COGIC Musicians

[Gospel Musick Player]

You know I've heard a deal of people criticizing COGIC, but when it comes down  to their musicians people are all over them. For example the Elder Eddie Howard COGIC DVD and the Michael Bereal DVD, people who don't even like COGIC go and be like "I'm gonna get that DVD". What is up with that????

[musallio]

Hey man, I'm aware COGIC has been on the receiving end

But just allow God to fight the battles for COGIC..the fact that the non-COGIC musicians are rushing for all these dvds proves that God is fighting for COGIC... http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,48643.0.html

[Gospel Musick Player]

Thanks!!!

[themidiroom]

In St Louis, most of the gospel musicians play COGIC style.  It's a cool style but everybody sounds the same.  After concerts, all the organists swarm around with their camera phones and steal each others chords and runs.  It's entertaining to watch.

[Fenix]

Please excuse my ignorance, but exactly what IS "COGIC Style"?

[musallio]

In St Louis, most of the gospel musicians play COGIC style.  It's a cool style but everybody sounds the same.  After concerts, all the organists swarm around with their camera phones and steal each others chords and runs.  It's entertaining to watch.

I like the way you describe the scenario--because I think that's what it's like indeed..
It's kind of like the style here at this region--everyone at these churches plays the same style & then after huge meetings, the guys gather to show their "shouts" & LH bass runs..If I see that happening, I just listen or watch if there is still a way for me to get in..
Though sometimes there are a few people at church who bash me for "not sounding like they do", I couldn't care less because I'm me..I'm glad I sound different..So long as the people can still have a good service, I don't need to sound like TMR!

[under13]

Its just that COGICS value music more than any other denomination.

They have ruled the Gospel dcene for years. Look at all the top gospel artist out now, I bet most of them have cogic roots. The cogic church seems to strive for excelence in all things, especially music.

[themidiroom]

Its just that COGICS value music more than any other denomination.

They have ruled the Gospel dcene for years. Look at all the top gospel artist out now, I bet most of them have cogic roots. The cogic church seems to strive for excelence in all things, especially music.

I don't know much about the COGIC church so I can't comment but I don't like the idea of so many musicians all with the same style.

[under13]

I don't know much about the COGIC church so I can't comment but I don't like the idea of so many musicians all with the same style.

I wouldnt say that. There are tons of varients within the "cogic" style.

[themidiroom]

I wouldnt say that. There are tons of varients within the "cogic" style.

I'm mostly refering to the local music scene, but I get your point.

[under13]

I'm mostly refering to the local music scene, but I get your point.

I think thats more of a problem with young musicians. The older cats seem to have more of thier own personal style.

[Fenix]

I think thats more of a problem with young musicians. The older cats seem to have more of thier own personal style.

I think its cuz the older musicians truly played "by ear". How many times have i heard some dude say how lucky we are cuz we got the internet and youtube and DVDs and such. In the "old" days, they had to slow down the record or play it over and over again to get what was going on. In that way they developed their own style.

Nowadays we just tend to copy other folk. We will use the very same inversions, fingerings, voicings and what have you.

[chevonee]

I just became a COGIC musician and I can tell you that its nothing like what I played at my former church. COGIC musicians are very skilled and very spontaneous <---somebody look this word up and tell me what it means . They're style can't be found in a book. Now please don't get me wrong all musicians play with skill, I'm just saying COGIC style is different than what CHEVONNE IS USED TOO. Seems like every song we play now is much faster, they even speed the hymns up...my hands almost fell off after the first service. LOL

[musallio]

I just became a COGIC musician and I can tell you that its nothing like what I played at my former church. COGIC musicians are very skilled and very spontaneous <---somebody look this word up and tell me what it means . They're style can't be found in a book. Now please don't get me wrong all musicians play with skill, I'm just saying COGIC style is different than what CHEVONNE IS USED TOO. Seems like every song we play now is much faster, they even speed the hymns up...my hands almost fell off after the first service. LOL

Our "cogic" style here is called "itende"..most pianists don't like it. but I must say, the bass runs are the best to learn from the "cogic" players here..yeah, even a naturally 55 bpm song turns into a 126bpm!
& today I was kinda practicing that stuff with some reggae so that at least I don't deprive the congregation of the style they love so dearly.

[4hisglory]

How many times have i heard some dude say how lucky we are cuz we got the internet and youtube and DVDs and such. In the "old" days, they had to slow down the record or play it over and over again to get what was going on. In that way they developed their own style.

I actually think that these youtubes and some of the DVD's could be hurting the genre because the old school player had to  develop themselves.  Now, people buy a DVD or look at Youbtube, learn a few changes and call themselves musicians.

[musallio]

I actually think that these youtubes and some of the DVD's could be hurting the genre because the old school player had to  develop themselves.  Now, people buy a DVD or look at Youbtube, learn a few changes and call themselves musicians.

Talking about that, I would not say that the young cats of today (I'm gonna be 1 soon )  can't think of themselves as musicians.
What I would say however, is that 1 should not deceive themselves & think they have honed their skills just because they were shown a progression & just learnt that or given chords to a specific song etc.

I have benefited a great deal from such resources you mention..But I have taken it further--I experiment with a whole lota stuff--whatever crosses my mind in a flash, i try it out (i think just like the old skul folks did  )
I also find that with more experimenting, I am better able to pick up the sounds from recordings & imediately identify how the stuff can be played--I also find myself playing some stuff I've never really played before & when I think afterwards, it's like--hey, how did i do that..I guess it's all the benefits of practicing correct--you end up playing the right stuff..
So young cats, the $$ can buy you information, but it an't buy you musicianship (in this context only!) So practice & train your ears.

[chevonee]

I actually think that these youtubes and some of the DVD's could be hurting the genre because the old school player had to  develop themselves.  Now, people buy a DVD or look at Youbtube, learn a few changes and call themselves musicians.

Alright boss man r u saying that you don't wanna sell DVD's any more.
Seriously though, I get your point

[byrd]

I agree with some of the comments.  I'm a part of the Pentecostal movement and my teacher was the state musician for COGIC in the state that I live in.  I have Pentecostal musicians friend that I take nothing away from them, but COGIC musicians are on another level.  They really take this to heart.  I have learned so much from my teacher, whom I love and appreciate so much.  I have had other musicians that hear me play say, that's that COGIC style.  Even their talk music is a lot different.  I love the Pentecostal, but my playing is COGIC, because my teacher was a COGIC musician.  So I love that.  You don't have to many pentecostal musician that can play COGIC style.  I have not been to my teacher one full yet, but I have been back and forth for 7 years.  He actually was the only one that would show me anything.  But I thank God for all the people that has posted because I'm still learning.     

[Fenix]

Again i have to ask...what is this COGIC style?

I am not familiar with denominations and all that.

[under13]

Again i have to ask...what is this COGIC style?

I am not familiar with denominations and all that.

I think this clip is a great example of cogic style organ. As you can see, he is just freely flowing with and following the speaker. When the speaker's level rises, so does organist, when the speaker gets mellow, so does he. He knows when to lead and when to follow. A cogic organist also knows how to play in such a way, that the music touches your heart and makes you emotional.
 
http://www.learngospelmusic.com/media/displayimage.php?album=344&pos=7

Here is another example of the cogic style. This has a Brooklyn flavor to it

http://www.learngospelmusic.com/media/displayimage.php?album=344&pos=0