How to play "Nizolibonga"

"Nizolibonga" by Women In Praise is South African gospel praise at 135 BPM. It is a driving song, straight ahead, no hidden complexity. The piano's job is to keep the choir's pulse honest.

1. The key: A major

A major. Scale: A, Bm, C♯m, D, E, F♯m, G♯dim. Song lives in 1, 4 and 5.

2. The chord shape

Verse: 1 to 4 to 5 to 1. Chorus: 4 to 5 to 6m to 4 to 5 to 1. Every phrase resolves. The Women In Praise live version shows how tight the band keeps it.

3. The Sunday-ready play

• Right hand: eighth-note stabs on triads. A as A, C♯, E, stab.
• Left hand: root, root octave, fifth, root pattern. Locked gospel groove.
• One move to add: an E7 (5-7) between the 4 and the 1 on the chorus. It pulls the phrase home.

4. When the leader calls a different key

Choir-led songs move keys. Numbers hold. Gig Mode has the letters.

Next step

Follow with Great Are You Lord. Same A, calmer register, teaches restraint.