Q. Kind of a stupid question. I am classically trained...played for churches, orchestras, majored in piano in college. I just haven't played much in a few years...all of my classical is way too 'showy' and too difficult to work up in a week or two (not to mention way too long) ...I usually do my own hymn arrangements....however, this is a more 'charasmatic' church and I need something a little more upbeat. Ideas on some easy classical that sound hard, or some arrangements of contemporary worship? Every one has talked me up and now I don't want to play at all...I hate playing solo, I'd rather play with a group. Anyway, guess I better get it over with. =) Ideas? To give you an idea of my level...in college I played Schumann's a min. Concerto, many Beethoven Sonatas, Chopin Etudes...the usual. I can play by chords, read chord charts. I just haven't played much in a few years...and don't want to put forth the work to get my classical back in gear (at least not in the next few weeks).
A. I have been playing in a church for around six months now; while I play hymn arrangements as well, I also play an occasional excerpt from an opera piano transcription for variety. They are usually just the right length, easy to learn in at most a week--sometimes two for exceptionally difficult pieces--and there are a variety of styles to choose from. I have had many compliments, and people always seem to enjoy the operatic pieces, even if they are not necessarily 'worship' music, although there are some that could be considered so. I suggest that you look through the scores, and try out pieces until you find one that you like, then print it. If you would like an idea of how the piece should sound, you can usually find a professional example on YouTube. Below are links to two websites that offer opera scores and one that offers 'classical' songs. If you would like a beautiful melody that is simple to learn quickly--in a day or so--one you might desire to try is 'O Sole Mio' from Art Song Central.
Loeb Music Library Digital Scores Collection:
http://hcl.harvard.edu/libraries/loebmusic/collections/digital.html
William and Gayle Cook Music Library Scores Collection:
http://www.dlib.indiana.edu/variations/scores/scores.html
Art Song Central:
http://artsongcentral.com/
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
Title : I've been asked to play for church and am at a loss for what to play. Ideas?
Description : Q. Kind of a stupid question. I am classically trained...played for churches, orchestras, majored in piano in college. I just haven't...