Piano Cover Beginner

Piano Cover of "Basuka"

Data Saver
Song by Ayanda Ntanzi
Original KeyG#
BPM62

"Basuka" by Ayanda Ntanzi is IsiZulu worship at 62 BPM. Slow enough that every passing chord gets heard. One of the more harmonically-rich modern SA worship recordings.

1. The key: G♯ major

G♯ major. Scale: G♯, A♯m, B♯m, C♯, D♯, E♯m, F⚟dim. (Enharmonic to A♭ major.)

2. The chord shape

Chorus: 1 to 5 to ♯1dim to 2m, a walking-up progression. The ♯1dim (Gdim) between the 1 and 2m is the soul of the line. Watch the Ayanda Ntanzi recording.

3. The Sunday-ready play

  • Right hand: maj7 voicings on the 1.
  • Left hand: whole notes with chromatic walk-up on the ♯1dim passing chord.
  • One move to add: let the ♯1dim breathe. At 62 BPM you have time for the passing tone to register.

4. When the leader calls a different key

Slow worship travels through many keys. Numbers hold. Gig Mode.

Next step

Play Here on Our Knees next. Similar reverent register.

Want the chords & number chart?
Play Basuka in any key — every chord, with the Nashville numbers.
Get the chord chart →

Verse

Basuka bayezweni, basuka bayezweni (beshumayela izwi)

Chorus

Kusenyukela (bekusho benyukela)

Lapha-la-li gazi lakho, ulungile wena (Ulungile wena)

Bridge

Oh/Hayi ulungile wena (Ulungile wena)