Christian Compositions - Conservative Christian Music

May
16

Do You Stink As a Musician?

by Niki Lott

Кофе Рояль

I am sure you already know that I am a music lover.  As I mentioned in my last post, I am also a coffee lover.  And before I ever want to taste the coffee, I want to smell it.  I LOVE the aroma of fresh coffee.  I think it is fascinating that coffee is often described as having “notes” or “tones”. These descriptive terms are used to try to help us understand the aromas and flavors of the coffee roasts we choose. I went on a coffee website (www.cariboucoffee.com) to see what some of their descriptions were. Here are just a few…..”high, lemongrass notes”, “subtle floral aroma”, “sweet, spicy, and berry notes”, “smoky, berry notes”.

Personally, I tend to prefer medium or dark roasts.  I especially enjoy those that are described as smoky, nutty, or spicy tones. I don’t usually like the ones that are considered to have fruity or citrus notes.

Music is made up of notes and tones, but they are more than just sounds on a musical scale. Music can and does express attitudes and feelings.

I would like to think about the aromas and attitudes of our music as musicians. If you sing or play an instrument, what kind of attitude do you have about your music?

What kind of “aroma” does your music project? Is it heartfelt, or is it cold and emotionless? Is it timid, or confident? Is it Christ-centered, or audience-centered, or worse yet, self-centered? Is your music designed to bless, or to impress?

I will confess, as a pianist and a singer, I have struggled with many of these issues. I want to play and sing with confidence, and yet not be arrogant. I want to sing with emotion, but not be an actor or performer. I used to worry about my music being perceived as too “showy” or flamboyant, so I would play and sing with little emotion or feeling. That just made my music appear timid, weak, or lifeless.

I. A Note of Encouragement

There are several Scriptures that are helping me as I seek to learn how to have the right “aroma” in my music. In Colossians 3:16, the Bible states, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” If the Word of Christ is dwelling in me, if I have “grace in my heart” and I am singing to the Lord, my music will admonish and encourage others.

II. A Note of Excellence

Colossians 3:23 says, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”. We need to sing or play “heartily”. Put your heart into it! Don’t do it for people; do it for the Lord. When I worry too much about what people think, instead of what the Lord thinks, my music reflects that. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might….” Give your best to the Lord!

If I am to give my best, I must be willing to work to develop my skills. Again, this is not to impress others, but so that we may offer our best to Christ. Psalm 33:3 says, “Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.” If I have not practiced a song much, and am not confident that I can play (or sing) skilfully, I tend to play timidly. Most of us won’t play with strength, and “a loud noise”, if we have not worked to be skillful.

III. A Note of Expression

One of the hardest things for me is singing with feeling. Part of this is because I get so nervous. The other part is because I worry too much about what people think (which is probably why I get so nervous!). “The fear of man bringeth a snare…” (Pro. 29:25). Music is a very expressive thing. We shouldn’t inject emotion just to impress others, but if we are singing with our hearts, then we must learn to express the feelings we are singing about. If I am singing about the joy of the Lord, and sing with a blank expression, and an unemotional voice, then I am sending a mixed message. The Psalms are filled with the emotions of David. “My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.”(Ps. 71:23). He speaks over and over about singing praise to the Lord, singing with joy to the Lord. Many of the Psalms begin with David describing feelings of discouragement and despair, but end with His assurance that the Lord is with him and will meet all of his needs. When we sing (or play) songs of faith, we should do so with assurance. When we sing of the love of God, we should show the love of the Lord in our hearts.

IV. A Note of Earnestness

The most important part of this is to allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through you. Keep your focus on pleasing the Lord, not people.  Ask the Lord to help you.

Choose songs that are true to what you believe in, and that you can sing with honesty and sincerity in a heartfelt way. “…serve Him in sincerity and in truth…”  (Josh. 24:14). If I am going to sing “I Surrender All” and I am in rebellion to the Lord, then I cannot sing honestly to the Lord. The solution here would not be to choose a different song, but to get my heart in tune with the Lord.

