Comments on: Tips for Playing Piano Preludes

By: Jerry McCutcheon, Jr.

Jerry McCutcheon, Jr. — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:36:24 +0000

These are very good points. One tip: discipline and technique are essential to learning, progressing, and improving your communication of the “message” of whatever one plays – prelude, postlude, offertory, etc. Try taking a J. S. Bach composition suitable as a church prelude: for example, the Well Tempered Clavier Book I, Prelude #1 in C. Learn to play this so it flows – without a sustaining pedal (Bach did not have one as he did not compose on the pianoforte). Learn it slowly, observing the tempo markings and phrasing, and you will be surprised how this experience adds to your “toolset” and confidence while imparting a firmer, more expressive delivery of any music you present in church.

By: Jack Simmons

Jack Simmons — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:53:09 +0000

Very useful indeed. We’re soon hiring a new professional pianist in our congregation so up until then your tips here are great.

By: Melanie Smith

Melanie Smith — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:45:49 +0000

I go back and forth between the key of G and A flat using the same modulations. It sounds like I am playing in all different keys. We also try to play the last prelude hymn in the same key as the choir opener so there is not a huge difference in keys. Planning is key! Thanks for the tips!!

By: Gina Sprunger

Gina Sprunger — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:58:04 +0000

Good info, James. I teach the same thing in my hymn playing courses at BJU. I have my students learn several modulations ( 4 half step modulations, and a few whole step as well.) Of course, if you place your hymns a fourth interval apart, you don’t even need a modulation! What could be easier!