The Church Pianist: Need Your Thoughts

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

I know these articles are read by a
a varied group of pianists.

Would you like to see more detailed
explanations, or maybe more examples
for the same concept?

My goal is to explain concepts in a
concise manner that the average pianist
can grasp.

It's obvious that I won't be able to meet
every one's needs but would be grateful
for any suggestions/feedback.

If the reaction 'word list' below is not sufficient....
just leave a comment to help me better understand
your response.

Thanks for your time!

Sincerely,

Jenifer

The Church Pianist: Chord Substitutions with Jesus Paid it All

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com

I've mentioned before that I enjoy
accompanying vocalists because I'm
not enslaved to the melody.



Chord substitutions add so much
life and warmth to a song.


I think in chord frames as I pointed out
in previous articles.




Warning:

This type of free-style accompaniment
only works for vocalists that are confi-
dent with the melody.




I find that it throws some vocalists that
depend heavily on the pianist for the
melody.




The pianist can still use chord substitu-
tions but must adhere to the melody for
vocalists needing the extra support.




Editor notes for: Jesus Paid it All
in the Key of C Major




Measure # 2:

The vi chord (a,c,e) substitutes the I chord
*This adds a nice chord variety when the
I chord lasts for 3 or more beats.




Measure#3:

The ii chord subsitutes the V7 and then re-
solves back to the V7 on the 3rd beat.




Measure#5:

The iii chord substitutes the I chord which
progresses nicely into a vi chord in the next
measure.




Measure#6:

The vi chord replaces the I chord.
The ii diminished chord replaced
the I chord on the word: "Find"
and pleasantly resolved back into
the I chord in Measure#7.




Measure#7:

I added an extra measure after this
one (measure#8) to allow time for
several chord substitutions that lead
nicely into the chorus. An extra measure
works well at the end of a verse. (Espec-
ially when the last word of the verse has
the same chord as the first word of the
chorus).




Measure#8:

Just use a IV to a V7 chord which will lead
back to the I chord (in measure#10)



Measure#11:

The IV chord replaces the I chord once again
and resolves back to the I chord on the next
word (which would be measure#12).


Refer to my other articles on chord substitutions
if needing extra help on application.

The Church Pianist: What Child is This? (Vocal accompaniment)

I thoroughly enjoy accompanying

vocal soloists!

What Child is This lends itself to so

many different accompaniment patterns.

The speed dictates what style of accompaniment

can be used. A slower tempo allows for a busier

accompaniment.

Here's What Child is This with some accompaniment

ideas.

I just stay within the chord frame of the melody by

using broken chord patterns for a flowing sound.

Accompaniment tips:

*Keep the same accompaniment pattern for at least

one sentence before changing patterns.

*It's not necessary to play the first word for an

incomplete measure. (The first word of the song).

The vocalist should start the first word without

waiting on the pianist.

Why? Because the vocalist should be the leader

and the accompanist....the follower.

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com

The Church Pianist: Free Piano Christmas Arrangement

Anyone in need of an intermediate

christmas piano arrangement?

I arranged this song for one of my students.

It's well suited for a small church.

The chorus can be repeated if needed.

You can use this free arrangement as

offertory or prelude special.

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com

The Church Pianist: Accompanying the Vocal Soloist

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com

As I was accompanying a vocal soloist
this evening, I was reminded of how important
it is to sing along in my mind while accompanying.

It is so important to feel the ebb and flow (rise and fall
of volume and varied speed) as interpreted by the
singer.

Being a church pianist demands flexibility! Not every
soloist interprets a song the same way.

Over the years, I've played "Birthday of the King" so
many different ways! Some soloists sing it slow while
others may go faster or at various speeds.

The speed of a song determines the style of accompaniment.
I will address this in another article with visual examples.

Remember...you have to give the soloist time to breathe!
It's so easy to rush the singer through the song.

Learn to feel the music as though you were speaking
the same words. Make it conversational.

If the singer is a true musician, you will be following them
as it should be.

I'd rather accompany a singer or instrumentalist any day over
playing a solo. For me, it's more fun to stray from the melody
and be creative :)

Hope you've all had a great Sunday!

The Church Pianist: Forgotten Christmas Songs

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com

As a church pianist, one of the questions I
hear quite often from vocalists is, "What
should I sing?"

Most people think of the obvious Christmas
songs such as: "Away in a Manger", "O Holy
Night" etc.

Why not try some of the forgotten or less used
Christmas songs. The following songs carry the
message of Christ's birth or encompass the
complete story of Jesus.

Down From His Glory

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus

That Beautiful Name

Have You Any Room for Jesus?

There is No Name So Sweet on Earth

The last four songs in the above list can be
found in the "Great Hymns of Faith" church'
hymnal. I'm sure you could locate them in other
hymnals as well.

The Church Pianist: O Little Town of Bethlehem (free arrangement)

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com

The mood of a song determines what

type of accompaniment will be used.

"O Little Town of Bethlehem" is a soft

and peaceful Christmas carol...like a

lullaby.

If I were playing this as a piano solo,

I would use less fullness for a softer

texture. Since I arranged it for the

congregation in mind, it will need the

fuller chords for supporting a large

group of singers.

This particular Christmas carol has

frequent accidental or (altered) chords,

which can create awkward moves for

the pianist.

I tried to make an accompaniment

that was more comfortable for the

hands.

