Click HERE to access the free two page handout for today’s video session. (July 6, 2018)

Here’s the answer key below…

Page one

Page two

Sorry it took awhile to share my Master Class video from this year’s Composer’s Symposium in Atlanta, Ga.

The quality of sound isn’t that great but hopefully you can make out what’s being said from the critique panel.

My husband and I have enjoyed staying in a cabin by a mountain stream for the past couple of days.

Thought I’d share two sacred impromptu piano solos down by the stream…relaxing…to help me get in the writing mood!

Easy Six Beat Note Fill In!

Sharing one of my favorite fill ins for pianists!

Use this fill in for hymns in 3/4, 9/4, 6/8, 9/8 and 12/8

Where to use? On a melody note lasting 6 beats.

How to use? Determine what chord is being used during the six count note.

Left hand plays single bass note in lower register of keyboard on 1st beat and plays a chord on fourth beat.

Right hand enters on beats two through beat six.

Tip: To prevent disorientation….notice the melody note you’re heading to after the fill-in.

Apply to hymns of like nature using the time signatures listed above.

Below…is a video demonstrating the four examples from video above.

Need piano offertory ideas for When I Survey? I just shared a few tips with a skype student yesterday that may be helpful for other church pianists.

Keep in mind this lesson is geared to the early intermediate student but the tips are applicable to all levels of church pianists.

To me…a wordy hymn is just that…a hymn with a lot of words which also contains a  busy rhythm such as  eighth notes.

Watch the video below to learn a tip on how to make wordy hymns sound smooth instead of choppy.

Click on title to download FREE pdf for the verse of “My Savior First of All”

Do any of your special music people ask you to help them choose a special?  Over time…our special music people have learned that I ENJOY helping them choose a song.  Watch the video below to learn a suggested tip on how I help them choose their special. (There are other factors too but dealing with the main one first.)  🙂

What a touching story behind the writing of  “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”.   I had never heard it until today.

Wow! What a heart breaking story about the author…yet…his love for Christ grew stronger…watch to see what it took to bring “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” to pass…Click here for free piano arrangement of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

My daughter-in-law, Jackie Cook and I finally got together to create this video of my sacred violin arrangement of “Nearer My God to Thee.”

Thank you Jackie for suggesting that I create a violin arrangement for “Nearer My God to Thee”.  It was also a blessing to hear you play this piece!

I am not a violinist by nature 😉 so….Jackie gave me several great pointers in order to maintain the intermediate level of this arrangement.

I hope this arrangement of “Nearer My God to Thee” is a blessing to you as well.  Sheet music available HERE

Side note:  Jackie’s next violin solo request “This is My Father’s World”.