“The Lily of the Valley” is a nice, uplifting hymn. Several factors make this hymn a challenge for most church pianists.

The hymn is loaded with repeated notes and a very busy rhythm…(what I call….the “wordy” hymns).

You don’t want it to sound like you’re trying to chop down a tree 🙂

The church pianist needs to basically outline or (play) the main beats of the hymn. This particular hymn is in 4/4 time.   So…the pianist should at least play on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th beats…creating a steady, rhythmic  tempo for the congregation.

It’s not necessary for the pianist to play “every word” of the song when accompanying. Playing every word would limit the pianist’s ability to improvise. 

The more familiar the congregation is with a hymn…the less dependent they are on hearing the melody.  This allows the  pianist more  freedom to stray from the melody…making it much easier to maneuver through the accompaniment.

Editor notes for today’s free piano sample of “The Lily of the Valley”

Notice the left hand plays the main beats (1,2,3,4) and the right hand skip words here and there for ease of movement.

Measure #3 (beats 3 through 4)  the right hand plays notes within the chord frame being used… “sweeping upward”…for a livelier sound.

Measure #4 (beats 1 through 4) the left hand begins with a dotted rhythm for a peppy tone and drives through with octaves to maintain tempo while the congregation holds the word “soul”.

Measure #4 (beat 4) into Measure #5…the right hand moves into middle range of keyboard for variety in location.

Click here for free piano sample of “The Lily of the Valley”

One of my readers recently asked some excellent questions and thought I’d share them with some answers that may help other church pianists in similar situations.

Question #1

Just wondering how often/how long your groups practice each week….

Answer:

The following answers are not intended to be the best answers for all churches. People and their abilities vary from church to church.

So many of our choir members are involved in various ministries which limits their availabity to practice.

The majority of our choir does not read music but are willing to sing for God’s glory:)  

Our large ensembles (consisting of 6 or more people) practice at least five times before singing.

The practice sessions are usually no more than ten minutes each. Therefore, we learn easy arrangements (no more than two parts). 

Question #2

Do you and the other pianists’ pick the music or the singers?

Answer:

Once again, every church has a different situation. At our church, we have not had a steady song leader for a great length of time.

It seems as though God has called our church to prepare young men going into full-time Christian service:)   We are located a little over an hour from Ambassador Baptist College. Over the past several years, some of the college men have commuted to our church to help out in the various ministries.

 But in time, each of them have been called into full time Christian service elsewhere. It’s hard to see them go but thankful we could play a part in preparing them for what lies ahead in their life.

The pastor is glad to have me and the other pianist work up small and large ensembles for specials.   The pianists generally help choose the small and large ensemble music. Ocasionally, one of the ensemble members will suggest a song and we will use it… if it works well with the entire group.

Question #3

Does your church have a choir?  

Answer:

Yes.  Our choir meets for practice once a week on Sunday nights from 5 – 5:30pm.  Presently, our Pastor, with the help of  another college student, helps lead the choir. 

I will share a video of our men’s large ensemble to give you an idea of what we do.

O Holy Night has a wide note range! As a church pianist, I usually have to lower this song for vocalists.

Maybe you can use  this simple piano arrangement as either a piano solo or vocal accompaniment.

This is part one of O Holy Night.

O_ Holy_ Night_ in _A_ Flat

O Holy Night Part Two

Do any of you church pianists compose? If so, you will
find the following links very beneficial.

As a composer myself, I found the following two part article
very interesting…an interview with the composer…Kevin Costley.

The web address of the interview host is:
http://www.composecreate.com/wendys-piano-studio

Interview links:
http://www.composecreate.com/archives/1784 Part One

http://www.composecreate.com/ Part Two

Are you a church pianist needing to know how to improvise hymns?

Do you play straight from the hymnal…as written?

Would you like to know how to make your playing sound fuller?

If so, this lesson is for you.

I plan on posting Part Two of My First Hymn Improvising Lesson next week.

The article will include a video demonstration of ths lesson.

A free downloadable arrangement of the improvised hymn will also be available.

Please let other piano friends know that may benefit from this lesson.

Part One of this lesson can be found at:

https://thechurchpianist.com/improvise/the-church-pianist-part-one-my-first-improvising-piano-lesson/

Appreciate all your visits and comments!

Just thought I’d share an easy tip with you all this evening.

Just click on this youtube link to hear a tip for church pianists:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax0YbeKa9f0

I’m just sharing an excellent website for church pianists!

