Do any of your special music people ask you to help them choose a special? Over time…our special music people have learned that I ENJOY helping them choose a song. Watch the video below to learn a suggested tip on how I help them choose their special. (There are other factors too but dealing with the main one first.) 🙂
Having so many hymns in my memory bank has its advantages as well as its disadvantages…
Ever realized the similarities in the hymns “Face to Face” and “He the Pearly Gates Will Open”? Some of you may have never heard of the last hymn mentioned. Maybe it’s a good thing 😉
Years ago, I accompanied our song leader singing a solo of “Face to Face”. I started off playing the correct melody on the verse but somehow transitioned into the chorus of “He the Pearly Gates Will Open”. Our song leader went right along with the flow!
I didn’t realize what I had done until he brought it to my attention after the service.
Notice the similarities between these two hymns..especially both choruses.
What a touching story behind the writing of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. I had never heard it until today.
Wow! What a heart breaking story about the author…yet…his love for Christ grew stronger…watch to see what it took to bring “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” to pass…Click here for free piano arrangement of“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
I know…last minute… but needed to write a piano duet for myself and a friend to play this Sunday morning. I kept trying to find an easy one to throw together at the last minute but couldn’t find exactly what I wanted.
So…I created an easy piano duet of “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”. My life has been crazy busy and haven’t had a chance to practice in advance…so this piece worked out great!
Late intermediate to early advanced Easter piano duet. (one piano four hands) 4 pgs. *Price covers two copies. Written for a fast & easy to learn situation! (for the early advanced pianist)
Easter…. a time to celebrate our Lord’s return. At our church, we include songs about Christ’s crucifixion and return.
I’ve created a list of suggested hymns that I would use for an Easter prelude service. I’ve also placed the hymns into groups that seem to go together.
How to play with a conversational style on wordy hymns…a topic that’s been on my mind lately.
A good example of a wordy hymn is “My Savior First of All”. I’ll share tips on how church pianists can play this particular hymn with a natural/conversational tone…making for a more meaningful delivery even when playing for congregational singing.
Coming soon….next week 🙂 Hmm…next week has come and gone due to unavoidable circumstances 🙁 I will do this asap!
I like it when a person looks me up at least two weeks in advance to practice their scheduled vocal or offertory special instead of waiting until the last minute to rehearse.
This doesn’t include those who have to fill in at the last minute.
Which brings me to another topic…
It would be great if we all had a standby song/arrangement ready to play at a moment’s notice. People do get sick or have other unavoidable circumstances arise that makes for last minute cancellations. If we could get all of our special music crowd (vocal or instrumental) to do this (including ourselves).
Which reminds me…it’s time for me to rehearse standby offertory specials! 🙂
What I’m reviewing: (Click on titles to go to source of arrangement)
“It is Well” arranged by Faye Lopez (my favorite “It is Well” advanced arrangement!)
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus uses only two chords through the entire song! (The I and V)
This hymn is crying out for “dress-ups” from the church pianist.
Here’s several ideas I use to dress up the verse of “Nothing but the Blood”.
Notice the melody of the verse contains a lot of repeated notes. A great time to add some spice! 🙂 You can even hold a right chord through repeated notes here and there. You’ll notice I kept the left hand moving during the right hand chords to maintain forward motion/rhythmic drive. The following example can be used for an entire verse if repeated.
Easter…. a time to celebrate our Lord’s return. At our church, we include songs about Christ’s crucifixion and return.
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus uses only two chords through the entire song! (The I and V)