Total Praise Taught Right by Richard Smallwood himself!

Gearing up the choir was taught the gospel classic Total Praise by the one and only Richard Smallwood.

[@songbird2365]

This song came on the radio 5 minutes before I got into a major car accident. My truck flipped off the expressway. I crawled out of the truck with a couple of lacerations but God and his mercy said not today SATAN! Thank you so much for saving me God. Thank you so much Dr. Smallwood for allowing the Lord to use you. God bless you.

[@jazshas]

Praise be to God!

[@kaykhic8362]

Song Bird. That's just how good He is! God's not through with you yet.

[@songbird2365]

@@kaykhic8362 Amen!

[@nikkitobin8356]

Alllllll praises

[@favorglover]

Praise God!!!

[@broaddusmarines]

The greatest Gospel song ever composed.

[@ansuyathappa5533]

Anthony Broaddus what causes addition rendition dynamics movements in lyrics as research where. when notes are diminished in lyrics what's the significance

[@flourish5blessing424]

I am sure this song will be sung in heaven! I always feel the anointing whenever I hear this song. It is not an ordinary song. It is a heavenly some. I thank God for the life of the legendary Richard Smallwood!!

[@flourish5blessing424]

A heavenly song!

[@msconcreterose93]

Anthony Broaddus yes!

[@belhernan5137]

I always said "To God be the Glory" by Andrae Crouch was my all time favorite but it is a simple song. Total Praise vocal arrangement makes it always sound magnificent and majestic. It's like a taste of heaven.

[@godisgood789]

Our Church choir we where invited to sing in Prague - Czech Republic in Europe. We Flew over there all expenses paid and ministered . We sang Total Praise inside a Empty Castle and by the time we finished.... That Castle was filled to the max with Non Believers accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I never forget this trip! Our church unfortunately changed leadership etc. The man that started this ministry was Ron Kenoly and later Pastor Brian Waller took the choir a notch Up and we ended up traveling. Those days are unforgettable times that rooted my understanding about more than just singing - but to see Lives changed forever!

[@maifolau6996]

That is amazing ! Praise God

[@justwannabeme5388]

Hallelujah 🙌🏾

[@electladyvictoriastevenson2830]

Godisgood789 I bet u guys didn't hit every key like the radio version yet u still reached people ,that's what is important an needful. Thank u 4 what u guys did 4 others n Jesus Name .

[@godisgood789]

@@electladyvictoriastevenson2830 Very true

[@keishafitzpatrick2642]

I never get tired of watching the master at work

[@tyrekedagreat7964]

“Altos what’s your first note” Altos: Ah… Richard: “No it AINT” 4:11

[@musiclover4life407]

He pulled a Dr MMC

[@jasminehilbert3989]

@@musiclover4life407Except he didn’t have to throw a shoe 😂

[@etolerific]

😂….. altos have the prettiest parts. Yes they do!

[@adoris864]

There is power in this song! I can't sing it or even listen to it without shouting! God is so worthy of our praise!

[@Woodraille1]

Same!

[@chilegend8479]

I love how he broke this down A True gospel legend

[@NUTZONYALIPZ]

There's only a few more of these guys left who can still teach real gospel music..😢

[@reneeroberts6438]

God wrote me from a deep sleep and said, "listen to this song". I was so moved, I looked up the radio stations phone number and called them sometime after midnight, begging for the name. It has affected me in more ways than I can ever say. I am so thankful! It literally has changed my life.

[@VisionMusicWorks]

I have always said this is THE most incorrectly sung song done by choirs in Gospel music! 😆 I spent years correcting these parts with choirs and now I have proof!! Thank you! 😁

[@taylormaid6721]

This and Walter Hawkins "Thank You"

[@bakermark6891]

You are correct. On the outro, it's basically shifting;. In the four counts, each section does a pattern. Two sections move while one stand, then one stand and two move,. Always one stand or stay while the other two moves. From Altos, to sopranos to tenors. Not complicated at all.

[@WealthTracker]

Also the most incorrectly PLAYED song by musicians! ;p

[@antwanbell1694]

I learned from sheet music

[@CemeryProductions34]

SAMEEEEE!!!!! 😂😂😂 Thanks the confirmation

[@lashaonda]

I'm in here singing along like I can hold a tune

[@TalithaNCummi]

🤭 your secret's safe with me

[@sherylfluence9278]

Sang babyyy!

[@royaltimayweather1241]

I do the same thing!!!!!

[@happybutterfly7124]

I absolutely love this song! I have to work 7 times harder to reproduce the correct sound. My daughter is the gifted soprano singer of the family. 🤗

[@etolerific]

Imagine how much of a musical genius he is, to hear those intricacies in the parts and more importantly his ability to remember each part without the slightest reference to his score is just amazing! Praise GOD for Richard Smallwood.

