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

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

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: 6/8 Time (Free Sample)

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

We just sang a song in 6/8 time this past

Sunday that gave my hands a big workout!

(As I mature in age, I like to make things as simple

as possible.)

Seriously, it's better to avoid playing every word

when accompanying in 6/8 time.

Why? To create a steadier and more musical flow.

Editor notes for today's example: (Praise Him! Praise Him!)

Measure #5: Right hand changes to a broken chord pattern

for variety.

Measure #7: Using a rest (in this case....for the right hand)

prepares the right hand for a more comfortable

entry of busy octaves in measure #8.

Measure #8: The ascending octaves in right hand creates an

easy transistion for playing higher.

Measure #9: The right hand climbs down the ladder with chords

transistioning to the lower register of keyboard.

Measure #11: Right hand plays in contrary motion to melody on

beats four through six for a nice contrast.

Measure #12: Left hand can play as shown or...double the 'D' and 'B'

on beats two and three for total octave format.

The vocal score is shown with the piano score for you to compare

to see how the accompaniment fits the voice parts.

6/8 timing songs are usually very wordy and require less

accompaniment frills than 4/4 time.

Any questions? Feel free to ask.

The Church Pianist: Free Piano Sample (Congregational)

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

Do you ever have a hard time feeling the
beat when the songleader wants to slow
down a section of a song?


The following applies to accompanying:


*congregational singing

*vocal specials

*instrumental special


For example, the song: "Count Your Blessings"


A lot of songleaders like to slow down the section
of the chorus:


"count your blessings........name....them...one..by....one"


You get the idea.


What should the pianist play? more fill-in notes!


The songleader (if trained) will subdivide the beats
on slow words.


For example:


If the words have quarter notes, the
songleader will lead in an eighth note pattern.


The extra movement keeps the tempo alive during
slow sections.


The pianist should also mimic this eighth note pattern.


Today's free piano sample should clarify the above
explanation.