Simple Nigerian music and musicians

by Opeyemi
(Ghana)

My story is pretty short. On my short vacation to visit my grand parents in Nigeria, I joined their church local assembly at ikotun egbe area. I reside in Ghana since I was 12. I noticed that most of these Nigerian musicians in their place of worship do not know the theory of music as they should, but they play very well with good coordination. They only know what it requires to play their kind of music and also what it takes to make the congregation dance. I wanted to see music their own way and I decided to do some research on Nigerian style of playing piano and what it takes. Luckily I came across this webpage that shows Nigerian style of paying in their place of worship. They use three major chords, three minor chords, and one diminished. Just these chords to sound so great. You can check it out here: http://www.michaelphils.com/2017/05/how-to-play-gospel-highlife-praise-on.html?m=0

After studying it with great attention. I also watched the video illustration to see the way they strike their chords. There is this pattern by which they use to strike the chords which is so amazing.

I reharsed that too. Very well. To cut the long story short, I joined the choir in the local assemble for the short time that I would spend there, I applied the knowledge I learnt online...I played for them about once or twice during their mid week service. It was fun. I'm back in Ghana today, with my Pentecostal advanced church music. I'm now beginning to understand the theories that were so hard to get before. An experience that I can never forget. Please drop your own comments.