The Church Pianist » improvising hymns http://thechurchpianist.com A help ministry for church pianists all over the world! Tue, 22 May 2012 16:36:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Improvising Hymns: Lesson Two http://thechurchpianist.com/congregational-singing/improvising-hymns-lesson-two/ http://thechurchpianist.com/congregational-singing/improvising-hymns-lesson-two/#comments Sun, 09 Oct 2011 02:32:13 +0000 Jenifer Cook http://thechurchpianist.com/?p=5263 Click here to download worksheet before watching video for “Improvising Hymns” Lesson Two 

Have a pencil handy!

The following short video tutorial on improvising hymns is geared to the beginning church pianist.  Playing straight from the church hymnal can sound rather plain. Learning how to dress up the hymns adds a new dimension of sound! This lesson gives some simple left hand fill in ideas for the first line of “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”.

Special clarification about the theory rule mentioned in this lesson concerning omitting the 3rd of the chord…The 3rd can be omitted from either hand.   Wait until you see the video below to understand this explanation :)

The next video tutorial will reveal more improvising ideas for “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”.

Click here to see My First Improvising Lesson

Twitt

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]]> http://thechurchpianist.com/congregational-singing/improvising-hymns-lesson-two/feed/ 2 The Church Pianist: Want Hymn Improvising Tips? http://thechurchpianist.com/improvising-hymns/the-church-pianist-want-hymn-improvising-tips/ http://thechurchpianist.com/improvising-hymns/the-church-pianist-want-hymn-improvising-tips/#comments Sun, 22 Aug 2010 00:22:52 +0000 Jenifer Cook http://thechurchpianist.com/?p=2520  

 For years….church piano friends have been after me to produce a hymn improvising curriculum.

I would seriously like to begin working towards  such a project.  The outline of this curriculum has been in the works for quite some time… but I lack one vital ingredient…the input of other pianists!

What area of improvising do you need help with?  Transposing?  Transitions? More illustrations backing up improvising concepts?  Simple left hand patterns?  You name it!   I really want to know what your needs are.

Your comments will be kept private so feel free to share any questions.  Special note:  Sufficient feedback does motivate me to produce :)

Thanks for your visits and comments!

Twitt

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]]> http://thechurchpianist.com/improvising-hymns/the-church-pianist-want-hymn-improvising-tips/feed/ 1 The Church Pianist: Improvising Hymns (Right Hand Fill-ins) http://thechurchpianist.com/improvising-hymns/the-church-pianist-improvising-hymns-right-hand-fill-ins/ http://thechurchpianist.com/improvising-hymns/the-church-pianist-improvising-hymns-right-hand-fill-ins/#comments Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:53:35 +0000 Jenifer Cook http://thechurchpianist.com/?p=993 Do you ever have a hard time knowing what to play for fill-ins when improvising hymns? 

This simple, instructional video gives the beginning church pianist some easy-to-use  right hand fill-ins!

Twitt

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]]> http://thechurchpianist.com/improvising-hymns/the-church-pianist-improvising-hymns-right-hand-fill-ins/feed/ 0 The Church Pianist: Part Two—Video Demo of My First Hymn Improvising Piano Lesson http://thechurchpianist.com/improvising-hymns/the-church-pianist-part-two-video-demo-of-my-first-hymn-improvising-piano-lesson/ http://thechurchpianist.com/improvising-hymns/the-church-pianist-part-two-video-demo-of-my-first-hymn-improvising-piano-lesson/#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:02:59 +0000 Jenifer Cook http://thechurchpianist.com/?p=935 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_

 

Twitt

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]]> http://thechurchpianist.com/improvising-hymns/the-church-pianist-part-two-video-demo-of-my-first-hymn-improvising-piano-lesson/feed/ 4 The Church Pianist: Improvising Hymns (Using the IV/V) http://thechurchpianist.com/improvising-hymns/the-church-pianist-improvising-hymns-using-the-ivv/ http://thechurchpianist.com/improvising-hymns/the-church-pianist-improvising-hymns-using-the-ivv/#comments Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:22:38 +0000 Jenifer Cook http://thechurchpianist.com/?p=534 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

Twitt

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]]> http://thechurchpianist.com/improvising-hymns/the-church-pianist-improvising-hymns-using-the-ivv/feed/ 1 The Church Pianist: Improvising hymns (Part One) http://thechurchpianist.com/improvising-hymns/the-church-pianist-improvising-hymns-fill-in-idea/ http://thechurchpianist.com/improvising-hymns/the-church-pianist-improvising-hymns-fill-in-idea/#comments Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:17:20 +0000 Jenifer Cook http://thechurchpianist.com/?p=461 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

Twitt

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]]> http://thechurchpianist.com/improvising-hymns/the-church-pianist-improvising-hymns-fill-in-idea/feed/ 1 The Church Pianist: Improvising Hymns (Part 2) http://thechurchpianist.com/improvising-hymns/the-church-pianist-improvising-hymns-example-2/ http://thechurchpianist.com/improvising-hymns/the-church-pianist-improvising-hymns-example-2/#comments Sat, 08 Aug 2009 23:16:42 +0000 Jenifer Cook http://thechurchpianist.com/?p=454 Here’s example #2 of an improvising idea.

Click here for pdf example: Improvising_ Hymns_Day _by_ Day 

This idea can be used anywhere in a hymn

where a one chord last for at least three to

four beats in addition to the following measure

starting on a one (I) chord.

 It  adds a nice flowing movement from

one measure to the next.

Twitt

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