The first step to playing gospel piano is start with a basic chord progression. Today's lesson uses the progression C→Am→F→G. These letters are chord symbols that represent the following triads: C major (C-E-G), A minor (A-C-E), F major (F-A-C) and G major (G-B-D). The diagram below shows each triad in root position.

#1 – The Classic 2-5-1 Chord Progression The classic 2-5-1 chord progression is commonly found at the end of several gospel songs. If you sing 10 gospel songs, 9 of them (if not 10) end with the 2-5-1 chord progression.

These gospel chord progressions include many stylistic elements of gospel piano playing such as walk ups, walk downs, sus chords, passing chords, and turnarounds. The first example contains the 2, 4, and 5 chords and then moves into a turnaround.

Adding chromaticism can make a progression sound more gospel. We can do this with our progression by bridging the C chord to the D chord with a half-diminished chord called C#m7b5 (#IV^o7). A half-diminished 7th chord consists of a minor third, a diminished fifth, and a minor seventh.