This mini-series resulted in one of my reader’s recent comments.

She asked some excellent questions! The comment reads….

 “I have trouble filling in the blank spaces in songs (for example, whole notes, or the end of a verse, leading into the next verse).

I have no idea what to play in those spots and sometimes, that creates an uncertainty for the congregation about when to start singing again. What can I play to help sort of “lead in”?   Thank you!”

~Stephanie~

 This mini-series is designed for the church pianist who plays from the hymnal but would like to learn simple fill-ins for long-held notes such as dotted half notes, whole notes or tied notes. (I’ll address the latter part of Stephanie’s question in another mini-series).

 For starters, let’s focus on fill-ins at the end of a verse leading into the chorus. Two factors determine what can be played for any fill-in:

1. Note duration (length of note at end of verse)
2. Chord progression from verse to chorus (see music below for more details).

 To keep things simple, I will show one fill-in idea using examples in easy keys.

A. Fill-in for chord progression: I to IV  ( view and print PDF Music Examples)

 

Challenge: Try same piano fill-in on the following hymns:

I Know Whom I Have Believed

What a Day That Will Be

Glory to His Name

 

 This is just one fill-in idea! There are many more 🙂  No need to overload your brain at this point 🙂

Part two of piano hymn fill-ins will include more fill-in ideas!

Thanks Stephanie for the questions! Hopefully this will help other church pianists needing to learn more fill-in ideas.

I meant to include this audio for the free piano arrangement of Jesus Loves Me. 

Audio of Jesus Loves Me

Free Pdf piano arrangement of Jesus Loves Me

 

A hymn which has truly stood the test of time…Jesus Loves Me.

This hymn was born from a story read by the co-author…William Bradbury.

The story goes…

A young boy was dying and a dear friend read the boy this beautiful poem for comfort…

“Jesus loves me!  this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong, they are weak but He is strong.

Jesus loves me! He who died Heaven’s gate to open wide; He will wash away my sin, let His little child come in.

Jesus loves me! He will stay close beside me all the way.; He’s prepared a home for me, and some day His face I’ll see.”

What comforting words!

William saw this poem as an excellent song for children. He wrote a melody for the poem and added the chorus as we all know…

“Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes Jesus loves me! Yes Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.”

This hymn has reached the hearts of  young and old alike.

The next article will provide a free piano arrangement of this well-loved hymn.

I’m just sharing an excellent website for church pianists!

The name of the website is sacredsheetmusic.com

I love this site!  You can download music in pdf format

for a modest price.  My favorite feature is the play button

on the top of the pdf sample page. I always like to ‘hear’ an

arrangement before purchase.

You can also find vocal and other instrumental arrangements!

Here’s the link to the piano duet I’m getting ready to purchase.

http://sacredsheetmusic.com/shop/catalog/images/V-P000093E.pdf

It’s an excellent offertory for me and one of my piano students.

Oh, if you are a song writer or arranger, you can also submit your

music to this website but please read the guidelines before doing so.

  Homepage link:

http://sacredsheetmusic.com/shop/catalog/index.php

Hope you enjoy the resources on this website!

There are exceptions, but these are the general guidelines
coming from my personal experience in the music ministry.

  A. Relationship Between the Song Leader and Church Pianist

   1. Pianist should submit to song leader but still have
      a healthy “working team” relationship.

   2. Of course, during choir is not the time for the pianist
      to make suggestions unless the song leader specifically
      ask for assistance.

   3. The pianist is to follow the song leader during congregational
      singing, choir specials and invitation time.
 
   4. Exception: if the song leader doesn’t direct with his hands…
      the pianist is to establish the singing tempo.

   5. Be willing to accept suggestions

   6. Respect the song leader’s position; allowing him to maintain
      the leadership role.

   7, Open communication between song leader and pianist is of upmost
      importance.

B.  Job Description of the Church Pianist
 
   1. Be punctual
      *I always try to arrive 15 minutes early to all services and
       5 – 10 minutes early to choir practices. This allows time for
      last minute details. (such as: changes to music schedule due to
      sickness or maybe Pastor needed to change order of service for
      some reason.)

   2. Follow the leader 🙂
     
   3. Display a willing spirit

   4. Be flexible!

   5. Be hospitable 🙂
      *Greet the choir members with a smile as they enter for a practice.

   6. Be prepared
      *Practice choir music or other special music in advance if at all possible.

C.  Developing the Special Music Program

    I enjoy recruiting new members for the special music program!
    Does your church or choir contain people that you know could sing a special
    but they are too timid to come forward?

