“The Haven of Rest” is one of my favorite hymns. I usually hear this hymn performed as a vocal solo.

As a pianist, we must learn to make the text come to life by animated accompaniment…making the message even more real and meaningful.

The first verse begins with a troubled scene of a lost soul but ends with the rescue by the Saviour!

So…we begin with a mood of turmoil. I use an up and down pattern in the right hand to depict the boistrous waves of the sea.

Then…the waves suddenly grow calm…when I hear the sweet voice of my Saviour. ( Notice the movement lessens in the accompaniment.)

I just want to keep going and explain the next part of the accompaniment because the mood of happiness increases… creating a cascading wave of crescendo as Jesus floods the ‘saved’ soul with unexplainable peace!

You’ll have to wait…part two will reveal this joyous picture of salvation.

Click here for Haven of Rest (piano accompaniment~~~part one)

I enjoyed creating this sacred piano arrangement of “To God be the Glory”.

Part one of this free arrangement is available at the following link:

https://thechurchpianist.com/free-piano-arrangement/the-church-pianist-free-sacred-piano-arrangement-part-one/

Click here for part two of “To God be the Glory” arrangement

It is getting closer to Thanksgiving and thought I would share a free sacred piano arrangement of “To God be the Glory”.

This piano arrangement would work for a short offertory or prelude.

I usually play this style for prelude.

Remember, this is only part one of this  free arrangement.

Click here to download:  To God be the Glory part one

I’m working on several future articles at the moment and thought I’d share a video of one of my piano arrangements: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2veeUKNkTb8

Once again, you’ll observe how the personal interpretation (variable speeds and volumes) brings the message of the song to life.

This piano arrangement of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” can be downloaded for free at:

 https://thechurchpianist.com/fill-ins/the-church-pianist-what-a-friend-we-have-in-jesus-interpretation/

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

Looking for easy choir arrangements? 

Check out this page at Rejoice Music:

https://www.rejoicemusic.com/Category.aspx?c=31

Our church just ordered: Honey in the Rock (SB)

*(SB means Saprano and Bass)

The 2 part harmony in this lively piece is easy to learn!