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)

Just thought I’d share a free hymn piano arrangement of “Power in the Blood”.  I wrote it for one of my level four students this week  to use for offertory or congregational singing. 

I’ve been sick since last week but feeling better each day and looking forward to sharing more ideas with you soon!

Click here for free piano arrangement:  Power in the Blood

One of my readers recently asked if I would share some improvising ideas for Victory in Jesus. Since this hymn is copyrighted, I’m limited to how much of the song I can share due to the “fair use” law for copyrighted music.  (Another interesting topic for a future article)  🙂

Editor’s Notes for the free handout of Victory in Jesus (improvising ideas): Click here for free handout. 

For time’s sake, I only entered the melody on the vocal score but the piano score utulizes the basic chord structure of the four voice parts from the hymnal.

Left hand accompaniment description for line one:  I used an alternate bass note (D) on the third beat for variety.  The note (D) fits in a “G” chord…therefore making it a good choice for an alternate bass note. 

LH accompaniment description for line two: I used the same alternate bass idea. The final measure contains a busy octave stepping pattern to fill-in three counts on the word “me”.   The dotted rhythm on the first two octaves adds an extra spice to the sound; making it more lively.

I know more visual examples of this hymn would be helpful but I’ve reached my limit of “fair use”.   Although, I can tell you in words… that I use the alternate bass idea on the chorus too.  Just look in a hymnal at the chorus.  See the words “Saviour” and “blood” ?  I play stepping octaves for these words with my left hand.

Just a peek at what can be done with this hymn but may provide a springboard to your own creativity!

I’m sure any church pianist would be happy to have the following sacred piano book in their collection.    This Little Light of Mine contains early intermediate piano arrangements arranged by Susan Greene. (Soundforth is the publisher.)  Although written with the student in mind…these arrangements apply to all ages.

The following excerpt from the arranger can be found in the book:

“In This Little Light of Mine, you will find familiar gospel songs that students can use to minister in church, recital, or informal settings. These arrangements were written for my students over the years in coordination with the concepts taught in their third and fourth level method books. Arranged in order from simplest to most difficult (followed by two duets), these pieces “grow” with the late-elementary to early-intermediate student…”    ~~~~Susan Greene

Now I’ll share my personal description of This Little Light of Mine”.  Two words come to mind…animated and well-structured. Seven of the nine arrangements are very lively!  Most of the lively pieces do have a a slow verse, for a varied layout. Susan even included helpful fingering and pedal notations throughout the book.   Another neat feature… a list of the concepts covered in each piece can be found in the back of the book. 

My favorite pieces are “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” and “Countdown”.  Hmmm…. I also like the two piano duets at the end of the book.   “This Little Light of Mine” was really neat with all the scale activity.  Ok, I like all of them! 

Click on the following title to see sample pages from “This Little Light of Mine“.

Here’s a list of each song.  Just click on each title to hear an audio sample.

This Little Light of Mine

Showers of Blessing

‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

We Three Kings

Countdown!

Count Your Blessings

Blessed Be the Name

The Lord’s Army (duet)

Tell Me the Story of Jesus (duet)

Soundforth has agreed to give away one free book of “This Little Light of Mine”.   Here’s how to enter for a chance to win this exciting sacred piano book:

Simply leave a comment on this article to enter your name once.  To enter your name a second time:  post a link to this specific article on your facebook,blog or twitter. Please leave a second comment on this article..showing you did so.

*This book giveaway is limited to within the US*

I will draw a name on March 20th (10pm EST)

I just had to let my readers know what’s coming up this week…

A book review on a sacred piano arrangement book geared to the early intermediate church pianist.  I’ll also provide a chance for my readers to win this book…compliments of Soundforth Publications.  I just finished playing through the entire book and thorougly enjoyed each arrangement!  

If my articles seem somewhat shorter  lately….well…it’s because I’m on a writing spree and seriously want to write around the clock!  My inspiration to write music comes in spurts and I have to take advantage of those moments.

Look for the book review sometime this week. 

How long should a piano introduction be?  What part of the song do I play for the introduction?  

I hope the following video and free pdf sheet of piano introduction examples will benefit church pianists needing guidance in this area.

Free PDF Sheet: Piano-Introductions-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)

I’ve always enjoyed singing the Christmas carol, “Angels We Have Heard on High”.  My favorite key to sing this hymn is E flat Major.   We have a small congregation and this key works out very well for them.   Generally, we  transpose all hymns at least one step lower; making it easier for the congregation to reach the melody with confidence. (All of our congregation sings melody).

I understand not all church pianists know how to transpose. Therefore, I’m sharing this transposed version of  “Angels We Have Heard on High” in E flat Major; simple four-part style as it would appear in the hymnal.

Angels We Have Heard on High (four-part hymnal version)

I have compiled several of my free Christmas piano arrangements under the ” Free Hymns Pdf” page for easier access. 

 Most church pianists are gearing up for Christmas; searching out Christmas piano arrangements. Hope these free arrangements are a help to your music ministry.