I’ve been busy creating the video clips to support each page in the Left Hand Pattern Booklet One!

Here’s a sampling of the video clip for page one:

One of my piano students recently requested improvising ideas for More About Jesus.

Specs I consider before improvising a hymn:

1. Key signature
2. Time signature
3. Chord structure
4. Tempo  (the faster the tempo = less notes, the slower the tempo= more notes

In this tutorial, I added improvised notes for a moderate tempo.

Click HERE for free printable version of “More About Jesus” (verse only)

“More About Jesus” is one of those challenging hymns to “dress-up”!

Wow! There are multiple pattern ideas for this song! I’m trying to settle on which ones to share with you all.

Did you know you can insert rests in place of the right hand melody during repetitive sections?  Doing this avoids overworking the hand and produces a smoother tone. More improvising tips and visuals soon!

Most of this hymn consists of the I and V chord with the exception of the  ii chord occurring once in the verse and one time in the chorus.

The upcoming video tutorial will cover the verse of “More About Jesus” in the key of G Major.

Just to bring my readers up to date!  I’m trying to finish my first left hand pattern booklet. The written copy is near completion.

Contents for Left Hand Pattern One (Booklet One)

Four measure music examples in addition to ample application for reinforcement! (Keys covered: C , F and G and B flat)

Video content:  Teaching session of entire booklet with extra info not  shown in booklet, this includes me playing all hymn examples in the booklet.

Now to create the video that will be included with the PDF booklet!

I’m sharing the Foreword page plus one page  of the booklet.

Practice Tips

Part One

Finding time to practice vocal specials is a challenge for most church pianists!  Listen to Meryt Wilson and Jenifer Cook as they discuss this challenging topic.

Meryt Wilson, one of my dear piano friends and myself, try to get together at least once a year to boost our music creativity.
We decided this year to discuss the topic of Accompanying vocal specials.

This is just a candid conversation that took place between us.

Choosing the song for a singer may not be needed most of the time… but here are some suggestions on how it could benefit some singers.

Next video excerpt will discuss practicing tips with vocal specials!   Have you ever heard of audacity?  I’ll mention it in the next video.

What is the accompanist’s role? Should the vocal soloist sing a song just because it’s their favorite? What to do if a singer forgets his or her words? Should you play melody throughout?

Come join Jenifer Cook & Meryt Wilson for a time of discussion on the above topics and more…including funny or embarrassing moments as accompanists at the keyboard.

To be aired here on Jenifer’s website this Saturday, August 17, 2019.

The following article discusses the limitations that come with the intermediate level church pianist.  A reminder, they are doing the best they can do for the moment. But with a little extra practice…they can blossom into a fuller sound of playing by expanding their right hand horizon; opening up space for more left hand creativity!  The following article is meant to encourage the intermediate level church pianist.

Most intermediate level church pianists play basically in the middle area of the keyboard when accompanying congregational singing or other vocal specials.

(See the picture of their range below)

The bass part in the hymnal doesn’t normally go below the second G under Middle C and the right hand probably doesn’t go as high as the second F above Middle C unless the intermediate pianist takes quick ventures into the upper register 😉

When the right hand stays within this boundary…the left hand playing space is limited.  Taking the right hand an octave higher for an occasional spin…opens up more room for the left hand. This does not mean the pianist must stay an octave higher throughout the entire hymn.  It’s actually better to use a combination of both the middle or upper register for variety in sound.

When to change registers for the right hand?  In my early days of training, I was taught to change right hand registers at the end of a line which equates to at least two sentences.  It’s nice to gradually work your way up or down by playing extra chords or notes leading into whatever register you’re heading for.

See example below in the hymn excerpt “Like a River Glorious” (click on image to enlarge)

Click HERE to download free pdf copy of this image without comments in red

Wow! I already have a list of at least twelve different left hand patterns for hymns with busy melodies in 4/4 time!

Can’t wait to complete this first booklet of ideas!

It’s a challenge for me to focus on just one aspect while preparing instructive material because I come across so many other ideas closely related but don’t want to give you all info overload!

I’m  jotting my random ideas down and saving them for another time.

I think the greatest challenge during the prep time is coming up with a simple, concise way to present the concept.

Here’s an example of how I may display the left hand patterns on the master content list. (There will be PLENTY of visual examples to accompany these ideas)

1. octave-chord-octave-chord (all quarter notes)
2. octave-chord-octave-octave (all quarter notes)
3. octave-chord-octave-quarter-rest  (three quarter notes plus one quarter rest)

As of now….I plan to number the visual examples with the number that corresponds to the numbered list of patterns on the master content list.

There are SO many variables to this topic. I will have to discuss right hand activity as well since the left hand is affected by what the right hand plays.

For example: It’s easier on the pianist (truly!) to omit notes here and there during a busy melody  and focus more on the main beats. The singers can fill in the missing notes 😉  The key is… omitting melody in places that don’t throw off the singers.

Simple:  Start by playing melody at the beginning of the song and then omit a note here and there once you get them going 😉

More on that topic in my first booklet.