Jenifer…need help in determining what songs are appropriate to use for preludes. I like grand, powerful songs reflecting God’s greatness but not sure it would be necessary to always play these types of songs. Can you help? Thanks.   Nell

Excellent question!

I was always taught to play peppy and loud with an upbeat tempo!

However, I have changed somewhat.

You may think I’m weird, but for most preludes I play the prelude according to the spiritual temperature of any given service.

For example, on Sunday mornings, most of the congregation is already in their seats sitting quietly waiting for the service to begin.

We have a brief choir rehearsal right after Sunday School in a room behind the auditorium. We usually get to the auditorium when it’s about time to start!

So, I will play hymns around a medium level of volume  such as:  (Our grand piano easily overpowers our medium sized sanctuary)

O Worship the King

Blessed be the Name

Praise Him! Praise Him

Grace Greater Than Our Sin

Amazing Grace

There are some mornings that it feels more appropriate to play more subdued/prayerful hymns such as:  In the Garden, The Old Rugged Cross, I Must Tell Jesus, Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know. (Especially for times when the congregation has been touched by a recent death(s) or other trials)

Our congregation seems more sociable before Sunday and Wednesday night services 🙂  So, I’ll play hymns like Victory in Jesus, When the Roll, Blessed Assurance, Love Lifted Me, etc.

I try to keep my volume under tow so as not to overpower those that are visiting before the service.

I think my piano preludes are starting to evolve into more of  a background type of music vs. the loud; intrusive style that can crowd out conversations or  meditative moods.  I have been on the receiving end of preludes many times at different churches over the years and always enjoyed the preludes that drew you into a worshipful mood without being too loud.  We were recently at a funeral of a relative and the organ was SO loud that it hurt our ears and drowned out the congregational singing.

On a side note…ever notice how the prelude is more like the alarm clock for everyone to get in place?   😉

Please understand these tips are coming from personal opinion. We all have our own styles and ideas. This is just what works for me.

Look who covered for me last night during prelude!
It’s so nice to have my students help out in our music ministry.
We had a few kinks (due to my oversight).

I had Allissa (the more advanced student) play the intros for the couple hymns they played together. They all played a review piece by themselves too. The prelude lasted about six minutes.

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.

The church pianist plays a very important role in setting the mood for the service through the use of prelude music.

For example, this past Wednesday evening was very rainy and dreary.  I chose more peppy, uplifting hymns for the prelude… to create a happy mood.  In general, I try to use peppy hymns for the prelude. I want to communicate to the listeners that the Christian life can be joyful.  There are times for slower hymns but I prefer to use more upbeat hymns during the prelude.

Here’s a list of hymns I played for the prelude this past Wednesday night…

There is Sunshine in My Soul Today

Heavenly Sunlight

I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord

Showers of Blessing 🙂

For offertory, Sunshine (our other church pianist) and myself, played “Count Your Blessings” from the hymnal.  

We as church pianists certaintly have a wonderful opportunity to encourage our church family in the Lord through the use of prelude music.

James Koerts and I attended the same church many years ago. I have always enjoyed his style of playing. 

He has an excellent website that offers resources to church musicians. You’ll find several free sacred piano arrangements as well!  My favorite arrangement is  For the Beauty of the Earth.

His latest piano tip article entitled, Tips for Playing Piano Preludes, emphasizes how the songs used in the prelude should be familiar to the congregation…so important! 

 Visit Jame’s website at koertsmusic.com