Your Role as a Church Pianist- (Hymn Playing Series- Part 2)

[@MerryHeartMakers]

The kittens were very cute! The information you deliver is great, to the point, and repeated for emphasis. Thank you!

[@GentlyLedSisters]

Thank you..coming from another piano teacher, that means a lot. ☺️

[@Cellistandpianist]

Church pianist is hard especially if your song leader isn’t musically inclined hahaha for sure! Not just tone but also timing 😭 I’ve been told I am supposed to lead the song leader and I play and sing a lot faster than everyone because I’m from the north lol But when my pastor leads... it’s such a relief because I can focus on what he is doing and follow him

[@GentlyLedSisters]

That's really difficult. I could lead if I had to, but that's not our job, lol!

[@carol-anntrudell9990]

You are an excellent teacher. Easy to understand. Love your video's. I still wonder where you find the time to do all you do. All I can say is, WOW.

[@GentlyLedSisters]

I burn the candle at both ends, for sure. If life wasn't busy, it would be boring, right? I have always had a type A personality, since having kids I have actually had to dial that back a little....kids can force you to be more flexible.

[@thomaspick4123]

Right hand melody. Should the lead vocal be always played with the right hand pinky and other less dominant harmonies played with the other fingers of the right hand?

[@GentlyLedSisters]

Not necessarily. I have found sometimes my third finger plays the melody note, while I do other fill ins with the other fingers. I usually play a very strong melody on verse one, to establish that with the congregation, as they might not know the song well. When I can hear they know it, I will do the second verse with perhaps right hand melody octaves, and sometimes you can have four note octaves that really make the melody stand out. By verse three, I am doing more fill ins, or having more fun with the right hand, but always after I have established the fact that they know the melody.

[@DavidSmith-648]

I just couldn't take my eyes off the kittens, sorry. They were the stars of that show. They'll be fully grown adult cats by now.

[@GentlyLedSisters]

They were cute, weren't they?! 🤣

[@kensan6500]

Happy Lord's Day! I'm just wondering, what does the hymnproviser teaches you, can you make a video about what are the contents of the series and what should you do after you finish the whole series

[@GentlyLedSisters]

Sure, good idea!

[@kensan6500]

Thank you 😊

[@MelissaSusan1997]

Yikes!! I can’t watch the song leader because I lose my place if I look up and I’m petrified! 😂 any tips?

[@GentlyLedSisters]

You could always highlight sections at first, maybe musical phrases, and after each highlighted section just give a quick peek and make sure you are on tempo? Also, just listening to the crowd will help gauge the tempo as well. I also use peripheral vision. I like when the piano is in line to the song leader, where I can see him out of the corner of my eye. I always try to watch, especially on fermatas. After awhile, you'll start memorizing the hymns, making it that much easier to watch.

[@MelissaSusan1997]

@@GentlyLedSisters thank you so much for taking time to send me a response! I know you’re a busy mom. God bless!!

[@markferwerda7968]

You claim to be a musician but put up with a piano that is incredibly out of tune and use way too much pedal so the chords are blurred together.

[@GentlyLedSisters]

I use what I had at the house, lol. I could have gone to the church with a baby grand but I have lots of littles at home so I use what I have. I mainly play the church piano. Thanks for the critique.

[@lisagodin9111]

Thank you for your teaching it was beautiful!