So what are the “note”-able scents in your music?  Does the “aroma” you project match the message you are seeking to convey?  Do people perceive the attitudes and overtones of your music to be sincere, sweet, and Spirit-filled? More importantly, how does the Lord perceive my aroma?  Is it sweet-smelling to Him, or does it stink?

If our attitudes need some work, let’s ask the Lord to change our hearts, and give us an aroma that would be pleasing and honoring to Him, and that will be edifying to His people.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”  (Col. 3:16)

Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Inspiration | 1 Comment
Jan
18

Musical Nutrition – Pep or Power?

by Niki Lott

Кофе Рояль

I love a good cup of coffee…almost as much as I love music!  If you’re not a coffee drinker, please don’t stop reading!  If you are a coffee drinker, I’m going to share one more relatively unimportant fact about myself.  I don’t know about you, but I’m not a big fan of decaf coffee. I don’t like the taste, and I also don’t like the lack of caffeine. Granted, I probably don’t need as much caffeine as I consume, but I do like the boost of energy it gives me, especially in the morning.

However, the truth is, one cannot live on caffeine alone. While it will give you a temporary “pep in your step”, it fades after awhile. There is really no nutritional value in coffee (it really hurts me to say that!). Thankfully, there aren’t any calories either (unless you load it with cream and sugar).

We need nutrition if we want more than just pep. It’s okay to start the morning with a cup of coffee, but you’ll feel much better throughout the day if you follow that coffee with a healthy breakfast (not the bagel or donut that tastes so good with that mug of hot stuff). We need good, solid food that will provide our bodies with the nutrients we need to function. If we are going to have the strength for the day, we need to make sure that we’re feeding our bodies the proper things. However, many times, instead of eating something nutritious when we begin to feel weak or tired, we just go back to the coffeepot for another temporary jolt of energy.

Another admission I don’t like to make is that coffee can be addictive (ouch!). It doesn’t have to be, but it can be. If we are dependent on it, instead of something more healthy, then we need to be careful and maybe think about how wise (or unwise) this is.

I would like to apply these thoughts to the music we ingest. Music is one of my favorite things in the world. I love to listen to it, and I love to participate in it. I love to sing and play the piano, but I have learned that music is an amazing force. As a Christian, I need to examine the music I am listening to. First and foremost, I must ask myself if it is pleasing to Christ in every aspect. I think, with this in my mind, we could ask ourselves if we are listening to the music we listen to because we desire pep or power?

Many people, even in Christian circles, are feeding their minds and hearts with music that may give them a temporary “boost” of energy or emotion, but has no spiritual nutritional value. In fact, it may even be detrimental to their walk with the Lord. However, instead of choosing to feed on something more healthy and sustaining, they just “drink more” to get that next jolt.

God desires that we speak to ourselves “in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord.” (Eph. 5:19). Godly music will sustain us spiritually throughout our days, and even through the night (Ps. 77:6; Job 35:10).

So let’s examine our music. Is it just for “pep” or will it give us spiritual power?

Examine Its Appeal

Does the music you’re listening to primarily appeal to your flesh or to your spirit? Does it make you want to dance or does it make you feel more devoted to God? Does it appeal solely to you on an emotional level, or does it encourage you to take spiritual action? Does it appeal to you solely on a physical level, because you like the way it sounds, or does it feed your spirit? Can you sing this music “in your hearts to the Lord?” If my music is appealing to the sensual rather than the spiritual, I need to change my heart, and then change my music.

Examine Its Associations

What kind of people (in general) listen to the music you enjoy? Is it the kind of music you are comfortable talking about at church? What about to your pastor? What about to someone who you consider to be a spiritual role model? Most importantly, what about Christ? Would you change your radio station, your ipod playlist, or your CD if Jesus got in your car, or put on your headphones?

What kind of people sing the music you’re listening to? Are they associated with the world or with the Lord? What kind of people are associated with the genre of music you enjoy? Are they godly people? Let me say here that much of so-called Christian music is far more worldly in its associations than it is with Christ. If it sounds like the world, and looks like the world, it is the world.

