) *First line only

Left Hand Description:


Measure one: (marching down bass)

Beat one: C octave (Middle C and Bass C)

Beat two: B octave

Beat three: A octave

Beat four: G octave


Measure two:

Same as above


Measure three:

Beat one: G octave (1st and 2nd G below Middle C)

Beat two: D octave

Beat three: B octave

Beat four: G octave (2nd and 3rd G below Middle C)



Measure four:

Beats one and two: Running octaves moving up in eighth notes (start 2nd and 3rd G below Middle C)

G octave
G octave (repeat same G octave)
A octave
B octave

Beat three: C octave (2nd and 3rd C below Middle C)

Beat four: C octave (next octave down)


A combination of the left hand patterns I’ve shared since yesterday, make for a nice variety in hymns with a repetitive bass line.

Just remember the following ingredients: alternating bass and marching octaves. There are other patterns as well that I will have to share in another post.