If you’ve ever heard the hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” then you know what an incredibly moving and powerful piece of music it can be. This timeless classic has been beloved by Christians around the world for generations, offering comfort and hope to those who seek it.
But have you ever wanted to learn how to play it yourself? Perhaps you’re already an accomplished musician, or maybe you’re just starting out on your musical journey. Either way, mastering the chords of this beautiful song is sure to be a rewarding experience that will stay with you for years to come.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you play “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” like a pro. Whether you’re looking to perform the song live at church or simply want to play it as part of your personal worship time, we’ll show you everything you need to know in order to make the most of this incredible hymn.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” -3 John 1:4
In these pages, you’ll find detailed instructions on which chords to use, along with diagrams showing you exactly where to place your fingers on the guitar or piano. You’ll also get tips on timing, dynamics, and other important aspects of playing the song with feeling and emotion.
So if you’re ready to take your musical skills to the next level by learning how to play “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” then read on and let’s get started!
Master The Chords Of What Friend We Have In Jesus
“What A Friend We Have In Jesus” is one of the most well-known Christian hymns. Learning to play this song on guitar can be a great way to improve your skills in chord progressions, strumming, and picking. Below are some tips for mastering the chords of “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.”
Learn The Basic Chords For What Friend We Have In Jesus
The key to learning any song is to start with the basic chords. For “What A Friend We Have In Jesus,” the three basic chords you’ll need to know are G, C, and D. Here’s how to play each chord:
- G – Place your middle finger on the third fret of the low E string, ring finger on the third fret of the high E string, and index finger on the second fret of the A string.
- C – Place your ring finger on the third fret of the A string, middle finger on the second fret of the D string, and index finger on the first fret of the B string.
- D – Place your index finger on the second fret of the G string, middle finger on the second fret of the high E string, and ring finger on the third fret of the B string.
Practice playing these chords individually until your fingers become comfortable with the finger positioning. Once you’re ready, practice transitioning between the chords to get the flow of the song right.
Practice The Progressions To Perfect Your Chord Transitions
After you’ve mastered the basic chords, it’s time to work on the chord progressions within the song. “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” is played in 4/4 time, which means there are four beats per measure. The chord progressions for each verse of the song go like this:
“Verse: G – D – G – Em – C – G – D – G”
Practice playing through these chords slowly and steadily until you can move from one to the next effortlessly. Once your fingers get used to moving between these basic chords, start focusing on increasing your speed without losing accuracy.
Explore Advanced Chord Variations To Enhance Your Playing
If you’re looking to take your guitar skills to the next level, try exploring more advanced chord variations for “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.” Here are some options to consider:
- Gadd9 – Place your middle finger on the third fret of the B string, ring finger on the fourth fret of the G string, and index finger on the second fret of the high E string.
- Cadd9 – Place your middle finger on the third fret of the A string, pinky finger on the third fret of the high E string, and index finger on the second fret of the D string.
- D7 – Place your middle finger on the second fret of the G string, index finger on the first fret of the high E string, and ring finger on the second fret of the B string.
Adding in these advanced chords gives “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” a little extra something that sets it apart from other songs. Experiment with incorporating these chords into your practice sessions and see where they take you!
Master The Art Of Strumming And Picking The Chords
Once you’ve got the chord progression down pat, it’s time to work on strumming and picking. For a classic sound, use gentle downstrums for the verses and switch it up with up-and-down strumming patterns during the chorus.
If you’re looking to mix in some finger-picking, try playing the melody of the song with your thumb while plucking the chords with your remaining fingers. There are lots of options when it comes to playing styles – don’t be afraid to experiment until you find one that works for you!
Remember, perfecting this art takes practice, so keep trying different techniques to see what clicks best with your playing style.
Learn The Fingerpicking Techniques For What Friend We Have In Jesus
Understand The Basics Of Fingerpicking For This Song
If you are interested in playing the popular hymn “What Friend We Have in Jesus” using fingerstyle guitar techniques, it is essential that first, you learn the basics. For those who have never tried fingerpicking before, it involves plucking instead of strumming the strings with a pick.
