When I Fear My Faith Will Fail: A Guide To Chords And Lyrics For Worship Songs

when I fear my faith will fail chords

The power of faith is a force that can guide us through the most challenging of times, providing solace and strength when we need it most. But sometimes, even the strongest among us may find themselves grappling with doubt, wondering if their faith will fail them. In those moments of vulnerability, we may search for answers, seek reassurance, and turn to the chords of music to express our fears and find comfort in the melodies that soothe our souls. Dive into the depths of this emotional journey as we explore the hauntingly beautiful chords of When I Fear My Faith Will Fail, a composition that captures the turmoil and vulnerability of the human spirit as it navigates uncertain territories of faith.

Characteristics Values
Key Db major
Tempo 82 bpm
Time signature 4/4
Chords Db, Ab, Gb, Bbm
Chord progressions Db - Ab - Gb - Bbm
Guitar strumming pattern D - D U U D U
Difficulty level (beginner/intermediate/advanced) Intermediate
Duration 4 minutes and 38 seconds
Capo needed? No
Tuning Standard
Artist John Waller

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Introduction to When I Fear My Faith Will Fail Chords

When I Fear My Faith Will Fail is a beautiful worship song that speaks to the struggles and doubts that can arise in our journey of faith. Written by Michael Farren, Tony Wood, and Willy Braun, this song is a powerful reminder that even in our moments of fear and uncertainty, God is faithful and will never let us go.

If you're looking to learn how to play When I Fear My Faith Will Fail on the guitar, you've come to the right place. In this blog post, we'll break down the chords you need to know and give you some tips on how to play the song effectively.

The song is played in the key of Bb and the chords you'll need are: Bb, Gm, Eb, and F. Here's a breakdown of how to play each of these chords:

  • Bb: Place your index finger on the first fret of the A string, your middle finger on the second fret of the D string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the G string. Strum from the A string down.
  • Gm: Place your index finger on the first fret of the B string, your middle finger on the second fret of the low E string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the high E string. Strum from the low E string down.
  • Eb: Place your index finger on the first fret of the G string, your middle finger on the second fret of the A string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the D string. Strum from the low E string down.
  • F: Place your index finger on the first fret of the B string, your middle finger on the second fret of the G string, and your ring finger on the third fret of the D string. Strum from the A string down.

To play the song effectively, listen to the original recording to get a sense of the rhythm and strumming pattern. The strumming pattern for the song is down-up-down-up, repeated throughout most of the song. You can add some variations and dynamics to your strumming to make it more interesting and expressive.

When learning a new song, it's always helpful to start by practicing the chord changes individually. Practice moving smoothly and quickly between each chord, making sure that each note is clear and ringing out properly. Once you feel comfortable with the chord changes, try playing along with the original recording or a backing track to get a sense of how the song comes together.

Remember, learning to play a new song takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself and keep working on it, and eventually, you'll be able to play When I Fear My Faith Will Fail with ease and confidence. So grab your guitar, tune it up, and get ready to worship with this powerful song.

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Basic chord structure and progressions for When I Fear My Faith Will Fail

"When I Fear My Faith Will Fail" is a beautiful Christian song that speaks to the struggles and doubts we all face in our faith journey. The chord structure and progressions for this song are relatively simple, making it accessible to beginners and intermediate guitar players alike.

The song is typically played in the key of G, so we will focus on the chords in that key. The basic chord progression for the song is as follows:

Verse:

G - C - G - D

Chorus:

G - C - G - D

Bridge:

Em - C - G - D

Let's break down each chord and discuss how to play them:

G major chord:

Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string (A), your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the 6th string (E), and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string (B). Strum from the 6th string (E) down.

C major chord:

Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string (B), your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string (D), and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string (A). Strum from the 5th string (A) down.

D major chord:

Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string (G), your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string (E), and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string (B). Strum from the 4th string (D) down.

Em minor chord:

Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string (A), your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string (D), and your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string (G). Strum from the 6th string (E) down.

Now that we know the basic chords, let's look at the chord progressions for each section of the song:

Verse: G - C - G - D

Chorus: G - C - G - D

Bridge: Em - C - G - D

To make the song sound more dynamic, you can incorporate strumming patterns and rhythm variations. Start with a simple downstroke strumming pattern, strumming once per chord change. As you become more comfortable, you can experiment with adding upstrokes and variations to create your own unique sound.

Remember, practice is key when learning any song. Take your time to familiarize yourself with the chords and chord progressions. Start by playing them slowly and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable.

By mastering the basic chord structure and progressions for "When I Fear My Faith Will Fail," you'll be able to confidently play this beautiful worship song and lead others in worship. Remember to infuse your playing with passion and emotion, allowing the lyrics and music to speak to both you and those listening. Keep practicing, and soon enough, this song will become a staple in your repertoire.

