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"Spiritual" by Bruce Keener

PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2011 4:05 pm
by keener
Ever since I was 6 or 7 years old, I've loved the old Spiritual songs, typically played in church on piano with the choir and typically having an ascending bass line. In fact, I guess that's one of the reasons I fell in love with Jerry Reed's picking: the ascending bass lines and the piano-like blues on a guitar.

So, I decided to try to write a spiritual instrumental. I'm not so sure it really came out with a spiritual sound, but at least it was fun to pick. I flat out stole the opening lick from Tommy Jones (Will The Circle Be Unbroken), tweaking it a little to lead in to the rest of the tune. Tuning: 6th in D, 3rd in F#, all others unaltered.




If you prefer the larger screen at youtube, the link is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl1orJZAZGY

Re: "Spiritual" by Bruce Keener

PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2011 6:15 pm
by RandeDager
Bruce, that was nice. I've never been in a church where that would have been considered acceptable, at least not any that have asked me to perform for them. I just have to incorporate a lot of rich harmony but keep the rhythm more "subdued".

Rande

Re: "Spiritual" by Bruce Keener

PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2011 7:11 pm
by keener
Hi Rande,

Good grief ... I didn't mean to suggest that anyone play this in church! I guess I gave the word "Spiritual" too much of a build-up. The only relation this song has to spirituality, other than the title, is that it was somewhat inspired by spirituals I've heard over the years. But that doesn't really make it a spiritual song ... In fact, it'd be hypocritical of me to really try to write something spiritual. I can see now where I alluded to it as a spiritual instrumental, and that's just poor articulation on my part.

I only posted it because I thought some of you might like parts of it, especially the intro, and might want to grab a lick from it.

Thanks Rande. Take care.
Bruce

Re: "Spiritual" by Bruce Keener

PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2011 9:02 pm
by Claude Duguay
Hi Bruce,this is another beautiful tune,you made beautiful music like always!many thanks for sharing..
your friend ..Claude

Re: "Spiritual" by Bruce Keener

PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2011 9:43 pm
by RandeDager
Bruce, sorry I misunderstood your use of the word "spiritual". There ARE churches where this would acceptable. I've visited some of them, but only as a guest and not a performer.

Re: "Spiritual" by Bruce Keener

PostPosted: Mon May 30, 2011 7:58 am
by stambi
Very nice Bruce. It was long time since your last post. I'm glad you are here.

Re: "Spiritual" by Bruce Keener

PostPosted: Mon May 30, 2011 12:41 pm
by keener
Rande, Claude, Jack, Boris: thank you very much!

Re: "Spiritual" by Bruce Keener

PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:35 pm
by bill_h
Bruce, that'd be unacceptable at my church because such fine playing would cause the guitar players in the congregation to turn jealous - namely me!

Seriously, looks like you came up with another good one! I can hear where it was influenced with those open chord voicings used in hymns and I can hear some Jerry influence as well. Anyone who steals from Tommy Jones has taste!

I fully understand that you didn't set out to compose a spiritual tune although it was inspired by your appreciation for spitiual music. I was just making a joke with my opening comments. If that fine playing in the video did cause me to turn envious, not enough so that my Bruce Keener playlist didn't just get a little longer!

Another fine job. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Re: "Spiritual" by Bruce Keener

PostPosted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:32 pm
by keener
Bill,
Thank you so much for your high praise. I also enjoyed your humor.

Always good to hear from you.

KOP
Bruce