| I was in fifth grade when I received my first improvising | | | | the alto and soprano have a greater distance |
| lesson from the hymnal. The hymn I improvised was | | | | between them; allowing space for the tenor note to fit |
| "At Calvary". It took me at least two months to master | | | | comfortably between them. |
| this improvised style in a flowing rhythm. "At Calvary" | | | | It is best to practice the right hand alone (with the |
| was not the best hymn to try first since this particular | | | | added tenor note) until a steady flow can be |
| hymn contains a more complex rhythm. | | | | maintained. |
| Here are the first two improvising steps I learned to | | | | Expect to feel disoriented at first by adding the tenor |
| create a fuller sound in hymnplaying. | | | | note to the right hand without it being written that way. |
| First, open a hymnal to the hymn "Like a River | | | | Step two: Double the bass note in the left hand. Place |
| Glorious". I chose this hymn because it is in an easy | | | | your left thumb on the written bass note and duplicate |
| key and contains a simple rhythm. | | | | the same note an octave lower. |
| Let me preface this lesson with the following | | | | Doubling the bass note is basically playing in octaves. |
| clarification: The hymnal is written for voice parts only, | | | | This second step adds a deep, rich sound to the hymn! |
| not for an instrument. Therefore, the pianist must adapt | | | | Be prepared to slow down when adding the left hand |
| by adding notes to create a fuller sound giving more | | | | to the right hand. Keep in mind, it may take a while to |
| support to the singers. | | | | master this style. Be patient with yourself. Once you |
| The soprano is the top note on the treble staff. The | | | | play one hymn this way, you can apply the same two |
| alto is under the soprano. The tenor note is the top | | | | step process to other hymns. |
| note on the bass staff and the bass note is under the | | | | Choose hymns in easy keys with simple rhythms at |
| tenor. | | | | first. Once you have gained confidence, move on to |
| Step one: add the tenor note to the right hand when | | | | hymns with more complex rhythms. |
| feasible. The right thumb plays the tenor note. | | | | This two step improvising method will allow the pianist |
| You should be playing a total of three notes in the right | | | | to sound full enough to support congregational singing. |
| hand. | | | | Over time, more improvising skills can be obtained; |
| Exception: Sometimes the tenor note fits better | | | | adding even more life and fullness to hymn playing! |
| between the alto and soprano note. This occurs when | | | | |