The Church Pianist: Part One: My Very First Hymn Improvsing Piano Lesson

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

I was in fifth grade when I received my first improvising lesson
from the hymnal.

The hymn I improvised was At Calvary. It took me at least two
months to learn the improvised style in a flowing rhythm.

Here are the first two improvising steps I learned to create a
fuller sound in hymnplaying.

First, open a hymnal to the hymn: "Like a River Glorious".
I chose this hymn because it is in an easy key and contains
a simple rhythm.

Let me preface the lesson with the following clarification:
The hymnal is written for voice parts only...not for an
instrument. Therefore, the pianist must adapt by improvising.

The saprano is the top note on the treble staff; while the
alto is under the saprano note.

The tenor note is the top note on the bass staff and the
bass note is under the tenor.

Step#1: Add the tenor note to the right hand when feasible.
(right thumb plays this note.)

You should be playing a total of three notes for the right hand.
(tenor, alto and saprano)

Exception: Sometimes the tenor note fits better between the
alto and the saprano note. This usually occurs when the alto
and saprano have a greater distance between them; allowing
room for the tenor note to fit between them.

It is best to practice the right hand alone (with added tenor note)
until a steady flow is maintained.

Expect to feel disoriented at first; having to add the tenor note to
the right hand without it written that way.

Step#2: Double the bass note for the left hand. (left thumb is placed
on the written bass note and duplicated an octave below the pinky).

Doubling the bass note is basically playing in octaves. This second
step really adds a deep, rich sound to the hymn.

Be prepared to slow down when adding the left hand to the right hand.

The following two step improvising lesson can be described as playing
in five-part style: three notes in the right hand and two in the left hand.

Keep in mind, it took me two months to play one hymn with this two
step improvising lesson. (At Calvary wasn't the easiest hymn to start
with; due to a busy rhythm).

Once you play one hymn this way, you can apply the same two step
process to other hymns.

Choose hymns in easy keys with simple rhythms at first.
Once you've gained confidence, you can move on to hymns in harder keys
with more complex rhythms.

This two step improvising method will allow a pianist to sound full
enough to support congregational singing.

Over time, more improvising skills can be obtained; adding life and fullness
to hymnplaying.

Part two will contain a video demonstration of this two step improvising
piano lesson along with a free pdf arrangement of Like a River Glorious in
five-part style.

Part two can be found at the following link:

http://thechurchpianist.com/improvise/the-church-pianist-part-two-video-demo-of-my-first-hymn-improvising-piano-lesson/

The Church Pianist: Improvising Hymns (Part One)

Short on time... but will share a simple fill-in idea

for hymns.

This improvisational idea works well at the end of

a verse.....leading into the chorus.

The following two ingredients are nesscary in order

to use this fill-in idea.

1.The final chord of the verse must be a I chord and

last for at least three beats.

2. The first chord of the chorus must also be a I chord.

For example: In G Major....the I (one) chord is GBD.

Description of the Fill-In Idea: (occurs in final measure

of verse)

On Beat #3...

1. Play a IV chord in the right hand

2. Play the V note of G Major in the left hand for the bass note

( note: D )

This creates the chord notation: IV/V

Editor notes for today's example:

After the word..."Thee" the right hand plays a "climb the ladder"

fill-in to make an easy transition to the upper register of the piano.

Follow this link to see another example of this fill-in idea:

http://thechurchpianist.com/?p=454

The Church Pianist: Hymn Improvising Tip

My new website: http://thechurchpianist.com/


Here's an easy hymn improvising tip that

can create a more open; pleasing tone when
improvising with the left hand.



Any time you play a triad (in consecutive
thirds)...keep it above Bass C.



Actually, any three note chord begins to
sound muddy or heavy when played below
Bass C.

I just play a two note chord when playing
chords lower than Bass C.



I'll give some visual examples to help
clarify this simple improvising tip.



The examples are written at a easy level
for a hopefully, clear presentation.

The Church Pianist: Improvising Hymns with Chord Inversions

My new website: http://thechurchpianist.com/



Chord inversions add variety when improvising hymns.

A root chord such as C E G (consecutive thirds) can be inverted
two different ways for variety in sound.

See the following link for a simple explanation of chord inversions.

http://thechurchpianist.blogspot.com/2009/02/church-piansit-using-chord-inversions.html

The following scenario makes good use of chord inversions.

When one chord lasts for at least 4 beats....the left hand
can invert the chord (same chord...just in a different note
order).

Example #1 (There is a Fountain) *See image below

The first left hand broken chord begins with the note "C"
"C" is the root of the C chord....so this broken chord would
be considered the root chord (even though E and G swapped
places for a more open tone).

The second broken chord of the left hand begins on note "E".
This is still a broken C chord but....considered in first inversion.
The true order of the C (first inversion) is EGC....but G and C
swapped places to create a more open tone.

Basically, the bass note dictates what chord inversion is being used.
But...you have to look at the complete picture for this analysis.
Meaning...notes in both hands must be combined for proper
chord analysis.

Special note:

A chord in 1st inversion is labeled with the number six (6)
Why? Well...remember that the notes in the first inversion
of a C chord are: E G C

The note "G" is the 6th note from the bottom note (E)

The same left hand chord pattern occurs in "Just As I Am".

What a mouthful! Hope this makes sense. Feel free to ask
questions if needed.

Chord inversions add color to improvising!

The Church Pianist: Improvising for Beginners Using Nothing But the Blood (Lesson One)

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

Today I'll be teaching one of my piano students
her first hymnprovising lesson.

My motivation may be a little selfish on my part.
I need another pianist to help out at church and
this student (Faber Book Level 3A) is ready for
the challenge!

For those of you who are beginners at improvising....
this may help you.

The hymn I'll improvise with her today will be
"Nothing But the Blood of Jesus" in the key of F.

I'll introduce just the verse today...giving her a small
portion to focus on.

The lines of the verse have the same melody and
chord structure,making it easy to reinforce the
improvised notes.

Special note:

This student has learned the scales,
root chords and inversions in the keys of:
C, G, D, A, and F Major
a, d and e minor

It's important to have a working knowledge
of the above scales and chords/inversions before
improvising from the hymnal.

Todays' lesson for "Nothing But the Blood"

*The hymnal is written for voice parts only

*Identify: saprano, alto, tenor and bass notes

*Add tenor note to right hand for more fullness

*Point out that sometimes it's better to hold a
chord through fast repeated note passages
such as measure # 3, beat one.

Assignment for "Nothing But the Blood of Jesus"

1. Play right hand with added tenor note

2. Fill in the right hand for the second line of music
(why? for added reinforcement and exposure to
seeing and playing correct music grammar).

3. Use the suggested fingering for ease of movement

I'll try to make this beginner series a weekly article.

Feel free to use this for your students or yourself to

learn how to improvise hymns.