The Church Pianist: The Haven of Rest (part one)

"The Haven of Rest" is one of my favorite hymns.
I usually hear this hymn performed as a vocal solo.

As a pianist, we must learn to make the text come to life
by animated accompaniment...making the message even
more real and meaningful.

The first verse begins with a troubled scene of a lost soul
but ends with a rescue by the Saviour!

So...we begin with a mood of turmoil. I use an up and down
pattern in the right hand to depict the boistrous waves of the
sea.

Then...the waves suddenly grow calm...when the lost soul hears
the sweet voice of the Saviour. (Notice the movement lessens
in the accompaniment for a calm affect).

I just want to keep going and explain the next part of the accomp-
animent because the mood of happiness increases...creating a
cascading wave of crescendo as Jesus floods the 'saved' soul with
unexplainable peace!

Please go to the following link to see part one and two of this
free vocal arrangement of "The Haven of Rest".

http://thechurchpianist.com/accompaniment/the-church-pianist-haven-of-rest-part-two/

The Church Pianist: Free Vocal Arrangement (Part Two)

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

Accompanying for a vocalist allows the pianist

to stray from the melody and play various patterns
within the chord frames.



Exception: This type of accompaniment may not work
well for the singer that needs the extra melody support.



Editor notes for today's music image.......



(Part Two 0f "My Jesus I Love Thee" )



Measure #14.....The right hand accompaniment moved
contrary to the melody for contrast.



Measure #15.....I added syncopation (rhythm)to left hand
for a bit of spice. Syncopation is as pepper to food....just
added as an accent here and there.



Measure #18.....Chord substitution (A major replaced the
F Major chord) The A Major chord is really just the iii chord
in F Major. The only difference....I changed the iii chord (ACE)
to a Major chord.....(AC#E).



Similar songs to try with the accompaniment ideas from


"My Jesus I Love Thee".....



When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Like a River Glorious



Thanks for your visits!

The Church Pianist: Free Vocal Arrangement

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

Here is a basic hymn with piano accompaniment
for a vocal solo.


The hymn: My Jesus I Love Thee lacks a variety
of chords. I have taken the liberty in adding several
chord substitutions to enhance the text.



The piano introduction adds a slight alteration to the
original melody for a twist.



Notice how I maintain the flowing pattern for the first
sentence of the vocal score before transitioning into a
different accompaniment pattern.



Hope this gives you some ideas for your own arranging.



I will provide the rest of this vocal arrangement in the
next article.

The Church Pianist: What Child is This? (Vocal accompaniment)

I thoroughly enjoy accompanying

vocal soloists!

What Child is This lends itself to so

many different accompaniment patterns.

The speed dictates what style of accompaniment

can be used. A slower tempo allows for a busier

accompaniment.

Here's What Child is This with some accompaniment

ideas.

I just stay within the chord frame of the melody by

using broken chord patterns for a flowing sound.

Accompaniment tips:

*Keep the same accompaniment pattern for at least

one sentence before changing patterns.

*It's not necessary to play the first word for an

incomplete measure. (The first word of the song).

The vocalist should start the first word without

waiting on the pianist.

Why? Because the vocalist should be the leader

and the accompanist....the follower.

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Accompanying Vocalists

Vocalist's role: leader

Pianist's role: follower

Accompanist's tips:

1. Play softer so the vocalist can be heard

2. Avoid playing for every word as this can create an overworked or sluggish mood.

3. Basically, you can chord for every other word and allow the vocalist to carry the tune.

Accompanying singers is an art! A pianist is no longer a slave to the melody when accompanying. You must think in chord frames instead of each note of the melody.

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com