The Church Pianist: Accompanying the Vocalist (Youtube Video)

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

Accompanying the vocalist is one of my
favorite things to play for in a church service.

I'm able to stray from the melody and just play
within the chord frame of each measure.

Chesney, is one of my voice students. The Lord
has blessed her with the ability to sing and play
the piano.

I appreciate her sweet and willing spirit to
serve the Lord through music.

I had Chesney sing this song to allow me to share
with you all...accompaniment ideas for the vocalist.

The song, "Come Thou Fount" has a busy melody
line! This means less movement for the pianist;
using more of a chording style.

Notice the introduction has a hint of the melody
but doesn't use the typical introduction.
(Meaning....the first and last phrase of the song.)

The interlude before the last verse allows the singer
a chance to get his or her breath. :)

Youtube video link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzYr30HYfc0

The Church Pianist: Accompanying the Vocalist (Youtube Video)

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

Today, I'll share a video of me accompanying
one of my voice students... Chesney... singing
"Trust and Obey".

Hopefully, you will be able to observe some of
what I've discussed in other articles regarding...
accompanying the vocalist. Please excuse the loud
piano:(

Related links:

http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2008/12/church-pianist-accompanying-vocal.html

http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2008/10/church-pianist-improvising-tips-for.html


I do use some melody here and there in the
accompaniment.

Listen for the altered vii diminished chord in
the last verse. What word did it occur on? :)


Related article discussing the altered vii diminished chord:

http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2009/01/church-pianist-stately-chord.html

Youtube link for video of Trust and Obey:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNfKYhQJe-A

The Church Pianist: Choir or Congregational Accompaniment:Part Two (When the Roll is Called Up Yonder)

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

Here is part two of yesterday's article providing

a free choir/congregational arrangement of

When the Roll is Called Up Yonder.

I love dressing up the chorus with an alternate

melody that fits within the chords being used.

Please note: This arrangment does agree with

all four voice parts in the hymnal.

I'm unable to use chord substitutions to prevent

clashing with the written chords but I do add

chord extensions here and there.

A chord extension is created by adding another

third above the root chord.

For example, this song is in A flat Major.

The A flat chord = A flat, C and E flat (consecutive 3rds).

Well, add a minor third above the final note and you land

on G flat. It adds a rich flavor (oops!..I'm hungry so I have

food on the mind).

For more information on chord extensions, click on the link

below:

http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2009/01/church-pianist-chord-extension-for-ii.html

Audio for the full arrangement of When the Roll is

Called Up Yonder:

( I did play all four voice parts to give the full effect of

the added accompaniment).

http://www.box.net/shared/kepd9kp6m5

The Church Pianist: Piano Accompaniment for When the Roll is Called Up Yonder

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

When the Roll is Called Up Yonder is a nice upbeat
hymn but contains alot of repeated chords.

This song needs a facelift when it comes to piano
accompaniment.

For this type of hymn, I like to use alternating
bass notes in octave format for the left hand.

Example: This particular hymn is in A flat. Therefore,
the one chord is A flat. The notes of the A flat chord are:
A flat, C and E flat.

Look in measure three:

The main chord for this measure is A flat. I played an
A flat octave in the left hand on beat one. On beat three,
I changed (alternated) the bass note to an E flat which
belongs in the A flat chord. (the 5th of the chord).
Makes a big difference!

Notice how I inserted some rests here and there for the
right hand. It's just another way of adding variey to the
piano accompaniment.

Several triplets are sprinkled throughout to add extra zest.
(See measures: three and eight).

In the next article, I will provide the rest of the piano
accompaniment for When the Roll is Called Up Yonder.
(chorus section).

Audio sample:

http://www.box.net/shared/hkf832ek5u

The Church Pianist: Part Two of Piano Chord Analysis: Free Piano Sample

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

I'm sharing part two of the piano solo:

"More About Jesus" with a chord analysis.


In the hymnal, this song only uses three chords:


I , V7 and ii That's it!


In today's free music sample, I'll share some different
chords to add color to the text.


