I was in fifth grade when I received my first improvising lesson from the hymnal.

The hymn I improvised was At Calvary.  It took me at least two months to learn the improvised style in a flowing rhythm.

Here are the first two improvising steps I learned to create a fuller sound in hymnplaying.

First, open a hymnal to the hymn: “Like a River Glorious”.  I chose this hymn because it is in an easy key and contains a simple rhythm.

Let me preface the lesson with the following clarification: The soprano is the top note on the treble staff; while the alto is under the soprano note.

The tenor note is the top note on the bass staff and the bass note is under the tenor note.

Step #1:  Add the tenor note to the right hand when feasible (right thumb plays this note).

You should be playing a total of three notes in the right hand. (tenor, alto and soprano)

Exception: Sometimes the tenor note fits better between the alto and soprano note.

This usually occurs when the alto and soprano have a greater distance between them; allowing room for

the tenor note to fit between them.

It is best to practice the right hand alone (with the added tenor) until a steady flow is maintained.

Expect to feel disoriented at first; having to add the tenor note to the right hand without it written that way.

Step #2: Double the bass note (left thumb is placed on the written bass note and duplicated an octave below with the pinky).

(Doubling the bass note is basically playing in octaves.) This second step really adds a deep, rich sound to the hymn.

Be prepared to slow down when adding the left hand to the right hand.

The following two step improvising lesson can be described as playing in five-part style:

Three notes in the right hand and two notes in the left hand.

Keep in mind, it took me two months to play one hymn with this two step improvising lesson.

Once you play one hymn this way, you can apply the same two step process to all other hymns.

Choose other hymns in easy keys with simple rhythms at first. Once you’ve gained some confidence,

you can move on to hymns in harder keys with more complex rhythms.

This two step improvising method will allow a pianist to sound full enough to support congregational singing.

Over time, more improvising skills can be obtained; adding life and fullness to hymnplaying.

Part two will contain a video demonstrating this two step improvising piano lesson along with a free pdf arrangement

of Like a River Glorious in five-part style.

Click here to see video of my first improvising lesson

Tags: like a river glorious

This entry was posted on Friday, September 18th, 2009 at 9:16 pm and is filed under Improvising hymns. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.