Free Music Pieces

He Keeps Me Singing (Lead Sheet)

2014-07-26T10:37:00.002-07:00

Here is my simple reharmonization of the hymn "He Keeps Me Singing".

Download PDF here.

Enjoy!

Free Lessons for Chruch Pianists:
Free lessons, tips and downloads for church pianists

DVD Courses (Reharmonization, Play by Ear!, Arranging, Accompanying, Theory for Church Pianists, etc.):
Over 30 hours of DVD instruction for church pianists

Visit Vitabase for Quality Health Supplements

Some reharmonization ideas from Greg Howlett

2013-11-09T04:43:00.001-08:00

Greg Howlett is a Christian concert pianist and recording artist.

I have watched many of his free video lessons and blog posts on reharmonization.

Listed below are some of the reharmonization ideas I got from him.

A ii chord substitues for a V chord (and a IV chord).
A iii chord substitutes for a I chord.
A vi chord substitues for a I chord or a V chord.
Change V-I cadences into ii-V-I cadences.
Insert a minor 5 (v) and dominant 1 (I7) in front of a 4 (IV) chord
A dominant chord usually resolves down a fifth or sometimes a half step.
Very often, if a progression is moving with the circle of fifths, you can change one of the normal minor chords to major (making it a secondary dominant).
Add a flat 9th to secondary dominants if resolving to a minor chord.
minor 7 chords likes to resolve down a fifth or in diatonic steps.
You can insert a diminished chord betweet 4 and 5 chords.
You can substitue a sharp4 dim - minor4 6th - minor 3 - flat3 dim - ii7 - V7 -I for a V-I cadence.
Which color note belong to each chord?

Major/Major 7th
9, #11, 13 (9 is the most common)

Minor 7th
9, 11, 13 (9 is the most common)

Dominant
b9, 9, #9, #11, b13, 13 (All are widely used. However, you are most likely to use b9, 9, b13, and 13.)

Here is a sample of his free video lessons: "Relating harmony to melody "

Visit Vitabase for Quality Health Supplements

Greg Howlett's 15-minute hymn arrangements

2013-11-09T04:37:00.004-08:00

Greg Howlett's 15-minute hymn arrangements.

1. Amazing Grace

2. The Old Rugged Cross

3. When They Ring Those Golden Bells

4. I Will Arise

For the latest free arrangements go to Greg's Free Arrangements page.

Visit Vitabase for Quality Health Supplements

Is Your All On The Altar - My First Hymn Reharmonization

2013-11-09T04:31:00.001-08:00

This is my first hymn reharmonization:

"Is Your All On The Altar"

F | F/Bb | Am7 | Dm7

Gm7 | C7b9 | F | Gm7 – C7

F | Bdim | Am7 | Dm7

Gm7 | C7b9 | F | C7

CHORUS:

BbM | E7 | Am7 – Dm7 | Cm7 – F7

BbM | G/B | C7 | C7

F | F/Bb | Am7 | Dm7

Gm7 | C7b9 | F

I first learned reharmonization ideas from Greg Howlett 's free lessons.

Visit Vitabase for Quality Health Supplements

Playing Mood Music Video By Greg Howlett

2013-11-09T04:25:00.000-08:00

In this video, Greg Howlett teaches how to play soft piano music when playing reflective songs.

You can download the example used in the video here.

Here's an outline on what you'll learn in this video:

Outline - Playing Mood Music with Greg Howlett

I. General Principles

A. Focus on harmony. You have to know what notes belong to what chord.

B. Spread out the notes you play. Use open voicing

C. Less is More! Play less

1. Simplify the patterns you play.
2. Avoid doubling/octaves.

"Train your ear. It's your best tool."

II. Beginning Techniques (Applications)

A. Open arpeggios (left hand)

B. Play open intervals in both hands (rather than octaves). Play 6ths, 5ths, 7ths, 9ths, 10ths but avoid octaves.

C. Broken chords. Play parts of a chord in different segments of time.

1. It makes you have more control over the sound.
2. It creates movement; it fills up space.
D. Take your time (Rubato, "out of time"). This helps remove tension from the music.

III. Advanced (Harmony) Techniques