The Church Pianist: Free Easter Piano Offertory (My Saviour's Love)

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

Every church pianist could use a free offertory

for Easter.

Here's one I arranged several years ago and handed

out in a hymnprovising workshop.

I've tweaked it a bit since then... so here's the updated

version.

Click on the link below to hear/see a video of the

arrangement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78AB0UWBVaM&feature=channel_page

This free offertory is my Easter gift to you!

The Church Pianist: Free Invitation Piano Solo

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

This free invitation piano solo
will hopefully reflect the message
of this hymn.

I enjoy playing this hymn for invitation.
It speaks of total submission to God....
a good reminder to me every time
I play it.

Some church pianists may play softly
for background music during the invitation
to create a prayerful, reflective mood.

If so, it's nice to be able to play different chords
other than what's written.

Sometimes the most simple arrangement is most effective
during this time....so as not to distract from the message
of the song during a quiet, soul-searching time.

I will share a sound clip of this free arrangement to give you
an idea of the conversational tempo and expression.

http://www.box.net/shared/rjac9p6nrt

The Church Pianist: Improvising Ideas for chorus of "To God be the Glory"

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

The chorus of "To God be the Glory" is rather

plain in the hymnal because it uses only the
I and V chord.



The following improvising ideas will help dress-up
a rather mundane bass line.



Editor's notes for today's music example:



Measure #1



I usually rest during these words... but wrote
a note in the first measure for congregations
who depend on the piano to help them enter a chorus.



Measure #2



Right hand plays an echo instead of sitting still for two beats.



Measure #2 and 3



Left hand plays an alternating bass for the A flat chord
For example: the chord for measures 2 and 3 is A flat.
I simply use the 5th note of the A flat chord (which is E flat)..
as my alternating bass note for variety.


Measure #4



A grace note in the right hand adds extra life to the song.



Measure #8



The right hand can play a repeated E flat octave which works
well since the chord in that measure is E flat.
The left hand fills in with stepping octaves, giving extra
movement for added zest!



The chorus of "To God be the Glory" can be livened up by
a few improvisational ideas like this to make the song
more meaningful.



Try playing this example and notice how the hand feels even
more free, not having to be a slave to the melody.

The Church Pianist: Piano Accompaniment for Christ Arose: Part Two

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

Here is the rest of the piano
accompaniment for the chorus
to: "Christ Arose".

Editor notes for today's example:

Measure #8

The right hand begins breaking up
the beat with eighth notes due to the
slight rit.

Measure #9 and 10

Right hand triplets for the militant tone

Measure #10

Left hand plays alternating bass octaves
for the chord: E flat

Measure #11

Full chords on the end for a grand finale sound


"Christ Arose" is a beautiful hymn and should sound
triumphant!

I hope the piano accompaniment ideas for
this hymn will help you as you prepare for Easter.

The Church Pianist: Part One of Congregational Accompaniment for Christ Arose

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

Easter is just a little over a month away!




Here are some improvising ideas to use when
accompanying congregation on the chorus of
"Christ Arose".



"Christ Arose" uses very basic chords. The
church pianist needs to dress up this song to
enhance the message.


Editor's notes for today's music image:


Measure #2


Right triplets on second beat adds a militant tone.


Measures #1 and 2


Left hand plays stepping down octaves for march-style


Measure #5


Right hand plays dotted rhythm on second beat to create
a victorious sound.


Remember it's not necessary for the pianist to play
every word when accompanying.



I'll share the rest of the congregational accompaniment
for "Christ Arose" (chorus only) in the next article.

The Church Pianist: Part Two of Free Vocal Arrangement

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

This is the chorus to yesterday's free vocal
arrangment.

Editor's notes:

Measure #11

Rolled chord on beat one of LH to produce
a 'sweet' sound for the text.

Measure #12

Broader feel to this measure as I picture
a ray of light spreading over me.
(look at the words to understand this).

Measure #14

The LH sixteenths keep the rhythm alive
while supporting the held note of the singer.

Measure #15

Once again, a few sit still chords in the RH
to allow the singer freedom to slow down
as he feels led.

Here's an audio sample for today's sample:

Special note:

Ignore the few notes at the beginning.
They were done to synchronize the two track
recording.

http://www.box.net/shared/c4tram6lrg

The Church Pianist: Free Vocal Arrangement (Part One: Interpretation)

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

Today's free vocal arrangement may give the
church pianist accompaniment ideas
for the hymn "The Light of the World is Jesus".

I enjoy bringing the old hymns to life by adding
improvisational ideas that enhance the text.

Editor notes for today's music image:

*First sentence: simple chording works well
for hymns with busy words.

This frees up the singer to sing with more ebb
and flow through busy sections.

* The main emphasis is...focus on the message
and follow the singer.

*Sixteenth note passages were sprinkled here
and there to brighten the tone for appropriate
words.


I'll share an audio of the full arrangement in the
next article.