The Church Pianist: Offertory Ideas

As church pianists, we could use some inexpensive, creative
ideas for offertories, right?

Did you know you can use a piano arrangement written for
a vocalist to accompany say...a violin or flute solo?

Or...use a piano accompaniment written for one of these instru-
ments to accompany a vocalist.

Not too long ago...I shared a free vocal arrangement of
"Haven of Rest". One of my church pianist readers used it
to accompany her sister, who plays violin.


It turned out so nice that I decided to share this offertory
idea with you. Links to music included below the video.



Haven of Rest part one
Haven of Rest part two
Haven of Rest part three

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

The Church Pianist:Congregational Singing

Here's an easy tip for church pianists.


When playing for congregational singing...


Keep the music moving between verses to create an
easy entry for singers.


Slowing down at the end of each verse will disrupt the
flow of music; causing confusion for the congregation as
far as when to start the next verse.


Piano Hymn Fill-ins Part Three addresses this issue and
provides a couple of music examples.


It is important for the church pianist to maintain a steady
tempo throughout congregational singing. If available,
the song leader will take care of this concern.

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com

The Church Pianist: Free Hymn Sheet Music

Hi! Just wanted to make my readers aware of the
free hymn sheet music I'm offering on my new website.

Click on the following link to view my free hymn arrangements.

http://thechurchpianist.com/free-music/

The Church Pianist: Practicing Piano

Making time to practice piano can be quite a challenge!

I do better if I work on a small section of an arrangement
at a time....say...about 20 minutes per session depending
on the content of the hymn arrangement.

I always try to have one difficult piece that I'm learning
to keep me motivated.

It's always best to start a practice session with several
scales or other technique exercise to improve mobility
and strength.

Practicing piano on a regular basis will make the church
pianist feel a lot more confident!

The Church Pianist: Christmas Program Tips

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com

A Christmas program takes lots of work to prepare as I'm
sure you all know.

As a church pianist, I find myself very busy the night of the
program...making sure last minute details are in place.

A tip that has really helped me....is to have one of my
industrious piano students play the prelude before the program.

The student enjoys this opportunity to play during a time when
the main focus isn't directed his or her way:)

It also allows me time to get in order before the program starts.

One more tip...I even have a student or students play the offertory
the night of the program.

Our young people enjoy being involved in the ministries of our church.
For that...I am very grateful.

The Church Pianist: Easy Christmas Program

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

I found this easy Christmas program online and thought I'd share it.
You can also go to my new website for a free Christmas program I just
shared today.

http://www.cph.org/pdf/351330.pdf

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/