The offertory

Sometimes musicians can think of the offertory time as the only opportunity to showcase their talents and skill set.  Although the offertory should give glory to God and be our best, it should not be ostentatious or distracting from the message of the song.  It is not "concert" time for the pianist, organist, or instrumentalist.

The purpose of the offertory is a time to take up tithes and offerings and also to prepare the hearts for the message to come.
Just last week we had an offertory instrumentalist cancel a solo.  I chose a piano duet of "Sunlight" that we hadn't played in several years.  As we were going through the beginning of the service and listening to the prayer requests and announcements, the Lord impressed another song on my heart.  I looked over at our wonderful organist and told her the hymnal page number and the plan - (chorus, verse, chorus, tag.  Organ melody, first verse.)  As soon as we started the song we knew it was the right choice.  The message of the song prevailed over the simplicity of the arrangement.
Here are a few guidelines when you choose offertory music:
1. The song should be recognizable to most of the congregation.
2. The melody should dominate.
3. Simplicity can be more beautiful than a bunch of "high-fallutin mumbo jumbo."
4. Variety is needed between offertories and within the offertory itself.  Some parts should be loud, some soft.  Some parts should be low, some high, some slow, and some more up tempo.
5. The length should be timed to coincide with the ushers leaving the auditorium.  There might be a few exceptions if the verse and chorus cannot be played because this time is too short.
6. The offertory could become a contest between musicians.  One musician could play a song, the next one could have the attitude of outdoing the other one in volume and speed.  If this attitude becomes apparent, a change needs to be made.
7. A good barometer to know if you're on the right track could be the response to the offertory.  "That song was a blessing to me. Wow! I needed that message.  I love that hymn" are all better responses than "You are a tremendous musician!"

If you can play an offertory that impresses the congregation with thoughts of God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit or spiritual encouragement for people's hearts, you have succeeded in planning a great offertory.

Back to Basics Part B

This is a continuation of the blog titled "Back to Basics" for the church pianist.  Part one discussed the major keys of most of hymns and the primary chords of each key.

When I was a young piano student I memorized the I-V-IV-V7 chord cadences.  I didn't understand the "why" or "how" of each chord.  It was beyond my grasp for some reason.  For the traditionally trained classical pianist it was knowledge that was required, but it was not a skill that was measured or really "needed" for the note-reading-only musician.  For the church pianist, however, it is the basis of all of our hymnplaying and of our accompaniment.

This is basic, let each point soak in and make sure you thoroughly understand each one before proceeding to the next.

1. Learn and practice the major scales regularly.  Buy Alfred's Complete Scale, Chord, Arpeggio Book for beginners.  One octave scales in the following order - C major, G major, F major, Bb major, Eb major, Ab major, Db major, D major.  Practice them until you can play them with your metronome set at 120 = beat.  (when you hear the click, you play two eighth notes)

2. Play the major chords for each key all over the keyboard in as many ways and combinations as possible.  Play strongly, don't be a wimp.

3. After you feel very confident with the C scale and chords, practice three songs in your hymnal in the key of C and try to incorporate the chord movements you practiced.  Don't stay in one place the entire hymn.  This is just a practice technique to get you away from the center of your keyboard.

4. After the key of C, do the same thing with each scale and its major chords.

5. Hymn playing for the church service is important.  If you are the pianist, you are the pianist.  Fear and feelings of inadequacy or unworthiness must be put aside.  You must be confident and know that the Lord with help you to improve each week.

6. Don't spread out your practice time so thinly that you don't improve.  Focus on this Sunday's music.  As you improve, you can begin thinking further ahead.

7. There are textbooks that are very helpful and give details for hymn playing.  Sometimes they can seem overwhelming because they are very thorough.  They are written for those who have four years to prepare for their ministries, you might have four days!  You can still apply one principle at a time and try not to overwhelm yourself.  The books I recommend to start with are: the Hymnproviser Work Text Level 1 (Majesty Music), Hymn playing by Mike Zachary (NVBC publications), You Can Teach Yourself to Play Gospel Piano by Mel Bay Publishing, Creative Hymnplaying by Lillenas (oop but on Amazon).  You don't need all of these, one will do.

8. For you who have mastered these points but still feel like there must be more, there is.  Practice classical music.  Yes, there I said it.  Classical music will help you with your technique, confidence, and accompanying skills.  You will be able to incorporate scales and motions that you never dreamed possible when you add new techniques to your "tool box."  If you don't believe me, that's fine.  I don't play classical music because I worship it, but because I want to better prepare my mind and fingers to perform the tasks they need to perform.  Play some of the Bach two-part inventions, then open your hymnal and play.  There will be an improvement in your hymn playing.

