“For me, gospel is first about the spirit behind what we’re playing—the reason why we’re playing,” Nashville’s Mike Hicks tells us.
“Then, it also applies to certain aspects of music,” he continues. “Whether it be rhythms, chord progressions, or chord changes—there are a number of things that make gospel what it is.”
In the video above, Hicks focuses specifically on the harmony behind gospel music, exploring one chord that he frequently uses across both his playing and songwriting to add a flair that’s unmistakably unique to the style. He breaks down the exact voicings that work best, and demonstrates how other musicians can incorporate the chord into their own music.
Do you have any chords or harmonic tricks that you utilize to achieve a gospel sound? What topics in music theory or production would you like to see us cover on our YouTube channel next? Let us know in the comments below.
Incorporate more gospel sounds into your own music with Sound Doctrine’s The Revival sample pack:
May 16, 2021
