Are you looking to learn how to play the popular worship song “How Great Is Our God”? Look no further!
This powerful anthem, written by Chris Tomlin, has become a beloved staple in churches around the world. Its message of awe and reverence for our Creator speaks to the hearts of believers everywhere.
The good news is that learning to play this song is easier than you might think! With just a few simple chords, you’ll be able to accompany yourself or lead your congregation in singing praises to God.
“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” – Psalm 145:3
In this guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know to play “How Great Is Our God” on guitar or piano. From the chord progressions to the strum patterns, we’ve got you covered.
Whether you’re a beginner just starting out or an experienced musician looking to add some new songs to your repertoire, this tutorial will get you playing “How Great Is Our God” in no time.
So grab your instrument, dust off those music theory skills, and let’s dive into this beautiful worship song together!
Get Started with the Basic Chords for “How Great Is Our God”
If you’re looking to play worship songs, then learning how to play “How Great Is Our God” is a great start. This song has become popular worldwide and its lyrics evoke feelings of awe and gratitude towards God’s greatness.
To get started playing this song, you will need to learn some basic chords that are relatively easy to play even if you’re new to guitar or piano:
- G (major)
- D (major)
- Em (minor)
- C (major)
These four chords make up the bulk of the song and they follow a simple chord progression throughout the verses and choruses. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to play along with the recording in no time!
Beginner-Friendly Chord Progressions for “How Great Is Our God”
The chord progression for “How Great Is Our God” follows a very simple pattern: G – D – Em – C. Each verse uses this same sequence and the chorus repeats it twice before ending on a G chord.
If you’re just starting out, it may take some time to switch between these chords swiftly but don’t give up! The beauty of this song lies in its simplicity, so once you’ve got the basics down, you’ll be able to play it confidently within a short amount of time.
“The key to mastering any skill is to break it down into small steps, focus on one step at a time, and celebrate your progress.” – Brian Tracy
In addition, some versions of the song include an instrumental section where the chord progression changes slightly. Don’t worry though, the chords in this section are also relatively simple and follow a D – G – D – C pattern.
Mastering the Fundamentals of Playing “How Great Is Our God”
To truly master playing “How Great Is Our God”, here are some fundamental techniques to focus on:
- Rhythm: This song’s rhythm can be counted as 4/4 time with a moderate tempo. To build your skills in strumming patterns or fingerstyle technique, try using a metronome and practicing regularly at a speed that is comfortable for you.
- Chord Changes: As mentioned earlier, the foundation of this song is based on only four chords repeated throughout the verses and chorus. Be sure to practice switching between them smoothly by repeating each chord in the progression several times before moving onto the next one.
- Singing while Playing: Once you’ve mastered the basics of playing guitar or piano for “How Great Is Our God”, start practicing singing along with it! Be patient with yourself if you find it hard to sing and play simultaneously at first. It takes time but eventually, it will become second nature to you.
“Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston S. Churchill
Learning how to play “How Great Is Our God” can be a great way to strengthen your musical skillset and help you connect spiritually in worship. Don’t worry if things get tough, just take it step-by-step, enjoy the process, and never give up!
Take Your Playing to the Next Level with Advanced Chord Progressions
If you’re looking for ways to enhance your music playing skills, then exploring advanced chord progressions can be a great starting point. Whether you’re an intermediate or professional musician, incorporating more complex chords into your repertoire can pave the way for a richer and fuller sound.
Exploring Complex Chords for “How Great Is Our God”
“How Great Is Our God” is one of the most popular praise songs of all time, and it’s no surprise that many musicians have attempted to put their spin on it. One way to elevate this song to the next level is by using more complex chords in your rendition. For instance, instead of playing the basic I-IV-V progression, try substituting each chord with its respective seventh chord. This simple tweak adds an extra layer of complexity and sophistication to the song.
- I: Cmaj7
- IV: Fmaj7
- V: Gdom7
Incorporating Unique Chord Voicings for a Richer Sound
Playing “How Great Is Our God” using traditional chord voicings might give you a decent sound. However, adding some unique chord voicings can take things up a notch. Try experimenting with various inversions as well as omitting certain notes within the chords to create interesting sounds. Remember also to pay attention to any melodic or harmonic line during the song that could inspire a new harmony or chord structure.
“Harmony is not just about sounding good but making sure every note played has a definite purpose.” -JazzPianoConcepts.com
Mastering the Art of Chord Substitutions in “How Great Is Our God”
When playing a song as popular as “How Great Is Our God,” it’s easy to get stuck in the familiar chord progressions. However, mastering the art of chord substitutions can help you create exciting new versions of the song. For instance, instead of playing C-G-D or F-C-G progression throughout, try substituting some chords with their relative minor chords (Am-F-C) for an unexpected twist. You could also incorporate different voicings and inversions for a more sophisticated sound.