Examine Its Attitude

All music has an “attitude” and will compel an attitude in the listener, whether the listener is conscious of that or not. Some music is very calming, while other music is energizing. Some music is very depressing, while other music may be uplifting. Music can have attitudes and overtones of rebellion, lust, anger, depression, or it can have attitudes of love, joy, peace, and worship. It should not have both at the same time. That is what much of contemporary Christian music pretends to do. They claim to have spiritual lyrics with carnal music. The messages are conflicting and confusing. “God is not the author of confusion.…” (I Cor. 14:33). If the words of the music are telling me to be surrendered to God, and the music is telling me to serve my flesh, there is a battle and conflict in every beat of that song. There is nothing spiritual about that, no matter what the label may say.

What attitudes does your music produce in you? Does it make you desire to do more to Christ? Does it make you honor Him? Does it draw your mind and your heart to reverence His holiness? Does it challenge you to live a godly life? Does it encourage you to go out and serve Him with all your heart?

Examine Its Addiction

I mentioned that coffee can be addictive. Music is one of the most addictive things I know of. If you have always listened to a certain type of music, particularly worldly music, the prospect of not listening to it anymore can make you feel absolutely hostile. I’ve heard people say, “I just can’t live without my music.” Isn’t it amazing that it can have that kind of power over us?

Let me ask you, what kind of music are you “into”? Could you stop listening to it tomorrow? Have you given your music to the Lord? I think that an interesting verse regarding this aspect is found in I Corinthians 6:12, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” This does not mean that any action or activity is permissible for me as a Christian. That is clear from the previous verses. I do believe that it means that even those things that are “lawful for me”, that are not clearly forbidden, are not to control me. We are to be under the power of the Spirit of Christ.

Examine Its Agenda

All music, good or bad, has an agenda. It has a message that it seeks to convey, and a purpose it seeks to fulfill. Even without words, music conveys messages. I already addressed that a little bit when discussing the attitude of music. If you listened to your music without the words, would someone automatically assume that it was Christian or secular?

I write music, and one of the things that I seek to do is to get my point across in a song. I start with a thought that I wish to convey. I then work to find the right words to articulate that thought in a clear way. I then seek to write music that matches the overall message of the words. Is it a meditative, contemplative song? Then I would not seek to match it with up-tempo, bright music. Is it a song of glad testimony for what God has performed in my life? Then the brighter music would suit it better. Some songs are more subtle in their message, while others are very forthright. But never forget, every song has an agenda.

Again, if the message, or agenda, of the words does not match the message of the music then its overall message is one of confusion and rebellion. The Bible says that the same fountain should not produce sweet water and bitter (Jas. 3:10-12). This is also true of our music. It should not be sending mixed messages.

What “agenda” does your music promote? Is it a godly, spiritual one, or a worldly, carnal one?
Let me conclude by saying that there is nothing wrong with music that is lively, “peppy”, or stirring. The Bible says that we are to make a joyful noise. I think of songs like “Saved,! Saved!”, “Power in the Blood”, and “Jesus Is Coming Again”. These are stirring, exciting songs. However, they are also songs with spiritual meat, and without a secular, driving beat.

The “pep” factor should also not be the sole qualification we seek in our music. Some people refuse to listen to a slower song. They don’t like “church music” because it is too slow, or too “old-fashioned”. Just as we need a balanced physical diet, we need a balanced musical diet. We need songs that encourage us, motivate us, and bring us joy. We also need songs that inspire us to be prayerful, repentant, and in awe of the majesty of God. We do not need spiritual “junk food”, music that sounds spiritual, but is really all sugar, and no substance. It is spiritual “cotton candy”. We also do not need the poison of the world’s music.

All music has power. The question should be, is it empowering my old nature or my new nature? Does my music appeal to me simply at a physical level, or does it appeal to my spirit? Is it giving me temporary “pep” or long-term “power”? How balanced is your musical diet?

