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American folk tune “New Britain”, 1779 (tune 1829). Excerpt, written out for reading practice.
John Newton, a former slave-ship captain who became an Anglican priest, wrote the words for a New Year’s service in Olney, England, and published them in 1779. The tune most people know, called “New Britain”, is an American folk melody that first appeared in a shape-note collection in 1829 and was paired with Newton’s words in the 1830s.
This is the opening half of the verse, up to “a wretch like me”. It is in G major and 3/4 time, and starts with a single pickup note on the third beat; the rests fill the rest of that first measure.
The first verse is printed under the notes and lights up as the music plays. Words by John Newton, in the public domain.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me!
Read the piece through once without playing, naming the starting note and looking for patterns and repeats. Then press Play and follow the notes as they light up. When you are ready, choose Practice this piece: it opens in the practice tool, where you can slow it down, play along on the on-screen piano, a MIDI keyboard or your voice, and have every note checked.