The vocal score is shown with the piano score for chord
comparsion.


Editor notes for today's free piano sample:

Overview:

A simple piano accompaniment was used for a more

(hopefully) clear presentation.

Measures 1 and 2:

To prevent playing the same chord (A flat) for two measures...
play a "climb down bass" pattern; creating a smooth harmonic
flow from one chord to the next. (see chord numbers in music).


Measure 4:


The V7 chord occured in the RH (labled in music)
with both hands finishing on the I chord for the word "me".


Measures 5 through 8:


A different rhythm pattern begins for variety.


Measure 5:


The I - V7 - I chord progression is used to prevent
repetitive A flat chord.


Measure 7:

Chord subsititution: The ii replaced the original V7
and resolved back to the V7.

Chord Tip:

Remember... the bass note does not always
dictate what chord you're using. You have to combine
the notes from both hands putting them in consecutive
3rds to determine the root chord.

Click on following link to see more about the ii chord
substitution from measure #7


http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2008/11/church-pianist-chord-substitution.html


Audio of today's free piano sample:



http://www.box.net/shared/i8de6j5ptn

The Church Pianist: Using Chord Substitutions for..... More About Jesus

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

I enjoy using chord substitutions for a hymn

that would normally sound rather plain.

The hymn, More About Jesus, has a rather

mundane bass line. The whole song mainly

consists of the one (I) and five (V) chord.

This particular hymn is written in A flat.

Therefore, the one chord is A flat and the

V chord is E flat (E flat is the fifth note

of the A flat scale).

I will show you the vocal score against the

piano score so you can see what I changed.

Please remember, the piano score will only

work as a piano solo because the chord substitu-

tions would clash with the vocal parts.

Editor's notes for Part One of More About Jesus

Measure One:

I used a IV chord in the left hand on the

syllable..."Je" of the word "Jesus".

A IV chord can be inserted when the I chord

lasts 3 beats or more beats.

The right hand is playing a suspended chord

which I will explain in another lesson.

Measure two:

Left hand plays a stepping down pattern leading

into the vi 7 chord on the word "know".

Alot is happening in this measure to the next

measure.

So....when a I chord lasts for 3 or more beats and

is moving into a V chord....you can substitute the

I chord with the vi chord and....

Measure three:

.....then substitute the V chord with the ii 7 (as long

as the V chord lasts long enough to resolve back to

the V chord...basically three or more beats.

The original chord progression for the vocal score is...

Measure one: I chord

Measure two: I chord

Measure three: V chord

Measure four: I chord

The new chord progression in the piano score is...

Measure one: I to a IV

Measure two: I to a vi 7

Measure three: ii 7 to a V 7

Measure four: I chord

I'm in somewhat of a rush but hope I've made myself

clear.

We leave in the morning for Pigeon Forge and i'm

looking forward to dreaming up more articles on the

trip!

The Church Pianist: Piano Introductions (Free Samples) Part Four

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

Today's free samples of piano introductions cover
hymns beginning with an incomplete measure.

Not sure what I was thinking earlier when I ment-
ioned these type of introductions being tricky.

Although, there are some hymns with tricky intro-
ductions because they have two different time
signatures.

I will cover tricky introductions in another article.

The most important thing to remember when
playing introductions.....keep it moving :)

Also, remember to give a rousing introduction for
peppy songs and a more subdued mood for
devotional type hymns such as :
"A Child of the King" ...used in today's free samples
of piano introductions.










I will share an audio of today's samples.









http://www.box.net/shared/5o8my7ebku

The Church Pianist: Free Easy Vocal/Piano Arrangement for It is Well

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

This is an easy piano accompaniment
for a vocal solo of "It is Well".

I wrote it for a level book three student.

I'm training her to become one of our

church pianists.

You're welcome to use this for yourself

or one of your students.

(Due to a hectic weekend, I posted this quickie today).

Tomorrow, I plan to post part four of Piano Introductions.

The Church Pianist: Piano Introductions (Songs in 3/4 Time)

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

Piano introductions should be simple;

giving a sufficient sampling of the tune

to ensure a confident entry for the song

leader and congregation.

