Ever been nervous while playing an offertory?  I’ve never met a church pianist who hasn’t dealt with this issue. (including myself).

A question from one of my readers…

How do you address the issue of nerves with your students? I am completely comfortable playing congregationals, but as soon as it is time for the offertory my hands start shaking!

A music professor shared some sound advice with me several years ago, about my being nervous to play or sing at church.  I’m human too

He said, being nervous reflects on self.. thinking about how I will sound or look when I’m playing or singing in front of others.  Then he said what I didn’t want to hear….PRIDE.  I know…pride is a sin and therefore…well…

So true!  If you think about it…being nervous hinders us as church pianists from being effective communicators through music.

I still get nervous at times, but this wise man’s words have rung in my ears many times… as a gentle reminder to forget self and focus on the message of the song.  Ultimately, I should rely on God to help me convey His message of truth in song.

I also find it easier to play for congregational singing as opposed to playing for an offertory.  During the offering, the church pianist is more on display right?  :)  Just forget about all those eyes watching you and focus on the message of the song. I like to sing along in my head as I play…which draws me into the song.  Just ask God to give you peace.

Either my parents or piano teacher once advised me to imagine myself just playing in my own livingroom when having to play in church.  I found this helped me to forget the audience and focus on what I was playing.

I will have to say that experience over time does wonders to ease the nerves.  I’ve been playing for church since about age eleven.  I’m ancient now!  Well…just 46.   But…long enough to have gained some experience.

God has a way of keeping me humble if I get too prideful

There is another side to being nervous.  Maybe the pianist hasn’t prepared enough and therefore he or she is nervous.  Valid reason! Or…it could simply be…the pianist has chosen a piece above his or her level.  If you can’t play it at home without struggling after sufficient practice…then don’t play it.  It’s better to play a simple piece well than to play a fancy piece poorly.

In closing, I’d like to  encourage all church pianists, including myself, to focus on pleasing God with our music and so much will just fall into place.

Thanks for your visits and comments!  I pray for you all as you seek to please the Lord with the talents He has blessed you with.

The hymn entitled “The Old Rugged Cross” has stood the test of time. As a church pianist, I enjoy reading the stories behind the hymns.  Knowing the story behind the hymn enriches the meaning…making the hymn even more personal to me.

God used George Bennard, an evangelist of the early 1900′s to write this soul-stirring hymn.

The melody of “The Old Rugged Cross” came quite easy to George.   He tried to think of words but they didn’t flow until several months later. George had been preaching a series of evangelistic meetings on “the cross”. Many people came forward to be saved during those meetings. 

George was thrilled with the number of souls that were saved during those meetings.  He reflected on how the message of the cross was so important!

He went home after the meetings and the words to “The Old Rugged Cross” flowed from his pen as he wrote the words to a hymn we all love and cherish.

The full story to this beautiful hymn can be found in Al Smith’s Hymn Histories.  Al Smith met George Bennard many years ago and heard the firsthand account of how George wrote “The Old Rugged Cross”.

I just came across another excellent article written about George Bennard.  Hope you enjoy it as well as I did.

As a church pianist, I encourage other pianists to read the stories behind the hymns that they play. It will instill a deeper appreciation of the great hymns of faith.

I’m offering another free arrangement entitled “How Great Thou Art” to church pianists. This will be part one.

How many church pianists have needed to play How Great Thou Art in a lower key?  I have… plenty of times.  I usually play How Great Thou Art  in G major when accompanying male solos. Altos also like this key.

 This free arrangement (part one)  is written at a basic level; allowing the pianist freedom to add their own embellishments.  The arrangement contains chords not found in the hymnal version of “How Great Thou Art”.

Church pianists are always needing hymns in lower keys. Periodically, I will provide such arrangements.