Just discovered a practical instructional book on improvising hymns found on Alfred Publishing’s site.
This book is a great starter for the intermediate pianist who wants to improvise from the church hymnal. The pianist will learn how to do the following:
*Add tenor to the right hand
*Double the bass note
*A couple of easy-to-learn left hand fill-in ideas
*PLUS…a collection of hymns already arranged for the intermediate church pianist using the improvising ideas that are taught in the book.
Click on the following book title to view the book and sample pages!
The following short video tutorial on improvising hymns is geared to the beginning church pianist. Playing straight from the church hymnal can sound rather plain. Learning how to dress up the hymns adds a new dimension of sound! This lesson gives some simple left hand fill in ideas for the first line of “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”.
Special clarification about the theory rule mentioned in this lesson concerning omitting the 3rd of the chord…The 3rd can be omitted from either hand. Wait until you see the video below to understand this explanation 🙂
The next video tutorial will reveal more improvising ideas for “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”.
The hymn “Count Your Blessings” carries a great message in song but contains frequent repetitive notes providing a rather plain accompaniment for the average church pianist
Free Improvising Ideas for Count Your Blessings (congregational style)
Key of D Major
1. Use alternate bass movement (see measure #2) LH beat one…I played an ‘A’ rather than ‘D’
2. Measure #1 and #5, beat one ( no need to play every word) when playing congregational style; allows more ease of movement for the pianist.
3. The four note RH chords provide support to the singers.
4. Measure #6, notice the contrary octave movement between the hands for variety.
*Contrary movement between both hands always adds a nice touch of spice 🙂
As I’ve mentioned before…the church pianist can deviate from the melody as long as the congregation knows the song real well. You’ll notice the “missing melody” here and there in the free congregational piano arrangement of “All Hail the Power”. The audio contains the piano accompaniment and the melody line.
We like to change keys to add extra life to the congregational singing 🙂 The key change in this arrangement does add an extra measure so it would require a quick practice with pianist and song leader before trying it with the congregation.
Most of the key changes we use in congregational singing move right into the last verse without hesitation.
Church Pianist Tip:
*This free congregational piano arrangement may also be used to accompany a trumpet solo.
I was able to finish page two of “All Hail the Power” tonight even after a busy but good week of revival at our church. I will try to share some music highlights of our week sometime soon.
In my next article…I ‘ll share editor notes along with an audio of this free piano arrangement for “All Hail the Power” congregational accompaniment.
I enjoy playing and singing “All Hail the Power”. The church pianist must add lots of fullness to this majestic hymn to portray the mood of the text.
Just picture it…God is on His throne and scores of angels are bowed down before Him. A huge choir is singing “All hail the power of Jesus’ name! Let angels prostrate fall…”
I think the words as I play this wonderful hymn. The melody and text are a great match!
My dad just told me about a reputable website that sells used church choir music. I was SO excited to find out about The MusicLibrary.com!
This site sells used music for churches that are trying to get rid of music they no longer use.
For the last several weeks I have been brainstorming…trying to figure out what to do this year for our church Christmas program. I checked out TheMusicLibrary.com and found enough books for the “Christmas at Home” cantata by Ron Hamilton…reasonably priced!
Our books should arrive next Friday just in time to start learning the songs on Sunday, September 18th. The music in Christmas at Home are SATB arrangements. Our choir is mainly a two part choir but getting use to three parts now… due to new choir members 🙂 (Praise the Lord)
We are going to simplify the songs by singing unison on some and two parts on other songs.”Christmas at Home” is one of my favorite cantatas because of the strong emphasis on salvation. This is an excellent cantata to bring unsaved family and friends to.
So…if you’re looking for Christmas program material or music in general…check out TheMusicLibrary.com
I’ve had many requests for the written arrangement of “Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know Medley” that is on youtube. It has just been published in my online church pianist music store.
*The written version does contain some modifications; making it a little different from the youtube version. Why? The youtube version was played ‘by ear’ making it difficult to duplicate it note for note on paper. I did my best. If I’m able to refine it…I will email the updated arrangement for “free” to whoever purchases this arrangement.
Thanks for your encouragement to get this one down on paper 🙂
When a I chord lasts for at least two beats and leads into a V or V 7 chord that lasts 3 or more beats…the II 7 can replace a I chord.
On to our example in Have Thine Own Way in E flat major. Since E flat is the first note in the key of E flat…it is number one. So F is the second note in the key of E flat major. The ii chord would be: F-A flat-C.
Now let’s alter this minor ii chord by making it major. Raise the middle note to A natural. Are you beginning to catch on? You now have the II chord: F-A natural-C See illustration below:
*I added an E flat (not shown)… on the top of the II chord…making it a II 7 (the E flat is 7 notes from the bottom note (F). Added 7ths make a chord sound SO much richer!
*You’ll notice the note members of the II 7 chord in the following excerpt are scrambled between both hands. The note “C” is missing (which is ok)… but the rest are present.
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Now…a couple more examples of the II 7 chord substitution in the key of A flat & G Major.
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Special Note!
Are you wondering how to use the ii 7 chord in each example? Whenever a V or V7 chord is lasting three or more beats…use the ii 7 chord first and then resolve to the written V or V 7 chord. I’ll share examples of this chord substitution in another article. So much to share!
Church Pianist Tip: Remember…chord substitutions can not be used during congregational singing unless they are singing unison. Why? Because the substitution chords will conflict with the voice parts.
