Gospel Piano Lesson: Walk Ups and Walk Downs

Gospel piano walk ups and walk downs that connect the “big three” chords (I-IV-V) are must-have vocabulary for every gospel player!

Table of Contents

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Prerequisites

Basic music reading skills… basic scale, chord, and chord progression theory… basic technique… the LOVE of music… and the discipline to study and practice.

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Study & Practice Reminders

1. Never play these mindlessly and mechanically. Always aspire to play musically.
2. Your goal is not to merely memorize these, but to study and practice them until you internalize them using all four musical intelligences: ears, intellect, eyes, and muscles.
3. Every time you practice something, you are programming your brain. So always play accurately.
4. Practice with a click track or rhythm track. Doing so will give you immediate feedback on any rhythmic misconceptions or places where your timing gets sloppy.
5. Record yourself. Always. Listen to the playback immediately. And ask yourself: Is that what you intended to play?”
6. If anything feels tense or awkward, stop immediately and experiment with alternative fingerings or choreography.
7. Play this in other keys you expect to play in. By the way, once you see the patterns (which is guaranteed if you know your scales and chords) finding the notes in other keys will be a piece of cake!
8. If you feel stuck or overwhelmed, realize that anything can and will be mastered if you slow things down or break things down to small enough pieces.

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Walk Up I to IV in the Key of C

A typical walk up from the C chord (I) to the F chord (IV) in 3/4 time…

Study & Practice Tips: Don’t try to “memorize” these and don’t fuss over what the “in-between” chords are called. Instead, notice and internalize the patterns: (1) The bass notes connect each chord by moving linearly up or down through the major scale, (2) The right is always “framed” in repeating octaves with and inner voice. (3) The inner voice is the only voice that moves, (6) This inner voice is always played in diatonic thirds above the bass.

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Walk Down IV to I in the Key of C

A typical walk down from the F chord (IV) to the C chord (I) in 3/4 time (Notice that these are the exact same notes as the 1 to 4 walk up played in reverse…

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Walk Down I to V in the Key of C

A typical walk down from the C chord (I) to the G chord (V) in 3/4 time…

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Walk Up V to I in the Key of C

A typical walk up from the G chord (V) to the C chord (I) in 3/4 time (Notice that these are the exact same notes as the 1 to 4 walk up played in reverse…

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Walks Ups & Walk Downs in All Keys

Using your knowledge of chords and scales, practice these walk ups and walk downs in other keys you’d like to play in.

Please let Frank know if you’d like to see a score and play along MP3s.

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learn more… Gospel Piano Lessons