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!

The Church Pianist: Piano Offertory Book Resource LIst

List #2

Hope you enjoy looking through this list of piano books!
I gave a link for each book in case you’re real interested.

Have Thine Own Way Lord by Mary Lynn Van Geldren (Late intermed.; evangelistic style)

http://www.bjupress.com/product/181750

This is a practical book! The arrangements can be learned fairly quick.


Song list:

Bring Them In

Medley on the Cross

O Worship the King

Pentecostal Power

Revive Us Again

Ding Dong Merrily on High

Wonderful Grace of Jesus

Have Thine Own Way Lord (my favorite!)


Hymns Volume One by Various Arrangers (C & L Enterprises)

http://www.certainsound.com/product_detail.php?product_code=CL2103PK

A book full of challenging but beautiful arrangements!


Song list:

Onward Christian Soldiers (excellent arrangement!)

No Other Plea with My Faith Looks Up To Thee

The Old-Time Religion

Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners

The Banner of the Cross with Am I a Soldier of the Cross? (This is a nice one too!)

Great is Thy Faithfulness


Two by Two (Soundforth) Advanced

http://www.bjupress.com/product/125377


Song list: (I like them all)

A New Name in Glory (Very lively!)

Day by Day

Our Great Savior

Carol of the Bells

These piano offertory books were a great investment. I have used them a lot!

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The Church Pianist: Left Hand Pattern(Marching Bass Octaves)

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Left Hand Pattern #2 (Marching Down Bass Octaves)
Once again, this pattern works well for Hymns with a repetitive bass line.
(Repetitive bass line refers to the same chord lasting for at least 3 beats or more)

Example Hymn: When We All Get to Heaven (Key of C) *First line only

Left Hand Description:


Measure one: (marching down bass)

Beat one: C octave (Middle C and Bass C)

Beat two: B octave

Beat three: A octave

Beat four: G octave


Measure two:

Same as above


Measure three:

Beat one: G octave (1st and 2nd G below Middle C)

Beat two: D octave

Beat three: B octave

Beat four: G octave (2nd and 3rd G below Middle C)



Measure four:

Beats one and two: Running octaves moving up in eighth notes (start 2nd and 3rd G below Middle C)

G octave
G octave (repeat same G octave)
A octave
B octave

Beat three: C octave (2nd and 3rd C below Middle C)

Beat four: C octave (next octave down)


A combination of the left hand patterns I’ve shared since yesterday, make for a nice variety in hymns with a repetitive bass line.

Just remember the following ingredients: alternating bass and marching octaves. There are other patterns as well that I will have to share in another post.

The Church Pianist: Left Hand Accompaniment Pattern (Alternating Bass)

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Key Factors that Determine the type of Left Hand Pattern #1 (Alternating Bass)

*Time Signature

*Tempo

*Mood of Song: Peppy, Slow; meditative; etc.

I will share an easy left hand pattern for Peppy Songs in 4//4 time with repetitive bass lines.


Songs that have the same chord lasting 3 or more beats constitutes a repetitive bass line.


This applies to songs such as: At Calvary, When I See the Blood, When We All Get to Heaven.


The name of the pattern is: Alternating Bass (for repetitive bass)
(uses the 5th of the root chord for the alternating bass)


Example: (first line of…. When We All Get to Heaven in the Key of C)


Measure One:

Beat one: C octave

Beat two: C chord (root posisition)

Beat three: Lower G octave

Beat four: C 6 (1st inversion of C chord) Notes bottom up: E, G, C


Measure Two:

Beat one:C octave

Beat two: C chord (root posistion)

Beat three: G octave (higher one for variety)

Beat four: C chord (root posistion)


Measure Three:

Beat one: G octave (higher one)

Beat two: G7 cluster chord (Notes bottom up: F, G, B )

Beat three: D octave

Beat four: G7 cluster chord


Measure Four:

Beats one and two: Running down octaves in eighth notes: G F E D

Beat three: C octave

Beat four: Lower C octave

The secret to interesting left hand accompaniment is using a variety of left hand patterns for one song.

I will share another left hand pattern later on. Try this pattern with the hymns mentioned above.

The Church Pianist: Piano Hymn Arrangements Book Review for Offertories

Here is the beginning of several posts on: Piano Book Reviews for Offertories

I gave links or company information to ease your search for each book.

1. Christmas Duets for Two Pianos by James Manfield

http://www.lorenz.com/results.aspx?srch=quick&cid=christmas+duets+for+two+pianos&c=christmas+duets+for+two+pianos&pg=1&rpp=30

(Late intermediate; Lots of variety!)

Excellent book for church and piano recitals

Songs in book:

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

What Child is This?

Joy to the World

Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night,

O Little Town of Bethlehem

2. Draw Me Nearer by Faye Lopez

http://store.wilds.org/index.php?cPath=39_30_40

(Advanced; One of my favorites) Evangelistic style throughout.

Songs in book:

I Am Thine O Lord

Fairest Lord Jesus

Have You Any Room for Jesus?

Immortal Invisible

Does Jesus Care?

It is Well With My Soul

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

At the Cross

Amazing Grace

The Love of God

Trust Medley (Trust and Obey with Trusting Jesus)

And Can it Be?

I Must Tell Jesus

3. Blessed Assurance

(Various arrangers: Judith Rea, Peter Davis,

Nathan Arnold, Duane Ream, Jenifer Cook, Joy Mefford Malone,

Rebecca Bonam McDaniel)

http://www.bjupress.com/product/087601

(Late intermediate to early advanced)

Song List:

Blessed Assurance

Rock of Ages

For the Beauty of the Earth

Nearer Still Nearer

This is my Father's World

Wonderful Words of Life

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Give of Your Best to the Master

My Saviour's Love

Carol of the Bells

Hope this list of book reviews for piano hymn arrangements is helpful!

I will share more in the near future.

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