9. Hymn playing is a spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical activity.  When I get home from church on Sunday evening I feel like I have been running a marathon.  I am exhausted and I have to take a shower.  I put every thing I have into playing the piano for the service.  Hymn playing demands all of you from your toes to the top of your head.  Can you tell the difference between whole-hearted and half-hearted playing.  Never let it be said that you are the latter.

10. Listen to yourself play.  Make recordings of the church service or listen to your church service CDs or videos.  Do you sound the same all of the time?  Are you too soft?  Are you too loud?  Are you following the song leader?  Do you add interesting elements to each verse of each hymn?

Never settle for where you are musically.  Try to learn different songs and different ways to play them.  Rome wasn't built in a day and you won't be where you need to be by this Sunday, but there are fifty-two Sundays in a year and if you learn one new thing each Sunday...?
:)

"Making time for Music"

Sounds like an unbelievable title for church pianists and musicians, but it can be true.  Music can become work, like a chore.  When you get home from church or from rehearsals sometimes the last thing you want to do is to sit down and practice or look at new music, etc...  Been there, done that!  I've even gotten to the point that I don't want to listen to ANY music at all when I'm not doing church work or teaching lessons. That's pretty bad.
We need to remember that music is not just a duty, a job, or a way to help others - it helps us personally.  Remember the reason you chose music as your ministry in the first place.  Re-ignite the excitement of playing a heart-touching song or finally finding a piece of music you've been look for.  Make time for music that speaks to your heart!
Ideas on how to make time for music
1. Keep a stack of music that you are interested in next to your instrument of choice (or by the recliner) so you can look over it, play it, sing it, and be inspired.
2. Keep a favorite song/artist playlist on your mp3 or phone and update it every week.
3. If a verse really speaks to your heart try to write a tune to go with it so you can keep it in your mind.
4. Make singing and music part of your devotional and prayer time.  Songs of praise and thanksgiving should flood your mind while you think about the Lord.
5. Purchase or download a music writing program so you can typeset your songs, transcribe unpublished songs, or create your own piano arrangements.  It is difficult to learn at first, but like anything you get faster and better at it the more you repeat the process.
6. Ask the teens in your church what their favorite gospel songs and hymns are and try to incorporate them into the service.  Do the same with the senior saints in your church.  Music is very personal and this is a personal way to encourage people, and thus, you will encourage yourself!

Musicians, make time for music, not just the process and the rehearsals!
Praying for you and your ministry!

Are you Listening?

We announced that our young peoples' annual music recital will be held this weekend.  You would have thought that we announced that everyone would have to line up for shots after the service.  My question to those who complain is, "Are you listening?".  The teen choir, teen ensemble, and teen quartet sang tonight.  Many of them have benefitted from music lessons and recitals.  Over 95% of our pianists have had some training in our music program and they play the offertories, the congregational songs, and for the rehearsals. "Are you listening?"
I do understand that there are pains in having a recital featuring many new and unseasoned students.  In spite of the trouble, the inconvenience, and the criticism from the uneducated, students must be given an opportunity to perform.  If they have no goals they generally will not "rise to the occasion".  I remember a time when the older folks would come to the recital just to encourage the students.  I would thank them for taking their time and for their inconvenience and they would graciously tell me that it was an honor to hear the students play their pieces. I looked forward to seeing them each year.
God wants us to have encouraging words for those who are learning to serve Him.  When we fail to support our children with time, attendance, and encouraging words we are discouraging them and their mentors.
Let's don't discourage those who have stepped out to learn a skill.  Let's take time to listen and be encouraging!!!  "Are you listening?"

Praise the Lord in 2012

Did you have any resolutions for the new year?  Of course I have the standing ones: lose weight, be a better soul winner, lose more weight, be a better aunt to my nieces and nephews, lose weight, and be a better mom, wife, grandmother, mother-in-law and daughter.
Sometimes as musicians our resolutions might look like this: practice more, improve technique, start umpteen more music groups, practice more, buy more, more, more, more, etc...
For years I have had the same resolutions: practice more, improve more, start more, do more - but God doesn't want  just "more", He wants me.   If we do our singing, practicing, playing, and serving directly for the Lord it eliminates a lot of distractions and frustrations.  Of course, we want to please our pastor and music director but that will even come more easily when we keep our focus on serving Him.
My heart's theme for this year is "Praise the Lord".  We're working on finding at least one new or archived song for each group that comes right out and praises the Lord.  I believe that we are created for fellowship with God and praise is the starting point for our walk with Him.
The word "praise" and "praises" occurs over two-hundred times in the Bible.  We are told to praise the Lord dozens of times but this is sometimes the last concern we have, even as Christian musicians.
II Chronicles 20:21 - And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD,and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. ²²And when they began to sing and to praise,the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
When the musicians sang and praised the Lord then the Lord won the battle for them.  Songs can preach, teach, admonish, comfort, and convict but they should also praise.  When we praise the Lord He is pleased; it is for Him.  How exciting that we can do something for His glory alone.  We become a smaller part of the picture and His power and glory is primary.   That is when He does the work we cannot do.  
Here are some songs that are great for praising our great God:
To God Be the Glory
Glory To His Name
Blessed Be the Name
Praise Him!
Praise the Lord! (He can work through those who praise Him..)
I Was Made to Praise the Lord
Worthy of Worship
Bow the Knee
Almighty, Unchangeable God
All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name
He Is the King of Kings
Lord of All
Jesus, Lord to Me
The Praise Song
That's Him
No Wonder We Call Him Our Saviour


