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

“Sabbatical” – Piano Instrumental Interlude for Prayer, Meditation, Relaxation

Dear friends,

I’m back. In case you didn’t notice, I haven’t released a new recording of my interludes through this “Worship Interludes Podcast” in nearly two full months. I basically took the entire Summer off. It was not planned. And although I’m calling this interlude “Sabbatical” – I can’t say I really took a true sabbatical. I did, however, give myself permission to hit pause on the producing of these interludes.

I’ve been transparent over the past year about my struggling to stay motivated. I’ve asked myself if the grace to continue these interludes is gone. Truthfully, I didn’t receive a single comment or message in two months asking about the absence of music. This only reinforced my questions about whether or not this process was continuing to bring value to the world.

Then I remembered something that is profoundly important. I remembered that the primary reason for sitting down in my studio and expressing myself in worship, prayer, and meditation through the playing of my instrument … it’s mostly for me. It’s for my soul. It’s for my mental, emotional, and physical health. Finally, it’s for my Maker. It’s a sacrifice of worship. I reminded myself that even if these episodes were never published into a podcast … even if they were never heard by another person … there is value in them.

The past couple of weeks have been tough. Here we thought that we were beyond this pandemic yet COVID comes back stronger than before and is wreaking havoc on many of the people that we love. The disease is awful but what it has done to our society is far worse. Whether it’s a debate about masks or vaccines, everyone is so polarized and strife is everywhere. I tend to spend too much time on social media and it only darkens my soul further. Compound this with political division that seemingly runs deeper than ever before … the amount of hostility, hate, strife, and stress is completely out of control.

That’s why I play. That’s why I record.And that’s why I share.To provide a safe space, a retreat … a “sabbatical” from the noise.

Join with me in prayer for our nation, our world, and all of God’s creation. Let’s join together and be a part of the solution to bring peace, unity, and hope. Let’s choose to press deeper into the Spirit, and walk away from foolish arguments and contentions that bring no value to this place we call home.

Shall we?

Grace and peace,Fred

Listen to “Sabbatical” Instrumental Interlude by Fred McKinnon

Watch the “Sabbatical” Instrumental Interlude Video

Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

“Mindful Moments, Op. 6” – Solo Piano Improvisation

The “Mindful Moments” series consists of shorter improvised interludes that I’ve recorded. I don’t always hit the record button with the intention of creating one of these. Sometimes, the melody comes and works its way around the piece and resolves beautifully in a shorter amount of time. Rather than force the improvisation into an extended arrangement, I keep it short.

That’s what happened this morning with the 6th piece in my “Mindful Moments” series. It’s under 4:00 and felt just right. Most people utilize these records as background music for their personal times of prayer, meditation, mindfulness, reflection, or relaxation. I’m well aware that a shorter interlude isn’t ideal for that usage. From my own life, I’m also painfully aware that if we are holding out for longer periods of meditation or prayer, they may not come at all. These short breaths are perfect for the drive to work or while running errands. Turn off the news or your favorite playlist and just use this track for a short time to breathe, slow down, pray, and reflect. It’s amazing what can happen as you “dial in” during these four minutes. Do you wear a fitness tracker? Go back and watch your heart rate slow down.

When I created the “Worship Interludes” Podcast more than three years ago, my desire was that people would find these improvisations as a soundtrack for them to slow down, center themselves, and re-establish their awareness of peace. As a Christian, it’s an opportunity to “be still and know” that God is present and that His Holy Spirit is right there, listening, guiding, and speaking to me. It helps me cut through the chaos and noise.

In whatever way you are using these interludes, my prayer is that you feel peace, cleansing, anointing, healing, and life.

Grace and peace,Fred McKinnon, Pianist/Composer

Listen to “Mindful Moments, Op. 6” by Fred McKinnon

Watch the “Mindful Moments, Op. 6” Video

Please consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel

“Creation” – Solo Piano Instrumental Music for Prayer, Meditation, Reflection, Relaxation

Today’s interlude is called “creation” because it’s been a minute since I felt creative. It’s been over a month – perhaps one of the longest droughts in my creative season since starting this Worship Interludes podcast. There’s a part of me that’s ashamed. I feel strongly that I was given this gift to bring a sense of peace and comfort into the world. It’s God-given and I feel that I’ve not been a good steward of it. But at the same time, I think I just needed a break.

One of the best things to kickstart the creative process is to find something new. That took me on an unexpected journey this morning to some new sound libraries that have a fresh new feel to them and immediately gave me the inspiration I was lacking. This track combines a tonic pad (root and fifth of the key) that sustains through a portion of the piece. It fades away for a brief period and returns at the end to close out the improvisation.

The piano sound here is brand new. It’s called “Soft Piano” and is part of the Labs experiment with Spitfire Audio. It’s eclectic and a producer friend of mine informed me this very sound is on so many hits.

I hope you enjoy this new sound and I hope you are still listening. More to come.

Grace and peace,Fred McKinnon, Pianist/Composer

Listen to “Creation” by Fred McKinnon

Watch the “Creation” Video

Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel

“Soak” – Solo Piano Improvisation for Prayer, Meditation, Relaxation

It’s been a full month since I last recorded. That may be a record for the length of time I’ve taken off from the creative/recording process. I explained this in an email that I sent to my newsletter and patrons earlier this week. You can read that letter on my Facebook Page here.

Today’s interlude is a short, 6-minute improvisation. I think I had my eyes closed the entire time that I played this, just breathing slowly, embracing, and enjoying the process. I added a peaceful video of some ocean waves to set as the backdrop for the video.

I hope you enjoy it. It always encourages me to get a comment or response back when people listen. And thanks to you who have left reviews on your podcasting applications.