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Tips for playing the chords with correct finger placement

Playing chords with correct finger placement is crucial for any guitarist, and it is no different when it comes to playing the chords for the song "When I Fear My Faith Will Fail." This beautiful and powerful song requires precise finger placement to achieve the desired sound and ensure smooth transitions between chords. Here are some tips to help you master the chords with the correct finger placement:

  • Start with the basics: Before diving into the specific chords for this song, make sure you have a solid foundation of basic chord shapes. Familiarize yourself with common open chords such as G, C, D, Am, and Em. These chords are frequently used in many songs, including "When I Fear My Faith Will Fail."
  • Use proper thumb placement: The positioning of your thumb is crucial for maintaining stability and control while playing chords. In general, try to position your thumb in the middle of the back of the guitar neck, opposite your fingers. Avoid wrapping your thumb over the top of the neck, as this can limit your finger mobility and lead to inaccurate finger placement.
  • Pay attention to finger numbering: Each finger is assigned a number for ease of communication and instruction. The index finger is 1, the middle finger is 2, the ring finger is 3, and the pinky finger is 4. Utilize these numbers to understand the finger placement instructions for each chord.
  • Study the chord diagrams: Chord diagrams provide visual representations of where to place your fingers on the guitar fretboard. Take the time to study the chord diagrams for "When I Fear My Faith Will Fail" and understand the placement of each finger. This will help you develop muscle memory for the correct finger positions.
  • Practice one chord at a time: When learning a new song, it can be beneficial to isolate each chord and practice transitioning between them before attempting to play the entire song. This approach allows you to focus on the correct finger placement for each chord, ensuring accuracy and smooth transitions.
  • Use your fingertips: When placing your fingers on the fretboard, use the tips of your fingers to press down the strings. This will help produce a clean and clear sound. Avoid muting or buzzing strings by ensuring firm and precise finger placement.
  • Be mindful of hand position: Proper hand position is essential for playing chords accurately. Your hand should be relaxed, but firm, with fingers curved and positioned directly behind the frets. Avoid placing your fingers too far back on the fretboard, as this can cause the strings to buzz or sound muted.
  • Take it slow: As with any new song or chord progression, take your time and practice at a slow tempo. By starting slowly, you can focus on the correct finger placement without sacrificing accuracy. As you become more comfortable, gradually increase the tempo until you can play the chords smoothly and confidently.

Remember, playing chords with correct finger placement is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. Be patient with yourself and don't get discouraged if it doesn't come easily at first. With dedication and consistent practice, you will master the chords for "When I Fear My Faith Will Fail" and be able to play it flawlessly.

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Troubleshooting common issues and variations for the song

Are you struggling to play the chords for the song "When I Fear My Faith Will Fail"? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many guitarists face difficulties when it comes to learning new songs, especially if the chords are complex or if the original song has variations. In this blog post, we will troubleshoot some common issues and provide variations for the chords in this song.

Difficulty with barre chords:

  • The song "When I Fear My Faith Will Fail" includes barre chords, which can be challenging for beginners. To play a barre chord, use your index finger to press down multiple strings across a fret.
  • If you're struggling with barre chords, try starting with just the root note (the lowest note of the chord) and strumming only those strings. Once you feel comfortable with that, gradually add more fingers and strum all the strings.
  • Another tip is to practice your barre chords on a smaller neck guitar or using lighter gauge strings, as it requires less finger strength.

Alternatives to barre chords:

  • If barre chords are still too challenging, you can use open chord variations for some of the chords in the song. For example, instead of playing a barre F chord (Bb shape), you can use the open chord version of F (Oxxx55), or the Fadd9 (Oxx033) chord.
  • You can also experiment with different voicings of the barre chords. For instance, instead of playing the Bb chord as a barre chord, you can try playing it as (x13331) or (688766). These voicings might be easier to fret for some guitarists.

Transitioning between chords:

  • One common issue is smoothly transitioning between chords, especially if the changes are fast. Practice slowly and gradually increase your speed.
  • To help with transitions, try visualizing the shape of the next chord before making the change. This visualization technique will train your fingers to remember the shape, making the transitions smoother.
  • Additionally, focus on lifting your fingers off the strings one at a time. This can help prevent unnecessary muting or buzzing of the strings, resulting in a cleaner sound.

Simplifying the song:

  • If you're still struggling to play the chords as written, consider simplifying the song. You can start by playing only the basic chords and then gradually add the more complex ones as you become more comfortable.
  • Another option is to use a capo. Placing a capo on a higher fret allows you to play the same song in a different key, which might have easier chord shapes.

Remember, practice is key. Don't get discouraged if it takes time to master the chords for "When I Fear My Faith Will Fail" or any other song. Take it one step at a time, troubleshoot any issues, and keep practicing. With dedication and perseverance, you will be able to play the song with confidence and enjoyment. Happy playing!

Frequently asked questions

The chords for "When I Fear My Faith Will Fail" are G, D, Em, C.

The strumming pattern for "When I Fear My Faith Will Fail" is down, down, up, up, down, up.

Sure! The lyrics for "When I Fear My Faith Will Fail" are:

Verse 1:

When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast

When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast

I could never keep my hold through life's fearful path

For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast

Chorus:

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast

For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast

Verse 2:

Those He saves are His delight, Christ will hold me fast

Precious in His holy sight, He will hold me fast

He'll not let my soul be lost; His promises shall last

Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast

Chorus:

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast

For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast

Verse 3:

For my life He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast

Justice has been satisfied; He will hold me fast

Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast

Till our faith is turned to sight when He comes at last

Chorus:

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast

For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast

The intro of "When I Fear My Faith Will Fail" can be played with a simple down strum on each chord or according to the strumming pattern for the rest of the song.

The chord progression G, D, Em, C can be substituted with G, D, C, Em or G, D, C, Am if desired.

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