Are you looking for a powerful worship song that will lead your congregation into the presence of God? Look no further than “How Great Is Our God” – a beloved anthem by Chris Tomlin.
This timeless classic is sure to stir your soul and ignite your passion for praising God. With its uplifting melody, heartfelt lyrics, and simple but powerful chords, “How Great Is Our God” has become an essential part of many church services around the world.
If you’re eager to learn how to play this incredible song on guitar, you’ve come to the right place! With our step-by-step guide, you’ll be able to master the chords in no time.
“Sing with me, how great is our God! And all will see how great, how great is our God!”
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced guitarist, “How Great Is Our God” is a must-know tune that’s guaranteed to inspire you and those around you. So grab your guitar and get ready to join millions of believers who have been moved and uplifted by this amazing worship song.
Discover the basic chords for How Great Is Our God in the key of A
If you are looking to play the popular Christian worship song “How Great is Our God” by Chris Tomlin on guitar, then knowing its chords is essential. In this article, we will focus on how to play these chords in the key of A.
Introduction to the key of A
The key of A is a common choice for many worship songs, as it offers a bright and uplifting sound that inspires praise and gratitude. To get started with playing in this key, remember that the scale consists of the notes A, B, C#, D, E, F#, and G#. These notes can be played using barre chords or open chords, depending on your skill level and preference.
The basic chords for How Great Is Our God in A
To play “How Great is Our God” in the key of A, here are the four basic chords you need:
- A major: This chord is played by placing your first finger on the 4th string, 2nd fret; second finger on the 3rd string, 2nd fret; and third finger on the 2nd string, 2nd fret.
- D major: Place your index finger on the 3rd string, 2nd fret; middle finger on the 1st string, 2nd fret; and ring finger on the 2nd string, 3rd fret.
- E major: Put your middle finger on the 5th string, 2nd fret; index finger on the 4th string, 1st fret; and ring finger on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Strum all six strings.
- F# minor: Position your index finger on the 6th string, 2nd fret; ring finger on the 5th string, 4th fret; and middle finger on the 4th string, 2nd fret.
Now that you know the chords that make up “How Great is Our God” in A major, here are the lyrics for one verse and chorus to practice:
“The splendor of a King Clothed in majesty; Let all the earth rejoice, All the earth rejoice. He wraps himself in light, And darkness tries to hide, And trembles at His voice, Trembles at His voice.”
“How great is our God, Sing with me how great is our God, And all will see How great, How great Is our God.”
Playing these chords consistently may take some time, so don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t sound perfect at first. Practicing every day will gradually improve your playing skills and help you master this popular worship song.
Learning the basic chords for “How Great is Our God” in the key of A can be a rewarding experience for any guitar player looking to expand their repertoire. With enough dedication and practice, you’ll be able to lead your congregation into praise as they sing along to this beautiful expression of worship.
Master the strumming pattern for How Great Is Our God Chords A
If you’re looking to play “How Great Is Our God” on the guitar, one of the most important things to master is the strumming pattern. This popular praise and worship song is a great addition to any guitarist’s repertoire, but without the right technique, it can be difficult to get right.
Understanding strumming patterns
Before we dive into the specific strumming pattern for “How Great Is Our God,” it helps to have a basic understanding of what a strumming pattern actually is. At its simplest level, a strumming pattern refers to the rhythm or timing of how you stroke the strings on your guitar. It typically involves using a pick or your fingers to alternate between upstrokes and downstrokes, creating a repetitive beat that underlies the melody of your song.
Strumming patterns can vary widely depending on the type of music you’re playing. For example, a folk song might use a simple down-up-down-up rhythm, while a more complex rock tune might have intricate syncopation that requires more finesse.
The strumming pattern for How Great Is Our God
Now that we’ve covered the basics of what a strumming pattern entails, let’s take a look at the specific pattern used in “How Great Is Our God.”
This pattern sounds simple enough, but don’t let that fool you – there’s quite a bit of nuance involved in perfecting this rhythm. Start by practicing the pattern slowly, taking care to really focus on the timing and fluidity of each stroke. Gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the pattern.
It can also be helpful to listen to recordings of the song while you practice, so that you can get a feel for how the strumming should sound in context with the rest of the music. Try playing along with the recording if possible, or at least tapping your foot along to keep time.
