Hey everyone, today I want to talk about something that’s been a really cool part of my music journey lately – finding and playing through a Catholic piano music book. Now, I’ve been playing piano for a while, but mostly contemporary stuff and some classical pieces. I’ve always loved the hymns we sing in church, but I never really thought about playing them on the piano myself.
So, it all started when I was browsing a music store a few weeks ago. I stumbled upon this book titled “A Treasure of Catholic Hymns.” I was intrigued, so I flipped through it. The arrangements looked pretty straightforward, which was perfect for me, I wasn’t looking for super complex stuff.
Getting Started
I decided to give it a shot and bought the book. When I got home, I sat down at my piano and just started playing through some of the hymns. I have to say, it was a really nice experience.
- First, the book mentioned that all the arrangements are in “easy 5-finger positions”. I am not a professional player, just a hobby, so that was really friendly to me.
- I started with some of my favorites, like “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name” and “Immaculate Mary.” It was so satisfying to hear those familiar melodies come to life under my fingers. I mean, it just felt right.
- Then I moved on to some that I wasn’t as familiar with, and it was actually a lot of fun learning them.
Deeper Connection
What really struck me was how playing these hymns on the piano deepened my connection to the music and, in a way, to my faith. There’s something about actively participating in creating the music that makes it more meaningful. It’s not just listening anymore; it’s like you’re becoming a part of the music itself.
Sharing the Music
After practicing for a bit, I decided to play a few of these hymns during our family prayer time. The reactions were great. I thought they’d be bored, but nope. My kids, who usually just tolerate my piano playing, actually seemed to enjoy it. My wife said it added a special touch to our prayers. It just made the whole atmosphere more peaceful and reflective. Yeah, that’s the word, reflective.
Full Harmonies
One of the coolest things about this book is that it includes full harmonies. This means you can play it solo, or you can have others sing along or play other instruments with you. I’m thinking of maybe getting our church choir involved at some point. How cool would that be?
Easy to Follow
The arrangements are really clear and easy to follow. Even if you’re a beginner, I think you could handle these pieces. And if you’re a more experienced pianist, you can always add your own embellishments and make them your own.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, I didn’t expect to get so much out of a simple piano music book. But it’s been a really rewarding experience. It’s helped me grow as a musician, deepened my connection to my faith, and brought a little more music and prayer into our home. If you’re looking for a way to bring the beauty of Catholic hymns into your home, I highly recommend checking out this book or others like it. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it. It is like you find a treasure.
That’s all for now, folks. Keep making music, and God bless!