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

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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: Canon in D Chord Progression Part Two with Accompaniment Tips

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Canon in D chord progression works
well for mundane bass lines... as I mentioned
in yesterday's article.

Clarification:

I only used the first three chords of the Canon
in D progression for yesterday's and today's
example.

The melody of a song determines the
the chord progression. Some songs are
suited to use the entire chord progression of
Canon in D, such as: This is My Father's World.

In today's example, notice how I deleted melody
notes in the right hand of the piano score.

Deleting repetitive melody notes prevents an
overworked tone and create a more flowing
accompaniment for the singer.

Try applying the Canon in D chord progression

to other hymns with mundane bass lines.

The Church Pianist: Canon in D Bass Movement (modified)

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After practicing Canon in D with my sons
this morning (guitar and piano)....
the thought occured to me...


I should show how to use the Canon in D
bass movement in several hymns.


This bass movement works well with hymns
containing a mundane bass line. A mundane
bass line occurs when the same chord lasts for
more than one measure.


The Canon in D bass progression is:


I- V - vi - iii - IV - I - IV - V


Instead, I will use the following chord order:


I - V - vi - iii - IV - I - *ii 7 - V


I only changed the next to the last chord.


Remember: the ii 7 and IV can be interchanged
because their chords have similar notes.


Key of C: ii 7 = DFAC

Key of C: IV = FAC


See today's example using the hymn:

" I Have Decided to Follow Jesus"


My left hand does the Canon in D chord
progression using broken chords.


Tomorrow I will show another hymn using
the Canon in D progression.

The Church Pianist: Chord Substitutions with Jesus Paid it All

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I've mentioned before that I enjoy
accompanying vocalists because I'm
not enslaved to the melody.



Chord substitutions add so much
life and warmth to a song.


I think in chord frames as I pointed out
in previous articles.




Warning:

This type of free-style accompaniment
only works for vocalists that are confi-
dent with the melody.




I find that it throws some vocalists that
depend heavily on the pianist for the
melody.




The pianist can still use chord substitu-
tions but must adhere to the melody for
vocalists needing the extra support.




Editor notes for: Jesus Paid it All
in the Key of C Major




Measure # 2:

The vi chord (a,c,e) substitutes the I chord
*This adds a nice chord variety when the
I chord lasts for 3 or more beats.




Measure#3:

The ii chord subsitutes the V7 and then re-
solves back to the V7 on the 3rd beat.




Measure#5:

The iii chord substitutes the I chord which
progresses nicely into a vi chord in the next
measure.




Measure#6:

The vi chord replaces the I chord.
The ii diminished chord replaced
the I chord on the word: "Find"
and pleasantly resolved back into
the I chord in Measure#7.




Measure#7:

I added an extra measure after this
one (measure#8) to allow time for
several chord substitutions that lead
nicely into the chorus. An extra measure
works well at the end of a verse. (Espec-
ially when the last word of the verse has
the same chord as the first word of the
chorus).




Measure#8:

Just use a IV to a V7 chord which will lead
back to the I chord (in measure#10)



Measure#11:

The IV chord replaces the I chord once again
and resolves back to the I chord on the next
word (which would be measure#12).


Refer to my other articles on chord substitutions
if needing extra help on application.

The Church Pianist: O Come All Ye Faithful

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Here are some accompaniment

ideas for the Christmas carol:

"O Come All Ye Faithful".

Editor notes for accompaniment

examples:

Verse one: Simple but full to support

the singers.

Verse two: Used more upper register

notes for right hand to picture

"choirs of angels".

Verse three: The full chords in right

hand support the majestic mood.

The left hand stepping octaves

add life for the grand finale.

"O Come All Ye Faithful" is a stately Christmas carol.

Full chording is necessary to support this mood.

The Church Pianist: Adding the Major/minor 7th

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The church pianist can rejuvenate
a hymn by just using chord extensions.






A chord extension occurs when
consecutive 3rds are added above
the 5th note of a chord in root
position.









For example, the C chord (CEG)....
add a B to it and you have a richer
chord!









The note 'B'....is a major 7th

above the root note (C).





