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/

The Church Pianist: Sacred Piano Duets

Looking for a nice sacred piano duet book?

The following book entitled:

"Wonderful Grace of Jesus" is one of my favorites!


This book contains some nice selections for Thanksgiving
too!


You know how some books only seem to have a few nice
arrangements? Not this one. They're all wonderful pieces.


Click on the following link to view arrangements from the
"Wonderful Grace of Jesus" piano duet book.


http://www.bjupress.com/product/122234

The Church Pianist: Interview with a Composer

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

Do any of you church pianists compose? If so, you will
find the following links very beneficial.

As a composer myself, I found the following two part article
very interesting...an interview with the composer...Kevin Costley.

The web address of the interview host is:
http://www.composecreate.com/wendys-piano-studio

Interview links:
http://www.composecreate.com/archives/1784 Part One

http://www.composecreate.com/ Part Two

The Church Pianist: How to Play Without Watching Fingers

Pianists of all different levels have asked me...
"How do you play comfortably without watching your
hands?"

I begin by learning the piece with the most comfortable
fingering possible without alot of awkward twists and turns.

I will have memorized the piece by the time I can play it without
hesitations.

Once a song is memorized...try playing it in the dark.

You'll be amazed at how well your keen sense of touch takes over...
just as a blind person must learn to do.

Several years ago, I was playing the prelude for a convention
with several thousand in attendance.
All of a sudden, the lights went out!

Fortunately, I had a repertoire of memorized music I could play
comfortably in the dark:) I thank the Lord for helping me
through that experience.

Just be patient with yourself and practice, practice, practice!

Knowing your piece will enable you to play without watching your
fingers.