Archive for the ‘Music Book or CD Reviews’ Category

More Piano Duet Books to Preview!

Friday, April 1st, 2011

I have enjoyed searching out sacred piano duets for the intermediate level.  Here are a few I found online just since yesterday that you may want to check out.

1.Hymn Duets-One Piano-Four Hands-arranged by Sid Richardson (Alfred Music Publishing)

*Audio of sample page shown in the above link

2.Side by Side-arranged by Jeff Bennett (Lillenas Publishing) *Click on this title to hear and see samples and pdf downloads

3. Partners in Praise (Intermediate with Advanced Partner) arranged by Marilynn  Ham (Lillenas Publishing) *see samples and pdf downloads

4. Piano Duets for All Seasons arranged by Ethel Tench Rogers (Lillenas Publishing) *see samples and pdf downloads

5. Double Blessings arranged by Jolene Boyd (Lillenas Publishing) * see samples and pdf downloads

     *Audio of sample page shown in the above link

I found the first book on the above list at Amazon for only $4 total! I’ll share some audio samples from intermediate sacred piano duet books I own later tonight or tomorrow 🙂

Resources for Sacred Piano Duets (Intermediate)

Friday, April 1st, 2011

One of my readers recently sent in the following question concerning intermediate sacred piano duets. I thought I would also share the answer with my readers who  may be searching out sacred piano duets at the intermediate level.

I was wondering if you and/or Mrs. Hamilton have a book of intermediate piano duets done with one piano.  I saw that you had arrangements for 2 pianos but I don’t have that luxury. 

Thanks for any help that you can give me.
 
God bless,
Karen
  
My answer to Karen’s question:
 
I wish I did have piano duets available. Although…I do have one piano duet available in my “Showers of Blessing” book published through Soundforth.
If you’ll tell me what level you’re looking for…I may be able to list some duet books of interest. Thanks.
  
 Sincerely, 
 Jenifer
 
Piano Duet Books
 
Here’s a book I recently purchased from Soundforth entitled: Like a River Glorious (intermediate piano duets arranged by Rebecca Bonam)
Hear the audio excerpts below by clicking on each title.  See sample pages by clicking HERE
 
 Audio excerpts:
 
 
 
 
 
Another nice intermediate piano duet book is “Standing on the Promises” arrangements by Nathan Arnold.
See samples pages HERE
 
I’ll share several more books as soon as possible.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sacred Piano Book Review & Giveaway

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

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)

 

Upcoming Article: Sacred Piano Book Review

Tuesday, March 8th, 2011

 

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.