| The Church Pianist |
| A help ministry for church pianists all over the world! |
Did you know that an octave stretch on Chopin’s piano was equivalent to a 7th on our piano?
He didn’t have to stretch as far as us!
Chopin also taught three lessons a week to each student!
Just finished watching this very educational video on “tone color”
I’m preparing a video tutorial on pedal suggestions for the church pianist who would appreciate some helpful tips on how to sound smooth when playing hymns.
Get ready with these prep tips!
More pedaling tips coming soon!
Thought I’d share a brief book review on a book I’m currently reading entitled “Playing Beyond the Notes”.
The writer communicates the different musical concepts with ample illustrations.
It’s one of those kind of books you can pick up and randomly choose a chapter of interest without losing the overall flow of the book.
A great reference book for any piano teacher, piano student or church pianist wanting to sharpen their skills in the area of music interpretation!
Click HERE to purchase or preview “Playing Beyond the Notes” by Deborah Rambo Sinn
I have two vocal Easter arrangements to publish this week but delayed due to learning new apps along with a new computer.
In the meantime…thought I’d share a picture of my humble music library. (I do have a few more books not pictured below)
I’m reading “Playing Beyond the Notes” right now…a great find! I’ll takes notes and share some of the highlights once I finish the book.
For example: The chapter dealing with the treatment of a ritardando…”If the ritardando is begun too soon, one risks “putting the baby to sleep too early”.
Many of you have asked about how to finger the runs and glissando in Then Sings My Soul piano arrangement.
Here’s a demo of the glissando on the last page of Then Sings My Soul.
Tip: I began the glissando with my 2nd finger…then immediately turned 2nd & 3rd finger under… and glazed across the keys…no need to batter your fingers with too much pressure 😉
I will give fingering tips soon for the runs in Then Sings My Soul.
Video Tip: If you pause and drag the timeline on video …you can watch in slow motion for a better look at the glissando.
The following excerpt was taken from my Easter arrangement “Were You There” (to be published sometime in Feb. 2017)
Many have asked how I play runs so fast and smooth.
My answer: fingering and body movement are important factors in creating a smooth and fast run.
Keep hands close to keys…wrist level with hands. Allow hands to follow shape of the note groups….turning thumb ahead of time to make smooth transition into next group of notes. (The thumb starts each group.) The body…waist up… should also follow the run….bend slightly at the waist to the right… and lean toward keys a little for full body support.
(Watch this video for demonstration of body support movement during similar runs) *Start about 1:10 on this video
Use fingering that follows the natural shape of the run…allowing for ease of movement throughout the run. ( suggested fingering for right hand run at measure 48… 1-2-3-5)
Notice the loose wrist and arm movement as I cross into each group. ( I prefer to play 4 groups of this run instead of 3 but trying to be reasonable 😉
The following video samples begin at measure 47 (first time…fast….second time…slow)
A Great Find for Church Pianists!
I just subscribed to Dorothy Taubman’s youtube channel. I’ve known of Dorothy’s work and have gleaned from several of her youtube lessons over the years.
I would love to attend piano clinics but distance is usually a factor so I bring learning to my living room via youtube and other internet resources.
If you want to play with ease, you will enjoy the following video. I was encouraged to discover that I teach some of the same solutions for technical passages but enjoyed hearing Dorothy’s easy-to-understand solutions!
Helpful Resource for Church Pianists!
This will be one of several videos I’ll share from my recent trip to the annual Wilds Music Conference. I had not planned on videoing the sessions…thinking they were being done by someone professionally. So…you will have to put up with my amateur recordings 🙂 The first part of Hymnplaying Master Class on Tuesday consisted of an open discussion on the benefits of piano duets…even with a few composer tips from Faye and Duane on writing quality piano duets. I’ll start with the benefits of playing piano duets: *Allows time to focus on basic techniques with easier playing passages…such as phrasing, pedaling, dynamic balance between two players, etc. *Prepares pianist to think and play like an accompanist. For example, both pianists have to keep melody dominant throughout. The pianist without melody part must remain in the background (so to speak)…allowing the melody to be heard. *Playing piano duets can improve the pianist’s sense of rhythm. Teaches them to play different rhythms against the other player. Such as: one pianist may play triplets while the other is playing straight eighths. (fun! fun!) The pianists are forced to play the correct rhythm if they are to stay together. *Encourages teamwork!
Now…on to several composer tips in writing piano duets:
*Stack duet parts on one page so both pianists are aware of the full picture. *Try the duet with another pianist to check for hand collisions (I speak from experience on this one) 😉 *Avoid writing in excessive extreme registers (real low or high). Too high gives the primo a “tinty” or “empty” sound. Writing primo section more near the middle of the piano gives the piece a more balanced, pleasing tone. Playing too low will give the duet a “cloudy/muddled” tone.
Piano duets on this video:
O Come All Ye Faithful from: “O Come All Ye Faithful” by Nathan Arnold
I Need Thee Every Hour from: “Standing on the Promises” by Nathan Arnold
Saved! Saved! from: “Like a River Glorious” by Rebecca Bonam
Dwelling Beulah Land from: ? (I think it was a Rebecca Bonam duet…not sure)
Other Piano Duet Book List:
Immortal Invisible by Dan Forest
Crown Him Lord of All by Dan Forest
Joy to the World by Rebecca Bonam (piano solo book with three duets!)
Tip: Don’t forget those duets in the back of your piano solo books you may have 🙂
*The above book titles are clickable links that carry you to BJU Press. However, these books are no longer available through BJU Press. Go to Lorenz to purchase them. (or try Ebay or Amazon)
