Stan Whitmire plays "He Looked Beyond My Faults"

Filed in Music Philosophy on September 25, 2009



Stan Whitmire is widely considered to be one of the finest pianists in Southern Gospel.  I have been listening to him for years.  Here is a recent video of a performance that I want you to watch.  But before you do, I have a few things to say.

This performance from Stan is a good example of what I consider good church piano music to be.  It is well written but it avoids the bombastic fireworks that performers often feel they have to engage in.

I want you to especially notice the harmony.  He is using similar harmony to what I have been covering on this blog.  He does it better than me so pay attention.



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Danny Gardner
9/25/2009 4:06:54 PM

Thank you for sharing this Mr. Howlett. I think I can hear some of the differences in Stan Whitmire's playing, but I can't identify what he's doing better. Could you perhaps elaborate on what you meant by that?

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K Quinn
9/25/2009 11:36:45 PM

I agree. Stan playing is lovely to listen to. I have several Gaither videos where he is featured and also the Sharing Notes piano video that features several well known Southern Gospel pianists. My husband and I call his playing "fluid".
Thank you for sharing Greg.

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Ayesha
9/28/2009 8:21:26 AM

Beautiful...Thanks for posting!

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Greg
9/28/2009 1:17:32 PM

Danny, the progressions he uses are just more interesting than what I do. There are numerous paths that a progression can take as long as it gets to the same place. Coming up with progressions that are interesting and yet match the melody well is an art.

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Jocelyn Guilalas
11/16/2009 10:15:53 PM

Greg, can you write down some of the progressions that Mr. Whitmire's had used so we can also study it? It really sounds challenging.

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