| The Church Pianist |
| A help ministry for church pianists all over the world! |
I love the hymn: It is Well. What a comforting piece of music! I’ll have to share the story behind it sometime soon.
Dwelling on the words of the song allows the pianist to be more expressive; producing a more effective delivery through music.
Click on the following title to hear the interpretation of It is Well.
As promised in part one of this lesson…I’m sharing a video demonstration of my very first hymn improvising piano lesson.
The only change…I used the hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” instead of “Like a River Glorious”. Either hymn is fine but I decided on the second one for the video.
Youtube video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yemAttikFNU
Click here to download free pdf arrangement: When_ I_ Survey_ the_ Wondrous_ Cross_ five_ part_ style_
Are you a church pianist needing to know how to improvise hymns?
Do you play straight from the hymnal…as written?
Would you like to know how to make your playing sound fuller?
If so, this lesson is for you.
I plan on posting Part Two of My First Hymn Improvising Lesson next week.
The article will include a video demonstration of ths lesson.
A free downloadable arrangement of the improvised hymn will also be available.
Please let other piano friends know that may benefit from this lesson.
Part One of this lesson can be found at:
http://thechurchpianist.com/improvise/the-church-pianist-part-one-my-first-improvising-piano-lesson/
Appreciate all your visits and comments!
I was in fifth grade when I received my first improvising lesson from the hymnal.
The hymn I improvised was At Calvary. It took me at least two months to learn the improvised style in a flowing rhythm.
Here are the first two improvising steps I learned to create a fuller sound in hymnplaying.
First, open a hymnal to the hymn: “Like a River Glorious”. I chose this hymn because it is in an easy key and contains a simple rhythm.
Let me preface the lesson with the following clarification: The soprano is the top note on the treble staff; while the alto is under the soprano note.
The tenor note is the top note on the bass staff and the bass note is under the tenor note.
Step #1: Add the tenor note to the right hand when feasible (right thumb plays this note).
You should be playing a total of three notes in the right hand. (tenor, alto and soprano)
Exception: Sometimes the tenor note fits better between the alto and soprano note.
This usually occurs when the alto and soprano have a greater distance between them; allowing room for
the tenor note to fit between them.
It is best to practice the right hand alone (with the added tenor) until a steady flow is maintained.
Expect to feel disoriented at first; having to add the tenor note to the right hand without it written that way.
Step #2: Double the bass note (left thumb is placed on the written bass note and duplicated an octave below with the pinky).
(Doubling the bass note is basically playing in octaves.) This second step really adds a deep, rich sound to the hymn.
Be prepared to slow down when adding the left hand to the right hand.
The following two step improvising lesson can be described as playing in five-part style:
Three notes in the right hand and two notes in the left hand.
Keep in mind, it took me two months to play one hymn with this two step improvising lesson.
Once you play one hymn this way, you can apply the same two step process to all other hymns.
Choose other hymns in easy keys with simple rhythms at first. Once you’ve gained some confidence,
you can move on to hymns in harder keys with more complex rhythms.
This two step improvising method will allow a pianist to sound full enough to support congregational singing.
Over time, more improvising skills can be obtained; adding life and fullness to hymnplaying.
Part two will contain a video demonstrating this two step improvising piano lesson along with a free pdf arrangement
of Like a River Glorious in five-part style.
Just thought I’d share an easy tip with you all this evening.
Just click on this youtube link to hear a tip for church pianists:
Audio of lesson…What_a_Friend_We_Have_in_Jesus_Interpretation
The interpretation of a piano solo is of upmost importance.
In my younger years, my dad always reminded me to play as though I were speaking the song.
He told me to “feel the music” and learn to breathe just as a singer would breathe when singing the same song.
To this day, I always sing the words in my head while playing to focus on the message.
Some words may need to be slower for a special emphasis…while other words can be sped up
to portray a sense of urgency or importance.
To stress the importance of interpretation…I will play an excerpt of my arrangement
“What a FriendWe Have in Jesus”.
The first time through…I will play in strict time with no ebb and flow.
Hear the difference in the second time as I play in a more conversational style.
Notice the treatment of the inner voice movement (notes under the melody) and fill-ins (notes between held words).
Fill-ins are played with a softer touch then the melody.
Fill-ins are always meant to be softer than the melody to avoid distraction of the message.
The next time you play or sing a solo….just remember to interpret the music just as though you were ‘speaking’ the words.
The message will be so much more affective!
Free Music: What_ a_ Friend_ We _Have_ in_ Jesus
As a church pianist, you all know that the invitation
is a crucial time. It’s a time when many make life-
changing decisions.
Sometimes the pastor has me play while he’s talking
during the invitation.
I try to convey a reflective yet urgent mood as pastor
encourages people to come forward as God leads.
Here is an audio sample of how I might play the background
music for the invitation:
My last article dealt with using the IV/V chord fill-in for 4/4 time.
This fill-in can also take place in other time signatures….as long as
there are at least three beats…allowing time for complete development.
Original article on this subject:
http://thechurchpianist.com/improvising/the-church-pianist-improvising-hymns-fill-in-idea/
I will share several more examples in time signatures other than 4/4.
Remember…this fill-in works great when the I chord lasts for three or more beats.
Click here for pdf: Improvising_Hymns_Using_the_ IV_and_ V
Do you as a church pianist ever get in a rut, playing
the same song endings? I sure do!
I thought I would share a variety of endings for the hymn:
“I Love to Tell the Story”.
I’m sure some of you could probably come up with some more
endings of your own but this may help stimulate your creativity!
Click here: Congregational_Song_Endings
This improvisational idea works well at the end of a verse…..leading into the chorus.
The following two ingredients are nesscary in order to use this fill-in idea.
1.The final chord of the verse must be a I chord and last for at least three beats.
2. The first chord of the chorus must also be a I chord.
For example: In G Major….the I (one) chord is GBD.
On Beat #3…
1. Play a IV chord in the right hand
2. Play the V note of G Major in the left hand for the bass note ( note: D )
This creates the chord notation: IV/V
Editor notes for today’s example:
After the word…”Thee” the right hand plays a “climb the ladder”
fill-in to make an easy transition to the upper register of the piano.
*Description of the Fill-In Idea: (occurs in final measure of verse)
Click here for pdf image: Improvising_Hymns_Draw_Me_Nearer