The name of the website is sacredsheetmusic.com

I love this site!  You can download music in pdf format

for a modest price.  My favorite feature is the play button

on the top of the pdf sample page. I always like to ‘hear’ an

arrangement before purchase.

You can also find vocal and other instrumental arrangements!

Here’s the link to the piano duet I’m getting ready to purchase.

http://sacredsheetmusic.com/shop/catalog/images/V-P000093E.pdf

It’s an excellent offertory for me and one of my piano students.

Oh, if you are a song writer or arranger, you can also submit your

music to this website but please read the guidelines before doing so.

  Homepage link:

http://sacredsheetmusic.com/shop/catalog/index.php

Hope you enjoy the resources on this website!

As a church pianist, you all know that the invitation
is a crucial time. It’s a time when many make life-
changing decisions.

Sometimes the pastor has me play while he’s talking
during the invitation.

I try to convey a reflective yet urgent mood as pastor
encourages people to come forward as God leads.

Here is an audio sample of how I might play the background
music for the invitation:

http://www.box.net/shared/ov0upsoc7g

I enjoy simple offertories…meaning…piano arrangements with a clear melody presentation.

Here’s part one of a free piano offertory.

The lyrics are added to help the church pianist focus on the message of the hymn.

In a future article, I will share the editor notes for this piano selection;

giving you explanations for my improvising ideas in this free offertory.

I don’t normally do this, but I’m creating this piano medley as I go. Part two

will present the rest of this free piano arrangment of the “Heaven Medley”.

Hope you all had a great Sunday serving the Lord.

How_Beautiful_Heaven_Must_Be

How Beautiful Heaven Must Be Part Two

There are exceptions, but these are the general guidelines
coming from my personal experience in the music ministry.

  A. Relationship Between the Song Leader and Church Pianist

   1. Pianist should submit to song leader but still have
      a healthy “working team” relationship.

   2. Of course, during choir is not the time for the pianist
      to make suggestions unless the song leader specifically
      ask for assistance.

   3. The pianist is to follow the song leader during congregational
      singing, choir specials and invitation time.
 
   4. Exception: if the song leader doesn’t direct with his hands…
      the pianist is to establish the singing tempo.

   5. Be willing to accept suggestions

   6. Respect the song leader’s position; allowing him to maintain
      the leadership role.

   7, Open communication between song leader and pianist is of upmost
      importance.

B.  Job Description of the Church Pianist
 
   1. Be punctual
      *I always try to arrive 15 minutes early to all services and
       5 – 10 minutes early to choir practices. This allows time for
      last minute details. (such as: changes to music schedule due to
      sickness or maybe Pastor needed to change order of service for
      some reason.)

   2. Follow the leader 🙂
     
   3. Display a willing spirit

   4. Be flexible!

   5. Be hospitable 🙂
      *Greet the choir members with a smile as they enter for a practice.

   6. Be prepared
      *Practice choir music or other special music in advance if at all possible.

C.  Developing the Special Music Program

    I enjoy recruiting new members for the special music program!
    Does your church or choir contain people that you know could sing a special
    but they are too timid to come forward?

    (Keep in mind..I’m the one who maintains the music schedule which
    keeps me more in tune with this area on a regular basis.)

    Here’s an approach I use to encourage the more reluctant singers.

    Alot of times, one of our special music people will approach me and
    say, “Have you heard so and so sing? He or she does a great job but
    thinks they can’t sing.”
 
    I’ll simply approach that person and ask them if they would mind singing
    in a large ensemble for a special…say…a Wednesday  or Sunday night.

    (Evening services are usually more comfortable for beginning singers.)

   Over time, I’ll decrease the amount of people in that person’s group until
    they’re singing comfortably in a duet or maybe even a solo. Sneaky huh?
    It works!

    I especially like to take a personal interest in children wanting to sing
    for church. They’re the future and need to be trained and encouraged while
    at a tender, workable age.

    Choosing the song for new or old singers is of upmost importance. The song
    must suit their vocal range. For example, you wouldn’t want to choose a song
    with a lot of high notes for a low voice singer.
  
    This can make the difference in whether the person will want to sing. They
    need to feel as comfortable as possible while ministering through song.

    Although this is not an exhaustive list…I hope it has helped to define the
    role of the church pianist. I could only share what I have learned.
   
    As things come to mind…I’ll share more in this area of thinking.