Archive for the ‘congregational singing’ Category

Simply Hymns for Beginners!

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025

I created these hymn arrangements for my students.  They are able to play along with congregational singing with these straightforward arrangements or use the pieces for offertory or prelude.

Most of the songs are either C Major (where each hand is covering CDEFG) or  Middle C Position (Thumbs share middle C)

There are ten arrangements (4 of the hymns are 2 pages long)  but every hymn contains one verse and chorus.

Grace Greater

Jesus Loves the Little Children

Like a River

Nothing but the Blood

O Worship the King

Redeemed

Revive Us Again

Tell it to Jesus

Trust and Obey

Work for the Night

See the three samples below:

 

Simply Hymns Beginner Piano Solos Collection
Simply Hymns Beginner Piano Solos Collection
Ten Hymns: Grace Greater, Jesus Loves the Little Children, Like a River, Nothing but the Blood, O Worship the King, Redeemed, Revive Us Again, Tell it to Jesus, Trust and Obey and Work for the Night is Coming
Price: $10.50

 

Hymn Playing Class

Monday, July 21st, 2025

Tomorrow is the second and last one hour class for hymn playing this summer.  The first class dealt with five part congregational style playing, phrasing and learning the different types of hymns/songs from the hymnal.

I will continue to develop my curriculum during this  school year as I share the lessons with my students.

Tomorrow’s session will cover fill-in notes for the dotted quarter note, half note and dotted half note.

I’m in the beginning stage for working up a tutorial book for hymn playing. Here’s one of the many examples I will be sharing tomorrow.

The class is made up of my early intermediate to intermediate students.

(Keep in mind this project is still under construction).

Tip for Smoother Sound: Create Tied Notes!

Thursday, June 26th, 2025

Just as a reminder. The hymns in a hymnal are written for voice parts only.  The pianist has to adapt the hymns to sound more piano-like.

Play the hymnal version vs. the revised version to feel the difference. The revised version should feel smoother and sound less mechanical.

All you’re doing is creating tied notes for the repeated alto notes and half note octaves for the left hand.

Love Lifted Me (Chorus) Congregational Style

Tuesday, October 8th, 2024

I shared an arrangement for the verse of Love Lifted Me several days ago.

Just barely sliding into home base to complete this before my house is full of grand kids this evening for the rest of this week!

This arrangement can accompany congregational singing, vocal ensemble or instrumental solo/ensemble.

How does this key work for you all?  (B flat Major)

Click the song title to download your free copy of Love Lifted Me

The verse is available at this link:  VERSE ONLY

 

Love Lifted Me (free congregational arrangement)

Saturday, October 5th, 2024

Does your song leader direct Love Lifted Me in fast mode?

Our song leader sure does!  It’s my son 😉

This particular arrangement barely fits within my son’s speed…quarter note = 120

Remember…the faster the tempo….the less you play!

If I had to play this any faster…I would adapt by playing more dotted quarter note chords  because it would be harder to grab the busy details the faster it goes!

Hope you enjoy this “fun to play”  style.

Click here to download your free copy of the verse for Love Lifted Me (congregational style). Tip:  You can use this arrangement to accompany a flute solo!

LOVE LIFTED ME  (verse only)

Chorus coming soon!

Free Congregational for Love Lifted Me Coming Soon!

Friday, October 4th, 2024

I just created a congregational arrangement of Love Lifted Me.

The verse will be available tomorrow!  I will write the chorus asap!

I wanted to give church pianists fill-in ideas for a peppy 6/8 hymn 🙂

FREE Sacred Piano Arrangement: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

Wednesday, February 28th, 2024

I shared a post a couple of years ago of me playing “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” excerpt from my congregational playing at my church.

A good handful of you have expressed interest in that arrangement.  I tried to duplicate the arrangement into written form.

This particular arrangement is accompaniment style only… not compatible as a piano solo.

Click on the following title to download this free piano congregational arrangement.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Easy-Piano-Christmas Congregationals-Late-Elementary

Tuesday, November 21st, 2023

Last year, I wrote out the following arrangements for my late elementary to early intermediate student who covered for me while I was out of town on a Sunday.

I created arrangements that would be easy for my student to learn in time to play. The student I’m speaking about is our Pastor’s daughter.  She is now a true early intermediate and enjoys taking part in our music ministry.   I’m excited with her progress!   Would love to share what all she’s been doing  but will save that for her interview after Thanksgiving.

Each of these arrangements include an introduction.  The songs are also in a lower key for the benefit of our congregation.  Our congregation sings out SO much more when we lower the hymns. These arrangements can be used for piano solos or congregational singing!

Click on image to view sample pages

Easy-Piano-Christmas Congregationals-Late-Elementary
Five Late elementary Christmas congregational arrangements. Each arrangement includes an introduction. These arrangements can be used as piano solos or congregational singing. Song list: Away in a Manger, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, O Come All Ye Faithful, Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne, What Child is This?
Price: $8.00

 

Meet Maddie the Church Pianist

Monday, November 13th, 2023

Meet Maddie the church pianist who loves learning to play!

Maddie started out in Level 1A (Faber books) and reached level 5 in two years!

Watch this video to hear Maddie share her journey thus far… Please feel free to share by copying this link to your social platform  Maddie the Church Pianist

A Mighty Fortress is Our God (FREE Congregational)

Saturday, October 7th, 2023

Awhile ago, one of my readers asked if I had a congregational arrangement for “A Might Fortress is Our God.”

I didn’t at the time but decided to tackle it this week.  This particular arrangement is for the late intermediate church pianist.

What a challenge to stay within the written chords from the hymnal! Maybe I need to come up with a piano solo for this hymn too.

Important Notice!

This arrangement was created for congregational style only.  If  you insert the melody in measures #16 and #20…it can be used for a piano solo.

Print your own copy for free and then listen to the audio while you’re holding the music!

A Mighty Fortress is Our God (FREE PDF)

 A Mighty Fortress is Our God (audio)

 

Search Site
Article Categories