You should start by learning how to hold your fingers on the fretboard. Place your thumb behind the neck of the guitar and let each finger rest on the specified string for the notes being played.
In this song, we can use an arpeggio to make things a bit easier. An arpeggio means playing each note of a chord individually rather than strumming them together.
Practice Fingerpicking Exercises To Build Dexterity
Before trying to play the actual song, it is important that you practice some basic fingerpicking exercises to work out your muscles and improve your dexterity. These exercises will help you gain more accurate and controlled movements when transitioning chords. Some simple exercises include:
Playing individual notes of different chords with one finger per string, i.e., playing C major (C – E – G) or A minor (A – C – E), etc.
Plucking two adjacent strings simultaneously with two separate fingers, utilizing harmonies between the strings.
Practicing speed drills by continuously playing patterns over various chord progressions.
The goal of these exercises is to develop your sense of rhythm, timing, and accuracy, not just necessarily speed. You need to practice little by little daily, and over time your fingers will grow faster.
The Chords To Use
The song is played in a ¾ time signature with just four chords: G, C, D7, and G/B. The strumming pattern for the majority of the song is down-up-down, up-down-up, repeated on each chord. But we’ll change that given this article aims to teach you how to finger-pick instead of only employing the standard strumming pattern.
“With “What Friend We Have In Jesus,” it’s essential to start matching the melody line as part of the arrangement early” — Darin Warner (Guitar World)
You can try using an arpeggio like mentioned earlier to pick out individual notes of chords while playing through them or use fingerstyle patterns such as Travis picking:
Bass – Thumb plucks lowest open string (“E”), index finger plays A string(“A”) and middle picks D string(“D”)
Finger rolls : Pick the bass note first, followed by the lower two melody strings’ notes simultaneously then pick the highest string(last)
Alternating bass- plucking rhythm consisting of alternating between two, usually adjacent or closely connected, notes(Bass/Accompanying).
As you become more comfortable with these different techniques, experiment with combining them so that you may develop your own distinct sound within the basic template of the song.
What Friend We have in Jesus is a beautiful song that takes practice to play well with fingerstyle. With what we’ve discussed, you should be able to learn some basics, practice specific fingerpicking exercises, and learn variations of the arpeggio patterns to make the song your own.
Discover The Strumming Patterns For What Friend We Have In Jesus
If you’re looking to learn how to play “What Friend We Have in Jesus” on the guitar, first you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the chords. The song is traditionally played using the chords G, C, D, and A7.
To start, strum each chord once per measure, making sure to maintain a steady rhythm throughout the song. Once you feel comfortable playing the basic pattern, you can begin experimenting with different strumming patterns to add interest and variety to your playing.
Learn The Basic Strumming Patterns For This Song
The most basic strumming pattern for “What Friend We Have in Jesus” involves strumming downwards on every beat of the measure. To add more complexity to the pattern, try incorporating upstrokes or alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes.
“Strumming patterns are a key element of guitar technique, helping to establish the mood and pacing of a song.” – Guitar World
One common variation on the basic strumming pattern is to emphasize certain beats while playing softer on others. For example, you might accentuate the second beat of each measure by strumming harder, while playing lighter on the other beats.
Another popular option is to use a syncopated strumming pattern, which involves playing off-beat notes to create a sense of forward momentum and energy. To practice this style of strumming, try playing short, sharp bursts of sound on the eighth notes between each beat.
Explore Variations Of Strumming Patterns To Add Interest
Once you’ve mastered the basic strumming patterns, it’s time to experiment with variations. Try changing the tempo or rhythm of your strumming pattern, for example, by playing two quick downstrokes followed by a slow upstroke.
Another way to add interest is to incorporate rests into your strumming pattern. This involves muting the strings with your strumming hand during certain beats, creating a staccato effect that can be very effective when used sparingly.
