The “Battle Hymn of the Republic” is a hymn the church pianist must “dress-up” to enrich the congregational singing. It’s not always easy to grab every note “word” of a hymn when it contains a busy rhythm such as the frequent dotted rhythm in the “Battle Hymn”. Moving from word to word can be quite awkward for the church pianist.

Remember…the hymnal is written for voice parts not the instrument. The church pianist must learn to adapt…creating a simple but full-sounding accompaniment that will support the singers…making them sing out with even more energy and confidence.

Editor notes for Part Two of “Battle Hymn of the Republic”

*Please click here to print part two so you can view the music while you read the following notes:

1. I only added a few of the sixteenth notes from the vocal score into the piano accompaniment…creating a more user friendly hand movement, which in turn helps the pianist maintain a steady beat for the congregation.

2. When I play the chorus…I deviate so much more from the melody–using sprinkles of 3-note triplet chords in the right hand during half notes. But…I kept enough melody in the chorus of this free arrangement for church pianists that may not be use to deviating alot from the melody.

Click here for Part One of Battle Hymn of the Republic

It’s hard to believe that July 4th is so close!  Since I’ve been so busy…it takes less time for me to write an arrangement as opposed to a strict “teaching” article.  Today’s free piano arrangement of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” is arranged for congregational singing.

The hymnal version (voice parts) contain a lot of repeated notes making it necessary for the church pianist to create a more interesting sound to bring it to life!

In part one of this free arrangement…I added the vocal score above the piano score… so you could see what I’m playing as opposed to the written voice parts from the hymnal. I’ll provide an audio after I share the entire arrangement with you.

Click here for free congregational piano arrangement of: Battle Hymn of the Republic (Part One)

A book  giveaway…compliments of Soundforth (BJU Press).

*This book drawing applies to residents within the US

  “Bless the Lord”, contains ten early intermediate piano arrangements by Gina Sprunger…an excellent addition to any church pianist’s repertoire!

Gina’s  introductions,  interludes and endings are a perfect fit to each arrangement.  I’ll share some of my favorite picks through audio excerpts below. Just click on a song title to hear a sample.

Come, Christians Join to Sing

Take Time to be Holy

Meditations on Praise (Bless the Lord, Holy is the Lord, Thank You Lord)

Meditation on When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

A Shelter in the Time of Storm

The remaining arrangements are:

Open My Eyes That I May See, Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus, We Three Kings, I Wonder as I Wander, Showers of Blessing (piano duet)

Book Drawing Guidelines:

1. Simply leave a comment to enter your name once in the drawing

2. To enter your name a second time…share this specific link for book giveaway on your blog, facebook or twitter and leave a separate comment saying you have done so.

*Winner will be chosen on May 2nd, 2011 Monday at 9pm EST

When Ordering Music From Soundforth:

*Special Note: If you order by phone and your order  is under $30…you can request US Mail to receive a cheaper shipping rate.

(Just realize there’s no tracking available with the US Mail rate)

Call toll free:      1-800-258-7288

I enjoyed improvising the chorus of “Christ Returneth”.  There are fewer chord changes in the chorus, making it easier to add extra movement.  The frequent half notes also provide time for fill-ins. 

This arrangement was written for the  intermediate to late intermediate level church pianist.  The advanced church pianist can just play more four-note chords in the right hand where feasible.

Editor Highlights for Part Two of “Christ Returneth”

1. page two (first measure)  The left hand octave movement is used to create excitement to match the words “Jesus will come in the fullness of glory”. 

2.  page two, measure #20 (where chorus begins)  A simple accompaniment is used for a more “subdued” mood.

3. page three, measure #30, third count, right hand (right hand plays octaver higher for contrast…but still remains soft).

Click here to download free sacred piano arrangement “Christ Returneth” part two

Click here for “Christ Returneth” part one

I’ve had my computer off because of our weather and now back online. Sorry for the late posting.  Since I’m short on time…I only entered the soprano for the vocal score of “Christ Returneth” to help you follow the words while you play the piano accompaniment.

I think “Christ Returneth” is one of the most awkward hymns to play when accompanying the four part harmony from the hymnal.  Due to the frequent chord changes, the church pianist only needs to create a simple, but stately accompaniment to enrich the text. 

Notice the time signature changes during the verse.  The verses are sudued and the chorus is jubilant. The congregation will enter with confidence if they hear how the song starts in the piano introduction. 

To maintain the subdued mood of the verse, the church pianist can just play the beginning phrase of the verse followed by a improvised ending…creating  a smooth transition for the congregation to begin singing.  I did include an introduction in today’s free arrangement of “Christ Returneth” Part One

Click here to download free piano arrangement of: Christ Returneth (Part One)

I’m sure any church pianist would be happy to have the following sacred piano book in their collection.    This Little Light of Mine contains early intermediate piano arrangements arranged by Susan Greene. (Soundforth is the publisher.)  Although written with the student in mind…these arrangements apply to all ages.

