| The Church Pianist |
| A help ministry for church pianists all over the world! |
As a church pianist…I’m extra grateful for my parent’s influence on my life by providing me with a rich heritage of godly music.
My Dad turned 84 today and still singing for God’s glory.
Just thought I’d share a family video of him singing a couple of years ago with a long time family friend, Jerry Baker. Jerry Baker and his wife Linda, were missionaries in Christian broadcasting for a number of years.
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.
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!
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!
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.
Jenifer shares some of her heart felt thoughts on the subject of special music in the church service.
Wednesday night services are a special treat at our church. Our Pastor studies hard to make Wednesday nights VERY practical.
We learn SO much and feel we can’t afford to miss a Wednesday night service!
But what about having special vocal music on a Wednesday night?
Buyer pays shipping not included in price. Orders within US only please. Paypal preferred payment.
Contact me at: jenifer@thechurchpianist.com… if interested.
I was up before the sun this morning trying to finish my Dad’s vocal number entitled “Sing to the Lord a New Song.”
This make a great Thanksgiving choir special and it’s not real hard to learn 🙂 Sorry for working on it so late but doing my best.
Dad (Reece Yandle), wrote this song years ago and we’ve been intending to publish it as a SATB choir arrangement.
The melody of this song is very catchy and stays with you throughout the day..reminding you to praise the Lord!
Working on getting a sample for you all to hear. In the meantime….see sample picture of music below.
One of my piano students, Ady Lowder, surprised me by singing her first song which she recently composed.
We’re planning on putting it to paper for publication when able.
Watch this video clip to hear a portion of Ady’s new song.
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.
