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This video gives suggestions on how to ease through an abrupt chord change in a hymn. The hymn in this lesson is entitled “Where Jesus Is, ‘Tis Heaven”.
I had NEVER heard of this hymn until one of my readers recently shared it with me. Thanks Karen!
Download the two pages below before viewing the video. (For ease of reference)
Where Jesus Is, ‘Tis Heaven (original version)
Where Jesus Is, ‘Tis Heaven (improvised version)
I never really noticed the time signature change in “Just When I Need Him Most” until today.
We sang this at our church last night for a congregational and the people REALLY enjoyed singing it. The words are so comforting!
It’s just one of those seasons at our church where there’s a lot of physical needs and such a song reminds us of Jesus’ ever-present help 🙂
We sang this song in a prayerful mood with a slow walking speed so I had time to add left hand flowing patterns similar to the following free pdf of “Just When I Need Him Most”.
Most importantly, notice the key change at the chorus….but the flow will still be pretty much the same 🙂 I actually changed to 6/8 timing one measure earlier than the hymnal shows… because it felt more natural to not hold as long before entering the chorus.
Maybe this will help a beginning church pianist to see what fill-ins could be used for a slow to medium hymn in 6/8 or 9/8 timing… such as my arrangement of “I Must Tell Jesus”.
Warning: This arrangement is NOT intended for piano solo use… due to missing melody notes at the beginning of the chorus…unless of course you know how to add them in 😉
Click on song title for free download: Just When I Need Him Most
Modulating between hymns during a prelude or other background music event can create a seamless presentation.
The absence of this art makes for a disjointed sound when going from hymn to hymn. (unless of course the songs are in the same key) 🙂
Ah….but just because the songs are in identical keys doesn’t mean the songs will always sound seamless without some type of transition. (another lesson!)
Every church pianist should try and learn the art of modulation to the best of his or her ability…in small bits at at time. For starters, learn to modulate between songs with same time signature as I have provided below. (The modulations will feel/flow a little different in 3/4 time versus 4/4 time.)
Below is a free pdf showing how to modulate up a fifth using the chord formula: ii7 to V7 of the new key. I’ve also shared a list of these two chords in the keys found on the free pdf of modulations.
Key of C
ii7 = D-F-A-C
V7 = G-B-D-F
Key of G *see visual of these 2 chords HERE
ii7=A-C-E-G
V7= D-F sharp-A-C
Key of D
ii7= E-G-B-D
V7= A-C sharp-E-G
Just thought I’d share a free sheet with key changes to connect the following hymns for a piano prelude on the “Blood of Jesus”.
(Our prelude lasts anywhere from five to ten minutes…depending on how soon I can make it to the piano.) I usually play two verses per hymn.
Prelude List:
Power in the Blood (B flat major)
When I See the Blood ( C Major)
Nothing but the Blood ( G Major)
Are You Washed in the Blood? (A flat major)
The sheet contains the final phrase of each hymn; followed by the key change to connect each hymn in the list above.
Click here to download Free Piano Prelude on the “Blood of Jesus”
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)
*Keep in mind…the chords in the piano score will not match the four parts from the hymnal version.
I plan to post part three of scales in hymns by the end of this week.
Some church pianists may not understand where to insert a scale in a hymn.
Scales can be placed in several different places in a hymn. The upcoming article will show the church pianist how to add a scale to the very first measure of a hymn!
Looking forward to sharing the examples with you!
A hymn which has truly stood the test of time…Jesus Loves Me.
This hymn was born from a story read by the co-author…William Bradbury.
The story goes…
A young boy was dying and a dear friend read the boy this beautiful poem for comfort…
“Jesus loves me! this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong, they are weak but He is strong.
Jesus loves me! He who died Heaven’s gate to open wide; He will wash away my sin, let His little child come in.
Jesus loves me! He will stay close beside me all the way.; He’s prepared a home for me, and some day His face I’ll see.”
What comforting words!
William saw this poem as an excellent song for children. He wrote a melody for the poem and added the chorus as we all know…
“Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes Jesus loves me! Yes Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.”
This hymn has reached the hearts of young and old alike.
The next article will provide a free piano arrangement of this well-loved hymn.