The Church Pianist: Foundational Tools for Improvising

Before a pianist can improvise effectively,

one must have a common knowledge of the

major and minor scales.

Of course some pianists play by ear and may
sound wonderful but cannot explain theoretically

what they're doing.

I know...I also can play by ear but read music and

have studied theory. I do not claim to be the theory

expert but did have teachers that required me to

learn theory.

Over the past ten years, I've learned a good bit of

theory through personal study.

It's imperative to have a working knowledge of the

scales and chords in all major and minor keys.

Today's image displays some very important tools

that prepare the church pianist for improvising.

It's really quite simple when learning the scales and

chords with the numbering system.

For example, a scale consists of 8 notes. A chord can

be built on each note of the scale as demonstrated in

today's image.

When numbering the chords in the scale...the upper

case roman numeral refers to a Major chord and the

lower case roman numeral indicates a minor chord.

Notice, the notes in the chords are made up of 3rds.

Meaning....the notes are a third apart from each other.

Anytime a three note chord consists of consecutive

thirds...it is in root position...meaning...the bottom

note of that chord names the chord.

For example...the chord (CEG) is called a C chord

because it's made of consecutive 3rds and the

bottom note is 'C'.

Now you're ready to hear about chord extensions.

To create a richer or fuller chord...add another note

a 3rd from the top note. This is called extending

the chord.

For example: The C chord (CEG).

Add another note a 3rd from the top and you now

have: CEGB

Chord extensions can be used for either hand.

They work best in the left hand.

The scales and chords are the foundational tools

for learning to improvise.

For starters, learn the scales for the easy major

keys with their chords (triads).

Try: C, G, D and F Major

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The Church Pianist: Transposing (Part Two) Example #2

Transposing is such a large topic to cover!

Transposing tips for today's example #2:

Notice how closely related the chords are

during the transposition; allowing for a smoother

harmonic transition.

For example:

Look at the measure marked

"key change". The first chord in the right

hand maintained the previous chord's top

note; only altering the bottom two notes.

A slight ritard during the key change prevents

a rushed transition.

Try transposing on your own. For easier practice,

choose two hymns with similar moods and time signatures.

*Link to the first example for Transposing (Part Two)*

http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2009/06/church-pianist-transposing-part-two.html

Please feel free to ask questions or leave comments.

Thanks again for visiting!

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The Church Pianist: Transposing (Part Two)

Transposing up a minor 3rd can be

done in several ways.

For sake of simplicity, I will share one

way in this article.

Use the ii 7 and V 7 of the new key to

make the transition between keys.

For example:

If you want to go from C Major to E flat Major

(which is a minor3rd)....use the following chords

for the key change...f minor 7 (F, A flat, C, E flat)

and then...B flat M/m 7 (B flat, D, F, A flat).

Of course, the notes to these chords are distributed

between both hands for proper sound balance.

Think of 7ths as add-ons. They aren't necessary but

add richness to an otherwise basic chord.

Today's music image only contains one example due

to a busy week of VBS at our church.

I will post another example for this transposition in

the next article.

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The Church Pianist: Prelude tip.

Here's a tip that may help the church
pianist for the end of the prelude.

Does your choir sing an opening chorus
to begin the service?

If they do, I try to make sure my last
prelude song is in the same key as the
choir opener.

This allows for a smoother transition
into the introduction for the choir opener.

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Transposing: Part One

Part One

Being able to transpose from one song to

another takes practice. It's not as hard as

you may think. Just one chord is really all

you need....no matter what key!

Today's article will introduce this popular chord...
the V 7 of the new key (the key you want to
transpose to).

For instance, say... I want to go from G Major to A flat
Major (a half step higher).

Well...the V 7 chord in the key of A flat Major is
E flat. ( You always have to think ahead to the new key
to compute the V 7 chord).

The distance of keys between the two songs determines
what chords will sound best for the transposition.

You can always count on the V 7 chord of the new key
as a great link between the keys.

I'll begin by introducing two examples for transposing a
half step (minor 2nd) higher from the original key.

Editor notes for today's example:

*Songs with matching moods need no ritard for
ease of transistion.

* Songs with different moods require a ritard;
allowing time for a gear shift :)

*It does sound nice to lower the 7th tone of the original

key before moving into the V 7 chord of the new key.

I always lowered the 7th tone in the left hand for a nice

octave progression into the V 7 chord.

Audio of today's examples:

http://www.box.net/shared/8xce5tcr2b

Click on the following link for more information
on transposing.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxdfSaPCto4kzlKzgXYDgUZOWLWkCMT3Ug2OMdwOT0idWp-eEnSAl4U4ziz0PrWm5f0fSI2jgV56cQDSN5-6pIHK-FqgSva9oeEZDhk_T4dGJoX0AC73g0Aa3HjKd7yw5uqOTFwIGufSv/s1600-h/-+%5BTransposing+up+a+whole+step.png


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The Church Pianist: Part Two of How Great Thou Art (Free Piano Arrangment)

I apologize...but I made a mistake on page one of

the How Great Thou Art piano arrangment in

Saturday's article.

Here is the complete arrangement of How Great Thou Art.

I will also share an audio of this free piano arrangement.

http://www.box.net/shared/8dgmzlhzz7

A youtube video of my advanced arrangement for "How Great Thou

Art" can be found at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK91iQ_iClU

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The Church Pianist: Free Piano Arrangement: Part Two

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This free piano arrangement is written in

prelude style...very basic.

When I play this for prelude, I use more of

the upper range of the piano for my right hand;

allowing more space for my left hand to fill-in.

Later on, I can share the way I really play this

song but wanted to keep it as simple as possible

for those at an intermediateto early advanced level.

This free piano arrangement can also be used as an

offertory in the smaller church.

Part one of this arrangement can be found by clicking

on the following link:

http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2009/06/church-pianist-free-piano-arrangement.html

The Church Pianist: Free Piano Arrangement

Well, I managed to squeeze in a verse

of a free piano arrangement for

"Standing on the Promises" prelude

style.

I enjoy bringing the old hymns to life

with chord subsitutions and fill-ins.

Tomorrow I will share the remainder

of this song in prelude style.

My editor notes for this free piano

arrangement will appear in a future

article.

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