Tips for perfecting your strumming technique
Even once you’ve got the basic strumming pattern down, there are plenty of ways to refine your technique and really make your guitar playing shine:
- Work on keeping a steady tempo throughout the song. Strumming patterns require consistent timing, so it’s important not to speed up or slow down too much as you play.
- Practice accentuating certain beats within the strumming pattern. For example, you might emphasize the first or third beat of each measure to add a bit more interest to the melody.
- Experiment with different dynamics by varying the strength and force of each stroke. This can help add emotional depth to your playing, even if you’re using a relatively simple strumming pattern.
- Finally, don’t be afraid to try out new approaches until you find what works best for you. Every guitarist has their own unique style, so take the time to explore and experiment until you discover the strumming techniques that truly resonate with you.
“How Great Is Our God” is a beautiful and inspiring song that can be an absolute joy to play on the guitar. With some practice and attention to detail, anyone can master the strumming pattern and create a memorable rendition of this classic tune.” -Emily Roberts, music instructor
So whether you’re a seasoned guitar player or just starting out, take some time to work on your strumming technique and start exploring all the wonderful music you can create with this versatile instrument.
Find out how to transition smoothly between chords in How Great Is Our God
If you’re a beginner guitarist and have just started learning “How Great Is Our God,” you might be struggling with chord transitions. Tightening up your movements can help you play the song cleanly, without pauses or interruptions that may affect the melody’s flow.
Transitioning smoothly between chords requires good control over your hand movements. It is an essential technique for achieving accuracy and fluency when playing difficult songs like “How Great Is Our God.” With these simple tips, you’ll get better at transitioning quickly and efficiently between chords:
The importance of smooth chord transitions
A key element to playing any song well on guitar is having chord transitions that are fluent and cohesive. If the changes between each chord aren’t polished, it can create a jolty disjointed sound. The ability to move from one chord to another smoothly helps keep the song moving along while maintaining melody and tempo.
You want to aim to make the transitions as seamless as possible so there are no breaks in rhythm, melody or beat where there shouldn’t be.
Common chord transitions in How Great Is Our God
Becoming familiar with the chords in “How Great Is Our God” is necessary to understand what makes this song unique in terms of its chord progressions.
The three primary chords used – G, D, and Em and there chords part together frequently throughout the song. Learning and getting comfortable with chord patterns that repeat will allow you to predict where the next change occurs.
You should also pay attention to transitional chords which likely go unnoticed but can add depth and complexity to the melody.
Exercises to improve your chord transitions
Practice exercises can help your hands to strengthen, develop muscle memory and improve your movements between chords. Tools such as a metronome can be used to keep you at the right tempo while targeting difficult transitions.
One exercise involves practicing each chord individually then transitioning every second time, gradually increasing speed in per repeat until you are able to ultimately play without hesitating.
An alternative practice method is to isolate the most troublesome transition – playing these specific combination of chords slowly first, perfect repition following by setting yourselve challenges that will stretch your muscles in expanding proficiency to confidently play through a whole song like How Great Is Our God.
“Smoothness comes with practise. You need to build muscle memory so playing those transitions from one chord to another become seamless.”-Drum Buddy
Learn tips and tricks for playing How Great Is Our God on the guitar
Choosing the right guitar for playing worship songs
When it comes to choosing a guitar for playing worship songs like “How Great Is Our God,” there are a few things to consider. First, you’ll want to think about the style of music you prefer. Acoustic guitars tend to be the most popular choice among worship musicians, but electric guitars can also work well depending on the context.
Another factor to consider is your level of experience. If you’re just starting out with guitar, an acoustic or beginner-level electric guitar is probably best. But if you’ve been playing for a while and are looking to upgrade, there are plenty of high-quality options available that can help you achieve the sound you’re after.
“The type of guitar that will work best for you really depends on your skill level as a player and the kind of music you enjoy playing,” says Bob Taylor of Taylor Guitars.
Using a capo to simplify chord progressions
If you’re struggling to play this song because of all the complex chords involved, using a capo can be a great way to simplify things. A capo is a device that clips onto the neck of your guitar and raises the pitch of the strings by a certain number of frets.
