The Church Pianist: The Invitation

August 25th, 2009

As a church pianist, you all know that the invitation
is a crucial time. It’s a time when many make life-
changing decisions.

Sometimes the pastor has me play while he’s talking
during the invitation.

I try to convey a reflective yet urgent mood as pastor
encourages people to come forward as God leads.

Here is an audio sample of how I might play the background
music for the invitation:

http://www.box.net/shared/ov0upsoc7g

The Church Pianist: Free Piano Offertory (Part One)

August 24th, 2009

I enjoy simple offertories…meaning…piano arrangements with a clear melody presentation.

Here’s part one of a free piano offertory.

The lyrics are added to help the church pianist focus on the message of the hymn.

In a future article, I will share the editor notes for this piano selection;

giving you explanations for my improvising ideas in this free offertory.

I don’t normally do this, but I’m creating this piano medley as I go. Part two

will present the rest of this free piano arrangment of the “Heaven Medley”.

Hope you all had a great Sunday serving the Lord.

How_Beautiful_Heaven_Must_Be

How Beautiful Heaven Must Be Part Two

The Church Pianist: Easy Offertory Idea!

August 23rd, 2009

This easy offertory idea works great for two pianos

without the need for a fancy arrangement written for

two pianos.

I just type a simple layout of a hymn from the hymnal and

the other pianist and I play from the hymnal…adding our

own embellishments. This works well if both pianists can

improvise comfortably.

Here’s one we just did last Wednesday for an easy offertory.

 

In _Times_ Like _These

 

 

The Church Pianist: Part Two (Augmented chord Substitution)

August 19th, 2009

The augmented chord does have a special symbol.

A plus (+) sign proceeds the chord name.

For example:  The C augmented chord would be labeled

this way:  C+

The augmented chord adds a nice upward movement effect

when used in the following scenario:

When a I chord lasts for at least one measure leading into a IV chord.

Substitute the I chord with an augmented chord usually at least

halfway through the measure.

Here are a few improvised examples.

Part_Two_Augmented_Chord_Substitution

Part_Two_Augmented_Chord_Sub_Example_3

Try this augmented chord subsitution on the following hymns:

Trusting Jesus ( “Simply trusting ev’ry day) on the word “day”

The Haven of Rest (“My soul in sad exile was….)  on the word “ex-ile”

Wonderful Peace (“Far away in the depths…”)  on the word “depths”

*(Also in the chorus of Wonderful Peace)…

Can you guess where? (at least two places).

What is an augmented chord?

 

The Church Pianist: What’s an Augmented Chord?

August 19th, 2009

The word “augment” means to make larger.  That is exactly what happens

when a chord is augmented…it is made a half step greater.

The augmented chord adds a touch of “suspense or anticipation” to

a song.

An augmented chord is just like a major chord (in root position)

with a raised fifth.

For example:

The  C major chord in root position = C E G

The C augmented chord  = C E G#

Any major chord can be augmented within a song as long

as it sounds right.

Alot of hymns use the augmented chord. Here are two

brief examples.

Click here: Part_One_The_Augmented_Chord

Did you find the augmented chords in the above example?

If not, here are the answers: (There was only one in each example).

Moment by Moment: on the word “by”

Thank You Lord: on the word “for”

In part two, I will share how to use the augmented chord

as a  chord substitution in hymns.

The Church Pianist: Improvising Hymns (Using the IV/V)

August 18th, 2009

My last article dealt with using the IV/V chord fill-in for 4/4 time.

This fill-in can also take place in other time signatures….as long as

there are at least three beats…allowing time for complete development.

Original article on this subject:

https://thechurchpianist.com/improvising/the-church-pianist-improvising-hymns-fill-in-idea/

I will share several more examples in time signatures other than 4/4.

Remember…this fill-in works great when the I chord lasts for three or more beats.

Click here for pdf:   Improvising_Hymns_Using_the_ IV_and_ V

The Church Pianist: Free Piano Arrangement (Higher Ground)

August 12th, 2009
Here’s a prelude arrangement of Higher Ground.
  
Editor notes for Higher Ground:

1. Emphasize melody throughout

2. De-emphasize anything that’s not melody
to avoid a sluggish tempo or mechanical tone.

3. In 3/4 time….heaviest accent is on the first
beat of each measure. (for a more shapely tone)

4. Measure #10: Careful to keep inner voice move-
ment notes on beat one (eighth notes only)
of right hand softer than melody.

I’ll discuss inner voice movement in a future article.

Try some of these left hand accompaniment ideas out on a simliar hymn…such as…..Jesus Saves.

   Audio of Higher Ground:
 
 
 
Click here for pdf:   Higher_Ground_prelude_style

The Church Pianist: Free Patriotic Piano Arrangement and Youtube Demo

August 12th, 2009

Here’s a youtube video of my arrangement entitled:

“America the Beautiful”.

Youtube url: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3DU2Y1_7tc

Click here for free pdf piano arrangement of America the Beautiful

The Church Pianist: Song Endings

August 11th, 2009

Do you as a church pianist ever get in a rut, playing

the same song endings? I sure do!

I thought I would share a variety of endings for the hymn:

“I Love to Tell the Story”.

I’m sure some of you could probably come up with some more

endings of your own but this may help stimulate your creativity!

Click here: Congregational_Song_Endings

The Church Pianist: Improvising hymns (Part One)

August 10th, 2009

This improvisational idea works well at the end of a verse…..leading into the chorus.

The following two ingredients are necessary in order to use this fill-in idea.

1.The final chord of the verse must be a I chord and last for at least three beats.

2. The first chord of the chorus must also be a I chord.

For example: In G Major….the I (one) chord is GBD.

 On Beat #3…

1. Play a IV chord in the right hand

2. Play the V note of G Major in the left hand for the bass note ( note: D )

This creates the chord notation: IV/V

Editor notes for today’s example:

After the word…”Thee” the right hand plays a “climb the ladder”

fill-in to make an easy transition to the upper register of the piano.

 

*Description of the Fill-In Idea: (occurs in final measure of verse)

Click here for pdf image: Improvising_Hymns_Draw_Me_Nearer