One of my readers recently asked if the chord substitutions of Just As I Am tutorial video was available in sheet music.  I have since created the sheet music for this brief lesson.

Click on the following link to see the video of Just As I Am chord subsitutions for the final line of this soul-stirring invitation hymn. I use the minor chord substitutions in this hymn…to give it a warmer sound.

Just As I Am (video link: chord substitutions)

Click here for free sheet music of Just As I Am chord substitutions

 Free Piano Arrangement of Just As I Am (invitation background style)

 One of my readers recently asked if I knew where to find an arrangement of  “This Little Light of Mine” that wasn’t so elementary that a choir could sing to. Well…I decided to write an arrangement of “This Little Light” and really enjoyed creating it!

Since my time is limited due to the busy month of May…much to your advantage…everyone receives this  arrangement…FREE… since that’s all I’ve had time to do this week

There are so many word variations to this song. You’re welcome to substitute your own verses

Let me say a big “thank you” to Sharon for unknowingly inspiring me to write this piano/choir arrangement of “This Little Light of Mine”

Click here to download “This Little Light of Mine”

I’ve had my computer off because of our weather and now back online. Sorry for the late posting.  Since I’m short on time…I only entered the soprano for the vocal score of “Christ Returneth” to help you follow the words while you play the piano accompaniment.

I think “Christ Returneth” is one of the most awkward hymns to play when accompanying the four part harmony from the hymnal.  Due to the frequent chord changes, the church pianist only needs to create a simple, but stately accompaniment to enrich the text. 

Notice the time signature changes during the verse.  The verses are sudued and the chorus is jubilant. The congregation will enter with confidence if they hear how the song starts in the piano introduction. 

To maintain the subdued mood of the verse, the church pianist can just play the beginning phrase of the verse followed by a improvised ending…creating  a smooth transition for the congregation to begin singing.  I did include an introduction in today’s free arrangement of “Christ Returneth” Part One

Click here to download free piano arrangement of: Christ Returneth (Part One)

 Part One of Sunlight

PDF link: Sunlight Part Two

The chorus of Sunlight contains several twists and turns in the melody line making it tricky for the church pianist to manuveur through this peppy hymn. 

Simply play more blocked chords on the main beats (one.two, three, four).  I had to add an occasional  sprinkle of triplets in the right hand for a lively sound. The triplets also allude to rays of sunshine as the congregation happily sings….”…sunlight, sunlight, in my soul today!”

Complete audio for Sunlight Part Two (congregational accompaniment)

Just use your imagination to make the music come to life…causing the congregation to sing with more enthusiasm.

I hope the accompaniment ideas I’ve shared over the past few years have helped to stimulate the  creative thinking of other church pianists…encouraging them to be even more effective for the Lord as they serve Him through the ministry of music.

How about a free piano arrangement for “Sunlight”?  (congregational style)

One of my adult piano students attends a church with several pianists.  The songleader has setup a rotating schedule to give more of the pianists an opporunity to play for the church service.  What a great idea…utulizing the people God has provided a church family

I’ve particularly enjoyed sharing improvising tips with this student. She’s so ready to learn and has shown great progress in being more mobile on the keyboard due to her being able to play at her church.  The next hymn we will work with is “Sunlight”.  The melody is very busy….but….relax!  The pianist doesn’t need to play every single word    Just play on the main beats (1,2,3,4) and let the congregation keep up with the words. 

Editor notes for today’s free piano arrangement for

PDF link: “Sunlight” (Part One)

Overall right hand analysis:  I used chord inversions with a sprinkle of triplet groups here and there for some extra spice. Measure #6: Look at how I play empty octaves (octaves without any notes in the middle) during fast passages in the right hand.  I added middle notes to the 1st beat of the right hand to emphasize the  accented beat in 4/4 time.  (Beats one and three are normally accented in 4/4 time.)

Left hand mainly consists of octaves and chords.  Notice the alternating bass in the piano score…avoiding the overuse of E flat bass in the vocal score. (as in measures #1,2,and 5)

With Thanksgiving  just around the corner…”Come Ye Thankful People Come“ has been on my mind.  Here’s a free piano arrangement of this old-time favorite.

Busy times…but still here    I’d like to share a free patriotic  piano arrangement with my church pianist readers.  My Country Tis of Thee is a very old hymn. The author of the melody is unknown but the words were written by Samuel Francis Smith.  

My Country Tis of Thee (Audio of free piano arrangement)

As promised, I’m offering a free hymn piano arrangement today for church pianists.  The title of the hymn is “Like a River Glorious”.

This free piano arrangement can be used for prelude, congregational singing or as an offertory.

As a church pianist, I would find this arrangement most suitable for congregational singing.

Like a River Glorious (free piano hymn arrangement)

This free piano hymn arrangement of “I Feel Like Travelling On” is geared for the beginning church pianist at an early elementary level.

My piano student featured in this video, is a church pianist who plays by ear but is learning to read music. She’s doing quite well! I’m writing arrangements with her level in mind.

Maybe some of you church pianists can share this with your students or use this free piano hymn arrangement for yourself. 

I Feel Like Travelling On

I haven’t forgotten  part three of Scales in Hymns    I will post it tomorrow.

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”. 

“My Saviour’s Love”  Early advanced piano solo