I’ve been busy creating the video clips to support each page in the Left Hand Pattern Booklet One!

Here’s a sampling of the video clip for page one:

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.

One of my piano students recently requested improvising ideas for More About Jesus.

Specs I consider before improvising a hymn:

1. Key signature
2. Time signature
3. Chord structure
4. Tempo  (the faster the tempo = less notes, the slower the tempo= more notes

In this tutorial, I added improvised notes for a moderate tempo.

Click HERE for free printable version of “More About Jesus” (verse only)

“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.

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.

Something that has really been on my mind lately is the mind set of the church pianist regarding the role of a church pianist.

As a church pianist, do you ever give yourself a periodic mind check…to make sure you’re being effective?

I get so busy maintaining the special music schedule and practicing before and after services that it’s SO easy to forget other aspects in the church pianist’s role that you may not have considered.

I’m making a little list and will share it soon.  Once you see my list….maybe you’ll have some other ideas to share as well that would help us all as we strive to honor the Lord in our role as church pianist.

Meryt Wilson and I REALLY enjoyed getting together a couple weeks ago to discuss Accompanying Vocal Specials.  We came up with a series of short videos talking about various ideas on accompanying the vocalist.

Here are several practice tips for the church pianist who plays for vocal specials.

In our next video…we’ll share a couple thoughts when creating an intro for a vocal solo.  Meryt sings while I try to create intros!

Practice Tips

Part One

Finding time to practice vocal specials is a challenge for most church pianists!  Listen to Meryt Wilson and Jenifer Cook as they discuss this challenging topic.

Meryt Wilson, one of my dear piano friends and myself, try to get together at least once a year to boost our music creativity.
We decided this year to discuss the topic of Accompanying vocal specials.

This is just a candid conversation that took place between us.

Choosing the song for a singer may not be needed most of the time… but here are some suggestions on how it could benefit some singers.

Next video excerpt will discuss practicing tips with vocal specials!   Have you ever heard of audacity?  I’ll mention it in the next video.

What is the accompanist’s role? Should the vocal soloist sing a song just because it’s their favorite? What to do if a singer forgets his or her words? Should you play melody throughout?

Come join Jenifer Cook & Meryt Wilson for a time of discussion on the above topics and more…including funny or embarrassing moments as accompanists at the keyboard.

To be aired here on Jenifer’s website this Saturday, August 17, 2019.