The Church Pianist: Chord extension for the ii chord

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Chord extensions are easy!


All you do is... add a 3rd above the root chord.


For example:


C E G is the root chord for the C chord.


Just add the 7th note above the root note (C)
and you find B.


This added note (B) gives an even richer, fuller tone.


This extension can be added to any root chord within
a scale.


Here's a list of the first 3 chords in the C scale with the
added 7th:


Oh....by the way..........


(Knowledge of the scales is an essential to improvising)


C E G B


D F A C


E G B D


F A C E


etc. etc. You get the idea.


I illustrated 'adding the 7th' to the ii chord in today's image.


The 'added 7th' doesn't even conflict with the vocal parts!


The vocal and piano score are given for the sake of comparison.


I tried to keep the piano accompaniment simple for a (hopefully)
clear presentation.


You will notice I show the same application in several songs and
in different keys.


Challenge yourself!


Try adding this extension to other chords as well.


Your playing will sound richer and fuller.

The Church Pianist: Stately Chord Substitution

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This is a neat sounding chord! It adds a majestic
flair to a stately hymn or gospel song.

The altered vii (diminished) chord can be used
during a V to I chord progression if the V chord
lasts for at least three beats. This allows time
for the chord substitution to resolve back to the
V chord before moving on to the I chord.

Simply alter the vii (diminished) chord by lower-
ing the bottom note one half step.

For example:

In the key of F...the vii (diminished) chord is:
( E G B flat ) Lower the E to an E flat.

This creates an E flat chord to be used within
the key of F.

Use it first in place of the V and then resolve to the
V chord before going on to the I chord.

I've shared two examples of this chord subsit-
tution to help clarify the concept.

Special note: The minor 7th of the altered chord
is also included for a smoother chord progression.
It's used in the left hand for both examples.

In the first example: the minor 7th of the altered
chord is the D flat octave in the left hand.

For the second example: The G flat octave is the
minor 7th of the altered chord.

Remember, this stately chord substitution can be
applied when using a V to I chord progression.
*The V chord must last for at least 3 beats.

Attention: Please don't use chord substitutions for
congregational singing unless they're singing
unison.

Chord substitutions will clash with the written
voice parts in the hymnal.

The Church Pianist: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night

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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: Chord Substitution ( Using the II 7 and ii 7 )

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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.

The Church Pianist: Free Piano Solo with Chord Substitutions

Chord substitutions bring simple hymns to life!

I'll use the Key of C for easy application.

Hopefully you all know your chords by number.

For example, in the key of C: CEG is the one chord,

because it's built on the first note in the key of C.

DFA is the two chord because it's built on the second

note in the key of C, etc.



Simple Chord Substitutions:


1. The one chord (CEG) can be substituted with either

a iii (EGB) chord or a vi (ACE) chord. Why? Because

both chords have 2 notes in common with the C chord.


2. The IV chord (FAC) in the key of C, can be substituted

with a ii (DFA) chord or a vi (ACE) chord for the same reason.

Measure Description for: Just As I Am

(I'll use Roman Numerals for chord numbers)

Measure #2: iii chord replaced the I chord

Measure#4: Surprise! This is the 2 - 1 chord suspension I mentioned in

a previous lesson.

Measure#12: ii chord replacing a IV chord

Measure#14: vi chord replacing a I chord

All other substitutions in this piece will be addressed in future articles.

I want to avoid brain overload:)

Try these chord substitutions on: Near to the Heart of God or It is Well in the Key of C.

The Church Pianist: When Not to Use Altered Chords

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Notice anything unusual in yesterday's article?
I broke an accompaniment rule of the church pianist.

I used an altered chord in the first measure of the
second verse. ( "Jesus Loves Even Me")
I played a D 7 in place of a G chord on the word: "only".

Altered chords are inappropriate to use when
accompanying choir or congregation, if they are singing parts.

It's ok to use altered chords if everyone is singing melody.
Otherwise, your chord should match the chord of the singers.

For the most part, our congregation sings melody. Several
of our men sing tenor by ear and they just follow my chord
changes.

So, if you have a congregation to play for like me, have fun
using a few altered chords here and there!

The Church Pianist (Left Hand Accompaniment Tips)

1. To prevent a muddy tone, do not play a 3 note chord lower than Bass C.
(The 1st C under middle C)


2. When using broken LH chords for accompaniment: use 1-5-10-
instead of 1-3-5 for a more open tone.

For example: in the key of C….the broken chord: C-E-G (1-3-5)
could be changed to C-G-E (1-5-10)

(It’s a wider broken chord but sounds more pleasing than
the 1-3-5 broken chord.)



Try out these left hand tips on a song that lends itself to a flowing tempo such as:
"My Jesus I Love Thee".

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