I enjoyed improvising the chorus of “Christ Returneth”.  There are fewer chord changes in the chorus, making it easier to add extra movement.  The frequent half notes also provide time for fill-ins. 

This arrangement was written for the  intermediate to late intermediate level church pianist.  The advanced church pianist can just play more four-note chords in the right hand where feasible.

Editor Highlights for Part Two of “Christ Returneth”

1. page two (first measure)  The left hand octave movement is used to create excitement to match the words “Jesus will come in the fullness of glory”. 

2.  page two, measure #20 (where chorus begins)  A simple accompaniment is used for a more “subdued” mood.

3. page three, measure #30, third count, right hand (right hand plays octaver higher for contrast…but still remains soft).

Click here to download free sacred piano arrangement “Christ Returneth” part two

Click here for “Christ Returneth” part one

I’ve had my computer off because of our weather and now back online. Sorry for the late posting.  Since I’m short on time…I only entered the soprano for the vocal score of “Christ Returneth” to help you follow the words while you play the piano accompaniment.

I think “Christ Returneth” is one of the most awkward hymns to play when accompanying the four part harmony from the hymnal.  Due to the frequent chord changes, the church pianist only needs to create a simple, but stately accompaniment to enrich the text. 

Notice the time signature changes during the verse.  The verses are sudued and the chorus is jubilant. The congregation will enter with confidence if they hear how the song starts in the piano introduction. 

To maintain the subdued mood of the verse, the church pianist can just play the beginning phrase of the verse followed by a improvised ending…creating  a smooth transition for the congregation to begin singing.  I did include an introduction in today’s free arrangement of “Christ Returneth” Part One

Click here to download free piano arrangement of: Christ Returneth (Part One)

This is a list of several intermediate sacred piano duet books that I own.  You’ll notice that several of the audio excerpts would be great for Easter!

My Favorite Book List of Intermediate Sacred Piano Duets

(Click on book title to preview book and click on song titles to hear audio excerpts)

1. He Lives arranged by Rebecca Bonam (Soundforth)

 Audio excerpts: He Lives (Rebecca Bonam)  Jesus is Coming Again (Rebecca Bonam) 

2. Wonderful Grace of Jesus by Various Arrangers (Soundforth) *The following audio excerpts for this book are the only ones in the book that are more late    intermediate. The rest are early advanced.

Audio excerpts:  Bringing in the Sheaves (Peter Davis)  Overshadowed (Rebecca Bonam) We Gather Together (Peter Davis)

3. Sacred Classics arranged by Tedd Smith

Audio excerpt: Hallelujah, What a Saviour (Man of Sorrows)

More sacred piano duet books to preview

I have enjoyed searching out sacred piano duets for the intermediate level.  Here are a few I found online just since yesterday that you may want to check out.

1.Hymn Duets-One Piano-Four Hands-arranged by Sid Richardson (Alfred Music Publishing)

*Audio of sample page shown in the above link

2.Side by Side-arranged by Jeff Bennett (Lillenas Publishing) *Click on this title to hear and see samples and pdf downloads

3. Partners in Praise (Intermediate with Advanced Partner) arranged by Marilynn  Ham (Lillenas Publishing) *see samples and pdf downloads

4. Piano Duets for All Seasons arranged by Ethel Tench Rogers (Lillenas Publishing) *see samples and pdf downloads

5. Double Blessings arranged by Jolene Boyd (Lillenas Publishing) * see samples and pdf downloads

     *Audio of sample page shown in the above link

I found the first book on the above list at Amazon for only $4 total! I’ll share some audio samples from intermediate sacred piano duet books I own later tonight or tomorrow 🙂

One of my readers recently sent in the following question concerning intermediate sacred piano duets. I thought I would also share the answer with my readers who  may be searching out sacred piano duets at the intermediate level.

I was wondering if you and/or Mrs. Hamilton have a book of intermediate piano duets done with one piano.  I saw that you had arrangements for 2 pianos but I don’t have that luxury. 

Just thought I’d share a free hymn piano arrangement of “Power in the Blood”.  I wrote it for one of my level four students this week  to use for offertory or congregational singing. 