Now's a great time to practice for what we'll be doing in Heaven - praising the Lord!  

Christmas Communication

"You have so many Christmas cards!"  I have heard this several times as guests enter my home and see the card display on the foyer wall.  I sometimes take for granted the friends God has given to me because of the great church and ministry where I serve.  The music ministry connects people.  It forges friendships of a lifetime because of the common goal of serving the Lord.
I was never a great talker as a child so Mom thought that piano lessons would help me with my shyness and lack of people skills. The ability of playing the piano opened so many other doors for me to work with some of the greatest people in the world...church musicians.  Friendships, wonderful memories, and life lessons have been learned at each rehearsal, church service, and performance time.
Christmas time especially brings these people to mind.  Musicians from the present and past have always made this time special with meaning.

Men's Chorus - "O Holy Night"
Jo Hovind - piano/organ duet, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
Paul Duckett, Jr. - solo with trumpet, "O Holy Child"
LBT Choir - "Messiah Medley" with Dr. Duckett singing the "Hallelujah Chorus" alone
Paul and Martha Ducket - duet, "No Room"
Alvin Martinez/Dr. Paul Duckett, Sr. - "How Great Thou Art"
Joy Trio - "Lion of Judah"
Victory Trio - "What Child is This?"
Myself playing "The First Noel" as a sixth grader in Miss Beverly Rainey's class
Men's Quartet - "O Come Emmanuel"
Teen Ladies' Ensemble - "Happy Birthday, Jesus"
Amy Robinson - piano/organ duet - "O Come All Ye Faithful"
Voice of Triumph - "Underneath the Tree"
Ladies' Ensemble - "One Small Child"
Teen Ladies' Quintet - "Gesu Bambino"
Teen Choir - "Wise Men Still Seek Him"

These are just a few of musical memories I have each Christmas.  People from the past also are remembered as our Christmas cards are exchanged.  It is such a blessing to receive photo cards of young married couples, who were once my students, serving the Lord with their own families.
I hope you take some time during this holiday time to thank the Lord for family, friends, and special memories of serving the Lord.
Merry Christmas and a blessed and happy 2012 to You!

"Enthusiastic Service"

Psalm 100

A Psalm of praise.

¹      Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

²      Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presencewith singing.

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm!"  Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Success is going from failure to failure without lack of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill


Wherever you are in your service for the Lord, whether you're on your first year or in your golden years of service keep your ENTHUSIASM!


This fall in the music ministry the Lord has blessed with a fresh breeze of enthusiasm!  Maybe it's my perception or just anticipation of our Homecoming Revival, either way, I enjoy enthusiastic service for God.  :)
What difference does enthusiasm make?
1. Anticipation instead of dread...
2. Enjoyment instead of drudgery...
3. Productivity instead of boredom...
4. Faithful service instead of hit and miss half-hearted attendance...
5. A smile and a lilt instead of stiff jaw and slow-paced entrance
6. Whole-hearted singing instead of mechanical, dead singing
7. A "let's sing" attitude instead of "let's put it off" attitude


We all go through times that are tough emotionally and physically, but that should not take away all of our enthusiasm in every area of our lives.  We can create an oasis of joyful service for the Lord when you walk into the doors of your church, practice area, bus, Sunday school classroom, etc...
I have the great privilege of working with some of the most enthusiastic young people I have ever met.  I can't afford to set the wrong example by dragging into a rehearsal or classroom. I have to realize the gift of working with these young people is priceless.  This fuels my enthusiasm.
Enthusiasm comes from looking at something at a different angle.  It's a perception problem.  
If you are always totally enthusiastic, Praise the Lord!  If you need a little help in this area and you realize it, that's a great first step toward enthusiastic, joyful, glad service for our Lord.