Worship Interludes - Piano Instrumentals for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, Relaxation, Study, and Rest

“Faithful” – A Piano Instrumental Interlude by Fred McKinnon

Today’s improvisational interlude is based around a constant droning of a tonic pad. The “Tonic Pad” is simply a sustained hold of the root and fifth notes of the key. In this song, I’m in the key of C Major, so the tonic pad is holding a C and G note. All of the melodies and chords that flow underneath this sustained pad are part of the key, and these two notes are shared tones. In music theory, we call that “common tones”.

I wanted to provide a piece that was simple, constant, and had enough space for the listener to just relax and soak in the feel of the piece. I chose the word “Faithful” because it reminds me of God. He is always faithful. Just as the sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening, just as these common tones sustain and suspend throughout the entire piece – all of that is constant and faithful.

I hope that you enjoy the music.

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“Morning Stillness” – Piano Improvisation for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, Relaxation

Today’s piano improvisation is called “Morning Stillness”. This was one of those mornings where I have what feels like thousands of tasks to accomplish. I hadn’t released a new interlude yet this week so felt like I should really get something recorded. Some days it’s like this. I’m in a hurry. Stopping and taking the time to be still and play feels more like going to work than offering a gift.

It never fails that once I’ve committed myself to record, the melodies flow forth and I sense this peace flowing from within. I’ve never regretted taking the time to play and record.

The interlude today is fairly short but should provide a serene space for you to slow down, pray, and reflect.

My hope and prayer is that the music brings refreshing to your soul.

Grace and peace,Fred McKinnon, Pianist/Composer

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“Pause to Pray” – Instrumental Music for Prayer, Meditation, & Reflection

One of the roadblocks that hinders people from taking time to pray, meditate, or reflect is time. For some reason, we feel that we need to block off a long block of time for it to be effective.

The reality is that even a short, brief time is an ideal way to sprinkle these disciplines into your day. Think of all the moments you have a quick five minutes:

* Driving * Waiting on a bus, subway, transportation* Walking* Restroom breaks (well, seriously …)

My piano interlude today is only five minutes long. Yet, turning off the radio, TV, and smartphone can give you a great opportunity to connect with God in prayer or simply practice breathing, relaxing, and focus.

I hope you enjoy this quick interlude. Save it, bookmark it, and use it frequently. It’s timed so that you can hit the pause button of life and find five minutes of peace. Renew your mind and spirit.

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“Waves of Mercy” – Extended Play Instrumental Music with Stunning Ocean Waves Videography

I love the ocean and the sound of the waves crashing along the shore. There is something incredibly peaceful about the tides, the waves, and what seems like an eternal motion that was established in the very beginning.

Today’s interlude, “Waves of Mercy” is a longer interlude at twenty minutes. It features my solo grand piano with layers of strings, pads, and effects to create an ethereal soundtrack. I believe this is an excellent episode for longer times of prayer and meditation.

When I think of waves, I think of the waves of mercy that God pours out for us each and every day. Scripture tells us that God’s mercies are “new every morning” for us. Every day is a new day. Powerful waves wash away all of our sin, grief, and sorrows and we have brand new mercy and grace at the dawn of each new day. His love never runs out for us.

It’s my hope and prayer that this music blesses you and helps you find a quiet time to relax, pray, meditate, and draw near.

Grace and Peace,Fred

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“Warmth of Light” – Soothing, Peaceful Piano Instrumental Music

This morning’s interlude is a peaceful solo piano improvisation with a simple melody. As I was recording in my home studio this morning I could feel the warmth of the sunlight bursting through the partially open blinds on our front windows.

The sun gives us light and warmth. It helps us to see and the warmth can be very comforting. (and down here in South Georgia, it can be extremely hot!).

Comforting warmth from the morning sun. Hot coffee. Unhurried mornings. Peaceful music. This is a good life.

Many people listen to this podcast as background music for prayer or meditation. Others are not spiritual at all but love to listen simply to relax, study, or sleep.

Whatever the purpose of your listening, my prayer is that you are touched with a brief moment of your day where you can enjoy the sweetness of life, a slower moment, and a sense of peace. That is my prayer each time that I play.

