Finally! Here is part two of the free piano offertory
for this week.

This piano offertory is an old hymn reminding us of what
a special place heaven must be. 

The text depicts a happy mood. I tried to make it simple
but peppy.

Notice the bouncy rhythm in the left hand on page one
used to convey a cheerful message.

Audio sample: (Complete audio of this free piano offertory)

How_Beautiful_Heaven_Must_Be_Medley

Click here to print music: How_Beautiful_Heaven_Must_Be_page_two

I enjoy simple offertories…meaning…piano arrangements with a clear melody presentation.

Here’s part one of a free piano offertory.

The lyrics are added to help the church pianist focus on the message of the hymn.

In a future article, I will share the editor notes for this piano selection;

giving you explanations for my improvising ideas in this free offertory.

I don’t normally do this, but I’m creating this piano medley as I go. Part two

will present the rest of this free piano arrangment of the “Heaven Medley”.

Hope you all had a great Sunday serving the Lord.

How_Beautiful_Heaven_Must_Be

How Beautiful Heaven Must Be Part Two

This easy offertory idea works great for two pianos

without the need for a fancy arrangement written for

two pianos.

I just type a simple layout of a hymn from the hymnal and

the other pianist and I play from the hymnal…adding our

own embellishments. This works well if both pianists can

improvise comfortably.

Here’s one we just did last Wednesday for an easy offertory.

In _Times_ Like _These

1. Emphasize melody throughout

2. De-emphasize anything that’s not melody
to avoid a sluggish tempo or mechanical tone.

3. In 3/4 time….heaviest accent is on the first
beat of each measure. (for a more shapely tone)

4. Measure #10: Careful to keep inner voice move-
ment notes on beat one (eighth notes only)
of right hand softer than melody.

I’ll discuss inner voice movement in a future article.

Try some of these left hand accompaniment ideas out on a simliar hymn…such as…..Jesus Saves.

Here’s a youtube video of my arrangement entitled:

“America the Beautiful”.

Youtube url: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3DU2Y1_7tc

Click here for free pdf piano arrangement of America the Beautiful

Jesus_ Paid_ it_ All pdf

Here’s a free piano arrangment of one of my

 favorite hymns: “Jesus Paid It All”

I just posted a video on youtube playing a medley
of “Amazing Grace”.

For offertory, I’ll sometimes just play a hymn and tag on a
chorus or verse/chorus of a song with a similar theme.

Click on the link below to hear the “Amazing Grace” medley.

(Maybe it could help give you ideas
for doing one of your own.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94ATDkkMgus

One of my blog guests asked if I would
post a video of me playing on youtube.

I borrowed a friend’s camcorder over
the weekend to make the recording.

This will give you an idea of my style.

The arrangement, Wonderful Peace, is one
I had published several years ago.

It’s available in sheet music at Soundforth (BJU Press).

http://www.bjupress.com/product/240895?path=1484

Youtube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LAshr2DqdQ