(Originally posted at:  http://www.coffeelotte.blogspot.com/2008/09/pep-or-power.html)

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Jan
2

Another Year Is Dawning

by Niki Lott

This hymn was written by one of my favorite writers of all time, Frances Ridley Havergal.  The lyrics are a beautiful prayer for a coming year.  I hope that it will be a blessing and inspiration to you, as it has been to me.

dawn-28mfdrt

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
Another year of training for holier work above.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.

-F.R.H, 1874

May God bless you as you live for Him in 2014!

Niki

 

 

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Aug
30

Practical Tips for Church Pianists – Playing Offertories, Part I

by Niki Lott

Practical Tips

Playing a solo piano special during the offering can be a challenge for the church pianist.  What is expected or required of you can vary from church to church, and even from one service to the next.  As always, it is important to know what the expectations of the pastor are, and to do your best to fulfill them.

Practically speaking, this interval can be a great opportunity to minister to the congregation through your instrumental selection.  Because of this, you should choose your songs deliberately and endeavor to make this time a blessing.

I must admit that one of my biggest pet peeves at church is those who feel that the offering time is the appropriate time for chatting with their neighbor in the pew.  Unless this is the designated “fellowship time”, it is frustrating to work hard preparing a special, and then to feel that it is being ignored entirely!  However, part of that reason that attitude is prevalent in some churches is because the pianist doesn’t work hard to prepare something that will keep the attention of the congregation.  So rather than get frustrated or annoyed, or develop an “I-don’t-care” attitude, I would suggest that we work to be a blessing to those listening, and make them want to listen to what we are playing!

Here are a few suggestions that I have tried to incorporate over the years:

1.       Choose familiar songs

Although beautiful music can be enjoyable without any words, in a church setting, you want people to understand and think about the message of the song.  This is best accomplished if they can “sing along” in their minds while you are playing.  Choosing songs that are familiar to your audience will encourage them to listen actively rather than passively.

2.       Choose appropriate songs

Select songs that are appropriate for the type of service you are in (Sunday morning, Wednesday evening, revival, special occasions).  Consider what is going on.  Is it a patriotic service?  A missions conference?  Does your church have a theme for the day/month/event?  Is it a prayer meeting?  While none of these things dictate your choices, they can help you make selections that will be well-suited to the service in which you are playing.

Also, be aware of what is going on and the “mood” of the service.  While you can’t always know this, be sensitive to your surroundings, and to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Is your service a celebration?  It would not really be appropriate to play something slow and contemplative.  On the other hand, is your church going through a time of challenge or even grieving?  Be discerning in your choices.

Choosing the proper song for the service in which you are playing is a subtle, but effective, way of being “in tune” with the overall service.

3.       Choose practiced songs

This is a given, and probably doesn’t need to be stated, but I’m going to say it anyway.  Be prepared!  Practice, plan, prepare.  Anything done for the Lord deserves to be done well.

4.       Choose interesting arrangements.

Whether you like to play from published piano pieces, create your own piano arrangements, or simply play from the hymnal, one of the keys to being a blessing (and not losing your audience), is to play something interesting.  Now, I’m not suggesting that you play something strange or weird just to get attention.  Some arrangements stray so far from the original melodies and harmonies of the song being played that they are no longer recognizable.

There are many ways to create interest, and to keep a piece from sounding stale or boring.  Good use of dynamics, simple modulations, changes in tempo, and even creating a medley of related songs are just a few easy ways to keep your pieces stimulating.

5. Choose timely arrangements.

Every church varies on this, but be mindful of the time. It is a good rule of thumb not to play much longer than it takes for the ushers to finish receiving the offering.  Now, in a small church like the one I attend, the whole process takes about 60 seconds.  It is very hard to play any kind of arrangement in that amount of time, but I try to limit my selections to 3 minutes maximum, and usually less than that.  In a larger church, you may need to play a much longer arrangement.  It is a good idea to time your pieces, and then edit accordingly.

While these are some practical pointers, the most important advice I can give in every part of our playing is that we never forget that our service and ministry is unto the Lord.  Be prayerful about your playing, and remember you are ultimately playing for Him.  When I start to get lazy, or begin to feel irritated or ignored, or even prideful, I try to remember that I am playing for the Lord, and He is always listening!  More than anything else, this keeps me motivated to do my best.

