Beginning January 2019…I’m starting something new with my piano students who attend our church….three are beginners and one  late elementary student.

I will include them in playing for the congregational singing. (At least two at a time) One on digital…the other on portable keyboard. (Evening services only)  Why? Not as big of a crowd in the evening services 🙂

(I write the hymns at their level for this)  I already have ten hymn arrangements ready for the beginners (C position and Middle C position note range)  Preparing the late elementary level ones now.

Oh!  An added plus…the arrangements can stand alone as an offertory if needed or all of the students could play as a group offertory 🙂 My students LOVE to play group offertories!  (More info below this video)

So…I’m keeping written record of who knows what song and I plug them in when I know we’re singing a hymn they can play.

This gives my students more purpose in learning and they will progress very well with this opportunity in front of them 🙂

It’s amazing how well a student advances when given the opportunity!

Side note:

Each hymn arrangement will show a minus or plus number so the student can set the appropriate key on their keyboard.

Jenifer Cook is offering this great Christmas deal on her Simply Christmas piano/instrumental CD now through December 15th 2019…10pm EST!

This beautiful instrumental Christmas CD would make a  great stocking stuffer for a friend or family member.

Click on the CD cover picture to the right for more details.

 

Jenifer will provide a half hour of Christmas piano music on Saturday, December 14th at 8pm-8:30pm EST…Live on Facebook.  No facebook account needed to view the event.

Just use this link to view the event on December 14th

https://www.facebook.com/thechurchpianist/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s Jenifer’s Facebook Live Video from November 25, 2019

 

 

 

I was up before the sun this morning trying to finish my Dad’s vocal number entitled “Sing to the Lord a New Song.”

This make a great Thanksgiving choir special and it’s not real hard to learn 🙂 Sorry for working on it so late but doing my best.

Dad (Reece Yandle), wrote this song years ago and we’ve been intending to publish it as a SATB choir arrangement.

The melody of this song is very catchy and stays with you throughout the day..reminding you to praise the Lord!

Working on getting a sample for you all to hear. In the meantime….see sample picture of music below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“More About Jesus” is one of those challenging hymns to “dress-up”!

Wow! There are multiple pattern ideas for this song! I’m trying to settle on which ones to share with you all.

Did you know you can insert rests in place of the right hand melody during repetitive sections?  Doing this avoids overworking the hand and produces a smoother tone. More improvising tips and visuals soon!

Most of this hymn consists of the I and V chord with the exception of the  ii chord occurring once in the verse and one time in the chorus.

The upcoming video tutorial will cover the verse of “More About Jesus” in the key of G Major.

 

 

 

One of my piano students, Ady Lowder, surprised me by singing her first song which she recently composed.

We’re planning on putting it to paper for publication when able.

Watch this video clip to hear a portion of Ady’s new song.

Looking forward to sharing a video tomorrow that shares the big surprise I received this evening from one of my young piano students!

Stay tuned for tomorrow!  🙂

Just to bring my readers up to date!  I’m trying to finish my first left hand pattern booklet. The written copy is near completion.

Contents for Left Hand Pattern One (Booklet One)

Four measure music examples in addition to ample application for reinforcement! (Keys covered: C , F and G and B flat)

Video content:  Teaching session of entire booklet with extra info not  shown in booklet, this includes me playing all hymn examples in the booklet.

Now to create the video that will be included with the PDF booklet!

I’m sharing the Foreword page plus one page  of the booklet.

I’ve been thinking lately on  the different aspects of the church pianist’s role in the church.                                                                                                 

In my 30 plus years as church pianist, I’ve never been paid to serve in the area of music ministry.

I’m not apposed to those who are paid to serve but our mindset should be “to serve” regardless if we’re paid or not paid.

As a Christian, we know that we are to strive to be Christ-like and to love the church as Christ loved the church.

Therefore, I always want to try and honor God in all I do…especially within the church consisting of my  fellow believers.

Here’s a list of ideas that run through my mind when serving at our church. (I need to take heed to this list!)

 

1. Love my fellow believers as God would. It’s amazing how much falls into place when we just love our brethren no matter what.
2. Patiently mentor those who need lots of practice
3.  Think on words of songs while playing to clearly portray the message of the song (not just a bunch of useless dots on the page)  😉
4. Adequate preparation to be more effective
5. Compliment someone after they’ve played or sung a special to encourage them. (Slip them a text or note)
6. Remember to follow the song leader   (exception: use your own judgement if you have a leader lacking rhythmic abilities 😉
7. Give encouraging words to those you rehearse with (examples: Just sing from your heart!   I’ll pray for you as you sing, or thanks for being willing to sing, you’re such a blessing!)
8.  Be as organized as possible! (Keep things tidy around the piano areas, such as put away music)  I have a basket on the floor by the piano at church… that holds music I need on a regular basis.
9.  Give uprising pianists an opportunity to play for choir or prelude, etc. to build their experience level. (A great way to maintain a fill-in pianist for when you’re sick or out of town)  *Tip: try using them at least once a month to keep them in shape.  They do better if they play on a consistent schedule.
10. The piano bench doesn’t have my name engraved on it!   SHARE!!!

 

I attend a small country church in the foothills of North Carolina so some of the above tips/ideas may not apply to your situation.  We have what I call a very “unique” church because they are SO loving and supportive.

When someone sings a special…our congregation is  rooting for the singer or instrumentalist, supplying periodic “amens” and nodding of heads as they listen.  You’ve probably picked up on that from the videos I share.

We also include children in our special music ministry.  It thrills my heart to hear young ones sing.  More importantly, it thrills the heart of our Savior.

Feel free to share your thoughts on the role of a churh pianist.