“Knowing how chords function within a key is great knowledge, but knowing why they work in a particular context is even better.” -Michael Bereal
Incorporating advanced chord techniques such as substitutions, unique voicings and complex harmonies is a great way to take your music playing skills to the next level. By exploring these methods, you will undoubtedly elevate your rendition of “How Great Is Our God” beyond the ordinary. Remember not to limit yourself only to this song but apply the same principles to other songs as well.
Learn the Strumming Patterns for “How Great Is Our God”
If you’re a worship musician, you’ve probably played “How Great Is Our God” at least once. This iconic song by Chris Tomlin is known and loved by millions of listeners around the world. One of the reasons it’s so popular is because it’s relatively easy to play on guitar or piano. However, if you want to bring something new to your performance, you may be wondering about the strumming patterns for “How Great Is Our God” chords.
Discovering the Basic Strumming Patterns for “How Great Is Our God”
The good news is that there are plenty of resources available online that can show you how to play the basic strumming patterns for “How Great Is Our God”. If you’re just starting out with this type of music, it’s recommended that you start with the most straightforward version of the pattern and then work your way up to more challenging ones.
- The first pattern involves playing a downstroke on each beat
- The second pattern introduces an upstroke between each downstroke (down, up, down, up)
- The third pattern alternates between downstrokes and upstrokes in groups of three (down, down-up, down)
Exploring Advanced Strumming Techniques for a More Dynamic Sound
If you feel comfortable with the basic patterns, it’s time to experiment with some more advanced strumming techniques to make your rendition of “How Great Is Our God” even more dynamic and exciting. Here are some suggestions:
- Try adding a percussive slap to the strings every other beat
- Add extra upstrokes in between each downstroke
- Use palm muting to create a muted, staccato sound on certain beats or chords
The key is to experiment with different techniques and see what sounds best for your particular style and the atmosphere you’re trying to create.
Mastering the Art of Fingerpicking in “How Great Is Our God”
If strumming isn’t your thing, another option is to try fingerpicking “How Great Is Our God”. This technique involves using your fingers instead of a pick to pluck the strings individually. Here’s one way to get started:
- Start by playing an open G chord
- Pluck the 6th string (the low E) with your thumb, followed by the 4th and 2nd strings with your index and middle fingers respectively
- Next, pluck the 5th string with your thumb, followed by the 3rd and 1st strings with your index and ring fingers respectively
- Repeat this pattern throughout the song, switching chords as necessary
Creating Your Own Strumming Patterns for “How Great Is Our God”
Finally, don’t be afraid to create your own strumming patterns for “How Great Is Our God”. One of the best things about worship music is its flexibility and the opportunity it provides for individual expression. Try experimenting with different rhythms, tempos, and styles until you find something that really resonates with you and enhances the emotional impact of the song.
“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” -Victor Hugo
Remember, the most important thing is to stay true to the spirit of the song and create an atmosphere for worship that connects with those around you.
Discover Tips for Playing with Precision and Emotion
Developing a Strong Sense of Rhythm and Timing in “How Great Is Our God”
“How Great Is Our God” is a timeless worship song that has touched millions of hearts around the world. The key to playing this song with precision and emotion is to develop a strong sense of rhythm and timing. Practicing with a metronome can help you stay on pace and improve your timing.
You could also try tapping your foot while playing or clapping along with the beat to improve your rhythm. Play along with recordings of the song to get an idea of how other musicians interpret the tempo and feel of the song.
Mastering the Art of Dynamics and Expression in Your Playing
A good musician understands that music isn’t just about hitting the right notes at the right time. It’s about expressing emotions through sound. One way to do this is by mastering the art of dynamics and expression in your playing.
Play around with different volumes, softening and swelling as you play. Use accents to highlight important parts of the song. Pay attention to the lyrics and what they mean when phrasing your chords and melodies. This will add depth and dimension to your performance.
Incorporating Personal Style and Creativity into Your Performance
No two musicians are the same, and neither should their performances be. Incorporating personal style and creativity into your playing can make it unique and memorable. Experiment with different chord progressions, rhythms, and tempos to find what works best for you.
Try adding your own flair to the song, whether it’s a signature riff, a specific strumming pattern, or an unexpected chord change. Don’t be afraid to take risks and make the song your own.
Learning to Play with Feeling and Emotion in “How Great Is Our God”
“How Great Is Our God” is a song that evokes strong emotions in listeners. To truly do justice to this song, you need to learn how to play with feeling and emotion. Think about the message behind the lyrics and let it guide your playing.
Use techniques like vibrato, slides, and bends to add expression to your notes. Pay attention to phrasing and dynamics as you play, allowing the melody to rise and fall naturally. Above all, connect with the song on an emotional level, letting your heart guide your fingers.
Find Out How to Play “How Great Is Our God” in Different Keys
Transposing “How Great Is Our God” to a Higher Key
Transposing a song means changing the key of the song to make it higher or lower. Transposing is important because it can accommodate various singers’ vocal ranges and instruments. If you want to transpose “How Great Is Our God” to a higher key, consider its original key, G major.