These are just a few simple tips that have helped me in choosing and preparing an offertory.  What tips would you add?

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Sep
4

8 Tips for Songwriters

by Niki Lott

I received an e-mail newsletter a few days ago from Bro. Byron Foxx at Bible Truth Music. Their music and website (www.bibletruthmusic.com) is a great resource, offering quality, conservative Christian music.

I asked Bro. Foxx if I could share the contents of this particular newsletter. I often get asked about writing music, and I believe his tips are concise and right on track. Thank you, Bro. Foxx, for allowing me to share them here!

1. Know Your Music Theory

Well-written music is not an accident but comes from hard work and skilled labor.

2. Study Good Music

Analyze and peruse successful music. Surround yourself with excellent music in a variety of God-honoring styles. Ask yourself, “What sets this song apart from ‘average’ songs?”

3. Know the Subject of Your Songs Well

I write only Christian music. The content of your music must come from your daily walk with the Lord in Bible reading, prayer, and the closeness of your relationship with Him.

4. Be Critical of Your Music

Do not set low standards, but strive to be your best. Be sure the melody is attractive, easily sung, and fits the content of the lyrics. Use a thesaurus or a rhyming dictionary to aid you in writing outstanding lyrics. After you have completed a song, set it aside for a period of time, and then return with a fresh perspective.

5. Write Regularly

The more you write the better you should become! Don’t give up after the first few songs. Many musicians write for years before producing songs that are high quaility and endure the test of time. Keep working at it!

6. Have Qualified Musicians Review Your Music

Listen to their comments and learn from them. Do not be easily offended, but be willing to learn and grow.

7. Strive to Have Your Music Published and Recorded

Submit your music to the market you are seeking. Again, don’t give up. Ask the Lord to use your music to honor Him and help other Christians, and keep submitting.

8. Be Honest in Your Writing

Do not copy the work of others. Be yourself in your songwriting and glorify God in the music He gives you.

The bottom line is: keep writing. Do not be easily satisfied. Hone your skills to be the best you can be for the Lord in this area.

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Mar
23

Practical Tips for Church Pianists – Creating a Prelude

by Niki Lott

Practical TipsIn my last post, I told you my first experience with playing a prelude. In this post, I’ll share some of the things that helped me as I began to play preludes on a regular basis.

1. Discover Your Purpose

As a general rule, there are two basic purposes for a prelude:

a.) to provide background music before a service, and
b.) to prepare people for the beginning of the service.

While the purpose is fairly straightforward, how it is accomplished can vary depending on the type of service in which you are playing. For example, a wedding prelude would be substantially different than a funeral prelude. The prelude you play for a Sunday morning church service may be different from what you would play on a Wednesday evening.

Because of this, you need to choose your music carefully. For a church service, a prelude should typically be uplifting and encouraging. While “meditative” songs are not completely out of the question, most pastors want to begin the service with a spirit of anticipation and excitement. “Does Jesus Care” is a beautiful song that would be well-suited to a prelude before a funeral service, but probably not for a prelude just before the Sunday morning worship service (Be sure to talk to your pastor about what his goals are for the service music, including the preludes!).  In the case of a church service, part of your purpose is not only to help the audience to be aware that the service is about to begin, but to help prepare their hearts before the service begins.

Also, be aware of your volume. Play loud enough to be heard, but not so loud that people cannot converse in the auditorium. There is no hard and fast rule for this, but you need to be aware of and sensitive to it. If you are playing in a large auditorium, you may not have to be overly concerned, but in a smaller auditorium, or if your piano is amplified, you need to pay attention.

I remember attending a church once where the pianist played the prelude so loudly that people would go to the foyer to talk, or would have to practically yell if they stayed in the auditorium. That is not our intent! Our goal is not to draw attention to the piano, or to provide a pre-service concert. Remember, a prelude is to be background, not foreground. We should not seek to be the “attraction”.