Click here to download "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

Editor notes for: "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

Measure 3 :

I added the 7th note

to the ii chord (g minor) for a warmer

tone on the 3rd beat.

Measure 5:

The right hand plays a

fill-in on beats 3 and 4 for a smooth

transition to the upper range.

Measure 7:

Notice how I'm working

my way back down to the middle
range of the keyboard with my
right hand.

Measure 8:

I'm back to middle range
of keyboard to create a darker tone for
the words. ("....dark street...")

Measure 13:

Bell tones (4th interval on

beats 2 and 3 to convey a "lighter" tone).

Ok...how many of you picked up on that? :)

Please feel free to use this free piano

arrangement for congregation or choir.

You may adapt it to a piano solo with

minor changes.

The Church Pianist: O Come All Ye Faithful

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com

Here are some accompaniment

ideas for the Christmas carol:

"O Come All Ye Faithful".

Editor notes for accompaniment

examples:

Verse one: Simple but full to support

the singers.

Verse two: Used more upper register

notes for right hand to picture

"choirs of angels".

Verse three: The full chords in right

hand support the majestic mood.

The left hand stepping octaves

add life for the grand finale.

"O Come All Ye Faithful" is a stately Christmas carol.

Full chording is necessary to support this mood.

The Church Pianist: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com

Am I the only one that has difficulty
playing"While Shepherds Watched
Their Flocks by Night"?

The song is beautiful but contains
frequent chord changes and awkward
melody leaps making it a challenge for
the church pianist.

Here's another free Christmas piano
ment.

Maybe you can use this simple arrangment
in your church during the Christmas season.

I used alot of chord substitutions; creating
a more user friendly style for the hands.

Notice the 'sit still' chords on m#3 to depict
the shepherds "seated on the ground".

"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" is another
Christmas carol with frequent chord changes.

If you would like to see a similiar arrangment for
"I Heard the Bells"....check the correct reaction
below so I can make plans accordingly.

"While Shepherds Watched..." can be used for prelude,
offertory, or congregational if sung in unison.

Hope you enjoy this free piano arrangement.

Thanks for your visits!

The Church Pianist: The Sounds of Christmas

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com

The Sounds of Christmas are definitely
in the air!

Bell sounds add life to Christmas carols.

Here are several examples of different
bell ingredients I used in my arrangements
on the "Simply Christmas" CD I mentioned
in a previous article.

Explanation for the Examples:

1. Joy to the World (right hand bell tones)
Notice the intervals of the bell tones and try
in several different keys for reinforced learn-
ing and versatile application.

2. Joy to the World (right hand bell clusters)
I simply add a 'D' to a C chord to create
a dissonant sound for the bell effect.

3. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
This is one of my favorite chime sounds.
Notice how all the notes in the right hand
chords are a 4th apart. This is how to create
the chime sound!

4. O Little Town of Bethlehem (bell echo)
Bell echos add a sweet; dreamy texture to
lullaby-type melodies.
The bell echo occurs in the right hand (last measure).
It's just a broken octave ending with a nice harmony note
occuring a 3rd under the broken octave.
Remember: 3rd and 6ths create beautiful touches of
harmony.
I just used the 'Alberti bass' pattern in the left hand.

Alberti bass means a broken chord in this order:
"Bottom~top~middle~top"

Hopefully, you can incorporate these Sounds of Christmas

into your own Christmas carols this year.

The Church Pianist: Christmas CD

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com

I made a professional Christmas CD a couple of

years ago and thought I'd share the link to it.

It's actually on the BJU Press website.


http://www.bjupress.com/product/254235


CD Title: Simply Christmas


(Sacred piano by Jenifer Cook)

Song list:

O Come All Ye Faithful (piano)
The First Noel (piano w/ bells)
Hark the Herald Angels Sing (piano)
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night (harp)
Silent Night (piano)
Angels We Have Heard on High (piano)
What Child is This? (piano)
Joy to the World (piano duo w/ bells)
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (piano)
Gesu Bambino (piano duo w/ bells)
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (piano duo)
The Coventry Carol, I Wonder as I Wander (harp)
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (piano w/ bells)
Angels From the Realms of Glory (piano duo)
O Little Town of Bethlehem (piano)
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (piano)
Manger Medley (piano)
Sweet Little Jesus Boy (harp)
O Holy Night (piano duo)

The Church Pianist: Chord Substitution ( Using the II 7 and ii 7 )

New Website: http://thechurchpianist.com


Any chord within a major scale
can be altered to create inter-
esting chord progressions in
gospel songs.

For example, in the key of C...

The ii 7 chord (DFAC) could be
changed to a major chord:
This would translate to:
D F# A C

This altered chord ( II 7 )
can substitute a I chord
moving into a V chord.

Example: C chord to a G chord

Wait! That's not all...a ii 7 then
replaces the V chord before re-
solving back to the V chord.

Required conditions for II 7:

Can be used when I chord
is already lasting for three
or more beats. This gives
developing time for the sub-
stitution.

Required conditions for ii 7:

Can be used when V chord
is already lasting for at least
two beats.

See the first example on today's image
for Sweet Hour of Prayer. I labeled the
chord substitutions for clarification.

It always helps to see a concept applied
to several songs in different keys
before it makes sense.

Try these chord subsitutions in other
gospel songs for practice.

Hint: Look for a I chord lasting more
than three beats before moving to a V
chord that lasts at least two beats.