Several weeks ago I sat down at the piano to create a congregational arrangement for one of my intermediate level students.

I lacked two measures finishing the hand-written copy when my student walked in for her lesson.

Instead of holding off to share…I assigned her to finish the last two measures on her own for that week.

I reminded her to stay true to the texture of the arrangement which she did very well!

Here’s the finished product that we thought we’d share with other church pianists that may need a quick offertory or as a congregational arrangement.

Click on hymn title for free download.   I’ve also posted Allie playing the arrangement below.

Come Ye Thankful People Come

Last Sunday I had to play for our church’s guest missionary couple. I had never heard of the song and there were at least five page turns.

I had one of our flute players turn pages for me.  Another quick tip helped a bunch!  I simply wrote the approaching chord on the last measure of each page so it would sound like I knew what I was doing at the turn of each page.  😉  Seriously,  this tip helped me stay in the right chord frame for each page turn.

The Choreo Keeper would have been a life saver that morning  but I left it at home where I use it the most.

This video gives suggestions on how to ease through an abrupt chord change in a hymn.  The hymn in this lesson is entitled “Where Jesus Is, ‘Tis Heaven”.

I had NEVER heard of this hymn until one of my readers recently shared it with me. Thanks Karen!

Download the two pages below before viewing the video. (For ease of reference)

Where Jesus Is, ‘Tis Heaven (original version)

Where Jesus Is, ‘Tis Heaven (improvised version)

Time for me to update/revise our church special music schedule!

I want to better utilize my progressing piano students during the service.

Here’s a picture of the updated schedule.

Students will be playing during prelude & offertories to keep in shape!

For those who haven’t heard…I write hymns for my piano students to play for congregational singing or to use as a piano solo for offertory.

Having them play during prelude provides that extra opportunity to keep them well-versed in their hymn playing.

My piano students tell me they are not as nervous when playing for prelude. (Another benefit of using them for prelude music)

Our church family loves seeing the young ones so involved in the music ministry!

Just this afternoon I had one of my intermediate students ask me, “What could I play during the echo section in the chorus of “It is Well?”

She enjoyed learning the left hand patterns I entered as a suggested route.  I told her if she would learn to recognize her chords in the hymnal…it would open up a whole realm of  improvising choices!

Click on the title below to download your copy of the chorus ideas for “It is Well.”

It is Well D Flat Major

Answer key for D flat major version (below)

Over the past year, I’ve had a good many of you ask for “improvising hymns” lessons. I wish I had time to teach all of you!

But wait….there may be a solution!

How many of you would be interested in mini-course lessons?
My husband and I started talking it over today.

I could try doing my first mini-lesson on Zoom. The lesson would cover just one specific topic.

I’m thinking a half hour per session at a cost of $10 per session with a

minimumof 5 applicants.

What are your thoughts? What specific topic would you like to see covered?

The “most mentioned” topic will be our first mini-lesson! I’m rooting for “chord substitutions” to be the first one 

I’ve also posted this on facebook and have a lot of  feedback/topics. So far…chord substitutions is the “most mentioned” topic.

I grew up in the Greenville SC area and always enjoyed hearing Shelly Hamilton play the piano.  She had a positive impact on my hymn playing style.  I enjoy using her Hymnproviser Workbook series (three books total) as reference material for my hymn playing teaching.

Click on this link to view Hymnproviser Workbook One.

For the next four Mondays, beginning April 13th at 2pm EST…Shelly Hamilton will teach fill-in ideas for one hymn per live-stream session. (30 minutes per session) She’s also planning on a question/answer time as well!  You will enjoy her teaching style as she shares how to make a hymn sound more full.

The live-stream sessions are geared to the intermediate church pianist.  Shelly is offering a quarantine special on this four session event!  I’m looking forward to tuning in for Shelly’s Virtual Hymn Playing Class starting this Monday at 2pm EST!

For more information, click on the following link: 

Virtual Hymn Playing with Shelly Hamilton

Lesson learned: Don’t schedule a vocal or instrumental ensemble during flu season!  Always have a standby on hand for vocal or offertory specials.

I have a nine voice mixed ensemble scheduled to sing this Sunday morning. Due to a lot of various sicknesses going around…I’ve secured a standby vocal solo for this Sunday morning.  I’ll let him know by Saturday afternoon whether or not he’ll need to sing.

I pray everyone who reads this is doing well!

Due to a VERY busy week with Mission’s Revival and moving our son and family…

I will try to publish the “Modulation Up a Whole Step” video by this Saturday.

My script,visuals and your free handout are ready!   Now…to create the video!

Can the church pianist modulate up a half step from verse to chorus during congregational singing? The answer is…yes!  🙂

(Of course….with the song leader’s permission)  😉

Jenifer gives  several modulating tips in the following video tutorial.

Click below the video to download the FREE printable that provides several modulation examples for modulating a half step from the verse to the chorus during congregational singing.

FREE MODULATION EXAMPLE SHEET

Part Two Modulation Up Whole Step