2. Decide What You Will Play

I mentioned this already, but the songs you choose are important, and should be appropriate for the service in which you are playing. (I am using examples for church services, but the principles hold true for other settings as well.) Here are a few rules of thumb:

     A. Select songs that are familiar

Many people won’t think about what you’re playing, but those who are already seated will enjoy being able to sing along, and that will help prepare their hearts for the service to come.

     B. Select songs that are suited to the service (some general guidelines)

  • Sunday Morning Worship – Anthems, Hymns

Examples: To God Be the Glory; Crown Him With Many Crowns; There Is A Fountain

  • Sunday Evening – Songs of Testimony, Encouragement

Examples: He Keeps Me Singing; Isn’t the Love of Jesus Something Wonderful; I Am Resolved; Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus

  • Wednesday Evening – Songs About Faith, Prayer, the Word of God

Examples: ‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus; The Bible Stands; Tell It To Jesus

     C.  Select songs you are comfortable playing

While preludes provide a good opportunity to implement new songs or new techniques, you still want to make sure that you can play them well. We should not be a distraction.

     D.  Select songs in an orderly fashion – Have a Plan!

When I first started playing preludes, I made prelude lists. Although I no longer carry a list to the piano, they are a great tool. If you play a short prelude, or are very comfortable playing by ear, you may not need to write out a list.  However, if you are just beginning, or if you are playing a longer prelude, lists can really help, especially if you don’t want to have to try to flip pages between each song. (This is assuming you can play some from memory or by ear. If not, you will need to have a plan in place to make a prelude notebook, or mark songs in the hymnal so you can transition quickly between songs).

Here is how I built my prelude lists:

1.  By Theme – This is still my favorite way to play a prelude. Whether anyone recognizes your theme or not, it is a good way to select your music, and set a tone for the day. If you know what your pastor is preaching on, you may select music to support that. Using a theme will also help you remember what to play next! As a rule, I play two verses of each song, but often change that based on the song or situation.  Some theme ideas (you can also look through the topical index in the back of your hymnal for ideas):

  • God’s Love
  • Christian Warfare
  • The Blood of Christ
  • Faith/Trust
  • The Word of God/God’s Promises
  • The Name of Jesus
  • Joy
  • The Second Coming
  • The Cross
  • The Resurrection

One last tip – If you need to play from the hymnal, most books are arranged by theme. You can just choose a section and play through it.

2.  By Key Signature & Modulation – Once I had selected my songs, I arranged them in order by their key signatures.  On my list, I placed the title of each song, and the key signature.  (If you are an experienced pianist, you can skip this section. :)) Because I was just learning how to modulate between different keys, I made sure to arrange my songs in an order that allowed me to change keys easily.  I also wrote out the chords I would use for a modulation if it were something new or a little difficult for me.  If you aren’t yet comfortable with changing keys between songs, try to select songs that are in the same key and just work on smooth segues from one song to another.

As you begin practicing modulations (and you should practice them!), choose simple modulations, and arrange your songs accordingly. While this is not a technical lesson on modulating, some of the easiest modulations are moving up one half-step, or one whole step (Example: From F to G, or from G to A-flat).

Although this post may not apply to you in your current situation, learning to create and play a prelude is a skill that is beneficial for any pianist to develop and polish.  I hope these tips will help!

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Mar
14

Practical Tips for Church Pianists – How I Learned to Play A Prelude

by Niki Lott

Practical Tips
Do you play the prelude at your church?  If not, you may be asking, “What’s a prelude?”  A prelude is music 5 to 15 minutes before the service (or other event) begins. It is used to “set the mood”, and signal that the service is about to start. For a pianist who is learning (and we all should be!), it is also a good time to employ techniques you have been practicing.  Transposing, modulating between keys, and smooth segues between different songs are just a few of the things that are useful in preludes.

My first prelude was terrifying! I was a student at Crown College, and coming from a small church, was quite intimidated by the size of the church and school. I had played the piano publicly there two or three times, but only because I had been volunteered by some of my friends.

