The Church Pianist: A Valuable Assignment for All Upcoming Church Pianist

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

My dad gave me one of the most valuable
piano assignments when I was a young girl,
about 12 years of age.

He challenged me to play every hymn from
the hymnal as written.

Why?

To improve my sightreading

Able to play any hymn during 'request' times

Conditioned me to read part writing which
helped me for choir practice.

Overall exposure to well written (organized) music.

Though I never played the entire hymnal at the age
of 12...I made it through a major part of the hymnal.

Now, at the age of 45, I believe I've made it through
most of the hymnal.

Thank you Dad for giving me one of the most bene-
ficial assignments I've ever had!

The Church Pianist: Easy Vocal Duets from the Church Hymnal

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com

I will preface this article by stating: The church

hymnal is basically arranged for four-part harmony.

If a couple wants to sing a duet from the hymnal...

you may have to alter the alto or tenor in order

to have the proper (close) harmony.

Harmony for a duet means (alto or tenor).
Close harmony is generally made up of 3rds or
6ths above or below the melody. (depending on
melody range of the hymn).

If it's a male & female duet: (vocal range is an important factor!)

For a female with a low voice: (she will sing harmony in the
alto range). A baritone or tenor male will sing melody.

If a female has a high voice: (she will sing melody).
The male bartitone or tenor will sing harmony.

Some of the songs in the hymnal are well-suited for duets.
Keep in mind, the vocal range of the singers determines
what key is most comfortable for them.


The following hymnals list "duet" hymns in their topical index:

"Soul Stirring Songs & Hymns" (Sword of the Lord Publishers)
"Living Hymns" (Al Smith Ministries).

The next two hymnals do not supply a list of possible duets but I
will list a few from each:

Great Hymns of the Faith: (Brentwood Benson Pub.)

Away in a Manger
Silent Night
Tell Me the Story of Jesus
The Old Rugged Cross
Blessed Redeemer
Jesus Paid it All
Nor Silver or Gold
Lead Me, Savior
Stepping in the Light

Majesty Hymns: (Majesy Music, Inc.)

Brethren We Have Met to Worship (Key of A flat)
(nice for men on melody and women on alto)

Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us (E flat)
(beautiful for two part ladies group or duet!)

Under His Wings (D flat)
(great for a tenor on melody and lady on alto
as written).

No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus (D flat)
(nice for two part ladies group or duet
with one minor change: look at last measure...)

Altos sing:

F on "much He"
G flat on "cared"
melody on "for me"

Sapranos sing harmony on last two words:

G flat on "cared"
F on "me"


Oops! Getting involved there on the last list of songs.
It helps to have some easy arrangements in mind;
especially for the smaller church with a limited
supply of music.


Special note: Remember that each hymnal differs in
four-part arrangements.

This means that the same duet in one hymnal may
not be geared for a duet in another hymnal.

Just remember...close harmony is the key!

I hope this list will be helpful to the church pianist in
need of some special music resoures for duets.

Time is precious to us all! Make use of these easy
vocal duets already at your fingertips!

Pianist's tips for the hymnal

1. Delete the repeated alto notes and play (melody only) for a smoother; flowing tone

2. For upbeat notes: start RH only (just melody) to give a more balanced entry.

3. For those of you who know about adding tenor to the right hand for fullness:
Play 3 notes in the RH mainly on the stressed beats of the measure.
Playing 3 notes on every beat tends to produce an overworked; labored tone.

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com