Grace and peace,Fred McKinnon, Pianist/Composer

Listen to “Soak” by Fred McKinnon

Watch the “Soak” Video by Fred McKinnon

Please consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel

“The Darkness” – Solo Piano Instrumental Improvisation

Today’s episode is called “The Darkness” – it’s in the key of G-minor and has more of a dark, tense vibe. These are musical reflections of how I often feel when my prayer is filled with more concern or when I feel that I’m in spiritual warfare through my prayers.

As you listen, pray for those around you that may be struggling with darkness in their lives. This world is full of evil, darkness, and wickedness. No person is immune from its influence. Our prayer and worship is a weapon.

Photo by Visit Greenland from Pexels

Listen to “The Darkness” Piano Solo by Fred McKinnon

Watch “The Darkness” Video on YouTube

“Mindful Moments” – Short, Peaceful, Soothing Piano Improvisations

Today I’m releasing another improvisation in the “Mindful Moments” series. These instrumentals are shorter (less than 5 minutes) and perfect for a short respite during your day.

Thanks to everyone who reaches out to me with emails and social media posts and messages. It always encourages me to continue recording and releasing more instrumentals when I hear such wonderful reports of how the music is a blessing in your life.

Photo by Nandhu Kumar from Pexels

Listen to “Mindful Moments, Opus 5”

Watch “Mindful Moments, Opus 5” on YouTube

Please consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel

“Peace and Joy” – Piano Instrumental Music for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, Devotion, and Relaxation

It’s refreshing to be back in the studio recording today. It’s been a while! I hope that you enjoy this instrumental improvisation. This episode includes some of the pads and synth sounds that I like to utilize from time to time as a constant layer beneath the piano.

May you be filled with peace and joy.

Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

To enjoy a high quality, mastered version of this podcast without the spoken introduction, please consider becoming one of my Patron Supporters.

Listen to “Peace and Joy” Instrumental Music by Fred McKinnon

Watch the “Peace and Joy” Video by Fred McKinnon

Please consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel

“Open Spaces” – Solo Piano Improvisation, Background Music for Prayer, Meditation, Relaxation, Reflection, Devotion, Quiet Time, Soaking Worship

I normally record my interludes on Tuesday mornings. Yesterday was Tuesday and I got caught up working on some administrative tasks early in the morning and simply ran out of time. That’s usually the way things work – if I don’t do this recording in the early morning, it won’t happen. I felt a longing in my soul to record this morning so I came into my home studio this morning (Wednesday) and began to record.

This is a slow, open improvisation in the key of D-minor. I was thinking of vast open spaces – huge fields, or wide open stretch of beach, beautiful meadows filled with flowers, and even vast stretches of desert. Open space – there is a place for this in our lives. The same applies to our time. When is the last time you gave yourself a bit of “open space” in your schedule? I picked up a fantastic phrase from a friend of mine a while back which is “unhurried time”. I’ve been needing this in my life.

This piece is a great opportunity to slow down and enjoy some unhurried time. Breathe deeply and soak in these slow, intentional spaces.

Recently, I’ve been honored to receive some encouragement from people who are listening to this podcast. They are finding peace and rest in the midst of what some would say is the most difficult year in a very long time.

I am honored to bring you these improvised interludes as a means to help usher you into an environment and posture for prayer, meditation, worship, or quite simply – rest.

Thank you for listening,

Fred McKinnon, Pianist/Composer

Listen to “Open Spaces” Piano Instrumental Improvisation by Fred McKinnon

Watch the “Open Spaces” Piano Instrumental Video by Fred McKinnon

Please consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel

“Strength for the Weary” – Solo Piano Improvisation, Background Music for Prayer, Meditation, Soaking Worship, Intercession, Mindfulness, Studying, and Rest

Today’s interlude is called “Strength for the Weary”. It’s a gentle improvisation in the key of G Major. This morning I chose to only use the grand piano for the recording. I love having the extra pads and synths from time to time but love the space that is created when the only thing is the resonance of those piano strings.

I must be honest. I’ve struggled with recording these past few months. You could say I’ve grown weary of the commitment of doing this podcast. I ask myself, “has it served it’s purpose”? I sense that maybe the grace to continue has lifted. Then, I discipline myself, sit down, and play. I’ve never really regretted taking the time to do this.

I recognize that the war within me – that battle that grinds me down and makes me weary – it’s the same war we are all fighting. There is a battle that pulls us in every possible direction except that of stillness, solitude, peace, and quiet. Scripture refers to us having to “labor to enter God’s rest”. (Hebrews 4:11)

I hope that you will find strength in your weariness, and rest in your soul.

Thank you for listening.

Video background courtesy of MotionWorship.

Listen to “Strength for the Weary” Piano Interlude by Fred McKinnon

Watch the “Strength for the Weary” Video by Fred McKinnon

Please consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel

“Peace Like A River” – Calm, Peaceful Piano Instrumental Improvisation

Today’s interlude is a slow, lyrical, expressive solo piano improvisation. I started with a C2 chord, thinking I would be in C, but the melody landed me into the Key of G. I was a bit rushed this morning but I felt the world slow down a bit as I began to play.

I don’t have a lot of backstory, inspiration, or meaning to try and write for this episode. I’ve also realized that trying to find “words” to describe these pieces is a task that often is lifeless and only discourages me from posting these episodes.

So I’ll just share the audio and video and let you find your own words.

Thank you for listening!Fred

Photo by Diego Madrigal from Pexels

Listen to “Peace Like A River” Solo Piano Improvisation by Fred McKinnon

Watch the “Peace Like A River” video by Fred McKinnon

Please consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel