DVD- Learn To Play Gospel Piano

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Starring: Ethel Caffie-Austin
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Type: DVD
Directed By: Happy Traum
Studio: Homespun Video
Release Date: 2003-04-01
Running Time: 120 minutes
Number of Items: 2
There’s no sound more thrilling than the walking bass notes and driving chords of traditional gospel piano, and there is no better way to learn it than from this 2-DVD set. Dr. Ethel Caffie-Austin, a formidable pianist, vocalist and educator, is steeped in the traditions and styles of the black church. She has a clear and concise teaching method and a desire to get you playing this heartfelt and inspirational music, even if you have never played it before.

Ethel teaches the basic melody of a hymn or spiritual, and then adds the chords and bass lines that will give the song a solid rhythmic foundation. Finally, by adding intros, runs, harmonies, fills and turnarounds, you’ll create a complete piano arrangement in true gospel style.

The well-known hymns and spirituals you’ll be playing include "When the Saints Go Marching In," "Standing in the Need of Prayer," "Angels Keep Watching Over Me," "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus," "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," "Show Me The Way," "Study War No More," "Jesus is on the Mainline," "Amazing Grace" and other beloved gospel standards.

Not for Beginners
This DVD is a little advanced for me, but it deserves its 5-star rating. If you can play a bit and are dedicated enough to stick with it, you will learn how to "gospelize" simple melodies into full arrangements. Lead sheet and by-ear players who want to learn to get that funky gospel praise sound need look no further. I don't mind chipping away at this for a few years.

Some hand independence and comfort with four-finger chords are pre-requisites to making the most of this, though you can use the DVD to learn these skills if you're patient and not afraid to practise hard. Caffie-Austin is a beautiful player and the video shows well what her talented fingers are up to. She has a wonderful voice and engaging persona too.

If you are unsure about your skills, or are just beginning, I recommend you start with something simpler like Bradley Sowash and Scott Houston's "The Next Step" before tackling this.

Wish there were more like this!
Ethel Caffie-Austin is a fabulous pianist and she breaks it down easily so that players new to this style can understand the how and the why. A song is presented in its simplest form first, and then in increasingly ornamented versions with alternate harmonies, so in the end, you can figure out which version you would like to make your signature version.

This set is for intermediate to advanced players, and the only criticism I have of this set is that it isn't indicated anywhere on the packaging (or in promotion that I've seen), but that doesn't detract from the 5 stars it very richly deserves. A beginning pianist would probably not be ready to play the pieces in this set, but what they hey, if you are a beginner, buy it anyway, watch it and PRACTICE like mad to get up to the level to play this. This set will INSPIRE you to get your chops together! You will need to be able to play in octaves, and to play full chords spanning an octave in each hand. It is also recommended that you be familiar with at least seventh chords.

Super easy
I've never had a how-to DVD before and I'm thrilled with this one. She makes playing gospel look easy and when you try it, you can do it! The sound and rhythm you achieve with her helpful pointrs is amazing.
Jeanie

Great for the intermediate to advanced pianist.
This is a great video for those who want to learn the playing techniques for gospel. Most gospel online courses teach what chords to play but give you little in the way of playing them for a gospel sound. Many gospel videos give you 1-1/2 hours of how to form chords, from beginning to intermediate, and maybe 15 minutes of advanced demonstration. This doesn't help either the beginner or the advanced player.

Though the songs start out simply and a beginner could get a start with them, most of the video is for the fairly proficient player who wants to get some rhythm and licks to gospelize music. This gospel piano is much like boogie woogie piano and is a lot of fun.

The written booklets are helpful and clearly written. They just take practice.

I do wish that Dr. Ethel Caffie-Austin would put out a CD of her piano music. She's great.