How to Turn Any Hymn Into Modern Worship Piano (Simple 4-Step Method) "I Surrender All" Tutorial

Transform any hymn from the hymnal into a modern worship piano arrangement using a simple, beginner-friendly process. In this lesson, I demonstrate the full method using “I Surrender All” in the key of D major (two sharps)—starting with the hymn “as printed,” then rebuilding it into a fuller worship-style accompaniment.

You’ll learn how to identify chords from 4-part writing, create the classic worship progression 1–5–6–4 (I–V–vi–IV), and add tasteful “color” without getting jazzy—like using a chromatic mediant (F# major in the key of D) and an optional minor iv color (G minor) for emotional pull. Then I show you how to make it sound musical with easy ornaments: sus4 → major, neighbor tones/turns, and rolled chords for that shimmering worship sound.

Grab the free Left-Hand Patterns PDF 🎁 https://www.churchpianistacademy.com/...
Download the free lesson sheet used in this video 📝 https://www.churchpianistacademy.com/...
Want more? Check out The Church Pianist Pattern Library (127-page PDF) packed with patterns, progressions, fills, and accompaniment ideas in all 12 keys 📘 https://www.churchpianistacademy.com/...

Chapters
0:00 Hymn “as printed” vs modern worship rebuild (I Surrender All)
1:34 The 4-step process: chords → 1-5-6-4 → color chord → ornaments
2:20 Key of D major (two sharps) + scale notes you’ll use
3:09 How to identify chords in a hymnal: beat 1 + mid-measure changes
4:16 Finding chords by bass notes + triads in D (I, IV, V focus)
5:09 Pause & test: write the chords yourself (then compare)
5:34 Full chord map revealed: verse + chorus chords (including A7 spots)
7:06 Converting hymn harmony into worship chords (add the vi / B minor)
9:09 Worship-style change: avoiding V7→I and using smoother motion
11:10 The “advanced” move: chromatic mediant (F# major) + minor iv + ornaments + full transformation

What you’ll learn in this video

How to read 4-part hymn writing and extract the chord progression
The worship “four chords”: I–V–vi–IV (1–5–6–4)
How to substitute the vi chord (B minor) for the I chord in key moments
A beautiful chromatic mediant trick in D: F# major as a color chord
The minor iv sound (G minor) for emotional color at cadences
Worship ornaments that don’t clutter the melody:
sus4 → major (on I, V, and even the chromatic mediant)
neighbor tones / grace notes / turns
rolled chords for shimmer

If this lesson helps you, hit Like, Subscribe, and grab the free lesson sheet below so you can practice along.

#churchpiano #hymnplaying #worshippiano #pianotutorial #hymnaccompaniment #chordprogressions #IIVviIV #pianochords #beginnerpiano #churchmusician #hymnal #christianmusic