Congregational Playing

Some church pianists have been taught that it's necessary to play every melody note during congregational singing.  If you're one of these pianists....you're missing out on all the fun!

The more well-known the melody is to the audience...the more I deviate from the melody.  How to do so without getting lost?  I think in chord frames while singing the melody in my head.

Learning the chords by number system will enable the church pianist to manuever through a hymn without
getting lost.  Much to learn!  

Visit my site for improvising tips for congregational singing at:

The Church Pianist

Most Embarrassing Moment as Church Pianist

 I'll never forget the most embarrassing moment I had as a young
church pianist at the age of fifteen.  I was playing for the invitation and the sustain pedal broke.

I can still remember the song I was playing..."Just as I Am".
All I could hear was"Plunk plunk plunk... plunk plunk plunk plunk....."

My dad was the song leader and he just gave me this "what is going on?" look.
I tried acting like nothing was wrong but it was just TOO obvious :)
 Needless to say...the invitation seemed a little shorter that day.

Anybody else have an embarrassing moment as church pianist
that you're willing to share?  Feel free!

New site:  The Church Pianist

The Church Pianist: Adding Runs to Hymns

Adding runs to hymns make for nice fillers during a held word.

I'm doing a series of articles containing visual examples of runs

in hymns. I'll also be providing an audio of each example.

Go to: http://thechurchpianist.com/ to see more on this topic.

The Church Pianist: More Piano Offertories!

Check out this nice book for offertories from Bible Truth Music entitled

Playing Piano Praises Volume One by Glenn & Jan Christianson.

This piano book contains 10 nice offertory selections. The piano

arrangements are available in downloadable pdf format or can be

purchased individually in the same format.

I consider these offertories to be early advanced arrangements.

I always enjoy finding new offertories! Click on the book title

to see the actual music of all the piano arrangements contained

in this book.

Go to: http://thechurchpianist.com/offertories/the-church-pianist-more-piano-offertories/ to hear audio samples!

The Church Pianist: Offertory Ideas

As church pianists, we could use some inexpensive, creative
ideas for offertories, right?

Did you know you can use a piano arrangement written for
a vocalist to accompany say...a violin or flute solo?

Or...use a piano accompaniment written for one of these instru-
ments to accompany a vocalist.

Not too long ago...I shared a free vocal arrangement of
"Haven of Rest". One of my church pianist readers used it
to accompany her sister, who plays violin.


It turned out so nice that I decided to share this offertory
idea with you. Links to music included below the video.



Haven of Rest part one
Haven of Rest part two
Haven of Rest part three

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

The Church Pianist:Congregational Singing

Here's an easy tip for church pianists.


When playing for congregational singing...


Keep the music moving between verses to create an
easy entry for singers.


Slowing down at the end of each verse will disrupt the
flow of music; causing confusion for the congregation as
far as when to start the next verse.


Piano Hymn Fill-ins Part Three addresses this issue and
provides a couple of music examples.


It is important for the church pianist to maintain a steady
tempo throughout congregational singing. If available,
the song leader will take care of this concern.

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com

The Church Pianist: Free Hymn Sheet Music

Hi! Just wanted to make my readers aware of the
free hymn sheet music I'm offering on my new website.

Click on the following link to view my free hymn arrangements.

http://thechurchpianist.com/free-music/