I’m always looking for easy arrangements for men’s ensemble or choir. Our choir has short practices due to many members travelling long distance to church. Therefore, we try to use two to three part arrangements…depending on who’s available to sing.
Several of our young men recently formed a singing group. They learned an easy two part arrangement of “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”. I think they practiced only three times due to time and distance factors. I thought they did real well for a first time together!
I’m sharing a youtube video of the men’s ensemble so you can hear how the arrangement turned out.
This two part men’s arrangement is available for purchase at the following link:
The words to “Come Thou Fount” were penned by a preacher named Robert Robinson in 1758. He wrote this song several years after coming to know Christ.
Robert was prone to wander like all of us as revealed in the words “…prone to wander Lord I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love;” But then his request of renewed devotion “Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above.”
For those that have wondered about the meaning of “Ebenezer” in verse two….”Here I raise mine Ebenezer…” Ebenezer means “stone of help”.
Click on song title below to download a free ladies’ two part acapella arrangement. I’ve offered the arrangement in two different keys.
When you think of Mother’s Day songs…you think of songs that offer tribute to Mothers, right?
Well, why not consider songs of devotion to God that can be sung by a group of ladies or female solo? As mothers, we constantly strive to live a godly life. Why not sing about that devotion?
Here are a few suggestions for ladies’ ensemble: (Click on each song title to view music)
As promised….here’s a free piano arrangement of “The Old Rugged Cross”. I wrote it in memory of Letha Snodgrass, my piano student and friend. Sorry I didn’t post this sooner for those who would have used it for Easter. I just haven’t been in the writing mood lately until now.
Due to the recent home going of one of my piano students…I’ve been preparing music for her funeral. I came across these two songs that I thought I’d share with other church pianists in case they have not heard of them. Both of these pieces are VERY comforting and appropriate for any occasion but especially for funerals.
This has been a very difficult week. One of my piano students I’ve been mentoring to be a church pianist passed away this week…very unexpectedly. Please pray for the family.
I’ve managed to prepare a “free accompaniment” idea for Heaven Came Down. This particular hymn contains a mundane bass line..making it a challenge for the average church pianist to create an interesting accompaniment. What to do? You have to play what’s not there 🙂 Easy said…but a challenge to do right? For that reason, I’m sharing a free accompaniment idea that can be used for the verse of this hymn.
I”m limited on what I can share because this hymn is still under copyright. Therefore, I can only share a small portion for educational purposes only…(called the “fair use” law). Just use the same accompaniment idea to finish out the verse. I would tend to use this accompaniment idea ONLY if the congregation is secure with their voice parts…whatever that may be. Most of our congregation sings melody.
After publishing a video of me playing “How Great Thou Art” in a nursing home…I began receiving requests on youtube and my website for a copy of this arrangement. The funny thing about this arrangement…it was spontaneous.
After at least two years in the make (on and off–during this time frame)…I am about to put the finishing touches on this arrangement. It will be available by March 15th !
Keep in mind…the arrangement of “How Great Thou Art” won’t be exact note for note as played but…will be VERY close 🙂 It took me about 20 minutes to re-create about 3 measures at a time. I would watch my youtube video by the piano and pause ALOT to write what I heard.
Thanks to all who encouraged me to write this arrangement of “How Great Thou Art”.
Recently, I’ve been working on an arrangement of “Rock of Ages”. The introduction contains what I call “weighty chords”…chords with three or more notes. Thus, the following tip…
Scenario: A pianist sees a chord with three or more notes…(brain computes)…HEAVY touch! Your brain thinks….I can’t possibly mash all those notes down at once without attacking them 😉 Word of caution: Relax and apply gentle even pressure as though you’re lightly kneading dough… to avoid a “chunky” or “weighted” sound…especially when the full chords occur on the weak beats.
For example, in 4/4 time, the 1st and 3rd beats are naturally accented. Therefore the 2nd and 4th beats are weaker. In 3/4 time…only the first beat of each measure receives the accent. Why? To produce a more shapely rhythm and to avoid a mechanical/laboured sound.
The following excerpt is from an arrangement that will be included in a “Funeral Collection” which I hope to finish within the next several months. Notice the full chords in the left hand. I will give a brief demonstration of a suggested way to interpret these chords…fighting against the natural tendency of “heavy hand” treatment.
I know I’ve shared free arrangements of “Just As I Am” prior to this…but wanted to share a longer arrangement of it this time. I’m feverishly working on a “congregational” accompaniment book for the pianists at our church. If all goes well…I will offer it on my site once I acquire a generous collection of hymns.
Our church pianists have enjoyed using the “working” copy of this book. They like the pre-made introductions…especially for those awkward entry hymns that require “special treatment” for a comfortable introduction. The song leader has also commented on it making his job easier.
Without further introduction…here’s your free piano arrangement of“Just As I Am”
Click on the above title in “red” for the arrangement
Special note: I haven’t included an introduction to this arrangement yet because we mainly use background music for invitation. I may consider modulating for some of the other invitation hymns in this book.
Another special note: This particular arrangement is not included in the first congregational collection but a more elaborate arrangement of Just As I Am is included in the Piano Invitation Collection.
