The Church Pianist » improvising

The Church Pianist: Part Two—Video Demo of My First Hymn Improvising Piano Lesson

Jenifer Cook — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:02:59 +0000

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_

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The Church Pianist: Improvising Hymns (Using the IV/V)

Jenifer Cook — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:22:38 +0000

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

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The Church Pianist: Improvising Hymns (Part 2)

Jenifer Cook — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 23:16:42 +0000

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.

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The Church Pianist: Classical Music Benefits Church Pianists?

Jenifer Cook — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:44:00 +0000

Classical Music….a help or hindrance to the church pianist?

A good question!

The answer is “Yes”…..classical music greatly benefits the church pianist!

How?

Advantages of being exposed to classical music:

*Conditions the ear for well-structured melodies and rhythm.

*Strengthens the fingers

*Demands a need for structured fingering which carries over into proper fingering for hymn arrangements.

*Introduces the pianist to scales and other rhythmic patterns in music that can be incorporated into the
hymns as well.

*Last but not least….classical music demands disciplinein the areas of technique and interpretation for the
best results.

Although classical music is vital to all pianists, the church pianist needs a balance of both: classical and hymn training.

I’m thankful for the teachers God provided for me in my early years of training.

I learned alot of improvising by just listening to the different teachers over the years. They also taught me ‘one on one’ how
to add runs and fill-ins. Most importantly, they taught me the theory to back up their training.

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The Church Pianist » improvising

The Church Pianist: Part Two—Video Demo of My First Hymn Improvising Piano Lesson

The Church Pianist: Improvising Hymns (Using the IV/V)

The Church Pianist: Improvising Hymns (Part 2)

The Church Pianist: Classical Music Benefits Church Pianists?

Classical Music….a help or hindrance to the church pianist?

A good question!

The answer is “Yes”…..classical music greatly benefits the church pianist!

How?

Advantages of being exposed to classical music:

*Conditions the ear for well-structured melodies and rhythm.

*Strengthens the fingers

*Demands a need for structured fingering which carries over into proper fingering for hymn arrangements.

*Introduces the pianist to scales and other rhythmic patterns in music that can be incorporated into the hymns as well.

*Last but not least….classical music demands disciplinein the areas of technique and interpretation for the best results.

Although classical music is vital to all pianists, the church pianist needs a balance of both: classical and hymn training.

I’m thankful for the teachers God provided for me in my early years of training.

I learned alot of improvising by just listening to the different teachers over the years. They also taught me ‘one on one’ how to add runs and fill-ins. Most importantly, they taught me the theory to back up their training.

*Introduces the pianist to scales and other rhythmic patterns in music that can be incorporated into the
hymns as well.

*Last but not least….classical music demands disciplinein the areas of technique and interpretation for the
best results.

I learned alot of improvising by just listening to the different teachers over the years. They also taught me ‘one on one’ how
to add runs and fill-ins. Most importantly, they taught me the theory to back up their training.