One morning at the end of Sunday School, the pianist who was supposed to play the prelude before the church service did not show up. I’m not sure if she was delayed, or sick, or what happened, but she wasn’t there. Our teacher (Bro. Kiser, for those who knew him) began asking, rather urgently, “Does anyone play the piano?” My “friends” quickly volunteered me, and before I knew it, I was at the piano. Bro. Kiser’s instructions were, “Play loud, play fast, and don’t stop until Pastor tells you to!”

And so I played, for about 15 minutes, and those 15 minutes seemed like eternity. I prayed that somehow the Lord would help me get through without it being a total disaster. I have no idea what I played, probably the same three or four songs over and over. I had nothing prepared, no experience at doing a prelude, and I couldn’t even stop between songs to find the next hymn! I knew the Lord had helped me, but I was sure it was terrible. I was SO relieved when it was time for me to stop. As I went to sit down, Bro. Kiser stopped me and said, “I want you to do the preludes from now on. And I would like you to be the pianist for the Knoxville Bible Class.”  I had the privilege of playing the piano for that class for almost two years.

I had to learn quickly, and without a lot of instruction! I’m thankful for the good example of the other pianists at the church. I realized that I needed some kind of plan for playing a prelude, and I began to work at being more prepared. In the next post, I will share a few of the things I learned that helped me.  If you have tips, I’d love to hear them!

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Feb
28

Practical Tips for Church Pianists – My #1 Practical Principle

by Niki Lott

Practical TipsIf you were ever one of my piano students, I hope you know what I’m about to say! My #1 principle is……….. (drum roll, please)………”It is better to play a simple piece well than to play a difficult piece poorly.” This applies to everything we play! Whether we are playing a congregational hymn, a prelude, or an offertory arrangement, we need to do our best. As I mentioned in an earlier post, this is the qualification the Lord is looking for.

However, I think sometimes we interpret playing our best as playing something difficult or complicated. This can be very discouraging for a beginning pianist, or for the church pianist who is very busy with limited practice time. Playing skillfully does not necessarily mean playing something complex or advanced. It simply means playing something well.

Choose an arrangement or a song, and make your first goal to play it accurately (notes and timing). Then work to play it with expression. I would much rather hear someone play a simple song perfectly and expressively, than to hear someone stumble through a more challenging song.

This is not an excuse to play only those things with which we feel comfortable. We should constantly challenge ourselves to learn new techniques, develop new skills, and practice new music. However, trying to play something that isn’t prepared sufficiently is only going to do a disservice to the piece we’re trying to play, and cause embarrassment and frustration.

While there is no doubt that our nerves can cause us to publicly stumble on a song we have played well privately, nervousness is something that will improve with prayer and practice. Be diligent to practice your techniques and songs until you can play them with confidence. As you do this, seek to move from playing with your mind (focused on keeping up with every note and beat) to playing with your heart (focused on sharing the message of the song with your listeners). The goal for a church musician should not be to impress others with our abilities, but rather to express the message of the music we are playing in order to glorify the Lord.

“Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.” (Ps. 33:3)

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Feb
23

The Making of A Cantata

by Niki Lott

I am so excited about our newest book, “He Lives In Me“! I thought I would share the story of how it came to be.

When my husband and I were serving at Bethel Memorial Baptist Church in LaFayette, GA, our pastor, Bro. Martenn, asked me if I would consider writing an Easter cantata. He said that he wanted something short enough for the choir to do as part of the Sunday morning service, and still allow him time to preach. I think I told him he was crazy, very respectfully, of course! I didn’t think I could write an Easter just because he thought I should! I’m thankful he was patient with me, and encouraged me to try.

His suggestion prompted me to begin thinking and praying about music that would be suitable for Easter. One Sunday, Pastor Martenn was preaching from Isaiah 53. During his sermon, this verse seemed to jump out at me, ” He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” (Isa. 53:11). Satisfied! What an amazing thought! Jesus Christ fulfilled every demand of the law, every demand of God, and God was satisfied. Satisfied. This became the cornerstone of the cantata.

