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
Tags: church pianist, invitation
Posted in Improvising hymns | 2 Comments »
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
Tags: church pianist, free offertory, free piano arrangement, free piano offertory
Posted in Offertories | 1 Comment »
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
Tags: easy offertory, offertory
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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?
Tags: augmented chord, chord, chord substitution, Chords
Posted in Chords | No Comments »
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.
Tags: chord substitution, Chords
Posted in Chords | No Comments »
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
Tags: fill-ins, improvising, Improvising hymns
Posted in Improvising hymns | 1 Comment »
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:
Tags: free piano arrangement, higher ground
Posted in Offertories | No Comments »
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
Tags: congregational singing, song endings
Posted in Improvising hymns | No Comments »
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
Tags: fill-in, Improvising hymns, improvising idea
Posted in Improvising hymns | 1 Comment »