    (Keep in mind..I’m the one who maintains the music schedule which
    keeps me more in tune with this area on a regular basis.)

    Here’s an approach I use to encourage the more reluctant singers.

    Alot of times, one of our special music people will approach me and
    say, “Have you heard so and so sing? He or she does a great job but
    thinks they can’t sing.”
 
    I’ll simply approach that person and ask them if they would mind singing
    in a large ensemble for a special…say…a Wednesday  or Sunday night.

    (Evening services are usually more comfortable for beginning singers.)

   Over time, I’ll decrease the amount of people in that person’s group until
    they’re singing comfortably in a duet or maybe even a solo. Sneaky huh?
    It works!

    I especially like to take a personal interest in children wanting to sing
    for church. They’re the future and need to be trained and encouraged while
    at a tender, workable age.

    Choosing the song for new or old singers is of upmost importance. The song
    must suit their vocal range. For example, you wouldn’t want to choose a song
    with a lot of high notes for a low voice singer.
  
    This can make the difference in whether the person will want to sing. They
    need to feel as comfortable as possible while ministering through song.

    Although this is not an exhaustive list…I hope it has helped to define the
    role of the church pianist. I could only share what I have learned.
   
    As things come to mind…I’ll share more in this area of thinking.

What is the Role of the Church Pianist?

Part One of this article is more of an introduction.

Part two will contain more specific information regarding the role of the church pianist.

Good question!  The role of the church pianist
varies from church to church.

Before I share some thoughts with you….I’ll
explain our church…so you can understand where
I’m coming from.

Our church is a small country church nestled in
the foothills of North Carolina.

The people are very friendly and family-oriented.

Most of the members have lived in the area
their entire life.

What I’m trying to say is….the needs of the church
determines the criteria for the church pianist.

In some churches, the church pianist may be the
only music person available. In this case, the
pianist may have to lead the congregation and choir
in song while playing the piano. What a challenge!
I know at least one of my readers has that situation.
I admire her for her efforts.

At other churches, the pianist may serve the role as
pianist only. (That’s my role).

Whether you’re the main music person or just filling
the role as church pianist…the following tips will
hopefully encourage and direct you as you serve in
the music ministry.

These are things that have personally helped me in my
way of thinking towards serving in the music ministry.

1. I’m a servant..serving the Lord.

2. Not to think of myself above others; no comparsion.
   Every church member is of equal importance to God.

3. Love my church family

   The following are natural outcomes of point #3….

4. Support and encourage those in the music ministry.
     Example: “Your song was a blessing.” or…
     “Thanks for being willing to sing.”

5. Pray for those in the music ministry

6. Always communicate in love

7. Use constructive guidance as needed
     (This can occur only after building a trusting relationship.)
     This applies if the person or persons you’re accompanying
     are seeking helpful pointers.

Please understand…these are just a few ideas that have helped to create

a proper mindset in me as church pianist.

Each church is different as far as their needs. Just ask God for
wisdom as you seek to serve Him where He has placed you.

      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’m looking forward to part two of:  What is the Role of the Church Pianist?

Some of the  following issues will be covered:

*The relationship between  the song leader and church pianist.  (Who’s in charge?)

*Job description of the church pianist (What’s expected of me?)

*Developing  the Special Music Program (How the church pianist can help grow the special music program)

I can’t wait to share these ideas with you in full detail. 

After reading this article, you may come up with your own ideas of ways to become more effective as

church pianist.  Above all else, may God receive the glory of our efforts as we seek to serve Him.

I discovered a website offering free sacred music.

It appears to be in the beginning stages, as far as selection of music…. but may prove helpful
to your needs as a church pianist.

This website also invites budding arrangers to donate their music for possible pulication.

If you have a sacred piano arrangement lying around that you’ve written…try submitting it
to share with others. It’s a good way to test the waters to see if it’s an area you may want
to further pursue.

The Free Sacred Music Website offers the following free music products:

Piano Solos
Piano Duos/Ensembles
Vocal Music
Congregational songs
Instrumental arrangements
List of other online resources

Click on the link below to take you directly to this website.

http://freesacredmusic.com/home

Of course, my blog also offers free piano and vocal arrangements.
Some of the links are as follows:

http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2009/03/church-pianist-free-vocal-arrangement.html

http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2009/02/church-pianist-free-piano-arrangement.html