"Our Prayer to Thee" Arrangement
When I first heard the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square sing "Our Prayer to Thee" in General Conference, I was so inspired by the peaceful message of the lyrics and beautiful melody borrowed from the lesser-known hymn "Our Home Beloved", written for men's choir.
I decided to create my first hymn arrangement using the melody of this hymn in the style of other Simply Sacred arrangements that I love by Marshall MacDonald. I love the simplicity of a thin clear melody line with broken chord accompaniments instead of the heavier thick texture of a traditional hymn and wanted something easy enough for early intermediate piano students to play.How to Dictate Music Compositions
I added a little artistic flair with the intro, outro, and interlude to create more of a piano solo instead of a choral accompaniment. I was fascinated this weekend to watch Megan Rieker show the process she uses as an artist to create paintings from start to finish, so I'll share a bit of my composing and arranging process with you.
My pencil sketches on this page don't look much like music, but I find the easiest way for me to jot down musical ideas as I am experimenting on the piano is to turn a normal lined piece of paper on its side. Each column represents a beat. Columns with just one letter name are quarter notes and 2 letter names are eighth notes.
Write the Melody Line
I start by penciling the melody note letter names onto lined paper. I did this by ear, but you could also refer to the music of an existing piece if you are writing it in the same key. For trickier rhythms, my "rhythm bed bug hotel" can help me dictate the notes in the correct columns. Each "bed" represents a beat.
Select Left-Hand Accompaniments
I ask piano students to analyze a piece or look at the chord symbols in the simplified hymns and identify the left-hand chords although I just skipped the analysis and did this by ear for this piece.Then they can choose a left-hand pattern that suits the mood they are trying to create. Borrowing brilliance from arrangements of other familiar songs you like can help you narrow down the choices.
Smaller left-hand intervals that use only a couple of chord tones (see the left-hand accompaniment in Will Baily's "Friend's Across Time" or "Floating on Air") or Alberti bass are easier for students with small hands to play. But I also love the 1-5-8 or 1-5-8-9-10 found in pieces like the Simply Sacred arrangement of "I Stand All Amazed" and Will Baily's "Family Album" which are more suitable for intermediate-level pianists.
I chose a mixture of the 1-5-8 chord patterns and 6ths away from the melody for the first verse. I prefer to use longer notes at some of the phrase ends to create some pause in the flow. The fluttering intervals for the second verse remind me of flowing water to symbolize revelation.
Compose an Intro, Outro or Interlude
Bradley Sowash has two excellent posts including different ways to improvise intros and outros when composing. The fermata I included on the V7 chord in measure 4 creates a feeling of anticipation, and although I didn't use a ritard to "apply the brakes" at the end, the augmentation or doubling of rhythm values to create a slow-down effect gives this arrangement a feeling of finality.
I used a variation of the intro as an interlude between the verses.
Transcribe into Music Dictation Software
After finalizing my melody, accompaniment, and musical additions, I transcribe my pencil sketches into Finale music software. MuseScore and Noteflight are also other great free options for this step. I've found that sometimes what I can easily play on the piano in the key of C does not come out looking very easy on the page because of so many ledger line notes. If needed I use the transpose feature or 8va symbols to adjust pitches of the song for easier reading. I decided this piece would be easier for students to read in the key of F despite the added B-flat.
"Our Prayer to Thee" Free Simplified Sheet Music
Click this link to access the Free Printable Sheet Music Arrangement of "Our Prayer to Thee" written in F Major.
President Russell M. Nelson, Prophet and Pianist
I am thankful that President Nelson used his creativity to compose such beautiful lyrics for a hymn that may have never been discovered! The words of inspiration that he shares while serving as the prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are life-changing for me.
While my engaging in musical activities to keep my mind sharp may not bring me into my 100th year of life😉 like they have for him, I'm grateful that his life has been preserved that long, and I love watching these inspiring videos of him playing the piano.
President Nelson playing Chopin at his 95th birthday party
George H Brimhall - May I Know the Lord as Friend
Incidentally, I found the meter of this hymn also makes a great accompaniment for the lyrics of a poem that my great-great-grandfather George Henry Brimhall wrote. To fit the words to this hymn, repeat the last two lines at the end of each verse.
O, May I Know the Lord as Friend
"O, may I know the Lord as friend,
And love of him my life attend;
May freedom's joy my soul e'er thrill,
In yielding mine to Father's will
O, may I grow to love to give,
And for the help of others live.
(Repeat last 2 lines to fit the music)
O, may I grow to love to give,
And for the help of others live.
May greatest joy be mine to know
That I have lessened other's woe.
May life eternal be my share
Under my Redeemer's care.
With those I love, eternal joy
Eternal day in God's employ.
(Repeat last 2 lines to fit the music)
With those I love, eternal joy
Eternal day in God's employ."
- George Henry Brimhall.
More Posts About Playing Hymns and Sacred Music
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