If you get an opportunity to play piano for your church or any church, remember who is giving you the chance to play in the first place. It’s not by accident that you are in the position that you’re in. I’ve seen to many pianists who play for the church thinking they are the best piano players that ever graced the face of the earth. Eventually they are brought back down to earth, hard. They no longer play the piano for anyone and they wish they had their position back. Pride comes before the fall. It’s true. God can put anyone who is willing and has the right heart in place of you if you are not humble. I tell you this because I don’t want you mess things up for yourself. Even if you are brand new to the piano, keep what I have said in the back of your mind.

Never think that you are at a concert performing. People may cheer or clap and you might feel like your putting on a show. You’re not in show business when your playing worship piano for the church. You are there only to benefit the body and glorify God. I said that twice because you have to know this. Of course you can have fun with songs. You can ad your own musical spin to songs but don’t be self centered. If the worship leader wants a certain thing played, don’t argue with them. If you are the worship leader, be sensitive to what God wants you to play. Yes, God speaks through his Holy Spirit. If you feel strongly about something you don’t always have to make it known. Sometimes you may have to play song that you don’t particularly like. If found that these things have built character, improved my piano playing and even helped my have a deeper relationship with God.

visit http://www.lifesmusic.com. My name is Bryan and I’ve been playing the piano for over ten years. To learn to play the piano by ear go to http://www.lifesmusic.com.

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Before I share some thoughts with you I’ll explain our church so you can understand where I’m coming from.

Our church is a small country church nestled in the foothills of North Carolina.

The people are very friendly and family-oriented. Most of the members have lived in the area their entire life.

What I’m trying to say is…the needs of the church determines the criteria for the church pianist.

In some churches, the church pianist may be the only music person available. In this case, the pianist may have to lead the congregation and choir in song while playing the piano. What a challenge! I know at least one of my readers has that situation. I admire her for her efforts.

At other churches, the pianist may serve the role as pianist only. (That’s my role)

Whether you’re the main music person or just filling the role as church pianist…the following tips will hopefully encourage and direct you as you serve in the music ministry.

The following ideas have personally helped me in my way of thinking towards serving in the music ministry.

1. I’m a servant serving the Lord.

2. Not to think of myself above others; no comparison. Every church member is of equal importance to God.

3. Love my church family

The following are natural outcomes of point #3

4. Support and encourage those in the music ministry. Example: “Your song was a blessing.” or “Thanks for being willing to sing.”

5. Pray for those in the music ministry

6. Always communicate in love

7. Use constructive guidance as needed (This can occur only after building a trusting relationship.) This applies if the person or persons you’re accompanying are seeking helpful pointers.

Please understand…these are just a few ideas that remind me of my role as church pianist.

Each church is different as far as their needs. Just ask God for wisdom as you seek to serve Him where He has placed you.

Jenifer Cook has been a church pianist for the past 35 years. She has published arrangements through Soundforth and composes for her own piano students.

Her website is a help ministry to church pianists around the world; offering numerous improvising tips and free piano arrangements.

Part two of this article will include some of the following issues:

The relationship between the song leader and church pianist. (Who’s in charge?)

Job description of the church pianist (What’s expected of me?)

Developing the Special Music Program (How the church pianist can help grow the special music program)

Article Source: http://thechurchpianist.com/church-pianist/what-is-the-role-of-church-pianist-part-two/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenifer_Cook

This means that instead of relying solely on the music in front of your face you have beneath your skilled fingers and in your head fill in notes, other chords, and different chord progressions to bring about the sound that will portray the message of the song you are playing.

To do this you need to be most aware of certain parts of music theory and how it all fits together in the music you play. Yes there are some that play  skillfully by ear without knowing how to read a note of music but there are many more of us who need to read our notes, understand what we are doing with them and have a few lessons under our belt to be better pianists.

If you don’t know most hymnals are created for singers not pianists. The notes guide the different singers as to how high or low their voice is to be. This comes across as very dull and mundane when translated on the piano.

Enter Greg Howlett’s Inspirational Improvisation: A Nine Step Approach to Becoming a Versatile Church Pianist DVD Course.

A detailed straightforward nine lesson DVD program designed most particularly to help church pianists improvise hymns and Praise and Worship songs at the piano.

The lesson program includes

* 5 DVDs each containing one to two piano improvisation lessons.
* 1 Lesson Study Guide to follow along and takes notes of what is happening on your DVD player.

The best part of these piano lessons is that instead of just showing you how he improvises one song Greg uses nine detailed piano lessons to help you become more proficient at improvising your own songs.

In my years of attempting to improve my own piano playing for church (because we are always learning) this is an omission that I found increasingly frustrating and something that l was always looking for. The concrete steps and theory rules that guided me to work with those hymnal songs and change them from that of of the mundane to having more feeling and giving across the message of the song.

These piano lessons are not for beginners. Inspirational Improvisation is listed for intermediate to advanced pianists. You should have a grasp of basic music theory, know all your 12 major scales and be able to read and play both clefs (treble and bass, or F and G) of the grand staff.

Be prepared to spend some working time at the piano. At least 20 to 30 minutes a night. Each lesson should take you about a month to have a mastery of (I’m on week two and three and this is about right).

The improvisation skills you will learn with this DVD program are not limited to one particular style. The knowledge you will learn will allow you to add beautiful meaning and feeling to any song you play.

I’ve been enjoying my lessons for a little less than a month now and I have seen nice improvement in not only my playing but my ability to improvise the music I am playing. Not that I look for this because truly I attempt to blend into the background when playing at church but I have had some very positive comments too.

In my own experience the organized format of each lesson is almost as important and as helpful as the information itself.

In the study guide you get an overview of what you will learn in each lesson, any charts that are needed and your homework assignment.

The introduction of the study guide also repeats the information you will receive on the introduction of the DVD as to how to use this course, how long it will take you, what you will learn and how you will learn.

As a piano playing adult having these very organized and detailed piano lessons is a great bonus.

I have been willing to pay plenty of money for one day church music workshops with less than half of this information.

You can purchase Inspirational Improvisation: A Nine Step Approach to Becoming a Versatile Church Pianist directly from Greg Howlett’s website here

K Quinn has been a church pianist for 15+ years. Continually calling herself a struggling church musician you can visit her website at The Struggling Church Musician for more church musician tools and tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=K_Quinn