That thought gripped me, and I began to study Isaiah 53, and to outline the other major thoughts that would grow to be the remainder of the cantata. I have always loved the story of the Ethiopian eunuch, and how the Lord used his reading of Isaiah 53 to show him Jesus Christ. My favorite verse in the story is verse 35, “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” “The same scripture” is Isaiah 53! That account is the foundation of the narration that ties the cantata together.

Our choir in GA first sang “He Lives In Me” several years ago, with just basic arrangements I did. However, I do NOT consider myself a choral arranger, and so I began praying for someone who could arrange it for me. I wanted someone who not only had the musical ability, but someone who would understand the music, and whose style would complement mine.

Through several avenues, I was introduced to the music of Glenn Christianson, and last year I contacted him about arranging “He Lives In Me.” He did such a beautiful job of enhancing and improving my basic arrangements. It was a joy to work with him!

The complete cantata with narration is about 25 minutes. However, most of the songs can be sung individually, not just at Easter, but throughout the year. It is my hope and prayer that “He Lives In Me” will be used to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to many, and that its message of Christ’s sacrifice, His victory over death, and His power to save will be used to glorify our Lord and encourage His church!

The Songs:

He Lives In Me – A song about the resurrection, and a personal testimony of the resurrection power in the life of the believer.

Who Will Believe? – A contemplative song about the Messiah who would come, not as the world expected Him to, but “undesired” and “despised and rejected”.

Like A Lamb – A beautiful song describing us as wayward sheep, and Christ as our sacrificial Lamb.

Poured Out – A musical account of Christ’s role as our sacrifice and our high priest.

Satisfied – The key song of the cantata; a powerful song about the complete work Christ did on the cross.

He Lives In Me – Reprise – The conclusion of the cantata; because of what Christ did, we can rejoice!

 

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Feb
8

Practical Tips for Church Pianists – Let’s Talk Measures

by Niki Lott

Practical TipsI touched on this topic in my last post, but I have found that “measures” are a big issue for church musicians. I’m not talking about bar lines and counting. I’m talking about the way we measure ourselves.

When I was in college, I was taking a music class. It was finals week, and I was waiting in the hall outside my teacher’s office to perform my final piece. I hadn’t really been nervous at all until I heard the student before me begin performing their final. It was beautiful, and suddenly I was a nervous wreck! I told my friend who was waiting with me how nervous I was, and that I could never sing like that person. My friend said something very wise – something I already knew, but needed reminded of. “God didn’t give you her voice or talent. He gave you yours. Your job is to do the best you can with what God has given you. Don’t try to be someone else!”

How thankful I am for that counsel. It has come back to mind often – when I become intimidated or nervous because someone who is more accomplished than I am walks into the room, or when I am tempted to feel proud because I think I’m better than someone else. Whether we are involved in music or some other ministry, one of our biggest stumblingblocks can be comparison with others around us.

A verse my mother tried to ingrain in me from the time I was young is found in II Corinthians, “…but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. “ (II Cor. 10:12). We often hinder our service to the Lord by not using the right “measures”. Whether we are measuring ourselves by those around us and feeling superior to them, or comparing ourselves to others and feeling that we can never “measure up”, the Bible says this is not wise.

Remember Moses? God had a job for him to do, but Moses felt the need to inform God of his inabilities. Compared to others, Moses was not eloquent. He was not a great speaker. And he was painfully aware of this. However, God reminded him that He made his mouth, and that He would help him. How often do we do the same thing? We know God wants us to do something, but we are painfully aware of our shortcomings, inabilities and failures. We try to tell God all the reasons why His plan is not good. “Why don’t you know, Lord, Sister So-and-So is much more talented than I am?” How silly we must sound to the Lord! His strength is made perfect in weakness. God is not looking for talented people, or perfect people. He is looking for people who are willing to allow Him to work through them.

(I Cor. 1:26-31) “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

Don’t fall into the trap of comparison. You will always find someone who is better than you, who has more ability, more charisma, more time. And you will probably find someone who is struggling, who is not as “able” as you. The standard we are to measure ourselves against is the Lord Jesus Christ. We all need His help, His filling, and His power to accomplish His purpose.

II Cor.10:17-18 “But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.”

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