You can increase the song’s pitch by one half-step or full step. To move up one half-step, all you need to do is raise each note of the chord progression and melody by one fret on your guitar or piano keyboard. For example, if you’re playing the song in G major (G-D-Em-C), you’ll need to shift into G# or Ab major (Ab-Eb-Fm-Db).
If you’d like to go up an entire step instead of just a half-step, simply move every chord two half-steps higher than the previous chord. In this case, moving from G major would take you to A major (A-E-F#m-D).
Transposing “How Great Is Our God” to a Lower Key
To change the key of “How Great Is Our God” to a lower key, work out which key you would like to play in, then find chords that will suit the new key. If you wanted to play the song in F rather than G, for instance, you could follow the same chord sequence but with different chords played at different positions on the guitar.
In general, when transposing down, you could reduce the pitch by a whole tone (down two steps) or more depending on how low you’d like to go. So, shifting from G major to F major (F-C-Dm-Bb) would be a safe move.
Understanding the Basics of Key Signatures and Transposition
To transpose any song, it is essential to have an understanding of key signatures. A key signature is a group of symbols that indicates what note or chord to play in a piece of music.
The complexity of transposing a particular song will depend on its original key structure. Hence, knowledge of key signatures can allow you to easily figure out how many steps higher or lower each chord progression should go when moving into another key.
“The process of transcribing songs goes far beyond just copying patterns played by someone else…To learn how to transpose songs and make them fit your performance style takes practice.” – Dhani Jones
Adapting Your Playing Style to Different Keys in “How Great Is Our God”
To achieve an even more distinct sound, jazz improvisation offers various techniques and methods for playing around with the notes and chords of a given song, including changing their rhythms or embellishing melodies using passing-notes.
If you’re learning to play “How Great Is Our God” in different keys, start by focusing on one key at a time. Practice until you feel confident enough to shift to another key. Try practicing improvising over the chord changes in isolation before integrating those improvisations back into the full song. When soloing on the melody, pay attention to the underlying harmony, such as the bass lines, to ensure that your solos stay in sync with the musical arrangement.
“When I am getting ready to reason with a man, I spend one-third of my time thinking about myself and what I am going to say and two-thirds about him and what he is going to say.” – Abraham Lincoln
Explore Variations on “How Great Is Our God” with Unique Arrangements
“How Great Is Our God” is a popular worship song that has been covered by numerous artists and performed in various styles. One of the great things about this song is its flexibility, as it can be arranged to suit different genres, instruments, and voices. Here are some ways you can explore unique arrangements of “How Great Is Our God.”
Creating Your Own Arrangement of “How Great Is Our God”
If you’re a musician or singer, creating your own arrangement of “How Great Is Our God” is a great way to make the song your own and showcase your creativity. Whether you want to simplify or complicate the original chords, change the tempo, or add new verses and choruses, there’s no limit to what you can do. According to multi-platinum producer and composer Ed Cash, who co-wrote the song with Chris Tomlin and Jesse Reeves, “The beauty of music is that everyone hears it differently and therefore plays it differently.” So don’t be afraid to experiment and see where your musical instincts take you.
Exploring Different Genres and Styles in Your Arrangements
If you’re looking for inspiration for your arrangement, try exploring different genres and styles. For instance, you could turn “How Great Is Our God” into a bluesy ballad, a reggae jam, a rock anthem, or an acoustic folk tune. You could also fuse different genres together to create a hybrid style that reflects your musical preferences and influences. As Professor Daniel Levitin, author of This Is Your Brain On Music, points out: “Music is particularly good at bonding people together into groups because it engages the whole brain… and elicits patterns of movement and dance.” So why not invite your friends or fellow bandmates to collaborate and experiment with different genres?
Incorporating Unique Instruments and Sounds into Your Arrangements
If you want to add more depth and texture to your arrangement, consider incorporating unique instruments and sounds. For example, you could use a mandolin, banjo, harmonica, or saxophone to create an interesting melody or solo. You could also add percussion instruments like congas, djembe, or shakers to give the song a rhythmic pulse. Additionally, you could play around with loops, samples, and effects to create unusual textures and atmospheres that complement the song’s message and emotion. As renowned bassist Victor Wooten puts it, “Music is not just the notes we play…It’s the space between the notes.” So pay attention to the spaces in your arrangement and fill them with colors and flavors that enhance the overall experience.
“In the right hands, traditional instruments can still sound fresh and original. Equally, new electronic gear provides musicians of all styles endless means for pushing sonic boundaries.” -Béla Fleck
How Great Is Our God Chords?
To adapt and arrange “How Great Is Our God,” here are some chords as a starting point:
- Verse: G, Em7, C2, D (or G, D/F#, Em7, D)
- Chorus: G, D, Em7, C2 (or G, D, Am7, C2)
- Bridge: C2, G, D, Em7 (or Am7, G/B, C2, D)