Another hymn arrangement is up on WAJN’s website!
For more info on the music, check here.
A few years ago, one of my students asked me to arrange her a spiritual, for her to play for her daddy. I actually got some books and studied styling to expand my knowledge in this style. And I had a blast. Since then, I’ve added another verse to it to make it a more complete arrangement. Enjoy!
For more information on the sheet music, visit: http://www.withajoyfulnoise.com/down-by-the-riverside.html
It’s not quite fall, but I love this Thanksgiving hymn (which, if you read the Psalms, Thanksgiving should be a part of our everyday life).
Purchase the sheet music here: http://www.withajoyfulnoise.com/come-ye-thankful-people-come.html
A new piano solo is up both on YouTube and on the website! Click here for more information.
Have you thought about teaching piano? Or have you been asked, yet you’re a little (or a lot) intimidated? “Me? Teach Piano?” by Amanda Tero, fully captures the fears of starting your piano studio and, in a down-to-earth style, giving you hope to conquer those fears. This booklet contains ideas, suggestions, and advice based on Amanda’s experience. Consider it a layman’s approach to teaching piano, from one teacher to another.
About the Book
“You play piano? Could you teach my daughter?” The parent looks too desperate to turn down, yet your thoughts run wild. “Me? Teach piano? I can barely play myself! Do they know what they’re trying to get themselves into?!”
“Me? Teach Piano?” is a simple guide to clear up some of your questions as you learn a down-to-earth approach to creating piano policies, interacting with students, and choosing the correct curriculum.
Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I49BV92
There is something about the age-old hymn, “Be Thou my Vision” that speaks to all of our hearts. The message is just as needed today as it was needed the moment it was first written.
Find the sheet music for sale here.
At youth camp this summer, one of messages preached was on music, and how it was created to glorify God. Afterwards, one of my students came up to me and asked, “If music is for God’s glory, what about classical music?” It made me stop and think, because that is a question that I had battled for years. I’m not about to say that all of these classical composers were Christians and wrote the pieces for God’s glory. So, if music is to be for God’s glory, why do we learn classical music? Or go through lesson books, for that matter?
I can’t answer this question for others, but for me, I have a total peace about using classical and lesson books. The ultimatum is the goal. I never learned classical music with the goal of becoming a classical musician for the world’s applause. Classical music was but a tool to help me better use my music for God’s glory. Just like I didn’t use only the Bible to learn reading and mathematics, I didn’t use only hymns to learn music.
In Bible times, Christian musicians were the maestros. Sadly, Christians are not the top musicians of our day. Look at the contemporary Christian movement. All you need to know is a few simple chords and you can be part of the praise and worship team. Excellence in praising God is no longer our standard, like it was in King David’s time (read 1 Chronicles 15:16-22).
While I do not judge beginning musicians as they learn to worship God in song, and I fully believe that God can use musicians of any level, is the attitude of “I don’t have to put in effort” God’s desire? Are we willing to work to multiply the talents that God has given us, so that we can better be used for His glory?
Not at all do I think of myself as the prime example, but looking back, I can clearly see a few things. Because I learned classical music and secular theory, I not only can arrange at a higher level, I can write it down for others to use for God’s glory as well. Because I learned classical music, it has equipped me to teach. Because I learned classical music, it has given me many more opportunities to use music for God’s glory.
Are there downfalls to learning classical? For sure, yes. I personally believe it goes back to our motives and goals though. Are we learning classical to “one-up” our fellow musician and become top dog? Or are we learning it to master musical techniques that cannot be found elsewhere?
This is definitely an issue that each musician needs to determine in his own heart as he seeks the Lord.
What do you think about this issue? Is it okay for the church musician to use classical music in training and musical influence?
It’s almost time, folks! “Me? Teach Piano?” is on the brink of release and I’m getting reviewers signed up to read it. Are you interested in getting a free eBook of “Me? Teach Piano?” Email me at withajoyfulnoise{at}gmail{dot}com and I’ll send a copy your way in exchange of a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads.
Another intermediate piano solo available at WAJN!
This is probably one of the most well-known exuberant pieces of praise in hymn history. What is one of your favorite songs of praise?