Lowering the 'B' to a 'B' flat creates
a minor 7th above 'C'.......therefore
creating the Major/minor 7th.






Ingredients of the Major/minor 7th:




(I'll use C chord as example)









Major=CEG
minor 7th=B flat








Together= Major/minor 7th chord







A minor 7th can be added when a I chord
is leading to a IV chord. (Hope you know
your chords by numbers).








Key of C:
C is the I chord
F is the IV chord








Explanation of today's example:






I first showed the added 7th in the vocal
score for easy-to-see example and then
gave the piano score for a more practical
demonstration.








Challenge to the church pianist:








Take a church hymnal and try to find
the Major/minor 7th already used
in the following songs:






At Calvary (chorus)
Victory in Jesus (twice in chorus)
Lily of the Valley (no hint!)

Clarification: The Major/minor 7th is not a chord

substitution. It's simply an extended chord.

The Church Pianist: Chord Substitutions for Repeated Bass Lines

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Chord substitutions add spice to

gospel songs with repeated bass

lines!

Some of these substitutions have

been mentioned in my previous

articles.

General information on song sample:

The vocal score is presented to show

the contrast created by the improvised

piano score.

Please remember: chord substitutions
conflict with part singing unless....
everyone is singing unison.

Editor notes by measure number:


#3: I added the minor 7th of the G
chord (the F natural) which gave
a nice pull to the IV chord in m#4

#6: Substituted a I (G) chord with the
vi (e) chord

#7: The substituted vi chord leads nicely
to a II7 (Major-minor 7th) AC#EG

#8: Subsitute a V with the ii7 which
resolves back to the V.
I did use a ii7 crossed with a V on
the first beat for a nice twist!

The I 7 chord illustrated in measure #3
can be used for congregational singing
when correctly applied.
Tomorrow's article will demonstrate this
easy-to-apply chord!

Chord substitutions allow the church pianist to communicate more effectively through music.

The Church Pianist: Chord Substitution

How to Substitute the V or V7 chord with a ii7.

This substitution can be used
when a V or V7 chord lasts two
or more beats.

It can be done in only 2 beats.
(see measure #4)

Simply replace the V or V7 chord with a ii7 and
resolve to the V or V7.

The song example is in the key of D Major.

Therefore, the ii7 chord= EGBD. The V7=AC#EG.

It's not necessary to play all 4 notes of a 7 chord.

The bare necessities are the 1st and 7th note of
the 7 chord.

Try this chord substitution on other songs in easier keys

such as: C, F, and G. Look for a V7 lasting 2 or more beats

and substitute with a ii7 in that key.

Helpful tip: Key of C (ii7=DFAC) (V7=GBDF)

This chord substitution adds a nice warmth to invitation

style songs.

Clarification tip: Don't use chord substitutions when playing

for congregation. The chord substitution(s) will conflict with

the written voice parts in the hymnal.

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The Church Pianist: Amazing Grace (chord substitutions)

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This article is a visual reference for my very

first post.

The article dealt with chord substitutions for
"Amazing Grace".


The arrangement is simple in order to focus

on the chord substitutions.


Please refer to the link below to see the names
of the chord substitutions.

http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2008/08/amazing-grace-makeover.html#com#comments

The Church Pianist: See Left Hand Pattern for Repetitive Bass Line

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Repetitive bass lines occur frequently in gospel songs.


The example at the right, applies

to gospel songs in 4/4 time.



I give an advanced and an easy version.



Notice the following in the advanced version:


*Playing an octave higher in the

right hand allows more creative

space for the left hand.

The use of chord inversions are then possible.

Description of Left Hand Pattern:

Measure one:




Octave (root of chord)



Chord (Adv. version allows room for chord inversions)


*Special note: The bottom note of the of the left hand
inverted chord, usually matches the melody note of the

right hand.



Octave (alternating bass; the 5th note of the C chord)



Chord


Measure Two:




Octave (alternating bass; the 3rd note of the C chord)




Chord (I added the minor 7th (b flat) of the C chord which leads to an F chord)




Stepping octaves in eight notes (this breaks up the octave - chord pattern for variety)







Hopefully, this visual will clarify previous text articles dealing with left hand patterns.

