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90. Count Your Blessings 數算恩典

A really simple arrangement of this well-known hymn Count Your Blessings. Keeping the flow the the right hand melody, the running quavers tell of the blessings and grace we all received from our Lord Jesus. Whereas the easy chords on the left hand affirms that these are from our almighty and loving God in heaven. The blessings and grace from our Lord definitely help, encourage and strengthen our faith towards Him. Have you regularly reflect and ponder through what God has done for you?

Hymn 152 The Lord Will Provide by a well known hymn writer Philip Phillips. This arrangement starts off slow and freely, resembling a time when we were not sure what our next step will be. Anxious, worries and troubles without finding a solution. As time goes on, we remember our almighty and compassionate Lord Jesus whom we can rely and trust will open a way for us. Through earnest and deep prayers, we are reassured by His words and His constant abiding love. We can finally let go and count on our Lord Jesus who will always provide. Have you experienced this in your life? Is your outcome and belief is “The Lord Will Provide”?

This time we will look into G major. Before we go any further, it would be great if we go through and practice the possible chord combinations for each of the chord I, IV and V.

We will use hymn 65 Close to Thee as an exercise for creating a piano accompaniment. This hymn has 4 lines, rather than using the style bass note follows by a 2 or 3 notes chord as previous sessions, we are going to introduce some contrast through each line. Again, work out the harmony bar by bar, decide which chord to use.

In a chord [1st, 3rd and 5th], say G B and D chord I, the note “B” balances the chord, without it, it will sound bare and empty. Most of the time, if the melody has the 3rd, the accompaniment can do without and vice versa. Occasionally, leaving out the 3rd will make it sound different and special too.

Line 1 > a simple chord to accompany the right hand melody. e.g. bar 1 – 1st 2 beats GDGB is chord I, using a chord of a fifth will blend nicely with the B on the melody. Similarly on the 3rd bear, DADF# is chord V with F# on the melody, again a fifth will fit well. Bars 2 and 3 – chord I as before, this time put a chord with a B on the left hand. Bar 4 – round off with a fifth.

Line 2> break up the chord by using 2 to 3 single notes. e.g. bar 5 use a crotchet and minim rather than a chord as bar 1.

# For now, if there are one or two odd notes that are not in the chord, but the  majority of notes are, 80/90%, then it is OK to use that chord. e.g. ignore the F natural on bar 5, DBA on bar 6, etc..

Line 3 > bass note follows by a 2 notes chord

Line 4 > bass note follows by a 3 notes chord. Round off the hymn with the opposite, chord than a bass note.

So after working out what to do for each bar and line, the outcome will be as below

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430. Shall We Gather at the River? 我們聚集生命河邊

And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Rev 22:1). When we finally lay every burden down and reach the end of our life journey on earth, the promised heavenly kingdom awaits us. God has prepared a robe and a crown for us. There we shall sing praises and worship our almighty God forever. The relax and joyous melody definitely brings us closer to our Lord Jesus, hopping and swinging along the clear crystal water of life.

Last session, We looked into how to create a piano accompaniment base on the harmony of the hymn, playing the right hand main melody, with left hand playing a bass note follows by a two notes chord in each bar. This time, we will do the same by with a three notes chord instead.

Sticking with this idea, the accompaniment we are looking into creating will be

1. Three beats in a bar
2. Right hand plays the main melody
3. Left hand plays a bass note on the first beat follows by a three notes chord on the second
4. A rest on the third beat except the penultimate bar before end of a phrase

This time, using chords I, IV and V in Bb major. The combination of possible chords follow by the bass note will be as follow:

Familiarise this style by practicing the left hand; bass note to each of these chord. This will boost up your confidence in playing in this style.

This time a well known hymn classic 51b Rock of Ages. Analysing bar by bar, first group the notes vertically and work out the harmony. Which chord out of I, IV and V to use. Starting that bar with the bass note follows by one the the three possible chords to go with it. Be careful not to use a chord that is rather high that may clashes with the right hand melody, nor too low towards the left that may sound grumpy. All these need practice, trials and errors.

Bar 11, we use the extra Eb link to chord V; FAC. This special chord is called dominant 7^th. If we add the Eb in, this will enrich the sound of the chord. Splendid to conclude the hymn with a dominant 7th chord on the penultimate bar.

The end result will be

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284. Send the Light 發出福音真光

Jesus calls us to rescue and save the souls of this world. Jesus is the light, we too as His children have the duty to go into this world to shine for Him. Bringing the good tiding of perfect salvation gospel to all corners of the world. This light and cheerful melody with the dotted rhythm accompaniment reminds and encourages us to rise and “send the blessed gospel light”.

Hymn 62 is one the the few hymns in our hymn book that does not begin with the traditional SATB four parts harmony. This simplify arrangement comprises of right hand main melody, with left hand playing a bass note follows by a two notes chord in each bar.

With this idea in mind, the simple accompaniment we are looking into will be based on the above

1. Three beats in a bar
2. Right hand plays the main melody
3. Left hand plays a bass note on the first beat follows by a two notes chord on the second
4. A rest on the third beat except the penultimate bar

Imagine we are in F major, using chords I, IV and V. The combination of possible 2 notes chord follows by the bass note will be as follow:

Familiarise this style by practicing the left hand; bass note to each of these chord. This will boost up your confidence in playing in this style.

We will use a short example to start with. Hymn 252 is in F major. Analysing bar by bar, first group the notes vertically and work out the harmony. Which chord out of I, IV and V to use. Starting that bar with the bass note follows by one the the four possible chord to go with it. Be careful not to use a chord that is rather high that may clashes with the right hand melody, nor too low towards the left that may sound grumpy. All these need practice, trials and errors.

The end result will be

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192. The Way of the Cross Leads Home 十架領路

Surely everyone should know their way home. But do you know your way to the heavenly eternal home? There is only one way to enter this wonderful, amazing and glorious heavenly home, that is through believing our Lord Jesus. Bid farewell to the flesh and lust of this world. Seek His truth and salvation. Our Lord Jesus is waiting for us all with open arms by the heavenly gate.

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47. Jesus, I Come 耶穌救我

Jesus saves us out of bondage, sorrow and darkness. He leads us into freedom, gladness and light. All the negatives we face in this world, Jesus can replace all with the opposite. Only if we are willing to draw close to him. This hymn carries a calm and gentle rocking feeling portraying we are safe in His loving arm, protecting and guiding us daily in our every move.