The Church Pianist: No Key Change Necessary!

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

It's not always necessary to change keys from one
to the other if you're moving up a 4th from the original
key.

For example: C to F Major or F to B flat Major

A transition is still taking place even though a modulation
(key change) isn't used.

Therefore, a nice ritard before the switching of keys allows
for a smoother transition.

I've found this transition sounds better when the last melody
note of the first key is the same note of the next key.

In the first example of today's image, the last melody note is
C (in the key of C). The first note of the next key is also C.

The same thing occured in the second example.

Notice the time signature change in the second example
does not affect the transition. I just ease in to the new
time signature by starting on the first word of the new
key in the last measure of the first key.

Whoa! That was wordy! Hope that last explanation was clear.

Click on this link to hear today's examples:

http://www.box.net/shared/efjt6urosa

The above key switching works well during a prelude, offertory
or when connecting two hymns for congregational singing.

The Church Pianist: Short offertories Needed?

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

I plan to post a regular article tomorrow but
wanted to get some feedback on a very important
matter.

How many of you are in need of shorter offertories?

I'm busy composing offertory arrangements to be
available on my upcoming new website and would
like to write according to the biggest need.

It would be most helpful to hear from you.

Thanks for taking the time.

Jenifer

The Church Pianist: Improvising ideas for "The Light of the World"

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

I'd like to share some improvising ideas with you

for the hymn: "The Light of the World is Jesus".



This hymn has beautiful words that can be brought
to life by some simple improvisational ideas.



Editor notes for today's example:



Measures #2 and #4



The left hand eighth note/quarter note pattern
creates a rhythmic drive to portray a sense of
urgency (see the words).



Measure # 3



Contrasting octaves are used on beats one through
three.



Measure # 3



Right hand plays a stepping up pattern (altered melody)
on the sixth beat.



Measure # 4



The right hand plays a broken chord pattern on beats
two and three to break up the repeated note melody.



Measure # 5



Left hand flows with sixteenth notes to create a com-
forting tone for the word "Je-sus".

I also altered the melody on the word "Je-sus" to
enhance the comforting mood on this word.



The right hand plays a climb down pattern for a
smooth transistion into the middle register ot the piano
for the next section of the verse.



Measure # 6



Left hand begins a new rhythm pattern for variety while
the right hand plays a simple one-note melody.



General tips:



I would play this arrangement at about 52 (metronome speed)

Meaning: One tick per dotted quarter note.



Basically, this arrangement should be treated at a medium-slow
speed so as not to sound rushed.



Just feel the music as though you were speaking it in a
conversational style with ebb and flow.



Hope these improvising ideas are a help to you.



Sincerely,



Jenifer

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: 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 Arrangement

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

Here's a free piano arrangment of one of my


favorite hymns: "Jesus Paid It All"

Audio of the arrangement:

http://www.box.net/shared/cfj7uvr9si