As promised, here’s the verse of Dwelling in Beulah Land like I might play for congregational singing at my church. (link contains verse and chorus)

Editor notes:

1.  This arrangement was written to be handled at about quarter note = 120 tempo
2.  I ironed out the excessive wrinkles (dotted quarter note + eighth note) and played  more even rhythms to make it easier on the hands of the pianist…as in measures: 1,3,5,6 etc.
3.  I also inserted 6 quarter note rests during the verse to break up the right hand movement and for interesting rhythm!
4.  The quarter note + half note rhythm in the left hand created more rhythmic drive.
5.   I have more freedom with this song because our congregation knows it very well.  You would need to add more melody if your congregation is not as     familiar with this song. Notice: I used just enough melody to prevent me from being disorientated and to provide some melody stability for the singers 😉
6.  My goal is to make the congregational style accompaniment support the singers and to make it enjoyable/comfortable for the pianist to play

Click here to download your free copy of verse & chorus.

Dwelling-in-Beulah-Land-piano-congregational

Over time…I plan to publish a series of booklets dealing with various “Fill-ins for the Church Pianist.”

Here is a sample page demonstrating a five-note span fill-in. Written instructions will be added…suggesting how to use this particular fill-in.

Scenario for this fill-in: When a half note + quarter note have same melody note…followed by an ascending 3rd.

Special note: Start fill-in a 3rd below starting note.

#1 is the hymnal version and #2 is the improvised version showing the fill-in  (Same for “It is Well” below)

Example #1:  E is the starting note for the word “that” …start the fill-in a 3rd below E which is C as shown in example #2

Further application:  Try finding the same scenario in the following hymns and add this five-note span fill-in:

1. Just As I Am (more spots not covered below in the example)
2. I Love to Tell the Story (one spot in chorus)
3. Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (one spot in chorus)

I enjoy playing for congregational singing.  It takes alot of energy too!  It’s important for the church pianist to play loud enough to support the singers…giving them a sense of security to sing out even more.

Today’s tip on congregational singing involves “keeping the tempo alive” between the verses.  In general, most songleaders do not slow down too much between the verses of a hymn when leading congregational singing.   It’s the pianist’s responsibility to keep the rhythm alive and steady when transitioning into another verse. 

In many cases, the last word of a hymn requires very little fill-in movement.  For example, the hymn “Redeemed” needs a bare minumum of fill-in music before plowing into the next verse.  Listen….”Redeemed” audio example.

Other hymns, such as “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” may require more fill-in notes because the last word of this hymn is held up to 4 counts.  Here is where I use one of my favorite transition fill-ins.   In the following audio sample…you will hear the last phrase followed by the transition into the next verse.  “What a Friend” audio example  Special note:  You will see this example when you click the link for the free handout for today’s article.

Remember to maintain a steady tempo during the fill-in between the verses to keep the tempo alive.

Free Handout for Piano Accompaniment Fill-ins for Congregational Singing ( Between Verses)

Here’s a simple left hand octave fill-in idea when going from a I chord to a vi chord.

This easy fill-in idea creates a smooth transition to the next chord.

I illustrated this fill-in for three different hymns… all in the key of G Major.

You will  see a short excerpt from each hymn; showing where the left hand fill-in occurs.

Once you’ve mastered this fill-in idea…try it on other hymns.

In order to do this, you will have to hunt for a I chord  leading to a vi chord. You can do it!

Here’s a few hymns to start with:

Key of C… Wonderful Grace of Jesus (end of sentence #1 on word “sin” going in to the next word “how”)

Key of E flat…Fairest Lord Jesus (first two words)

Key of D Major…Crown Him With Many Crowns (first three words)

That’s enough to keep you busy for a while.

Repeated application  will help you master and retain this simple left hand octave fill-in.

Click here: Left Hand Octave Fill-in Idea