Welcome to Sam's Gospel Music Course Spring 2005

This course has been designed to assist in the training of today's new generation of church musicians. Our staff musician has a 37 year background in music primary geared towards the total church experience. As we enter into our Spring Semester we look to change our format of training.  When we started in 1999 there were few sites offering church musician instruction for FREE!. Now there are dozens of Internet based sites that offer more than we can imagine. We sponsor these sites as places of reference for all musicians taking this course, however, none can offer 32 years of continued church related service. We have kept some of the basic lessons which are a necessary foundation for music learning and have now incorporated a new method of practical instruction. We will be updating this site as we look to equip this generation of musicians with the knowledge to do more than play "behind the preacher "and "shout the house". We are taking the bold step to teach hymns as they should be played where the congregation no longer is being entertained but participate in the singing. Where the musician becomes responsible for more than just showing up, but plans well in advance for service, and comes with an attitude to serve not impress. There's a place for all musicians in the ministry of music in every local church. Not just the Black Pentecostal Church, but all churches where the spirit of God desires to dwell and where music fulfills it purpose of setting the atmosphere for praise and worship. 

We're an non-denominational education site and we offer our training to all who have the desire to learn. Music opens and closes each service and if the musician is not correct, the service suffers. I'll say that again "music opens and closes each service, if the musician is not correct, the service suffers". 

Church musician reference materials:

Hear and Play      300pg Course

Sam's Hammond B3 tips and techniques VHS

Sam's Keyboard/Piano tips and techniques

The Musicians Prayer

Oh Lord, please bless this music that it might glorify your name.

May the talent that you have bestowed upon me be used only to serve you.

Let this music be a witness to your majesty and love, and remind us that you are always watching, and listening, from your throne above.

May your presence and beauty be found in every note, and may the words that are sung reach the hearts of your people so they will draw closer to you.

May your Spirit guide us through every measure so that we might be the instruments of your peace, and proclaim your glory with glad voices.  

AMEN

 Gospel Music Workbook -   Hear and Play      300pg Course

 Our course will be taught exclusively from this excellent workbook. Order yours from by clicking the on the picture.

Lessons One thru Four

Piano chords and scales  this link is an excellent resource for learning your scales and chords in every key.

On-line musician workshops (Midi and Videos)

Gospel Keyboard/Piano - Playing Hymns in the 21st Century

The history of hymns, the authors and their background along with the methods of playing them lively and spirited in piano style. View our new performance piano series videos.

Gospel Organ - Playing Hymns in the 21st Century

The history of hymns, the authors and their background along with the methods of playing them lively and spirited in organ style.

Sing unto the Lord a New Song : (spring 2005)

HAMMOND B3 COURSE (under contruction)

Study Techniques

"The Secrets to Playing Piano By Ear" 300pg Course - Learn the secrets to playing literally any song on the piano with a few simple, "easy-to-understand" techniques and principles. Join Jermaine Griggs in learning tons of music theory, concepts, and tricks that will help you to learn piano by ear. Thousands of musicians have already taken advantage of this excellent program ... why not you? I personally recommend "The Secrets to Playing Piano By Ear" and through my relationship with Jermaine, I've been able to get him to throw in a few bonus items (3 additional piano software programs). Click here to learn the secrets to playing absolutely any song  on the piano in virtually minutes! I highly recommend it.

1. Start of with the musicians prayer. 
2. Loosen up your hands by shaking them downward  then practice scales.
3.  Chord warm-ups - play your chords chromatically up and down the keyboard
4. Practice chords using both hands.
5. Practice a basic Hymn  or selection as you prepare your mind and spirit for practicing.
6. Remember to enjoy your music and if you have a cassette recorder tape yourself so that you can hear your improvement.