A New Groove for Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace is a beautiful song. And, as is apparent from Neil’s introduction of it in both the foundation materials (Levels 1 and 2) as well as in the variations, it’s also a wonderful tool for learning!

In the next several issues of the Playground, a series of articles will appear in which I’ll present an accompaniment version of Amazing Grace that builds on Neil’s arrangements. In order to distinguish this version from those that we learn in Levels 1 and 2, I refer to this arrangement as Soulful Grace.

I’ll present it in such a way that, when you implement the changes I suggest in the first article, you’ll have a very complete and satisfying outcome for the entire song. You won’t be left hanging. I promise! Each successive article will build on the changes from the last and will give you a complete and musical-sounding outcome in and of itself. So, let’s get started!

Perhaps the best place to begin is by reviewing the Amazing Grace arrangements that we learn in the Simply Music program. The lead sheet below illustrates the chord progressions presented in Levels 1 and 2, and in the variation offered at the end of Level 2:

Lead Sheet for Amazing Grac

[A note here for those who have not yet encountered split chords: A chord symbol such as F/D (“F over D”) is used when the bass note that the LH plays is not the bottom note of the chord that the RH plays. F/D indicates that the RH is to play an F major chord, while the LH is to play the note D.]

Soulful Grace

In this first version of Soulful Grace, I’ve altered the chords a bit to give us that nice suspended sound in measure 7 (F/G instead of G) and to create a descending bass line in measures 9-12. The LH shifts between two different positions: finger 1 on bass C (one octave below middle C) and finger 5 on low C (two octaves below middle C). LH placement is indicated at the beginning of each line (F1 = finger 1, F5 = finger 5), and LH fingering is in parentheses following each chord.

Soulful Grace #1 – Sheet Music
Click here for the recording of Soulful Grace #

When you’re comfortable with these alterations and can play them in a relatively fluid manner, add the rhythmic variation that Neil suggests at the end of Level 1: T R L R.

Here’s a recording of the arrangement with this articulation

One important note about the LH fingering: It’s specific to subsequent versions of Soulful Grace (which include some really cool stuff that you don’t want to miss out on!!!). So, even though it’s quite possible to play this version fluidly with a different fingering, I urge you to learn it with the fingering I’ve indicated right from the start. This way, you’ll avoid the frustrating process of unlearning and relearning.

You may have noticed the absence of that lovely F- chord on beat 3 of measure 15. (This shows up in the variation that Neil offers at the end of Level 2.) I’ve left this chord out because it will have to be eliminated in order to accommodate a special ending for Soulful Grace that I’ll share with you in subsequent issues. However, if you’d like to play that F- chord with this version, it won’t present the same kind of unlearning challenge that using a different fingering will. So feel free to add the F- chord in for now. (And, if you’re really daring, make it an F-6 chord by raising the top RH note from C to D.)

I hope you’ll enjoy this version of Soulful Grace. Til next time, I’m wishing you happy music making!

Trainee	A 'Trainee' Simply Music Teacher is the first level of teacher status. Trainees have begun their journey into the Simply Music Teacher Training Program however, they have yet to finalize their training and elevate to Licensed status.
Licensed Teacher	A 'Licensed' Simply Music Teacher is the second level of teacher status. Licensed Simply Music Teachers have fulfilled the requirements for completing their Initial Teacher Training Program. Inquire with them to find out when and if they are ready to teach.
Certified Teacher	A 'Certified' Simply Music Teacher is the third level of teacher status. Certified Simply Music Teachers have successfully completed the Simply Music Certification process as well as other requirements needed to become Certified. This includes having taught Foundation Levels 1, 2, and 3 as well as all applicable Special Programs (Composition & Improvisation, Arrangements, and Accompaniment 1). Certified Teachers present the Simply Music Programs exclusively to their beginning students, and they have shown that they follow our carefully-designed curriculum authentically.
Advanced Teacher	An 'Advanced' Simply Music Teacher is the fourth level of teacher status. Advanced status is only achieved after being a Certified Teacher for at least 4 years and teaching students through Foundation Level 9 plus all associated Special Programs (Composition & Improvisation, Arrangements, the Accompaniment Programs, the Reading Programs, Blues & Improvisation, and Jazz Clues). An Advanced Simply Music Teacher has demonstrated that they are an educator with a high degree of experience. Advanced Teachers present the Simply Music Programs exclusively to their beginning students, and they have shown that they follow our carefully-designed curriculum authentically.
Master Teacher	'Master' Simply Music Teacher is an honorary position and the highest status level that can be achieved. It is offered by Simply Music's founder, Neil Moore, to members of the organization who have demonstrated, over an extended period of time, that they are teachers who possess exemplary skills and qualities. They are mentors and a model to their fellow Simply Music Teachers and are considered leaders in our teaching community.

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