“Strumming patterns are like spices in cooking: when done well, they bring out the best in the recipe.” – Musician Tuts
You might also try accentuating different parts of the chord while strumming, such as playing the bass note on the 1 and 3 beats and strumming the rest of the chord on 2 and 4.
Practice Changing Between Strumming Patterns To Develop Fluidity
The key to becoming a great guitar player is not just mastering individual techniques, but learning to use them together seamlessly. That’s why it’s important to practice switching between different strumming patterns until you can do so without thinking.
Try alternating between a basic and syncopated strumming pattern, for instance, gradually picking up speed as you become more comfortable with each one. You might also experiment with blending different variations of the same pattern, using one version during the verse and another during the chorus, for example.
“Learning to switch between different strumming patterns will help you become a more versatile guitarist overall, and make it easier to learn new songs quickly.” – Guitar Chalk
With practice and persistence, you’ll soon find yourself able to play “What Friend We Have in Jesus” (and many other songs) with confidence and flair. Remember to start with the basics and build on them gradually, always striving to improve and explore new techniques as you go.
Get Tips On How To Sing While Playing What Friend We Have In Jesus
“What A Friend We Have In Jesus” is a popular hymn that has been sung by many people around the world. It’s important to know how to sing this song while playing it on an instrument, whether you are a beginner or an experienced musician.
Develop Breath Control To Sing Comfortably While Playing
Breath control is essential for singing comfortably while playing any instrument. You can start by taking deep breaths before you begin singing and making sure that you exhale slowly and steadily as you sing the notes. Also, try not to take shallow breaths in between lines or verses. Instead, wait until there is a pause in the music or lyrics to breathe so that you don’t lose your place or timing when playing and singing at once.
In addition, practice exercises like lip trills or humming, which can help improve your breathing technique and vocal range. Breathing deeply helps to reduce tension in your body, enabling you to sing with greater ease and comfort even if you’re playing an instrument simultaneously.
Learn How To Match Your Voice To The Chords And Strumming Patterns
Singing “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” requires matching your voice to the chords and strumming patterns of the instrumental part. This means practicing with chord charts that show you where to put your fingers on the guitar while playing the song.
If you’re new to playing an instrument, it’s helpful to use tabs or sheet music that include both chords and lyrics. This allows you to see which words correspond to which chords, helping you keep track of where you are in the song. Once you’ve learned how to play the instrumental part, you can combine it with your singing by listening to recordings of the hymn or playing along while singing.
You should try learning simpler versions of the instrumental part before moving on to more complex versions. Also, when starting out with this technique, it’s essential to practice very slowly at first until you get comfortable with both singing and playing together smoothly. Gradually increase your speed as you become more confident in your skills.
Remember, matching chords and strumming patterns may take some time and constant practice but it can be learned with enough effort and determination. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get it right away or feel like giving up; it takes patience, hard work and persistence to master any skill.
- Tip: Choose an easier key to play “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.” If you have trouble keeping up with the song’s original key, you can transpose it to a lower key that suits your voice range.
- Tip: Record yourself while practicing singing and playing simultaneously. This way, you can listen back to see how well you’re doing and hear areas for improvement.
“Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart.” – Pablo Casals
Learning to sing while playing “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” requires developing breath control and matching your voice to the chords and strumming patterns of the instrumental part. With consistent practice, you’ll improve your skills and eventually master this popular hymn.
Improve Your Musicality With “What Friend We Have In Jesus”
“What Friend We Have in Jesus” is a gospel hymn that has been sung for generations. This song conveys the comfort and peace that can be found in friendship with Jesus Christ. As a musician, playing this song can help you develop your musical skills. Here are some ways to improve your musicianship using “What Friend We Have in Jesus.”
Learn To Play The Song In Different Keys To Enhance Your Skills
An essential skill for any musician is being able to play in different keys. Playing “What Friend We Have in Jesus” in various keys will give you more versatility as a performer. It might also enable you to collaborate with other musicians who may not have the same instrument as yours.
