Simplified Hymn Lead Sheets
The Hymns Made Easy book although simpler than a 4 part hymn arrangement is actually not that easy for beginning piano students! But with a few tricks, students can play some hymns using their knowledge of primary chords and even create simple arrangements.
The chord labels above the music allow these familiar hymns to be played lead sheet style. For songs that mainly use the primary chords (I, IV and V) it is easier to play just 3 chord options in the left hand instead of navigating the trickier movements and fingering changes of the written left-hand part.
The first 2 minutes of this video gives a brief explanation of primary chords.
In Hymns Made Easy the chords are written with letter names instead of Roman numerals. Step 1 - Play Chord Roots
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Color the Primary Chord Symbols (I, IV & V) and play the melody in the right hand with just the root of the chord in the left hand. If no chord root is indicated above the measure, play the chord root from the previous measure. You can also play just left-hand chords as an accompaniment while you sing along.
Step 2 - Play Root Position Chords
Play chords "snowman style" with a root, 3rd and 5th as you play the right-hand melody. This requires hand shifts to new spots.
C: CEG
F: FAC
G: GBD
Step 3 - Chord Progression Chords
Shifting to root chords is a lot more difficult than playing chords. Instead, play the IV and V chords in inversions like a I-IV-I-V-I chord progression.
C: CEG
F: CFA
G: BDG or G7: BFG
Step 4 - Stylize with Left-Hand Patterns
Playing chords in a block position can sound a bit heavy like a march. To create your own variations of hymns, try changing the chords to different styles. You can mix and match the patterns below to create your own solo piano version of a hymn.
Broken Chords
Chord Shells
Alberti Bass
1-5-8 (Arpeggio with missing 3rd)
Step 5 - Get Creative!
Once you are comfortable playing the melody with broken or block chords in the left hand, try playing some phrases or verses in higher or lower octaves, cross left over right to have a "chime" effect or mix up the styles above by including some blocked, broken and chord shell pieces all in one verse. You could even add an intro, outro or interlude (music between the verses).
As you more closely analyze the left-hand parts that are written in the music, you can see that most of the notes are just "chord pieces" that the arranger chose so you don't have to play 4 notes at the same time as in standard hymns.
Click here for the free printable "How to Play Hymns with Chord Symbols."
Simplify or Arrange Hymns from the Hymn Book
You can use similar steps to simplify hymns from the regular hymn book.
I created this arrangement of "Our Prayer to Thee" (aka O Home Beloved), by first playing just the melody line, analyzing the chords, and getting creative with a mixture of chord patterns with an added intro, outro and interlude.
My favorite hymn arrangements in Marshall McDonald's Simply Sacred books have simple melody lines with beautiful examples of how chord patterns can be mixed around to create beautiful arrangements.
Hymns Made Easy with Primary Chords
The hymns listed below primarily use only the I, IV and V chords. There are a few secondary chords (ii, iii, or vi) that can be omitted for easier playing.
Key of C
Jesus Once of Humble Birth
Count Your Blessings
God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again
Joy to the World
Now Let Us Rejoice
Testimony
How Great Thou Art
Let Us All Press On
Key of G
I Need Thee Every Hour
Love At Home
O My Father
Key of F
How Gentle God's Commands
How Great the Wisdom and the Love
Did You Think to Pray
I Know That My Redeemer Lives
Let the Holy Spirit Guide
Silent Night
If you choose to play the Hymns Made Easy as written, Nancy Jensen has posted some helpful tips and easy hymns to start with.
More Resources for Playing Hymns:
Learning to Play Hymns - Beginner to Intermediate ResourcesSome of the products linked in my posts may be affiliate links, earning me a small commission on any products purchased via that link.
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