Simple Trick to Learn Church Music WAY Easier on Piano

Learning church hymns on piano SEEMS like it’d be easy… because most of the songs are relatively slow and don’t have a lot of flashy stuff. In reality though… reading church hymns is INCREDIBLY hard for beginners!! Most church hymns change chords almost every beat… meaning your brain has to process an entire new chord (typically 4 notes) at once, over and over in fast succession. It’s really challenging!!

Luckily… there’s an easier way. And this system of playing them saved my butt multiple times back in the day when my sight-reading skills were very subpar… And I still needed to knock out 6 or 7 hymns before the next church service.

We’re going to simplify church hymns for beginners in three ways:

Using “Copy and Paste” Left Hand Money Patterns
2. Eliminating unnecessary Right Hand “Extra Notes” that don’t add much
3. Using some Music Theory tricks to only play the Primary chords and ignore the Secondary chords.

Oh and BTW… even though we simplify it… it actually sounds BETTER than the original!! Don’t take my word for it, I’ll show you the before and after in the video. Or you can talk to all the old ladies that come up to me after church and say they loved my version ;-)

One more thing, if you’re a beginner and worried about the music theory part of it… don’t be. We break down everything super simple using some PDF cheat sheets. Here’s the steps to download them:

Step 2: Put in your name and email and click “Get my bonuses!”
Step 3: Download the cheat sheets and get access to the extra “Money Pattern” videos

And then step 4 of course actually watch the video and practice it LOL.

Happy practicing!

-Zach

Or connect with me here:

Watch me actually PLAY piano at my other YouTube channel here:

Thanks for watching and subscribe if you want more online piano lessons and tutorials!

-Zach Evans
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Or connect with me here:

Watch me play piano at my other YouTube channel here:

Thanks for watching and subscribe if you want more online piano lessons and tutorials!

-Zach Evans

[rebekahdaniels]

I've played piano for 10 years, and I have been a organist/pianist for my church for the last two years. In order to play, I've spent a ton of time practicing and got pretty good at sight reading hymns. After watching this video, I tried it and immediately was able to play countless hymns better and faster. I wish I had known about this sooner!!! I have tried this on other sheet music that I have and the results have been remarkable!!

[cpr]

This how piano should be thought to adults. I had over a year of lesson that showed me nothing, I already knew music theory and how to read music All they could seem to teach was endless scales. at 61 my clock is winding down I don't have time to spend years to learn to play. I am not looking to be a pro at playing but to at lest be able to play real music this got me playing as soon as my finger hit the keys.

[eleigey]

I was taught to play the songs exactly how it’s written for this reason I gave up on piano. Then I found the wonderful world of lead sheets which got me back into it again. Now in same way with lead sheet style as your showing here makes me want to get my hymnal out and look at my favorite church hymns

[emilygomez]

Thank you for sharing this!! I get overwhelmed looking in the hymnal and discouraged that I'll never be able to play anything out of it. I've noticed at church that the pianist was not playing the music note for note and that confused me even more. But now I get it. Thank you!

[Borretski]

The richness of the original harmonies, are infinitely better than the second attempt.

[ronniefarr]

Amazing. After playing guitar and now learning beginning to learn piano, I knew there was a key like this. You have made it very simple and straight forward. Now all I have to do is get my fingers to respond to my brain. Thanks

[jeyacarmichael]

Thank-you so much for your teaching. I started last week and I get it. All I need is practice. I have a music background but have not played in over 55 years. We're empty nesters and retired now, so I have time to learn how to play the paian like you do. It is in my bucket list, so thank-you so very much!

[Andrea-xwxe]

I love the way you teach! Unlike most of the other videos that i've watched, you actually show visually what you are referring. You take time to display charts and circle the notes to reference what you are talking about. There are just too many videos where they just pound on the keyboard and talk about how it sounds correct without actually showing how.

[lauraantonelli]

I have been playing for church for 30 years. I've often been asked for lessons and have No idea how to get someone started. This is an AWESOME tutorial and a couple pages to add to my binder for my own use! Nicely done!

[ianfrancoabug]

Got it Zach...Thanks for the video. I'm a Church Organist as well and I do this kind of improvisation during my preludes and interludes not realizing what chords I am actually playing. Now I have a guide to follow to keep myself in proper coordination.

[lynitakin]

Zach, you are truly a Godsend!!! I have up to Grade 3 formal training and had to give up due to financial strain at the time. But after all these years, I am learning to play the piano again. Better late than never. I love the piano! As a young person, my mom's dear friend moved away and she gave to me this book of hymns and recently I have tried to work out what these notes or chords are, but without any method of how to go about it. Today I watched your video, and well, I can only say that God has seen the desire of my heart. I am ecstatic about what you teach here. Bless you in abundance. Please do not stop what you are doing. I am a senior citizen now but still willing and able to learn and determined to get where I need to be to become a worship music pianist, just to play for our little Bible Study Group. Praise The Lord ! Thank you soo ...ooo ooo much. GOD BLESS YOU YOUNG MAN !

[Metal-Detecting-NC]

I am an absolute beginner, and was given an old piano by a church. You just ultra-simplified the learning process for me, THANK YOU

[scott]

Excellent video! I've been playing piano for over 20 years, and I wish playing from the hymnal was explained to me like this way back then. Hymns are important!!!

[lindatimmons]

So happy I found you. Keyboard coming down from attic tonite. Years since I’ve played. Thank you Zac

[oavalle]

Very likely a life-changing video for me! I now feel WAY more confident about my ability to possibly pull off the task of being a church pianist at my local church. Keep up the great job Zach!

[anthonythompson]

Love your videos and method. I've played bass and guitar in bands for years and just never took time to work on keys. Your method is spot on to cut to the chase to play music. Great job, I'm a fan.

[kathybolin]

TY- I am 65 and we are losing our piano player at church this will definitely help me learn quickly- Thank you you so much!- Kathy B.

[olgagarza]

In art there Is no wrong! One plays what one feels.
The second style is the one I would play for my personal taste or for a solo. For a congregation I'd play a combination of the two styles. My Dad was an excellent musician so I hear every minimal changes in harmony. What I really want to learn from you is interesting rythms and hand coordination. I've played the piano for almost 60 years. An ancient and I still can't play some interesting new rythms. Thanks for being generous.

[neviaelizabethmarinchanthe]

ZACK YOUR FAN HERE IN BELIZE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SECRETS THAT NOONE REALLY SHOW YOU WITH PATIENT AND PASSION FOR MUSIC. LOVE YOU DUDES

[tsgtalford]

Finally Zack, I am learning to play music. I am so excited to learn the best “money patterns” for this music. I’m a 72 year old retired military guy. I just love the piano and your style of teaching. Brovo