The Church Pianist: Using a Suspended Chord for a Peaceful Effect

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Suspended chords create such a peaceful sound in tranquil hymns.

Hymns such as: Wonderful Peace, It is Well, etc.

There are several different suspensions but I will share one in this article.

The 2 – 1 suspension. (I will use the Key of C for easy application.)

The numbers 2 and 1 refer to the first two notes in the Key of C: ( C and D )

How to apply the 2 – 1 suspension:


For: Right Hand

Use for a C chord when the melody is a G and the chord lasts for at

least two beats to allow time for the movement.

Hymn example: It is Well With My Soul

Where: second word of song (peace)

Play in right hand all together: D, E, G…….

( keep holding the E and G and resolve the lower note

( D ) to a C for second beat of chord ).

Try applying the same suspension movement in the following hymns:

Under His Wings (Key of C) Use on the word: "wings" in the first sentence

Like a River Glorious (Key of F) verse one: "…fuller every day" (on "day")

( The D and C on "day" will be in half note rhythm since "day" is a whole note ).

There are so many more applications using the 2 – 1 suspended chords!

Keep in mind…the suspended chord acts as a sweetener to music.

Use sparingly to prevent excess richness.

The Church Pianist: More Application of the ii 7 Chord Substitution

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The following two gospel songs apply the chord substitution mentioned in the previous article.

Remember to play the ii 7 chord with the left hand.


*Clarification of using the ii 7: Notice: There are four notes in a ii 7 chord.

To avoid a heavy, clouded sound: Don’t play all 4 notes when a ii 7 chord is lower than Bass C

(the first C under middle C). Instead: play the bottom and top note only. For example: I would

play only A and G together for the ii 7 in the key of G. (because the A is located under Bass C).

Remember, the lower you play close-note chords the cloudier they sound.

(In an earlier article I mentioned not playing three note chords of any kind

lower than Bass C to prevent a muddy tone.)

Application of ii 7 chord substitution:

Hymn: Haven of Rest (Key of G)

ii 7 chord = A C E G (just play A and G)

IV chord = F A C

(2nd measure: out on life’s sea)

Change left hand to: ii 7 (A and G) on the word: life’s

(6th measure: do the same)

Change left hand to: ii 7 on the word: your



Hymn: The Solid Rock ( Key of C)

ii 7 chord = G Bflat D F (just play G and F)

IV chord = B flat D F

(3rd measure: Je-sus’ blood)

Change left hand to: ii 7 on the word: blood

Make the same change on the word: lean (measure 9)



This chord substitution will add more variety to gospel hymns. Challenge yourself and apply this same chord substitution to other gospel songs.

The Church Pianist: Chord Substitution

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(ii 7 can replace a IV chord or vice versa!)

Ok, let’s use Key of C to establish the above mentioned chords.

What’s the 2nd note in the Key of C? D

Therefore the ii 7 chord = DFAC (the C is the 7th note above the note D)

What’s the 4th note in the key of C? F (Correct!)

Therefore the IV chord = FAC

Notice how the ii 7 and IV chord have several notes in common. They both have the notes: FAC.

This is why they can interact and substitute each other!

The result is a richer, warmer sound!

Application:

(The left hand plays the ii 7 )

When to substitute the IV with a ii 7 : When the IV chord lasts for 3 or more beats. Most of the

substitutions will occur on the 3rd beat.

It is Well (last 3 measures) Key of C

Words of these measures: "…well, it is well with my soul."

1st of the last 3 measures:

Beat one and two: as written ( on word: "well" )

Beat three: change to ii 7 ( on the words: "it is" )

Trusting Jesus (2nd sentence) Key of F

The IV chord in the Key of F = Bflat, D, F

The ii 7 chord = G , B flat, D and F

Words of this sentence: "Trusting thru a stormy way;"

Trusting: as written

Thru a: change to ii 7

These chord substitutions will bring the old hymns to life! There are many more chord

substitutions! We will take one at a time to keep things simple.

I will show you a couple more hymns tomorrow with the same chord substitution.

Special Note: Please feel free to leave questions or comments to help me out on

future articles. I need to know your needs! Thanks a bunch!