The following excerpt from the arranger can be found in the book:

“In This Little Light of Mine, you will find familiar gospel songs that students can use to minister in church, recital, or informal settings. These arrangements were written for my students over the years in coordination with the concepts taught in their third and fourth level method books. Arranged in order from simplest to most difficult (followed by two duets), these pieces “grow” with the late-elementary to early-intermediate student…”    ~~~~Susan Greene

Now I’ll share my personal description of This Little Light of Mine”.  Two words come to mind…animated and well-structured. Seven of the nine arrangements are very lively!  Most of the lively pieces do have a a slow verse, for a varied layout. Susan even included helpful fingering and pedal notations throughout the book.   Another neat feature… a list of the concepts covered in each piece can be found in the back of the book. 

My favorite pieces are “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” and “Countdown”.  Hmmm…. I also like the two piano duets at the end of the book.   “This Little Light of Mine” was really neat with all the scale activity.  Ok, I like all of them! 

Click on the following title to see sample pages from “This Little Light of Mine“.

Here’s a list of each song.  Just click on each title to hear an audio sample.

This Little Light of Mine

Showers of Blessing

‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

We Three Kings

Countdown!

Count Your Blessings

Blessed Be the Name

The Lord’s Army (duet)

Tell Me the Story of Jesus (duet)

Soundforth has agreed to give away one free book of “This Little Light of Mine”.   Here’s how to enter for a chance to win this exciting sacred piano book:

Simply leave a comment on this article to enter your name once.  To enter your name a second time:  post a link to this specific article on your facebook,blog or twitter. Please leave a second comment on this article..showing you did so.

*This book giveaway is limited to within the US*

I will draw a name on March 20th (10pm EST)

I just had to let my readers know what’s coming up this week…

A book review on a sacred piano arrangement book geared to the early intermediate church pianist.  I’ll also provide a chance for my readers to win this book…compliments of Soundforth Publications.  I just finished playing through the entire book and thorougly enjoyed each arrangement!  

If my articles seem somewhat shorter  lately….well…it’s because I’m on a writing spree and seriously want to write around the clock!  My inspiration to write music comes in spurts and I have to take advantage of those moments.

Look for the book review sometime this week. 

His Eye is on the Sparrow has always been a favorite of mine.  On a recent visit to my parent’s house…I accompanied my dad to sing this old but comforting hymn.

Dad has always taught me to “feel” the words when I play or sing.  He seems to make the words come to life as he sings from his heart to the Lord.  Thanks Dad for being such a wonderful teacher!  Thanks to a patient Mom who made me practice piano which prepared me for years of service to the Lord in the music ministry.

Please allow the message of this song to soothe your soul 🙂

 Part One of Sunlight

PDF link: Sunlight Part Two

The chorus of Sunlight contains several twists and turns in the melody line making it tricky for the church pianist to manuveur through this peppy hymn. 

Simply play more blocked chords on the main beats (one.two, three, four).  I had to add an occasional  sprinkle of triplets in the right hand for a lively sound. The triplets also allude to rays of sunshine as the congregation happily sings….”…sunlight, sunlight, in my soul today!”

Complete audio for Sunlight Part Two (congregational accompaniment)

Just use your imagination to make the music come to life…causing the congregation to sing with more enthusiasm.

I hope the accompaniment ideas I’ve shared over the past few years have helped to stimulate the  creative thinking of other church pianists…encouraging them to be even more effective for the Lord as they serve Him through the ministry of music.

How about a free piano arrangement for “Sunlight”?  (congregational style)

One of my adult piano students attends a church with several pianists.  The songleader has setup a rotating schedule to give more of the pianists an opporunity to play for the church service.  What a great idea…utulizing the people God has provided a church family 🙂

I’ve particularly enjoyed sharing improvising tips with this student. She’s so ready to learn and has shown great progress in being more mobile on the keyboard due to her being able to play at her church.  The next hymn we will work with is “Sunlight”.  The melody is very busy….but….relax!  The pianist doesn’t need to play every single word 🙂   Just play on the main beats (1,2,3,4) and let the congregation keep up with the words. 

Editor notes for today’s free piano arrangement for

PDF link: “Sunlight” (Part One)

Overall right hand analysis:  I used chord inversions with a sprinkle of triplet groups here and there for some extra spice. Measure #6: Look at how I play empty octaves (octaves without any notes in the middle) during fast passages in the right hand.  I added middle notes to the 1st beat of the right hand to emphasize the  accented beat in 4/4 time.  (Beats one and three are normally accented in 4/4 time.)

Left hand mainly consists of octaves and chords.  Notice the alternating bass in the piano score…avoiding the overuse of E flat bass in the vocal score. (as in measures #1,2,and 5)