[@lynnwatkins4641]

The greatest song writer and composer ever!!!!

[@joliegarrett]

This is wonderful. Being in a choir myself, I love to hear a director/composer talk about where the inspiration for a song came from. It's a rare thing to be taught the song by the person who wrote it.

[@Beauty4Ashes444]

Truly it is…a rare beautiful gift.

[@jamesdrummond5894]

This wonderful song calm my. Nerves in 1998 when I was traveling back home from a European trip with my daughters 8th grade class trip. In April on Easter. I looked out the window and saw beautiful mountains with snow on them. I heard the pilot say that it was to much traffic in the air in USA and we would have to circle the air. I listened to total praise and I felt a calm come over my whole body. It was like God Allmighty was rocking in his arms. His spiritual hands was holding the airplane and it was a smooth landing home to the USA. This is Tracy Drummond. Telling you all our God is real and he lives forever more.

[@pt-hamilton2102]

I was once on an airplane flight coming from a trip when I first heard this song on my cd or cassette ear phones and it calmed my spirit so quietly bringing me to tears of praise and I have been hooked ever since wanting to listen to it over and over it is definitely an anointed song!

[@mr.edwards4863]

What a privilege... the master himself. One must know there notes

[@jimjohnson8865]

Their*

[@lynnwatkins4641]

I am 56yrs young and have loved Richard Smallwood since I was teen I know every song he has ever written since my teen years I admire and love him dearly with all reverence and respect, he is awesome!!!!!!!!

[@nlhaynes63]

Ditto everything you said.....me and my siblings sung almost all of his songs as a family as well as the Hawkins and was always on point with their crazy parts....LOL!!! Absolutely Love all their music!!

[@mirielle20]

I always assumed it was the sopranos that killed me on the Amens - until I heard just the Altos. 😭😭😭😭 Wow ... ❤️

[@jjh2456]

No it’s still the sopranos

[@G.of.J.]

You aint know?? We do thisss😂

[@etolerific]

The altos have the prettiest parts. ❤

[@ortezcheatham9324]

This is a very complex song to learn but I love it tho

[@KeleWele23]

This is a beautiful song but it is surprisingly a difficult song to sing correctly

[@bernettamorton3626]

The author knows how his work is supposed to be sung! Yes, Richard! Beautifully written and beautifully sung! You are a brilliantly gifted and anointed musical composer who have blessed us by using your gifts and talents for the Lord. ❤🙏

[@bresnursery4769]

It's so amazing how it really takes all those voices to become one loud voice! ❤

[@donaldmccollum735]

The emphasis on the alto line is amazing. It plays such a special part in the song and adds the perfect layer of delicacy to this masterpiece.

[@isaialeuila9327]

This for me makes my top favourite gospel/hymn songs. 1. It is well 2. How great thou art 3. Total praise

[@SandraBWard]

YESSSSSSSSS!!!

[@mynameisirrelevant46]

For Me 1. I've Got Something 2. He Won't Leave you 3. Love Divine 4. Total Praise

[@kavisiongreenwoodtribune9542]

I had the honor to perform with Mr. Smallwood over the years. It was an experience that I will never forget.

[@amapparatistkwabena]

Talk about a Master Class! The tenor section has always been the section with which I’ve had to work most earnestly in each choir with this piece. It’s so refreshing to hear him fix them so gracefully... and the altos on the AMENS.❤️ Bro Smallwood is so right about choirs abroad getting it right. One thing: they use sheet music. I was in Korea (no problem) and now in German Switzerland (no problem)... but Alabama (LAWD!)...He knows his stuff!

[@shadg3906]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@krystalcureton4899]

Thank you Lord. I can listen to this song all day. It gave me strength and constantly remind me God is here and will always will be by my side.

[@HarrisPilton789]

Total praise is my favorite gospel song of all time.

[@mimi-thevirtuousqueen-ofcl1927]

U tell it Richard u ought to know how it really goes! U wrote it!!

[@catmitchell2962]

If goosebumps was a song….this is the tutorial. Praise and blessings through music is GOD’s precious gift.

[@matildab98]

4:25 SANG ALTOS!!!!

[@thequeenicee8835]

Yasss! I screamed the same thing

[@mrjemenai]

Clap AFTER we get it right y’all 😂😂😂😂

[@dreamhill2214]

🤯 MIND BLOWN!!!!!! Nothing is as we thought it was!!!! And I was one of the ones people thought to have taught it correctly!🤣 WOW, he said people from other countries come here and sing it correctly. It’s because they read the notes, WE don’t! Often we have that natural ability to decipher a song correctly. In cases like this we should not just depend on our ears. I’m at fault as well. GOTTA LEARN TO READ NOTES PEOPLE!!!

[@dr.davidjuliusfordjr.6697]

The notes he is teaching are all on the sheet music. I learned this song from the sheet music.

