About the piece
The words were written by former slave trader John Newton and published in 1779; the tune now used, called “New Britain”, appeared in the United States in 1835.
It is one of the best-known hymns in the world, slow and solemn.
The arrangement was written by us for Piano Learning; the app also has a ★★ version with chords.
The notes of the melody (right hand)
Notes with a coloured border are longer. The video also shows the left hand.
DGBGB
AGED
DGBGB
ADBDBDBG
DEGGED
DGBGB
AG
How to practise it
- Read the notes above and find the hand position: most of the time the fingers stay on five neighbouring keys.
- Hold the long notes for their full value: it is a hymn, it must breathe.
- Add the left hand only when the right hand is secure, first at 60% as in the video.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to read music?
No: the notes are written in letters and the video shows which key to press and for how long.
Can I play it with one hand?
Yes, the right-hand melody alone is already recognisable. In the app, if you practise one hand, the app plays the other.