You may want to begin with playing the song in keys closest to its original version, and then gradually increase the range of the key. You can use technology like music apps or websites such as Chordify to find chords in different keys if you’re learning by yourself. Alternatively, if you’re taking lessons from an instructor, they can guide you through these transpositions.
Practice Playing The Song At Different Tempos To Build Versatility
One significant aspect of performing any song well is to be comfortable playing it at different tempos. When you join a band or perform in front of an audience, you’ll need to adjust to different speeds depending on how the audience receives your music. Practicing “What Friend We Have in Jesus” on slow, normal, and fast tempo settings gives you confidence in different performance situations.
Moreover, varying the pace of the song helps you focus on specific parts of the piece, such as chord changes, rhythm patterns, melody, and harmony. That way, you can identify the problem areas of “What Friend We Have in Jesus” and work on them until you feel comfortable regardless of tempo.
Explore Different Arrangements Of The Song To Expand Your Musicality
“What Friend We Have in Jesus” is a relatively simple hymn that’s open to several interpretations. Musicians have reinterpreted it to include different instruments or voices. Exploring different arrangements of this song will expose you to various styles of music within genres such as jazz, blues, rock, or gospel.
You can find inspiration from other musicians who’ve covered the song, watch videos, study sheet music, or even try to create your arrangements based on your artistic expression. Each new arrangement helps expand your harmonic knowledge by learning chords that may be new to you for the first time, exposing yourself to musical ideas that were entirely foreign before.
“Music can change the world because it can change people.” – Bono
When you learn how to play by ear or transcribe parts of an unfamiliar arrangement, it sharpens your listening skills. By playing “What Friend We Have in Jesus” in many forms, it improves your finger dexterity, expands your repertoire of chord progressions, and enables you to adapt to various performance venues, giving you versatile skills in multiple genres. It also allows you not only to interpret but to create something greater than notes on a page.
There are always ways to improve our musical abilities. Learning songs like “What Friend We Have in Jesus” in different keys, speeds and exploring different arrangements has the potential to enhance your skillset significantly. Through consistent practice with these suggestions, one’s overall confidence, versatility, and main musicianship could dramatically excel!
Play What Friend We Have In Jesus With Confidence And Grace
If you are looking to play What Friend We Have in Jesus chords on the piano or guitar, there are a few things you can do to make sure you are playing with confidence and grace.
Develop A Strong Sense Of Rhythm To Play Confidently
Rhythm is an essential part of any music piece, and it’s especially important when playing gospel songs like What Friend We Have in Jesus. To develop your rhythm skills, start by tapping your foot or clapping your hands along with the beat of the song.
Practice this until you feel comfortable enough to play the rhythm on your own instrument. It may take some time to get used to playing while keeping a steady rhythm, but once you master this skill, you will be able to play more confidently and precisely.
Practice Playing The Song Slowly To Build Muscle Memory
One way to build muscle memory when learning a new song is to practice at a slower tempo. This will allow you to focus on getting all the notes right without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
Start by playing each chord one at a time, then gradually build up to playing full measure’s worth of chords. Keep practicing until switching between chords feels easy and natural, and you can play the whole song smoothly even at faster tempos.
Learn To Play The Song Smoothly And Gracefully
In gospel music, smoothness and gracefulness are as important as rhythm and melody. To achieve this, focus on playing each chord legato (smoothly connected) and using dynamics to add depth to the performance.
To enhance the smoothness of your playing, avoid harsh or abrupt changes between notes. Instead, try sliding into the next chord or using a light hammer-on motion to connect them seamlessly.
As for dynamics, experiment with playing some notes louder and others softer to create an expressive performance. Look for cues in the lyrics and overall mood of the song to guide your decisions on where to add dynamic contrast.
“Music is what feelings sound like.” -Anonymous
The key to performing What Friend We Have in Jesus chords well is to practice regularly and incorporate all these elements into your playing. Once you have mastered these skills, you will be able to express the gospel message in a musical way that touches hearts and souls.