Today, I’ll share a video of me accompanying
one of my voice students… Chesney… singing
“Trust and Obey”.

Hopefully, you will be able to observe some of
what I’ve discussed in other articles regarding…
accompanying the vocalist. Please excuse the loud
piano:(

Related links:

http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2008/12/church-pianist-accompanying-vocal.html

http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2008/10/church-pianist-improvising-tips-for.html

I do use some melody here and there in the
accompaniment.

Listen for the altered vii diminished chord in
the last verse. What word did it occur on? 🙂

Related article discussing the altered vii diminished chord:

http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2009/01/church-pianist-stately-chord.html

Youtube link for video of Trust and Obey:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNfKYhQJe-A

Anybody need more practice time besides myself?

Our pastor had an excellent idea that has provided more practice time for our church pianists.

If you’re like most pianists, you’re usually practicing with someone before the service starts.

Our pastor had the sound man record offertories from our previous services on to one CD.

This CD is played before our services, giving us opportunity to practice or take care of lining up
future music during this time.

Approximately two minutes prior to the service, the CD fades out and I finish playing the prelude, which
acts as a good alarm clock for the choir, songleader and pastor to get in their places.

Need more practice time? Try this out. It has worked wonders for us. I find myself much more relaxed having
this extra time available.

Classical Music….a help or hindrance to the  church pianist?

A good question!

The answer is “Yes”…..classical music greatly benefits the church pianist!

How?

Advantages of being exposed to classical music:

*Conditions the ear for well-structured melodies and rhythm.

*Strengthens the fingers

*Demands a need for structured fingering which carries over into proper fingering for hymn arrangements.

*Introduces the pianist to scales and other rhythmic patterns in music that can be incorporated into the
  hymns as well.

*Last but not least….classical music demands disciplinein the areas of technique and interpretation for the
  best results.

Although classical music is vital to all pianists, the church pianist needs a balance of both: classical and hymn training.

I’m thankful for the teachers God provided for me in my early years of training.

I learned alot of improvising by just listening to the different teachers over the years. They also taught me ‘one on one’ how
to add runs and fill-ins. Most importantly, they taught me the theory to back up their training.

I just posted a video on youtube playing a medley
of “Amazing Grace”.

For offertory, I’ll sometimes just play a hymn and tag on a
chorus or verse/chorus of a song with a similar theme.

Click on the link below to hear the “Amazing Grace” medley.

(Maybe it could help give you ideas
for doing one of your own.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94ATDkkMgus

When my kids were little, I found it hard to come
early or stay after services to practice with people.

My husband said, “Why not let them come to the
house during the week?”

Oh! (The most obvious) I’d never thought of that.

Practicing at our house turned out to be the best
experience for me and the singer or instrumentalist.

We were able to practice without interruptions; giving
us a chance to really focus on the music.

It was also easier to give helpful tips to the person in
a more private setting.

The person or persons felt more at ease in the less
crowded surroundings.

(My husband or family member of the person (s)
practicing would sit with my kids upstairs.

Time is precious. We just have to be creative about
finding more convenient niches of time to practice.

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.