Looking forward to sharing a video tomorrow that shares the big surprise I received this evening from one of my young piano students!

Stay tuned for tomorrow!  🙂

Just to bring my readers up to date!  I’m trying to finish my first left hand pattern booklet. The written copy is near completion.

Contents for Left Hand Pattern One (Booklet One)

Four measure music examples in addition to ample application for reinforcement! (Keys covered: C , F and G and B flat)

Video content:  Teaching session of entire booklet with extra info not  shown in booklet, this includes me playing all hymn examples in the booklet.

Now to create the video that will be included with the PDF booklet!

I’m sharing the Foreword page plus one page  of the booklet.

I’ve been thinking lately on  the different aspects of the church pianist’s role in the church.                                                                                                 

In my 30 plus years as church pianist, I’ve never been paid to serve in the area of music ministry.

I’m not apposed to those who are paid to serve but our mindset should be “to serve” regardless if we’re paid or not paid.

As a Christian, we know that we are to strive to be Christ-like and to love the church as Christ loved the church.

Therefore, I always want to try and honor God in all I do…especially within the church consisting of my  fellow believers.

Here’s a list of ideas that run through my mind when serving at our church. (I need to take heed to this list!)

1. Love my fellow believers as God would. It’s amazing how much falls into place when we just love our brethren no matter what.
2. Patiently mentor those who need lots of practice
3.  Think on words of songs while playing to clearly portray the message of the song (not just a bunch of useless dots on the page)  😉
4. Adequate preparation to be more effective
5. Compliment someone after they’ve played or sung a special to encourage them. (Slip them a text or note)
6. Remember to follow the song leader   (exception: use your own judgement if you have a leader lacking rhythmic abilities 😉
7. Give encouraging words to those you rehearse with (examples: Just sing from your heart!   I’ll pray for you as you sing, or thanks for being willing to sing, you’re such a blessing!)
8.  Be as organized as possible! (Keep things tidy around the piano areas, such as put away music)  I have a basket on the floor by the piano at church… that holds music I need on a regular basis.
9.  Give uprising pianists an opportunity to play for choir or prelude, etc. to build their experience level. (A great way to maintain a fill-in pianist for when you’re sick or out of town)  *Tip: try using them at least once a month to keep them in shape.  They do better if they play on a consistent schedule.
10. The piano bench doesn’t have my name engraved on it!   SHARE!!!

I attend a small country church in the foothills of North Carolina so some of the above tips/ideas may not apply to your situation.  We have what I call a very “unique” church because they are SO loving and supportive.

When someone sings a special…our congregation is  rooting for the singer or instrumentalist, supplying periodic “amens” and nodding of heads as they listen.  You’ve probably picked up on that from the videos I share.

We also include children in our special music ministry.  It thrills my heart to hear young ones sing.  More importantly, it thrills the heart of our Savior.

Feel free to share your thoughts on the role of a churh pianist.

Something that has really been on my mind lately is the mind set of the church pianist regarding the role of a church pianist.

As a church pianist, do you ever give yourself a periodic mind check…to make sure you’re being effective?

I get so busy maintaining the special music schedule and practicing before and after services that it’s SO easy to forget other aspects in the church pianist’s role that you may not have considered.

I’m making a little list and will share it soon.  Once you see my list….maybe you’ll have some other ideas to share as well that would help us all as we strive to honor the Lord in our role as church pianist.

Great is Thy Faithfulness is one of my favorite hymns to this day!  I was SO excited when I found out it would be in the public domain as of January 2019!

Yes, it took awhile for me to create this sacred piano solo but finally settled on the arrangement.

Warning: This is a VERY advanced piano solo of Great is Thy Faithfulness.  I actually enjoy writing this level the most because I can pull out all the stops and not feel as restricted.

One challenge for me is recording myself at the piano. I get nervous!  So..I tried to play by the music 🙂  I hope this arrangement is a blessing to the advanced church pianist looking for an offertory.  (Hint: would make a nice selection for Thanksgiving Sunday)

Great is Thy Faithfulness (VERY ADVANCED)

Advanced sacred piano solo arranged by Jenifer Cook 6 pgs. Contains two verses and choruses. A beautiful setting of this well-loved hymn. Your listeners will be tempted to sing along with this heart-felt arrangement of Great is Thy Faithfulness.

Price: $4.75

PLEASE NOTE: THE AUDIO DOESN’T SEEM TO BE WORKING FOR EVERYONE.  

WE’RE WORKING ON A SOLUTION (HOPEFULLY)

In the meantime: Click HERE to hear sample on my facebook music page.

I’m working on what’s becoming a VERY advanced piano solo arrangement of “Great is Thy Faithfulness”.

When creating advanced piano arrangements…I constantly hear a lot of  notes that the soloist can’t reasonably cover on one instrument.

It would actually be easier for me to write a two piano arrangement to accommodate ALL the notes.

Just wanted to warn my readers that it’s very advanced…since I pulled out all the stops 😉

Here’s a sample audio “in the works”:  Great is Thy Faithfulness (key change section into second verse)

Clarification: The image to the right shows the beginning (not included in this sample audio)

Great is Thy Faithfulness became a public domain hymn this past January!

I have an advanced piano arrangement in the works for this well-loved hymn to be published by the end of September 2019.

Here’s a sneak preview of the first page:

The following pieces are great easy-to-learn piano arrangements for students needing a recital piece or for beginning church pianists!

My students play two ensemble numbers in addition to a solo piece…so we don’t get too involved with just one piece.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Late elementary Christmas Piano Solo, 2 pgs. Easy-to-learn piece for recital or offertory

Price: $2.75

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Late beginner Christmas Piano Solo, 2 pgs. Easy-to-learn carol for recital or offertory.

Price: $2.00

I enjoy creating pieces with a certain student in mind. This particular piece goes to one of my older female students who enjoys playing songs in a minor key.

The idea for the introduction hit me as I laid down to sleep this past Wednesday.  I had to get up and write it down or the idea would have been history!

Even though I’m an advanced level pianist, I still enjoy playing this early intermediate arrangement of “O Come O Come Emmanuel”.

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Early intermediate Christmas piano solo, 2 pgs. A nice selection for Christmas recitals or offertory.

Price: $2.75

Christmas Arranging Galore!

I just finished writing three Christmas piano arrangements today for several of my students!

I’ll publish them asap…hopefully by this weekend. The titles and levels are as follows:

O Little Town of Bethlehem (Late beginner)

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (late elementary)

O Come O Come Emmanuel (Early intermediate)

Also in the process of writing the teacher piano parts for two piano ensemble numbers for Christmas recital.

Piano ensemble numbers are getting popular with my bunch of students. They absolutely LOVE playing in a group setting!

They like it so much that now they have one group lesson rehearsal once a month now until Christmas recital! The titles are: “Jingle Bells” with bell ringing in couple places 🙂  Also..O Come All Ye Faithful (our grand finale number)

I’m REALLY in the writing mood here lately. Hopefully you’ll see the results soon!