The Church Pianist: Free Piano Offertory (Part One)

I enjoy simple offertories...meaning...piano arrangements

with a clear melody presentation.

I've written part one of a free piano offertory.

The lyrics are added to help the church pianist focus on

the message of the hymn.

In a future article, I will share the editor notes for this

piano selection; giving you explanations for my improvising

ideas in this free offertory.

I don't normally do this, but I'm creating this piano medley as I go. Part two
will present the rest of this free piano arrangment of the "Heaven Medley".

Links for the free offertory:

Part One:

http://thechurchpianist.com/church-pianist/the-church-pianist-free-piano-offertory-part-one/

Part Two with audio of complete offertory:

http://thechurchpianist.com/free-piano-offertory/the-church-pianist-free-piano-offertory-part-two/

The Church Pianist: The Invitation

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com

As a church pianist, you all know that the invitation
is a crucial time. It's a time when many make life-
changing decisions.

Sometimes the pastor has me play while he's talking
during the invitation.

I try to convey a reflective yet urgent mood as pastor
encourages people to come forward as God leads.

Here is an audio sample of how I might play the background
music for the invitation:

http://www.box.net/shared/ov0upsoc7g

The Church Pianist: What is An Augmented Chord?

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

The word "augment" means to make larger.


That is exactly what happens when a chord
is augmented...it is made a half step greater.

The augmented chord adds a touch of
"suspense or anticipation" to a song.

An augmented chord is just like a major
chord (in root position) with a raised fifth.

For example:

The C major chord in root position = C E G

The C augmented chord = C E G#

Any major chord can be augmented within
a song as long as it sounds right.

Alot of hymns use the augmented chord.

See the music image below. (Then read the following).

Did you find the augmented chords in the examples?

If not, here are the answers:


(There was only one in each example).

Moment by Moment: on the word "by"

Thank You Lord: on the word "for"

In part two, I will share how to use
the augmented chord as a chord substitution in
hymns.


Part Two can be found at:
http://thechurchpianist.com/chords/the-church-pianist-part-two-augmented-chord-substitution/

The Church Pianist: Free Manuscript Paper

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

I came across Wendy's piano Studio while visiting

Music Matters Blog by Natalie Wickham.

Wendy has loads of resources for the pianist.

If you are a composer, you will enjoy accessing

her free manuscript paper at the following link.

http://www.composecreate.com/wendys-piano-studio/teaching-resources/manuscript-paper

The Church Pianist: Improvising Hymns (Part One)

Short on time... but will share a simple fill-in idea

for hymns.

This improvisational idea works well at the end of

a verse.....leading into the chorus.

The following two ingredients are nesscary in order

to use this fill-in idea.

1.The final chord of the verse must be a I chord and

last for at least three beats.

2. The first chord of the chorus must also be a I chord.

For example: In G Major....the I (one) chord is GBD.

Description of the Fill-In Idea: (occurs in final measure

of verse)

On Beat #3...

1. Play a IV chord in the right hand

2. Play the V note of G Major in the left hand for the bass note

( note: D )

This creates the chord notation: IV/V

Editor notes for today's example:

After the word..."Thee" the right hand plays a "climb the ladder"

fill-in to make an easy transition to the upper register of the piano.

Follow this link to see another example of this fill-in idea:

http://thechurchpianist.com/?p=454

The Church Pianist: Hymn Appreciation

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

Knowing the story behind a hymn
instills a deeper appreciation for the
hymn writer and its message.


Recently, I shared the unusual story
behind the writing of "There's Within
My Heart A Melody".


Such a happy tune and message...yet
born from a tragic accident.

Read the story:

http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2009/07/church-pianist-theres-within-my-heart.html

I told you that I'd share the name of the book that
contained this hymn story and many more.

The book is entitled: "Hymn Histories" by Alfred Smith.

I had the privilege of accompanying Al Smith when he was
alive. ( I was a teenager at the time).

He would also share hymn stories...he actually knew some of
the composers personally....or friends of the hymn writers.

As a young girl, I heard Al Smith tell the stories behind some
of the great hymns of faith. The words of those hymns took
on new meaning as I sang them in church.

Alfred Smith was also a hymn writer. He wrote the well-known
hymn: "Surely Goodness and Mercy"....also the children's well-
loved chorus entitled: "Zaccheaus".

Our younger generation is losing their strong heritage of the great

hymns of faith. Why not bring a hymn to life by sharing its story?

See Alfred Smith's biography and "Hymn Histories" book at the

following links:

http://www.livinghymns.org/bio.htm

http://www.livinghymns.org/resources.aspx