[@djfabfresh]

Dr. David Julius Ford, Jr. where did you get the sheet music

[@smoothjazz12]

Unfortunately, people take what they hear and not what is written. I have a hymnal with all the mistakes mentioned and then some.

[@SandraBWard]

You are right that people take what they hear instead of what is written. Playing by ear is a gift in and among itself but if you can read music you will get it right every time.

[@solomonade9136]

Where did you find sheet music

[@dr.davidjuliusfordjr.6697]

@@djfabfresh Did you ever get the sheet music?

[@adrienne_12thorpe]

This is a truly teachable moment.

[@reginadavis1028]

That superb soprano gets me EVERYTIME!!

[@sandrahardison4918]

Thank you Sir. We’ve made up notes for years. This is much appreciated.

[@AriaMcN]

Welp. I just concluded 8 minutes of this here rehearsal and I have resolved that my high school choir director taught us this in 2000-2001 wrong, wrong, wrong! That's part of how it spread like wildfire. We probably came home and taught our families wrong notes, then they shared with co-workers and their church choirs, then went live on media streams. It got out of hand, indeed. But the Lord was merciful to let us live to hear it right! It's hard to undo learned notes right now, but with God, nothing is impossible. The praise must go on.

[@terrywalker2437]

If he doesn't stop interrupting with "share this"...I am trying to learn the song. Shhh, I can't hear if you are talking. Lol!😁😁😁

[@Choirboyron09]

Terry Walker lol I know when you’re right. I’m sitting her like shhhhh I’m trying to learn the correct way lol

[@Tanisme777]

Lol

[@MelaninRose]

Listen!!😂😂

[@lisahair2love]

😂 me too Shoot Now 😂

[@Jujudollbaby]

RIGHT

[@veronicagdowning]

My mom and I are learning this song right now. And it helps to have the creator of the song teaching us each part (even if it’s only soprano and alto for now).

[@eggofuhrmann7373]

Richard, I want You here to teach my choirs !!!....KEEP GOING !!!!

[@madreawilson4818]

YES Uncle. Teach the chirrn!! ❤

[@joycecastille4485]

He is teaching that’s why he interrupts. He wants it done right, not half right.

[@okebaram]

Wow, how cool. Thought I had all parts of this song completely right, well I was pretty cl.ose

[@Sbo-09]

AMEN my favourite Gospel song - all time 🙌🏾

[@virginiacombs4896]

This was an answer to a prayer through a divine statement, I got really vexed by whats going on in this country, so relax I can because GOD GOT THIS we sang this song at Prestonwood bapt church it is such a leasing Thank you Pastor Smallwood

[@DeloneyCunningham]

This song speaks from generation to generation. Timeless, Smallwood. I can't believe I missed you at The Mount. I miss the old design before the remodel, too.

[@deb.r.h.]

26 people don't like to be corrected.

[@kwabenaom567]

@Jaden Boisrond 33

[@carselevators930]

76

[@charlesfoxtrotx]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@andrepetersen1437]

🤣

[@joycecastille4485]

If they don’t like to be corrected, then leave. He wrote the song and the words, so he can teach it the way and the right way it goes

[@nikkitobin8356]

Well ... I TRULY JACKED this song 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@estacianikesasa546]

One of my favorite songs! Takes me in EVERY. TIME!!

[@mimi-thevirtuousqueen-ofcl1927]

But I grew up with the best music! In Gospel! And this is one of my favorite ones from him! And I love singing it too! It brings me to tears every time!- it's that powerful!!

[@tiffanibutler9691]

Lawd we done messed this man’s whole sonc up!!! It’s so pretty when sung right. Now I feel like I’m really on that hill.

[@Kuku....]

I love this song learning to sustain amen note. This is the greatest songwriter and arranger

[@tawandagono9107]

Absolutely beautiful song! Keyboard player was on point throughout. Wow

[@bresnursery4769]

The ending gave me chills❤❤❤ they are TALENTED!

[@serenity3489]

From prayer 🙏 to praise 🙌

[@joycecastille4485]

The Master teacher himself. He wants it done right.

[@voriskinlaw9775]

From The Composer's Own Mouth-He Straightened Out THE GOSPEL Music World On Those 2 Parts(I'VE Been Saying That Those Parts Were Wrong Since The Original Recording.. SMH)!!

[@esbisalet]

Wow! I can't believe I found this!!! Inexperienced directors like me need more videos like this one!! Thank you! How can I find more??

[@jayedee4269]

Proud to have walked the 3rd floor of the Fine Arts building behind my fellow alumn.

[@serenity3489]

Thank you Thank you Thank you for teaching especially the alto part. It is absolutely the hardest. God bless you ☺️

[@terryalbritton1877]

Loved having this moment with him

[@quincyfrancis9454]

I can't listen to gospel all day but it's something about his still that seems genuine to that sound I can't denie

[@jamilapraise]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Wow.

