| The Church Pianist |
| A help ministry for church pianists all over the world! |
Managing a website is an ever learning experience for me.
I’ve recently added audio samples from my CD: Simply Christmas
Just click on the navigation button at the top of the screen entitled:
Simply Christmas CD
I was in fifth grade when I received my first improvising lesson from the hymnal.
The hymn I improvised was At Calvary. It took me at least two months to learn the improvised style in a flowing rhythm.
Here are the first two improvising steps I learned to create a fuller sound in hymnplaying.
First, open a hymnal to the hymn: “Like a River Glorious”. I chose this hymn because it is in an easy key and contains a simple rhythm.
Let me preface the lesson with the following clarification: The soprano is the top note on the treble staff; while the alto is under the soprano note.
The tenor note is the top note on the bass staff and the bass note is under the tenor note.
Step #1: Add the tenor note to the right hand when feasible (right thumb plays this note).
You should be playing a total of three notes in the right hand. (tenor, alto and soprano)
Exception: Sometimes the tenor note fits better between the alto and soprano note.
This usually occurs when the alto and soprano have a greater distance between them; allowing room for
the tenor note to fit between them.
It is best to practice the right hand alone (with the added tenor) until a steady flow is maintained.
Expect to feel disoriented at first; having to add the tenor note to the right hand without it written that way.
Step #2: Double the bass note (left thumb is placed on the written bass note and duplicated an octave below with the pinky).
(Doubling the bass note is basically playing in octaves.) This second step really adds a deep, rich sound to the hymn.
Be prepared to slow down when adding the left hand to the right hand.
The following two step improvising lesson can be described as playing in five-part style:
Three notes in the right hand and two notes in the left hand.
Keep in mind, it took me two months to play one hymn with this two step improvising lesson.
Once you play one hymn this way, you can apply the same two step process to all other hymns.
Choose other hymns in easy keys with simple rhythms at first. Once you’ve gained some confidence,
you can move on to hymns in harder keys with more complex rhythms.
This two step improvising method will allow a pianist to sound full enough to support congregational singing.
Over time, more improvising skills can be obtained; adding life and fullness to hymnplaying.
Part two will contain a video demonstrating this two step improvising piano lesson along with a free pdf arrangement
of Like a River Glorious in five-part style.
Just thought I’d share an easy tip with you all this evening.
Just click on this youtube link to hear a tip for church pianists:
I’m just sharing an excellent website for church pianists!
The name of the website is sacredsheetmusic.com
I love this site! You can download music in pdf format
for a modest price. My favorite feature is the play button
on the top of the pdf sample page. I always like to ‘hear’ an
arrangement before purchase.
You can also find vocal and other instrumental arrangements!
Here’s the link to the piano duet I’m getting ready to purchase.
http://sacredsheetmusic.com/shop/catalog/images/V-P000093E.pdf
It’s an excellent offertory for me and one of my piano students.
Oh, if you are a song writer or arranger, you can also submit your
music to this website but please read the guidelines before doing so.
Homepage link:
http://sacredsheetmusic.com/shop/catalog/index.php
Hope you enjoy the resources on this website!
I’m working on several future articles at the moment and thought I’d share a video of one of my piano arrangements: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2veeUKNkTb8
Once again, you’ll observe how the personal interpretation (variable speeds and volumes) brings the message of the song to life.
This piano arrangement of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” can be downloaded for free at:
Audio of lesson…What_a_Friend_We_Have_in_Jesus_Interpretation
The interpretation of a piano solo is of upmost importance.
In my younger years, my dad always reminded me to play as though I were speaking the song.
He told me to “feel the music” and learn to breathe just as a singer would breathe when singing the same song.
To this day, I always sing the words in my head while playing to focus on the message.
Some words may need to be slower for a special emphasis…while other words can be sped up
to portray a sense of urgency or importance.
To stress the importance of interpretation…I will play an excerpt of my arrangement
“What a FriendWe Have in Jesus”.
The first time through…I will play in strict time with no ebb and flow.
Hear the difference in the second time as I play in a more conversational style.
Notice the treatment of the inner voice movement (notes under the melody) and fill-ins (notes between held words).
Fill-ins are played with a softer touch then the melody.
Fill-ins are always meant to be softer than the melody to avoid distraction of the message.
The next time you play or sing a solo….just remember to interpret the music just as though you were ‘speaking’ the words.
The message will be so much more affective!
Free Music: What_ a_ Friend_ We _Have_ in_ Jesus
Finally! Here is part two of the free piano offertory
for this week.
This piano offertory is an old hymn reminding us of what
a special place heaven must be.
The text depicts a happy mood. I tried to make it simple
but peppy.
Notice the bouncy rhythm in the left hand on page one
used to convey a cheerful message.
Audio sample: (Complete audio of this free piano offertory)
How_Beautiful_Heaven_Must_Be_Medley
Click here to print music: How_Beautiful_Heaven_Must_Be_page_two
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:
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.
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.
