MODULE 6
PLAYING MELODIES | Song 4 & 5
In this module you will have a go at playing the melody lines to two fantastic song arrangements in both 3/4 and 4/4 time signatures. The first, AMAZING GRACE which is 3/4 time and then ODE TO JOY which is 4/4 time.
AMAZING GRACE
Each line of the song is broken down into bite sized chunks so that you can really focus on your finger positions and timing before attempting the whole song together. First of all, let's recap which fingers fret & pluck which strings and have a little warm up.
LINE 1: This line starts with a pick up note (or an anacrusis if you want to be more technical) That note is played on beat 3 of the count in bar and is the open C. The rest of the bar contains notes across 3 strings including quarter notes (crotchets) half notes (minims) and eighth notes (quavers).
LINE 2: Contains a tie line and a dotted minim. Remember dots after notes, extend their value by an extra half of the original value so in this case the dotted minim is held for a count of 3, then another 2 as indicated by the tie to the next note.
LINE 3: Is pretty straight forward and contains 1 minim at the start of each bar.
LINE 4: Also contains 1 minim at the start of each bar and ends with another tied note, again totalling 5 beats.
EXERCISE: Once you feel confident playing each line separately, have a go playing along to parts at 70BPM with the video below:
AMAZING GRACE - SONG FACTS:
"Amazing Grace," was first published in 1779 by JOHN NEWTON. Newton, an Englishman who once worked on slave ships, underwent a profound transformation. A treacherous storm during a voyage led him to a spiritual awakening. Despite grappling with doubts and setbacks, he eventually became a minister and composed "Amazing Grace" to express his gratitude for God's saving grace. This timeless hymn resonates with the enduring power of redemption and serves as a reminder of hope in our darkest moments.
JOAN BAEZ first performed "Amazing Grace" at Woodstock in the late 1960s, teaching people the lyrics as she sang it. The song quickly became a staple of her performances and remains one of her most iconic and beloved renditions.
JUDY COLLINS, a renowned American singer-songwriter, delivered a captivating rendition of "Amazing Grace." Her version, featured on the album "Whales & Nightingales" in 1970, showcases her soulful vocals and emotive performance style and is said to be the "best version" becoming a beloved classic, capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide and solidifying the song's enduring popularity. Her rendition beautifully expresses the essence of redemption, faith, and the transformative power of grace. Have a listen for yourself and see if you get goosebumps like I did!
For an extensive list of artists that covered and released this song CLICK HERE.
"Amazing Grace," was first published in 1779 by JOHN NEWTON. Newton, an Englishman who once worked on slave ships, underwent a profound transformation. A treacherous storm during a voyage led him to a spiritual awakening. Despite grappling with doubts and setbacks, he eventually became a minister and composed "Amazing Grace" to express his gratitude for God's saving grace. This timeless hymn resonates with the enduring power of redemption and serves as a reminder of hope in our darkest moments.
JOAN BAEZ first performed "Amazing Grace" at Woodstock in the late 1960s, teaching people the lyrics as she sang it. The song quickly became a staple of her performances and remains one of her most iconic and beloved renditions.
JUDY COLLINS, a renowned American singer-songwriter, delivered a captivating rendition of "Amazing Grace." Her version, featured on the album "Whales & Nightingales" in 1970, showcases her soulful vocals and emotive performance style and is said to be the "best version" becoming a beloved classic, capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide and solidifying the song's enduring popularity. Her rendition beautifully expresses the essence of redemption, faith, and the transformative power of grace. Have a listen for yourself and see if you get goosebumps like I did!
For an extensive list of artists that covered and released this song CLICK HERE.
ODE TO JOY
Same again! Let's break down the arrangement into bite sized chunks before playing them all together.
EXERCISE: Once you feel confident playing each line separately, have a go playing along to parts at 70BPM with the video below:
ODE TO JOY - SONG FACTS:
"ODE TO JOY," was first published in
"ODE TO JOY," was first published in
16 FRET STRETCH @ 90BPM
Great work so far!! Remember to take your time and go at your own pace!!
Once you feel confident playing these pieces, why not send us a little video to share on our socials?
Otherwise, onto the next module...
Once you feel confident playing these pieces, why not send us a little video to share on our socials?
Otherwise, onto the next module...