One of my students, Hannah Myers, has just published her first sacred piano arrangement of “Be Thou My Vision”. (late intermediate level) Hannah will be a freshman in junior high this fall.
She has had some wonderful piano teachers. I only started teaching her this past school year. God has richly blessed her!
Below, is a video of Hannah playing her arrangement of “Be Thou My Vision”.
You can view a sample page and purchase this arrangement by clicking on the following title:
“I Love to Tell the Story” has always been a favorite of mine. The story to this wonderful hymn can be found at cyberhymnal.org. This particular hymn came from a rather long poem. The first part of the poem contained at least fifty stanzas!
I’m sharing a free congregational piano arrangement of “I Love to Tell the Story” for the advanced church pianist. This free arrangement contains a lot of full chords which is necessary for supporting congregational singing.
I apologize for not posting as often but circumstances haven’t allowed me to do so. I always hearing from my readers. Thanks so much for your encouragement! I love to hear how the site has been a help to you. That’s what keeps me going 🙂
One of my church pianist readers recently requested that I provide some helpful tips on how to play glissandos.
One of the trickiest technical moves in my How Great Thou Art piano arrangement is the glissando found on page four. (Shown below)
Glissando Tips
1. Notice the three tenuto (line marks) under the left hand in measure 29. These marks are pointing out the melody for the words “…then sings my…”. Emphasize the melody and keep the glissando volume in the background (little softer than left hand).
2. The right hand begins the glissando with the index finger immediately after the left hand plays the G octave with the first tenuto (line) mark. (It happens to be the same G as the left thumb just finished playing in the G octave).
3. Start the glissando with your right hand index finger…flipping the right hand over after the index finger starts. The index finger and 3rd finger will glide across the keys in an upside down, horizontal position. Once the index finger begins…the third finger will carry the brunt of the notes as you glide upward. The index finger will act more as a support and guide for the third finger. Just remember….the third finger is longer so it naturally has better contact of the keys.
4. Word of caution to church pianists: Glide across keys in a lightweight; relaxed fashion to avoid sore fingers 🙂
Visual Tips for the Glissando in How Great Thou Art
Just discovered another website for church pianists from other online friends. Introducing…Glorious Assurance Music…a fairly new online resource for church pianists.
Two sisters, Laurie Iskat and Christie Funchess, began this website in the fall of 2010. Their desire was to provide a resource for God-honoring Christian music.
The arrangements range from beginner to advanced. At this time, they are offering three free arrangements (listed below). The rest of the arrangements are available for sale at a very reasonable price.
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.
