Down From His Glory requires ALOT of ad lib from the church pianist when accompanying someone to sing this hymn.

I could not help but add runs during the chorus due to the frequent held words. The fingering for the runs is included 🙂

I plan to create an audio of the piano accompaniment as time allows.

Click here to download “Down From His Glory” in E Flat Major

Click here to download “Down From His Glory” in F

There are certain songs that are a challenge for the church pianist to accompany. “Down From His Glory” is one of those songs!

In the video below, Duane Ream and Faye Lopez share some of their insight on accompanying the vocal soloist for “Down From His Glory”.

The following video excerpt came from last year’s  Hymn Playing Master Class workshop at the annual Wild’s Music Conference. Please excuse the shaky quality of the video.  I didn’t have a tripod available.

I want to thank the pianist for granting me permission to share this video excerpt.  He did a great job with his impromptu accompaniment; providing others with an opportunity to learn more about accompanying a vocal solo.

This video was taken during the “critique” session of the class when someone would volunteer to play either a piano solo, prelude style piece or accompaniment style.

Duane Ream, one of the workshop leaders, also volunteered to sing…making it easier for the volunteer pianist to share his accompaniment style.  *Please note that Duane sang an octave lower on purpose for the chorus… since it was out of his vocal range 🙂  At least he was willing to help the pianist 🙂

I’ve thought about providing a couple visual examples of the accompaniment patterns Faye was trying to convey to the pianist. Keep in mind…they wouldn’t be note for note what she played but I could produce something very similar. Who would be interested?

 The Haven of Rest is such a comforting hymn.  Part two of this vocal arrangement contains the first part of  the chorus. 

(It would be beneficial to print the music (both pages) so you can see it as I describe the piano accompaniment.)

Special note: I forgot to include the last word and notes on page one.

I have included page one (part one) again with the correction…as well as page two (part two).

Click here to print: The Haven of Rest part one and two

Description of the piano accompaniment for page two:

The chorus reveals the result of salvation…the sweet assurance that comes from asking Jesus to be your Saviour.

The beginning of the chorus begins with an upward movement in the right hand on the word “I’ve”…to portray an overwhelming sense of joy as the lost soul accepts Christ as their Saviour.

Then…a full chord in the right hand on the word “anchored” to depict a steadfast, secure sound.

Notice the upward sweep of sixteenth notes in measure___for a vivid picture of the word “sail”.

Part three will start with a troubled tone…”The tempest may sweep o’er the wild stormy deep–In Jesus, I’m safe evermore.”

 I can’t wait to share this contrast in part three of “The Haven of Rest”.

It’s fun making the old hymns come to life with descriptive accompaniment.

“The Haven of Rest” is one of my favorite hymns. I usually hear this hymn performed as a vocal solo.

As a pianist, we must learn to make the text come to life by animated accompaniment…making the message even more real and meaningful.

The first verse begins with a troubled scene of a lost soul but ends with the rescue by the Saviour!

So…we begin with a mood of turmoil. I use an up and down pattern in the right hand to depict the boistrous waves of the sea.

Then…the waves suddenly grow calm…when I hear the sweet voice of my Saviour. ( Notice the movement lessens in the accompaniment.)

I just want to keep going and explain the next part of the accompaniment because the mood of happiness increases… creating a cascading wave of crescendo as Jesus floods the ‘saved’ soul with unexplainable peace!

You’ll have to wait…part two will reveal this joyous picture of salvation.

Click here for Haven of Rest (piano accompaniment~~~part one)