If you are a church pianist or play specials in the church service…you know what it’s like to turn pages while playing an offertory or choir special.

You (maybe) can get by with page turns for a choir special… but not for an offertory.

How to turn pages without disrupting the flow of music?  Two solutions come to mind that I have used:  Find someone to turn pages or turn your own pages using the following tips:

1.  Memorize a few measures before and after the page turns (very helpful!)  Tip: Try highlighting the measure where you pick up reading after a page turn to avoid disorientation  🙂  Depending on the note content…it may be too tricky to turn a page a few measures before.  In that case, I memorize a little more so I can turn the page at a more convenient spot.

2.  Turn the page(s) with the hand that’s not playing the melody to maintain a logical flow

Face it…you may just have to miss a few notes with the non-melody hand to make this happen.

3.  I also turn back the corner of each page…making the page easier to grab

*I have copied pages to avoid page turns but ONLY with special permission from the publisher; so as not to infringe on copyright laws.  (I should probably devote an article on copyright laws).

If I have someone turn pages…I have them stand on my left side if at all possible…. so as not to block the congregation’s view of the person playing.

For those of us who’ve ever had “page turn” issues…I recommend the following video.  I’m just glad the girls knew their parts real well…especially the girl on the left.

I couldn’t resist sharing the next gadget that would be heavenly for any pianist!

Click here to visit Airturn, Inc. site

Sometimes it’s refreshing to hear a simple offertory.  I like to be able to distinguish the melody when hearing an instrumental special. My son, and another gentleman in our church were suppose to play a guitar/harmonica offertory this past Sunday night. Unfortunately, they hadn’t had much time to practice.

They asked if I would play along on the piano with them for support. They wouldn’t be able to practice until Sunday evening before church during the time I had to practice with the vocal special for that night. So…I quickly wrote a simple piano accompaniment that Sunday afternoon and had my daughter-in-law practice with them that evening.  They did great for a last minute ensemble!

Here’s the video of them playing “In the Sweet By and By”.

Click here for free copy of the piano arrangement for this simple offertory  (including melody score for an instrument)

Tip: The accompaniment may also be used to accompany a vocal solo

Alot of times, our choir will sing a special from the church hymnal.  Sometimes I just want an introduction other than the regular last phrase of the song. 

 Congregational introductions do require introductions that are self-explanatory.  But…for the choir and other specials, it’s nice for the church pianist  to have a creative introduction as long as it fits the song. 

I”m sharing an introduction idea today that would work for offertory, choir or other vocal special. 

For example, if you’re giving an introduction for a song in C Major…start the introduction with an F chord…then to a C chord and finally end with a G (7) chord right before the first word of the song.  

Sound clear?   Check out the example below that illustrates this type of introduction.  In this particular case, I used the introduction idea in an offertory special entitled  “We Gather Together”.

Click on image to enlarge for clearer view.

 It always excites me to have young people wanting to get involved in the music ministry.  Our church family is so supportive of their  young people’s endeavors to serve the Lord.

Hannah and her family have recently joined our church and they are a blessing.  Hannah hasn’t had lessons in a little while and is a level one student.  She is anxious to begin lessons this fall and is ready to  serve in the area of music.  Amen!

I recently gave her one of my beginner arrangements of “Nothing But the Blood“ along with an audio to help her out.  To my surprise, she had it down in a short time.  (It’s always encouraging to work with self-motivated young people)  🙂

As a church pianist, I try to encourage our youth to get involved in the music minstry.  I’m thankful that our young people are interested in doing so. The younger they start, the easier it becomes as they gain experience and much practice.   I usually schedule the younger ones for a Wednesday or Sunday evening until they feel more comfortable.  (Sunday mornings require longer offertories due to a larger attendance.)

Here is a video of her playing the offertory at our church this past Sunday night. (Notice the encouraging responses at the end)

I’m also providing this arrangement free…with this article.  I plan to offer more of the beginning student hymn arrangements as time allows…in the music store.

This easy offertory idea works great for two pianos

without the need for a fancy arrangement written for

two pianos.

I just type a simple layout of a hymn from the hymnal and

the other pianist and I play from the hymnal…adding our

own embellishments. This works well if both pianists can

improvise comfortably.

Here’s one we just did last Wednesday for an easy offertory.

In _Times_ Like _These