Piano Cover of "Makabongwe"

"Makabongwe" by Ntokozo Mbambo is IsiZulu worship. The title translates to "He is worthy of praise." A slow declarative song, one of Ntokozo's definitive recordings.

1. The key: G♭ major

G♭ major. Scale: G♭, A♭m, B♭m, C♭, D♭, E♭m, Fdim.

2. The chord shape

Verse: 1 to 4 to 6m to 5. Chorus: 4 to 1 to 5 to 6m to 4 to 5 to 1. Standard worship shape. The Ntokozo Mbambo recording shows the pacing.

3. The Sunday-ready play

• Right hand: G♭maj7 voicings held long.
• Left hand: whole notes.
• One move to add: a D♭sus4 to D♭7 turnaround before every 1. Sustained then resolved.

4. When the leader calls a different key

Ntokozo songs travel worldwide. Numbers hold. Gig Mode.

Next step

Play You Are Good next. Also Ntokozo, faster, in E.