[@linetwachera]

How beautiful.

[@conniesmith2161]

THANK YOU SIR!!! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@josephinechannel9697]

wao!! this is awesome. we did this song November, 2018 and I thought it was just perfect. but I now realised we didn't get the alto well. thanks for sharing this. the legendary Richard Smallwood, you are a blessing to God's people. God bless you and your ministry.

[@hillyj1]

Just happen to find this song the day before our praise team will sing it. Thankful for the parts. I am alto

[@ljwilson3]

Just beautiful!!! Great Teacher! This is my song and praise! TY for sharing ❤

[@allisonrogers2827]

One of my favorite hymns! Nice!

[@busybee2033]

Yeah...we don't play that stuff down here in North Carolina you gotta sing it right. Make sure We got it rite before we tell somebody they are wrong 👍

[@daisyp1670]

I’m 😭 this is perfection

[@charlesfoxtrotx]

They sound great. Teach!

[@marquishalsell]

Lol he makin them feel played in his own song but he has every right to correct the mistakes my pastor is like that he's a recording artist from the 90s and 2000s and he doesn't want his music done incorrectly but that's teaching how to sing the songs the right way i appreciate soo much fr fr

[@territerri1234]

Man... I'm bitter 😂.... The hills... Man. 😂

[@RodZilla11]

If you don’t know what a CHOIR DIRECTOR is, watch DR. RICHARD SMALLWOOD teach a choir. This is perfection at work. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@tamekadixon2629]

This song always move me

[@KatiehB77]

I am SO GLAD!! Laaaawd! Thank you!! This is one of my VERY favorite songs and I cringe all the time when I hear other choirs perform it because they JACK UP the parts! 🤦🏽‍♀️😂🤷🏽‍♀️ Thank you!!!!!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@justemav2846]

so good! God bless you daer richard..

[@seventhivy878]

Shared this with five people. Keep liking and sharing this beautiful moment in time with this phenomenal, anointed man.

[@judithkcolbert8483]

Hallelujah Hallelujah 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@donnawatson2000]

Praise the Lord for this! Choirs in my church have been singing this beautiful song for years and this is the first time I've been able to sing my part correctly (Alto). Thanks for uploading this and God Bless!!!

[@Gamejamjay727]

Beautiful but the guy kept interrupting it don't need nobody to say shear it got the power on its own to God be the glory.

[@shalommuyambotv]

Geezzzzz 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@padussia]

Ah wow, thank you so much for posting this. I've fallen in love with Richard Smallwood's music and want more of him.

[@bourge66]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!🙏🏾

[@aheartofworship12]

This was honestly a great tool. Wish we had more rehearsals and teaching sessions like this. Very good. Now, let me go practice my part! Lol

[@deb.r.h.]

The problem is often black churches don't read music, so we just repeat what wrong the other churches sing.

[@daniellependergrass373]

Deb R.H. I was going to say this!

[@Prospermiinow]

That is not the problem.

[@deb.r.h.]

@@Prospermiinow Yes, it is.

[@tommieterrell82]

@@Prospermiinow wat would be the problem source then ..jus curious

[@TerrenceJDooley]

That’s not a problem.... it’s a gift from the Lord. The “problem” is not properly taking time to learn what it is versus what we think it is

[@tiabanks5585]

Awesomeness!!!!!!

[@jantoinejones]

Love this! Thanks for sharing bro.

[@latiawilliams680]

Thank you thank you thank you for posting

[@madalenazikan3018]

wondeful, very wondeful!!!!

[@kykyakalakya2348]

Wonderful not wondeful LOL.

[@lilldilldb]

Ayyyy, the fire that caught after that explanation 💐💐💐

[@charlesfoxtrotx]

I absolutely love this. Thanks.

[@theadvocate2782]

I remember some tenor in my section looking at me crazy when I sang that "in times of the storm" part correctly like Ricky Smallwood is teaching it. I could see the dissonance in their faces whenever they sang that part. 😂

[@letiajohnson29]

This is wonderful! Thank you!

[@blessedliving]

The first time i EVER heard the altos part sang correctly! (Besides on the cd..lol)

[@Ursin101]

Thank you for teaching me 🎼

[@winh998]

I have no words!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@peternoble-mensah8183]

Aawesome.. Alto still couldnt get the repeated Si part..

[@samtoliver5890]

You rock for this video!!! Hopefully people will begin to correct his work and sing it right!!!

[@bennuflight]

When a brutha’s anointing is evident even when he’s teaching the song!!!! I’ve held the role. And I know the difference. He’s different! Mannnnn. . . (I digress)

[@kwakuasiedu-yirenkyi7621]

Epic!!!🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