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!

From an accompanist’s point of view..

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!)

“I Am Thine O Lord” arranged by Faye Lopez

“Jesus Paid it All” arranged by Mary Lynn Van Geldren (beautiful arrangement!) *Checking on availability

“Rescue the Perishing” arranged by Jenifer Cook (practicing for upcoming mission’s conference)

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.

Click here for your free download of “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus” improvising ideas.

How many of you church pianists besides myself grab the hymnal just before service to figure out a few prelude songs to play?

That works for me ONLY because I’ve been around awhile and and have memorized many hymns over time.  Seriously, it’s best to prepare in advance…at least before heading to church.

I try to play within a certain theme such as: comfort, peace, joy, thankfulness, salvation, etc.

One of my readers recently emailed me asking if I would provide a categorized list of songs for prelude possibilities.

I also got to thinking….how nice it would be to write/arrange these preludes.

For starters, I’ll share the suggested prelude lists by topic.  (Please note: Approx. 5 to 6 minute per prelude) if each song is played two times.

Click here to print the Prelude by Topic List.

My Dad, Reece Yandle, has several songs published through Lorenz and Sheet Music Plus.

Here’s one of my favorites that Dad has written. A great Easter solo or anytime of the year really.

Click on following title: When I Looked Up to the Cross

For church pianists in the early intermediate level….here’s a piano congregational of “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” that I barely squeezed in for this Christmas.

Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne

Early intermediate Christmas piano congregational, 1 & 1/4 pgs. Key of C One verse and chorus with 1st & 2nd ending. *Compatible for mostly unison singing

Price: $1.75

Working on “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night” (early advanced piano solo).

The exciting part…I just came up with an intro and interlude that makes this arrangement long enough using only two verses!

Audio sample:  While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

My dad was singing for a very special occasion here…50th year of SCACS (South Caroline Association of Christian Schools) teacher’s convention. He was the executive director of SCACS for at least 30 years.

I believe God gave Dad extraordinary strength to sing his heart out with this touching medley centered on the wonderful gift of salvation that only comes from the Lord. (He was 80 years old in this video)

I thoroughly enjoyed the Composer’s Symposium this past July in Atlanta.  I made a connection with someone there (thanks Marty Parks!) who strongly suggested I try submitting “Abide With Me”  via Lloyd Larson of Lillenas Publishing Co.

I finally emailed my arrangement to Lloyd just a couple months ago. He responded by asking me to do an early intermediate piano solo   book instead. Wow!

We’re in the beginning stages of deciding on a book title and song list.  I look forward to this new adventure!  This will be my second book to be published by another company.  My first solo piano book is entitled “Showers of Blessing” (early intermediate) published by Soundforth who is now under Lorenz Publishing Co.

My new book will be published (hopefully) by November of next year.  At my age, a year’s time goes in a flash…especially with many other writing projects at hand!

Thanks for everyone encouraging me to write more!  I plan to!!  I’m living my dream…always wanted to write and share with others.