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

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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.

The Church Pianist: Moderated Comments

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

For those of you wanting to ask questions without
going public....

I do moderate my comments and will keep it private
if it's a question you'd rather not have publicized.

Please make it clear in your comment to avoid any
misunderstanding.

So far, comments have been helpful to post for others
to see.

Thanks for all your comments/suggestions! They have
helped me create articles for this blog that have benefited
others.

The Church Pianist: He Lives (fermatas)

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The hymn "He Lives" has several
fermatas at the end that can be awkward
for the church pianist.

Here's an example of what I play at the end of
"He Lives" for congregational singing.

The secret to a well-felt fermata is for the church
pianist to keep the music (tempo) moving while
the singer(s) hold the note.

If the pianist stops on the fermata note, it will
disrupt the flow of the music and cause
confusion on when to start up after the held
note.

Listen to the following excerpt of today's
free music sample of "He Lives".


http://www.box.net/shared/32mvekl4il

The Church Pianist: Helping the Vocalist/s

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

The church pianist can play an important role
in encouraging the vocalist/s that provide
special music for the church service.

This is especially true for the beginner vocalist
or a young child that needs the extra guidance.

The following, is a list of things I do to put the
vocalist at ease.

These tips are merely suggestions for anyone
needing some ideas.

*Have the vocalist leave his music on top shelf
underneath the pulpit (book opened) before the
service begins. This procedure ensures the music
is ready and in place. (As long as the pastor knows
you're doing this, so he won't move it) :)

During (shake hands) time or some other transistional
time before the message....the vocalist or vocal group sits
on the front row to allow for a shorter entrance to the
stage. (timesaver)

*The pianist begins playing the introduction as the
vocalist walks to the pulpit to avoid an awkward
moment of silence for the vocalist. The early piano
introduction also produces a smoother transistion
into the special music time....keeps things moving!

(I always play softly as vocalist/s enters the stage
and increase my volume toward end of intro so that
the vocalist knows I'm nearing the end of the intro-
duction.

*Special notes: (For ensembles)

If I'm playing for an ensemble...say....six or more people...
I play softly at the end while they exit the stage; covering
an awkward moment of silence while pastor waits for the
stage to clear.

Also, the ensemble will share a notebook of music per 2 people.
They carry their notebooks up with them to sing.
(Easier in this case than having everyone try to retrieve their
music from under the pulpit.) :)

Once again, these are only suggestions that may benefit some
church pianists depending on their situation.

As a church pianist, I'm always looking for ways to encourage our
vocalists who provide our special music. The Lord has blessed our
church with so many willing vocalists!

The Church Pianist: Jesus is Coming Again (free sample)

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

The hymn, "Jesus is Coming Again" is a beautiful

hymn.



This hymn comes to life when sung in 6/8 time;
although it's written in 6/4.



6/8 time is a faster tempo. I will post an audio below...
showing the contrast between 6/4 and 6/8 time.



I've only included the first phrase of the song....giving
you an idea of a pattern to use for a fuller sound.


The more full your accompaniment....the better support
for the singers.

Editor's notes for today's free sample of

"Jesus is Coming Again"

Measure one:



The word "Marvelous" is naturally stressed in this first sentence requiring the pianist
to accent this word. The staccato notes following the accent is an excellent stress
reliever for the hand as I've mentioned in previous articles.



Overall tips:



The right hand needs to breeze freely through the busy octaves; stressing only the important words. Otherwise, your right hand will get bogged down in the mud; preventing ease of movement.



Explanation of today's audio clip:



First example will be in 6/4 time



(slight pause) and then....



Second example will be in 6/8





http://www.box.net/shared/0fg3acopfc

The Church Pianist: Part Two (Free Piano Arrangement for Congregational Singing)

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

This is part two of yesterday's free piano arrangement

of "Are You Washed in the Blood".

Because I left out the first two words of the chorus on page

one...I'm including both pages with the added words in this

article.

Editor's notes for today's free arrangement:

Measure 11 and 12

More dotted rhythm for a peppy tone

Measure 13

I would use this bold octave movement for the final verse.

Click on the following link to hear an audio of today's free

arrangement.

http://www.box.net/shared/7amvlq0bj1

The Church Pianist: Free Piano Arrangment for Congregational Singing: Part One

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



Here's part one of a free piano
arrangement for congregational
singing of "Are You Washed
in the Blood?"




The piano arrangment supports
the four parts as written in the
hymnal.


I chose to display just the melody
for time's sake.


Editor's notes for today's free arrangment:


Measure two:


Left hand plays alternating bass octaves for a
more interesting bass line.


Measure four: (4th beat)


For harmonic balance, notice how I left out
note: G in first right hand eighth chord
and note: F in second right hand eighth chord.


Why? I used them in my left hand instead.


Omitting those notes in the right hand
gives a more opentone.


Try adding the omitted notes to the right
hand with left hand included, to hear the difference.


Measure five:


Left hand plays stepping octaves starting out with
a dotted rhythm which adds more life!


Measure 6:


Once again, I add dotted rhythm to left hand for
extra spice. (to be used sparingly for proper balance)


General notes:


Take note of the staccato markings throughout. It's
meant as a light staccato for interpretation.

I lift the damper pedal for every staccato note which
relieves hand tension and adds a more peppy sound
to the music.

See audio for full arrangment on next article.