I’ve been sick since last week but feeling better each day and looking forward to sharing more ideas with you soon!

Click here for free piano arrangement:  Power in the Blood

And…the winner of Soundforth’s free book giveaway is…Kimberly Handley!  Congratulations! 

Kimberly won the book entitled “This Little Light of Mine” containing sacred piano solos arranged by Susan Greene.

One of my readers recently asked if I would share some improvising ideas for Victory in Jesus. Since this hymn is copyrighted, I’m limited to how much of the song I can share due to the “fair use” law for copyrighted music.  (Another interesting topic for a future article)  🙂

Editor’s Notes for the free handout of Victory in Jesus (improvising ideas): Click here for free handout. 

For time’s sake, I only entered the melody on the vocal score but the piano score utulizes the basic chord structure of the four voice parts from the hymnal.

Left hand accompaniment description for line one:  I used an alternate bass note (D) on the third beat for variety.  The note (D) fits in a “G” chord…therefore making it a good choice for an alternate bass note. 

LH accompaniment description for line two: I used the same alternate bass idea. The final measure contains a busy octave stepping pattern to fill-in three counts on the word “me”.   The dotted rhythm on the first two octaves adds an extra spice to the sound; making it more lively.

I know more visual examples of this hymn would be helpful but I’ve reached my limit of “fair use”.   Although, I can tell you in words… that I use the alternate bass idea on the chorus too.  Just look in a hymnal at the chorus.  See the words “Saviour” and “blood” ?  I play stepping octaves for these words with my left hand.

Just a peek at what can be done with this hymn but may provide a springboard to your own creativity!

I’m sure any church pianist would be happy to have the following sacred piano book in their collection.    This Little Light of Mine contains early intermediate piano arrangements arranged by Susan Greene. (Soundforth is the publisher.)  Although written with the student in mind…these arrangements apply to all ages.

The following excerpt from the arranger can be found in the book:

“In This Little Light of Mine, you will find familiar gospel songs that students can use to minister in church, recital, or informal settings. These arrangements were written for my students over the years in coordination with the concepts taught in their third and fourth level method books. Arranged in order from simplest to most difficult (followed by two duets), these pieces “grow” with the late-elementary to early-intermediate student…”    ~~~~Susan Greene

Now I’ll share my personal description of This Little Light of Mine”.  Two words come to mind…animated and well-structured. Seven of the nine arrangements are very lively!  Most of the lively pieces do have a a slow verse, for a varied layout. Susan even included helpful fingering and pedal notations throughout the book.   Another neat feature… a list of the concepts covered in each piece can be found in the back of the book. 

My favorite pieces are “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” and “Countdown”.  Hmmm…. I also like the two piano duets at the end of the book.   “This Little Light of Mine” was really neat with all the scale activity.  Ok, I like all of them! 

Click on the following title to see sample pages from “This Little Light of Mine“.

Here’s a list of each song.  Just click on each title to hear an audio sample.

This Little Light of Mine

Showers of Blessing

‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

We Three Kings

Countdown!

Count Your Blessings

Blessed Be the Name

The Lord’s Army (duet)

Tell Me the Story of Jesus (duet)

Soundforth has agreed to give away one free book of “This Little Light of Mine”.   Here’s how to enter for a chance to win this exciting sacred piano book:

Simply leave a comment on this article to enter your name once.  To enter your name a second time:  post a link to this specific article on your facebook,blog or twitter. Please leave a second comment on this article..showing you did so.

*This book giveaway is limited to within the US*

I will draw a name on March 20th (10pm EST)

I just had to let my readers know what’s coming up this week…

A book review on a sacred piano arrangement book geared to the early intermediate church pianist.  I’ll also provide a chance for my readers to win this book…compliments of Soundforth Publications.  I just finished playing through the entire book and thorougly enjoyed each arrangement!  

If my articles seem somewhat shorter  lately….well…it’s because I’m on a writing spree and seriously want to write around the clock!  My inspiration to write music comes in spurts and I have to take advantage of those moments.

Look for the book review sometime this week.