For example, placing a capo on the second fret of your guitar will transpose any open chords you play up two half-steps (or one whole step) higher. This means that instead of having to play an F#m barre chord, you can simply use the Em shape with the capo on the 2nd fret.
Capos can be a handy tool for simplifying complicated chord progressions and making it easier to play along with a song. They’re also great for adjusting the key of a song to better suit your vocal range.
“Using a capo can be extremely effective in helping you achieve different tonal nuances and make playing certain chords much easier,” says guitarist John Mayer.
Alternative chord voicings for a unique sound
If you’re looking to add some creative flair to your guitar arrangement of “How Great Is Our God,” experimenting with alternative chord voicings can be a fun way to do so. Rather than sticking to the same old chord progressions, you can try shifting positions or adding different fingerings to create new sounds.
For example, instead of playing an open C chord like normal, you could try playing a C/G chord (x32013) which adds a bit of bass note movement to the progression. Or you could try using a different inversion of a chord to keep things interesting.
Keep in mind that while alternate chord voicings can add interest to your playing, they should always serve the song rather than detract from it. Make sure you practice incorporating them smoothly into your playing before breaking them out in worship!
“Alternate chord voicings can help you explore new sounds on the guitar and challenge yourself to think outside the box when arranging songs,” says music educator Ben Levin.
Tips for playing with a band or worship team
If you’re playing this song as part of a band or worship team, there are a few additional tips to keep in mind:
- Stay in communication with your fellow musicians about tempo, dynamics, and any changes to the song structure.
- Practice playing your parts with others ahead of time to ensure everyone is on the same page.
- Try to keep your playing simple and unobtrusive, focusing on supporting the vocal parts rather than overshadowing them.
- Be willing to adjust your playing as needed based on feedback from other band members or the worship leader.
Remember that playing with a band requires a different skill set than playing solo, so be prepared to listen, adapt, and work collaboratively as part of a team.
“Playing in a band or worship team can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it takes practice and communication to truly gel as a group,” says bassist Victor Wooten.
Unlock the secrets to playing How Great Is Our God like a pro
One of the most iconic worship songs ever written, “How Great Is Our God” by Chris Tomlin has been sung in churches all over the world. Its powerful message and simple melody make it a favorite among worshippers everywhere. If you want to take your playing of this classic song to the next level, there are certain secrets that can help you play it like a pro.
Mastering the dynamics of the song
The first step to playing “How Great Is Our God” like a pro is mastering its dynamics. Dynamics refer to the volume and intensity at which you play different sections of the song. Starting with a soft and gentle introduction builds anticipation for when the full band comes in later. As the song progresses, allow the music to build up in intensity before bringing it back down again towards the end. Mastering these dynamics will not only give listeners an emotional experience during the performance but also showcase your musical prowess as a pianist.
“Think about any musical great from Mozart to Stevie Wonder to John Lennon. Every one of them was able to communicate their emotions through their instruments.” – Quincy Jones
Adding embellishments and fills to your playing
Playing the basic chord progression of “How Great Is Our God” may sound good, but if you’re looking to impress your audience, consider adding some embellishments and fills to your playing. These include arpeggios, trills, and other flourishes that add complexity and color to your music. While too many embellishments can be distracting, a well-placed fill or flourish can turn a simple song into something truly magical. Take time to practice incorporating these additional elements, so they fit naturally within the music without sounding forced.
“Don’t play what’s there; play what’s not there.” – Miles Davis
Playing with feeling and expression
Finally, the secret to playing “How Great Is Our God” like a pro is to play it with feeling and expression. This means making every note count, conveying the emotion of each word sung in the lyrics, and using your entire body as an extension of the music that you’re creating. It’s important to put yourself into the song and let your heart guide your playing which will eventually allow you to create something unique that can’t be replicated otherwise.
“Music is an outburst of the soul.” – Frederick Delius
By mastering the dynamics of the song, adding embellishments and fills, and playing with feeling and expression, you’ll be able to take your pianist skills to a whole new level with “How Great Is Our God”. You would be able to impart a breath of originality while also performing the song the way people love hearing the piece played. Carefully practicing and integrating these secrets surprise your everyone around during performances!