Peace be with you,Fred

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“Calm” – Solo Piano Instrumental Music Improvisation

Today’s episode of the Worship Interludes Podcast is called “Calm”. Today is Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019. Hurricane Dorian is lurking far off the coast, hammering the Bahamas for two straight days. Our little island here in Georgia is under evacuation orders but we’ve chosen to stay here for a while to monitor the storm. Thankfully, we have family inland that we can retreat to if necessary.

The forecast has improved for us with each passing update. Last night my family and I spent the evening with friends on our beach. It was beautiful. The sky is blue, the clouds are white and puffy, and it’s calm. Peaceful. Restful.

There is often a calm before a storm or after a storm. I wish we never had storms in life but sometimes they make us stronger.

Pray for the Bahamas and other areas that are impacted by this storm and pray that it dissipates and moves out to sea. I hope this music is soothing and peaceful for you as you listen during your own personal times of prayer, meditation, or relaxation.

Peace be with you.Fred

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“Rest At the Altar” – Instrumental Music

Today’s improvisational interlude is a simple, extended soundtrack of acoustic piano layered with pads and textures. Rather than having an identifiable melody, this piece sustains chords and progressions making it easy to get lost in a time of prayer, meditation, or relaxation without the distraction of a busy melodic line.

I entitled this piece “Rest At the Altar” because it’s similar to the type of background piano/pad music I would play during an altar call at church.

I hope you’re able to find time to pull away and listen, pray, meditate, or relax.

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“Soaking In The Light” – Instrumental Music for Soaking Worship, Prayer, & Meditation

Today’s interlude is an extended, thirteen minute interlude with a mixture of synth pads, effects, and piano. It’s called “Soaking in the Light”. It’s a slow, intentional piece in the key of G-minor. This improvisation is one of those pieces that lends itself to just laying back and closing your eyes. Listen. Pray. Meditate. Sense God’s Presence as you worship and reflect on Him.

Like most people, minor keys tend to make us think of sadness or grief. I’m learning that the minor key is beautiful and doesn’t have to paint a picture of sorrow at all. It’s also a key and progression that helps me slow down, breathe, and think more deeply. As a Christian, I often feel that the minor key pulls me into a deeper sense of intercession and prayer.

Whether you listen as a means to “soak” in worship and prayer or simply as a means to rest, relax, study, or sleep – my hope and prayer is that the music touches you; mind, spirit, body, soul – that it refreshes you and makes your day a better day.

I’m always eager to hear your feedback on these pieces that utilize additional sounds. This is a departure from the solo piano interludes. I still feel that the majority of improvisations for the Worship Interludes Podcast will be solo piano but I really enjoy layering some of the extra sounds from time to time for a different vibe.

Grace and Peace to you,Fred

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Worship Interludes Podcast – Piano Instrumental Music

It’s early Saturday morning and it’s raining outside. I’m a day or so late in recording the 2nd podcast episode of the week and it’s easy at this point to just let it slip. I wasn’t feeling very motivated but have committed to doing everything possible to maintain my goal of producing two interludes per week.

I often record after I’ve had my own personal quiet time of devotion. Today I just decided that the recording time would be my devotion. My hope was to start playing and just pray what was on my heart.

As I began to play I found myself taking some deep breaths and settling into the music. As time began to pass my heart turned towards an issue where there is a conflict between someone very dear to me and another group of people. I felt empathy for the situation and began to pray into that. I was quite aware of the rain pouring outside and I just began to pray that there would be grace, peace, and love in the midst of this storm.

Conflicts will always happen in life – whether it be with ourselves, our children, or others that are dear to us. It’s easy to get caught up in these conflicts, take up offense, and manipulate things. Instead, we should pull aside, be still, pray, and find the best path to forgiveness, grace, peace, and love.

Are there unresolved conflicts in your life or in the lives of those you love? Perhaps as you listen to this episode you can take a few moments to release forgiveness, ask for self-awareness, and bless those involved with grace, peace, and love.

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“In the Stillness” – Piano Improvisation by Fred McKinnon

As I listened to the interlude that I recorded today I was searching for the right title and feel. It has a soothing, peaceful vibe but it also feels somewhat happy. I choose “In the Stillness” because it reminded me of that feeling I have when I slow down and “be still and know” and trust in God.

Not much else to say about this episode. It’s pure solo piano with no special effects or additional sounds or layers.

I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed creating it.

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