The church pianist plays a very important role in setting the mood for the service through the use of prelude music.

For example, this past Wednesday evening was very rainy and dreary.  I chose more peppy, uplifting hymns for the prelude… to create a happy mood.  In general, I try to use peppy hymns for the prelude. I want to communicate to the listeners that the Christian life can be joyful.  There are times for slower hymns but I prefer to use more upbeat hymns during the prelude.

Here’s a list of hymns I played for the prelude this past Wednesday night…

There is Sunshine in My Soul Today

Heavenly Sunlight

I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord

Showers of Blessing 🙂

For offertory, Sunshine (our other church pianist) and myself, played “Count Your Blessings” from the hymnal.  

We as church pianists certaintly have a wonderful opportunity to encourage our church family in the Lord through the use of prelude music.

Here’s another nice resource for church pianists.  I found this website not too long ago and thought I’d share it with you. It’s an easy name to remember….pdfpiano.com

The site contains gospel piano solos and piano duets.  Many of the arrangements require minimal practice…making it a nice resource for church pianists with limited practice time.

This announcement is for those who haven’t seen the following ordering  information on my “Showers of Blessing”  page.

Soundforth will allow  US mail rate for orders under $30.  Simply order from them by phone and request US mail.  Keep in mind…tracking will not be available with this cheaper rate.

*(You may want to print the “Runs in Hymns example three” page below to have on hand as you read the following information)

I enjoy using what I call “cluster runs” in hymnplaying. It’s just a cluster of notes (close together) played in a rapid broken-chord pattern. I just repeat the same four notes up the piano.  Runs can be added almost anywhere as long as they fit the flow of the hymn.  The run needs to sound like it belongs in the arrangement…not just thrown in as an afterthought.

The following example illustrates  the use of the “cluster run” in the hymn “Throw Out the Lifeline”.  The cluster run begins on the word “someone”.  Just use your right thumb to start each set of four notes.  For each group of 4 notes…I use the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th finger.

Emphasize (stress) the first note of each 4 notes to create a more shapely tone…making the run blend into the piece. 

Runs- in- Hymns- example -three

Audio of Runs in Hymns (example three)

One of my latest arrangements uses this cluster run in most of the chorus of “The Light of the World is Jesus”.  The sample audio on this link contains the chorus with the cluster runs.

All piano books are on sale right now until September 6th at Bible Truth Music.

One of my favorite books from Bible Truth is Wonderful Grace of Jesus (piano duos). Two of these books are being sold for only $16.95!  Two copies are necessary to play two pianos unless you have two pianos side by side plus a pianist with super eyesight 🙂

I also discovered another neat site where you can purchase individual piano arrangements. I’ll have to share this information soon!

Example #2 for Adding Runs in Hymns 

Explanation of example #2 in adding runs to hymns:

(Click on image for a clearer view)

This run created a nice fill-in where normally a dotted half note occured on the word: “Thee”.  In the original version, the G chord lasted for the entire last measure of the verse for the words: “Thee….Draw me”  I added a D (7) chord on the 3rd beat of that measure for chord variety.

 Audio Sample of Example #2

*Upcoming article: Longer example with run in middle of a sentence with user friendly fingering!  I call them cluster runs 🙂

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