| The Church Pianist |
| A help ministry for church pianists |
Easter is just around the corner and church pianists are looking for Easter arrangements or already practicing one. I thought I’d post my free piano arrangement of “My Saviour’s Love”.
I know many church pianists already use chord substitutions but some of you may not be sure what chords fit where.
Today, I was trying to show one of my hymnplaying students several chord substitutions for the last line of “Just As I Am”. We were short on time…so I had her video me playing the chord substitutions so I could just email it to her. The thought occured to me…maybe others could benefit from this very brief video demonstration of chord substitutions.
You may have to pause here and there to get a glimpse of the chord substitutions.
Editor notes for today’s quick video…
Scenario: When the same chord lasts for an entire measure…it’s time to try a chord substitution for a more interesting sound.
For example…the last line of “Just As I Am”…
“And that Thou bidst me…” uses a C chord
Chord substitution used: G minor 7th to a C 7
Next few words…
“…come to Thee O…” uses a F chord
Chord substitutions used: F , d minor, G7
Next words…
“…Lamb of God, I come!” uses a C to G chord
Chord substitutions: a minor 7 on “God” d minor 7 for ”come”
Church pianists can revolutionize the sound of their hymnplaying just by adding chord substitutions!
Now…for a quickie video, demonstrating these chord substitutions…
This mini-series resulted in one of my reader’s recent comments.
She asked some excellent questions! The comment reads….
“I have trouble filling in the blank spaces in songs (for example, whole notes, or the end of a verse, leading into the next verse).
I have no idea what to play in those spots and sometimes, that creates an uncertainty for the congregation about when to start singing again. What can I play to help sort of “lead in”? Thank you!”
~Stephanie~
This mini-series is designed for the church pianist who plays from the hymnal but would like to learn simple fill-ins for long-held notes such as dotted half notes, whole notes or tied notes. (I’ll address the latter part of Stephanie’s question in another mini-series).
For starters, let’s focus on fill-ins at the end of a verse leading into the chorus. Two factors determine what can be played for any fill-in:
To keep things simple, I will show one fill-in idea using examples in easy keys.
Challenge: Try same piano fill-in on the following hymns:
I Know Whom I Have Believed
What a Day That Will Be
Glory to His Name
This is just one fill-in idea! There are many more 
No need to overload your brain at this point
Part two of piano hymn fill-ins will include more fill-in ideas!
Thanks Stephanie for the questions! Hopefully this will help other church pianists needing to learn more fill-in ideas.
I meant to include this audio for the free piano arrangement of Jesus Loves Me.
A hymn which has truly stood the test of time…Jesus Loves Me.
This hymn was born from a story read by the co-author…William Bradbury.
The story goes…
A young boy was dying and a dear friend read the boy this beautiful poem for comfort…
“Jesus loves me! this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong, they are weak but He is strong.
Jesus loves me! He who died Heaven’s gate to open wide; He will wash away my sin, let His little child come in.
Jesus loves me! He will stay close beside me all the way.; He’s prepared a home for me, and some day His face I’ll see.”
What comforting words!
William saw this poem as an excellent song for children. He wrote a melody for the poem and added the chorus as we all know…
“Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes Jesus loves me! Yes Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.”
This hymn has reached the hearts of young and old alike.
The next article will provide a free piano arrangement of this well-loved hymn.