One of my blog guests asked if I would
post a video of me playing on youtube.

I borrowed a friend’s camcorder over
the weekend to make the recording.

This will give you an idea of my style.

The arrangement, Wonderful Peace, is one
I had published several years ago.

It’s available in sheet music at Soundforth (BJU Press).

http://www.bjupress.com/product/240895?path=1484

Youtube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LAshr2DqdQ

Click here for free arrangement of O Little Town of Bethlehem

The mood of a song determines what

type of accompaniment the pianist will  use.

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” is a soft

and peaceful Christmas carol…like a

lullaby.

If I were playing this as a piano solo,

I would use less fullness for a softer

texture. Since this was arranged  for the

congregation, the pianist will need

fuller chords for supporting a large

group of singers.

This particular Christmas carol has

frequent accidental or (altered) chords,

which can create awkward moves for

the pianist.

I tried to create an accompaniment

containing smooth harmonic movement

for the pianist.

Editor notes for: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

Measure 3 :

I added the 7th note

to the ii chord (g minor) for a warmer

tone on the 3rd beat.

Measure 5:

The right hand plays a

fill-in on beats 3 and 4 for a smooth

transition to the upper range.

Measure 7:

Notice how I’m working

my way back down to the middle
range of the keyboard with my
right hand.

Measure 8:

I’m back to middle range
of keyboard to create a darker tone for
the words. (“….dark street…”)

Measure 13:

Bell tones (4th interval on

beats 2 and 3 to convey a “lighter” tone).

Please feel free to use this free piano

arrangement for congregation or choir.

You may adapt it to a piano solo with

minor changes.

Ok…bounce a basketball and notice how your arm gives in to the bouncing motion (called…”follow through”).

Now…go to the piano and play several 4 note chords with your right hand.

Your hand and arm should give in to the weight of the initial force without a premature release.

So many pianists play full chords with a slap effect. They hit the chord and release, not giving the chord its full count.

What needs to happen is…attack and release.

The ‘attack’ is the initial force of playing the full chord.

‘Release’ means allowing the arm to rebound from the initial attack but not releasing the chord too early.

I call this the ‘Elmer’s glue’ touch. (Think of it as a delayed response).

Don’t be in a hurry to release the chords. Give them their full value.

This technique tip will prevent unnecessary strain on the hands and arms when playing songs with alot of full chording.

The music will also sound more musical and not so abrupt in tone.

~~~~Just relax and give in to the music! ~~~~~

Playing by ear has its advantages and
disadvantages.

I confess, “I play be ear” but I also read
music.

My parents had me take lessons when I
was in third grade.

We moved several times during my childhood
years so I had several different teachers.

God blessed me with wonderful piano teachers.

Looking back, I can see how each one emphasized
certain concepts providing me with a well-
rounded diet of learning.

My learning involved these areas:

Improvising (adding runs, chord subsitutions)
I used the “Hymnplayer” series by Flora Jean
Garlock & Judy Swaim.

Theory

Classical music, Annual solo competitions
The competitions motivated me to practice
more because I had a purpose.

Learning to read music opened up a world of
opportunities!

I was then exposed to well-structured music,
which helped to tame my own style of playing.

Rhythm was one of my major weaknesses.

As a teenager, I began writing my own hymn
arrangements, exposing my own style and
rhythmic flaws.

I then became more analytical of my playing;
counting my fill-ins to make sure I had the
correct number of beats.

I also analyzed written arrangements of
various arrangers to learn ‘proper playing’.

‘Playing by ear’ is a gift but must be harnessed
with the reins of instruction for proper execution.

I would encourage those who ‘play by ear’ to
learn to read music and study theory.

I’m so thankful for my piano instruction. It has
given me the opportunity to share my heart
through written music.

Thanks Mom and Dad for making me practice!

Not every church is blessed with a dozen pianists. Our church has two pianists. The great challenge is finding time to practice with those preparing for offertories and vocal numbers.

To save precious time, I make a cassette recording of the song for the singer or instrumentalist to take home and practice. This works great if they have a cassette recorder and actually practice the song.

At least one week before they sing, we get together in real time and practice. Depending on the difficulty of the song….we may have to get together sooner. What a difference it makes! Practice time is minimal!

Some of our people have purchased their own cassette recorder because they have seen how it has benefited others.

Transposing can be learned by the
church pianist but requires frequent
application to acquire confidence.

I do play by ear but my parents had me start
lessons at a young age so I would know how to
read music. Thank the Lord for that!

As a teenager I began to play for my dad to sing.
Prior to this, I had learned all the major scales
and played comfortably from the hymnal.

My dad is a bass so therefore I had to transpose
everything he sang!

Transposing a melody was easier if I already knew
how to play the song. The notes of the melody would
be the same distance apart but I would have to re-
member what was black.

Here was my thinking process:

Say, for example, the song was in G Major and
my dad wanted it in E flat Major.

E (flat) is three notes lower than G. I would just
think three notes lower for each melody note and
remember to flat the notes: E, A and B.

I always thought by chord numbers to transpose
for the left hand.

For example, the D chord in the key of G is the V (five)
chord because D is the fifth note in the key of G.
So, in the key of E flat….B flat is the fifth note….so
I would use the B flat chord in the new key.

Learning to transpose was a slow process at first but
I steadily grew more comfortable with constant practice.

See, I had no choice…I was my dad’s only pianist at
the time and had to learn.

Being forced into a situation does wonders for the learn-
ing process!

Challenge to the church pianist: Try transposing
a simple melody to several different keys.
Gradually add the left hand once you have a feel
for the melody in the new keys.