I announced earlier about the soon coming release of my book entitled: Showers of Blessing. This piano arrangement book is now available through Soundforth. Soundforth did an excellent job putting the book together!

The book contains eight early intermediate sacred arrangements. The final arrangement is a peppy piano duet of Stepping in the Light.

Here are sample audios for each arrangement…

America the Beautiful

A Shelter in the Time of Storm

Come Thou Fount

It is Well with My Soul

Onward Christian Soldiers

Showers of Blessing

Stepping in the Light  (duet)

What Child is This

I hope the first example of adding runs to hymns was helpful for some of you.

The second example of adding runs to hymns is fairly simple. I chose a hymn in G Major and 4/4 time.  The run is nothing more than a one note ascending scale used as a fill-in.  This particular run makes a nice transition from the verse to chorus.

These articles discussing runs will be broken down into even smaller segments due to my limited time this semester. I will share more explanation on this example along with an audio in the next article.

At least you can view the example and print it in advance of hearing the audio and seeing more details soon.

Runs_ in _Hymn_ example_ 2

My son just shared this inspirational video with me of an unusual pianist. I just had to pass it along.

By the end of this video, we could all ask ourselves, “So…what excuse do I have for not practicing?”

Now, to a special pianist…

I enjoy adding runs to hymns.  A lot of pianists have asked me the following questions about runs over the years:

1. Where can I add a run?

2. What notes do I use?

3. Do I start the run on the word or after the word?

4. How do I make the run sound like it fits?

5. What fingering do I use?

6. Do I use one or two hands for this run?

Excellent questions!  I will attempt to answer these questions as I go through this series of articles on adding runs to hymns. 

Runs consist of either arpeggios (broken chords)  or scales.  Ew….got to know your theory!   (Another lesson)  🙂

1. Arpeggios look like this… (notes on treble staff below) 

*Special note: Did you notice this particular arpeggio is the second inversion of a C chord with a passing tone sprinkled in?  Hmm…I feel more theory lessons coming. That’s ok… a little  at a time, right?!

*I’ll show an example of a scale used as a run in upcoming articles.

Some pianists find “adding their own runs” to hymns or playing runs in hymn arrangements to be rather difficult.  Let me give you a helpful suggestion…isolate the run…turn it into a technical exercise and learn it well. 

When playing runs or anything else for that matter, it is extremely important to use correct fingering.  Many church pianists never had the proper training in this area…making it difficult for them to play in a smooth style. It’s ok..not your fault. I’ll provide  fingering suggestions on today’s example of a run…to help you produce a flowing style. This first example will use a right hand arpeggio in an octave format (spread).

Editor notes for today’s example:

The example contains the final phrase of Trust and Obey, written in congregational style.

The run occurs on the second syllable of the word “Je-sus”  

 Notice the ritarando marking  (rit.) starting ahead of the run… so the run won’t sound rushed as though it was just carelessly thrown in. I’ll provide an audio link for this example.

The measure containing the run has an extra beat to allow time for the run. (This isn’t always necessary)

 Click on the following…Runs in Hymns (Example #1)

Audio for Trust and Obey Run

Link: Adding runs to hymns Example Two

How many church pianists are interested in learning how to add runs to hymns?  Do you ever wonder where the best place is to insert a run?

I consider this a fun topic!  I’ve been wanting to share ideas on adding runs to hymns for quite some time.  This will probably be a series of articles. Each article will contain at least one written example of a run in a hymn.

I’m excited about the upcoming release of my first piano arrangement book being published by Soundforth.  The piano book entitled, Showers of Blessing,  contains seven early intermediate arrangements (six solos and one piano duet).

The arrangements will work well for pianists with small hands.

Audio samples will be provided very soon.  Stay tuned for publication notice.

 It always excites me to have young people wanting to get involved in the music ministry.  Our church family is so supportive of their  young people’s endeavors to serve the Lord.

Hannah and her family have recently joined our church and they are a blessing.  Hannah hasn’t had lessons in a little while and is a level one student.  She is anxious to begin lessons this fall and is ready to  serve in the area of music.  Amen!

I recently gave her one of my beginner arrangements of “Nothing But the Blood“ along with an audio to help her out.  To my surprise, she had it down in a short time.  (It’s always encouraging to work with self-motivated young people)  🙂

As a church pianist, I try to encourage our youth to get involved in the music minstry.  I’m thankful that our young people are interested in doing so. The younger they start, the easier it becomes as they gain experience and much practice.   I usually schedule the younger ones for a Wednesday or Sunday evening until they feel more comfortable.  (Sunday mornings require longer offertories due to a larger attendance.)

Here is a video of her playing the offertory at our church this past Sunday night. (Notice the encouraging responses at the end)

I’m also providing this arrangement free…with this article.  I plan to offer more of the beginning student hymn arrangements as time allows…in the music store.

I just finished the free arrangement of  “Wonderful Grace of Jesus”.   It was a challenge having to write this piece at an early advanced level.  I had to leave sooo much out but knew this level would benefit a larger group of church pianists. 

Editor notes for Part Two of “Wonderful Grace of Jesus”

Measures 17 & 18:  Left hand begins with melody which is very busy; therefore…the RH remains simple.

Measure 19 & beyond:  RH borrows the rhythm of the LH melody and becomes the leader for variety.

*Overall tip:  This arrangement wasn’t written for too fast of a speed.  I recorded it at the highest suggested tempo. If your church sings it faster than the recording…you’ll need to play less detail (fewer notes) to keep up.

Part One of “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” (free arrangement)

Yes….it’s part one of a free piano arrangement entitled: “Wonderful Grace of Jesus”.  This particular hymn can be challenging for a couple of reasons.  The melody has such a wide range..making it a challenge to sing! (I transposed it to B flat Major).  The chorus can also be tricky for the church pianist.

I’ve gleaned ideas from different piano arrangements for “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” and applied them during congregational singing.  It’s a great time to try new ideas while you have the singers for coverup. (ha ha)
The chorus use to be the most awkward part of the song but now has become my favorite over the past few years…once I learned to play in a more user friendly style.  Can’t wait to share the rest of “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” in the next article or two.

One of my favorite arrangements of“Wonderful Grace of Jesus” is arranged by Mary Lynn Van Gelderen. I also gleaned alot of ideas for congregational style from Marilynn Ham’s “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” arrangement.  I could not locate a pdf sample of this particular arrangement but it’s found in her book entitled “Timeless Tribute”.

Wonderful Grace of Jesus (Part Two)

 I always enjoy finding more piano arrangements for offertories!  The following audio samples are taken from the book entitled: Playing Piano Praises Volume One by Glenn & Jan Christianson.  The arrangements from this book are available in downloadable pdf format.  Another neat feature is…you can purchase the arrangements individually or as a whole book!

Come Christians Join to Sing

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Rock of Ages

In the Garden (one of my favorites!)

Medley: Hallelujah for the Cross! with At the Cross (sounds militant enough for a patriotic offertory)   🙂

Hope you enjoy sampling the audios of these  piano arrangements.  Click here to view the actual music…Playing Piano Piano Praises  Volume One.