As I prepared today's music examples...

several tips came to mind for piano intro-

ductions which I'll share in another article.

As you'll discover in today's introduction examples...

introductions do not have to be very long.

Just provide enough of the beginning of the tune

with a secure ending.

The next article will be entitled:

Piano Introductions: (Part Four)

Songs starting with incomplete

measures.

Songs with incomplete measures can be quite

tricky when it comes to piano introductions!

I'll share some examples and tips concerning

this topic in the next article.

The Church Pianist: Piano Introductions Part Two: Hymns in 4/4 Timing

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

Piano introductions need to be simple to follow

to ensure a confident entry.



Here are some examples of piano introductions in
4/4 time.



Editor notes for today's music image:



*Christ the Lord is Risen Today... (third measure)



I played single eighth notes here and there in
the right hand for ease of movement through
a fast passage.



*Standing on the Promises... (second measure)



To avoid using a B flat chord for the entire measure,
I used an E flat chord on beats three and
four for chord variation. In theoretical terms, the IV
chord (E flat) replaced the I chord (B flat).



I also altered the melody onthe fourth beat to create
a smoother melodic transistion into the next measure.

Just remember: No ritard at end of introductions :)



Hope you're able to make use of these piano introductions.

Hear piano introductions:



http://www.box.net/shared/jjdpoocu2y

The Church Pianist: Audio Samples for Free Piano Arrangements

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

I'm sharing article links with added audio samples
for the following free piano arrangements from
previous articles.

It always helps me to hear the arranger's interpre-
tation of his or her arrangment.

Click on the following article links that now contain
audio samples for:

Free piano solo of "Jesus Paid it All"

http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2009/02/church-pianist-free-piano-arrangement.html


Piano arrangement for "What a Friend We Have in Jesus"

http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2008/11/church-pianist-free-piano-arrangement.html

The Church Pianist: Piano Introductions: Part One...6/8 Timing with Fermata Endings

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

I enjoyed writing these piano introductions for hymns

in 6/8 timing containing fermata endings.


Remember that a fermata is a bird's eye looking symbol
written over notes. They are usually found close to the end
of songs. You simply hold these notes a little longer than the
norm.


Special note:


The church pianist must ignore these holds when playing
introductions.


See previous article on introductions for more information:



http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2008/09/church-pianist-introduction-tips-for.html



Here's an audio of Piano Introductions (Part One)



There's a slight pause between each example and
I play a little of the song after each introduction.

http://www.box.net/shared/volkaqz29y

The Church Pianist: Improvising for Beginners Using Nothing But the Blood (Lesson One)

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

Today I'll be teaching one of my piano students
her first hymnprovising lesson.

My motivation may be a little selfish on my part.
I need another pianist to help out at church and
this student (Faber Book Level 3A) is ready for
the challenge!

For those of you who are beginners at improvising....
this may help you.

The hymn I'll improvise with her today will be
"Nothing But the Blood of Jesus" in the key of F.

I'll introduce just the verse today...giving her a small
portion to focus on.

The lines of the verse have the same melody and
chord structure,making it easy to reinforce the
improvised notes.

Special note:

This student has learned the scales,
root chords and inversions in the keys of:
C, G, D, A, and F Major
a, d and e minor

It's important to have a working knowledge
of the above scales and chords/inversions before
improvising from the hymnal.

Todays' lesson for "Nothing But the Blood"

*The hymnal is written for voice parts only

*Identify: saprano, alto, tenor and bass notes

*Add tenor note to right hand for more fullness

*Point out that sometimes it's better to hold a
chord through fast repeated note passages
such as measure # 3, beat one.

Assignment for "Nothing But the Blood of Jesus"

1. Play right hand with added tenor note

2. Fill in the right hand for the second line of music
(why? for added reinforcement and exposure to
seeing and playing correct music grammar).

3. Use the suggested fingering for ease of movement

I'll try to make this beginner series a weekly article.

Feel free to use this for your students or yourself to

learn how to improvise hymns.