| The Church Pianist |
| A help ministry for church pianists all over the world! |
I just published an early advanced Christmas piano solo of “The First Noel” in the key of C Major. This arrangement, containing two verses, would be easy to learn for the average church pianist.
Just thought I’d give my readers an opportunity to win a copy of my Christmas CD entitled: “Simply Christmas”.
Rules for Giveaway of Simply Christmas CD
1. Leave a comment at bottom of this article to enter your name one time.
2. Share the link to this giveaway on your personal blog, facebook or twitter and leave a second comment saying you did so.
This allows you to enter your name a second time in same drawing. (use my social share buttons at bottom of article for your convenience).
3. Drawing will be held on December 20, 2012 by 8pm EST
4. The winner will be notified by email the day of the drawing.
Important Information:
US Residents: The Church Pianist will pay all shipping (media rate)
Residents outside the US: The Church Pianist will cover up to $5 in shipping (media rate). Any shipping above $5 must be paid by winner.
If you are a church pianist or play specials in the church service…you know what it’s like to turn pages while playing an offertory or choir special.
You (maybe) can get by with page turns for a choir special… but not for an offertory.
How to turn pages without disrupting the flow of music? Two solutions come to mind that I have used: Find someone to turn pages or turn your own pages using the following tips:
1. Memorize a few measures before and after the page turns (very helpful!) Tip: Try highlighting the measure where you pick up reading after a page turn to avoid disorientation 🙂 Depending on the note content…it may be too tricky to turn a page a few measures before. In that case, I memorize a little more so I can turn the page at a more convenient spot.
2. Turn the page(s) with the hand that’s not playing the melody to maintain a logical flow
Face it…you may just have to miss a few notes with the non-melody hand to make this happen.
3. I also turn back the corner of each page…making the page easier to grab
*I have copied pages to avoid page turns but ONLY with special permission from the publisher; so as not to infringe on copyright laws. (I should probably devote an article on copyright laws).
If I have someone turn pages…I have them stand on my left side if at all possible…. so as not to block the congregation’s view of the person playing.
For those of us who’ve ever had “page turn” issues…I recommend the following video. I’m just glad the girls knew their parts real well…especially the girl on the left.
How many other church pianists besides myself, find it a challenge to dress-up the hymn, “Wonderful Words of Life”? A piano friend of mine recently asked me to show her improvising ideas for this hymn.
To be honest, it took some thought to come up with some REALLY fresh ideas. I hope to post a free pdf tomorrow of an improvised verse for “Wonderful Words of Life”. It’s been fun coming up with some different moves to liven up this simple but well-written hymn.
Finally finished the “I Am Resolved” piano quartet! Pianos 1 & 2 are more of an early intermediate level and pianos 3 & 4 are late intermediate to early advanced.
The various levels of this piano quartet brings several levels of church pianists together making for an exciting rendition of “I Am Resolved”.
We are planning to play this at our church toward the end of September.
I’m offering a great discount for “I Am Resolved” piano quartet now until August 22, 2012.
One of my church pianist readers recently asked me for some help on measures 29 and 30 of the free piano arrangement for “The Old Rugged Cross”.
In measure #29…The right hand has to reposition on the second beat in order to compensate for the upcoming busy movement. I created a quickie video demonstrating a suggested fingering to make this area feel more comfortable to the hand.
“I Love to Tell the Story” has always been a favorite of mine. The story to this wonderful hymn can be found at cyberhymnal.org. This particular hymn came from a rather long poem. The first part of the poem contained at least fifty stanzas!
I’m sharing a free congregational piano arrangement of “I Love to Tell the Story” for the advanced church pianist. This free arrangement contains a lot of full chords which is necessary for supporting congregational singing.
I apologize for not posting as often but circumstances haven’t allowed me to do so. I always hearing from my readers. Thanks so much for your encouragement! I love to hear how the site has been a help to you. That’s what keeps me going 🙂
Click here to download free piano arrangement of “I Love to Tell the Story” page one
I will post the remainder of this arrangement as soon as possible.
One of my church pianist readers recently requested that I provide some helpful tips on how to play glissandos.
One of the trickiest technical moves in my How Great Thou Art piano arrangement is the glissando found on page four. (Shown below)
Glissando Tips
1. Notice the three tenuto (line marks) under the left hand in measure 29. These marks are pointing out the melody for the words “…then sings my…”. Emphasize the melody and keep the glissando volume in the background (little softer than left hand).
2. The right hand begins the glissando with the index finger immediately after the left hand plays the G octave with the first tenuto (line) mark. (It happens to be the same G as the left thumb just finished playing in the G octave).
3. Start the glissando with your right hand index finger…flipping the right hand over after the index finger starts. The index finger and 3rd finger will glide across the keys in an upside down, horizontal position. Once the index finger begins…the third finger will carry the brunt of the notes as you glide upward. The index finger will act more as a support and guide for the third finger. Just remember….the third finger is longer so it naturally has better contact of the keys.
4. Word of caution to church pianists: Glide across keys in a lightweight; relaxed fashion to avoid sore fingers 🙂
Visual Tips for the Glissando in How Great Thou Art
Just discovered another website for church pianists from other online friends. Introducing…Glorious Assurance Music…a fairly new online resource for church pianists.
Two sisters, Laurie Iskat and Christie Funchess, began this website in the fall of 2010. Their desire was to provide a resource for God-honoring Christian music.
The arrangements range from beginner to advanced. At this time, they are offering three free arrangements (listed below). The rest of the arrangements are available for sale at a very reasonable price.
“I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord” peppy piano duet (late intermediate to early adv)
“Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” piano solo (late intermediate to early adv)
“How Sweet it Is” uplifting chorus (for church use, ladies’ meetings or children’s choir)
I look forward to shopping at this resourceful site for church pianists.
Due to the recent home going of one of my piano students…I’ve been preparing music for her funeral. I came across these two songs that I thought I’d share with other church pianists in case they have not heard of them. Both of these pieces are VERY comforting and appropriate for any occasion but especially for funerals.
His Way is Perfect by Betsy Kistler
Be Not Afraid by Craig Courtney
Click here to see PDF sample of
Here’s the only youtube recording I could find.