Hymns with a Velvet Touch: 10 Elegant Settings of Timeless Hymns (Sacred Performer Collections)

Tom Fettke is an arranger that meets my needs! His arrangements are just wonderful, melodic and have so much 'depth' to them; they please my heart greatly. They are not difficult, but carry the "Velvet Touch" I so enjoy playing. I have been playing the piano since I was 4; I'm now 86 years old. I was a church organist for 53 years. I have lived in this Lutheran Home since 2009 and play the piano for their church services twice a week. Our people here seem to really enjoy these arrangements. There are several more of his books I want to get for the Christmas Season and will order, hopefully, before October. Thank you for introducing me to Tom Fettke.PS. The books I now have are "Gospel Hymns with a Velvet Touch and Hymns with a Velvet Touch"Jeanean Dearman Lewis

I have been a Tom Fettke fan for years and own every book he has ever had published, including his very early works. I have especially enjoyed his works entitled: "Hymns With a Velvet Touch", "Be Strong in the Lord", and "Christmas With a Velvet Touch". I am a church musician as well as a piano teacher, and I have a very extensive library of music. I am often in a pinch to find a Sunday offeratory or prelude that is beautiful, inspiring, and familiar to my congregation. Tom Fettke's books provide me with readily accessible music that is quickly mastered and enjoyed by all. I have used the 2 "Velvet Touch" books with my students to help them work on their legato playing. They have experienced a lot of success in playing his pieces as solos in their own churches. The works are correctly graded as Early Advanced, with a couple of exceptions that I consider to be Late Intermediate. I have also used a couple of the pieces from "Hymns with a Velvet Touch" for funerals and personal devotions. This book is one that remains on my piano in easy reach at all times.

I purchased this book last year and I am still in love with it. Tom Fettke builds in such beautiful lines and countermelodies. At first glance it would seem that many of the pieces are similarly arranged. That is to say that most are slow or moderate in regards to tempo and there aren't any difficult runs beyond sixteenth notes. However, he employs many wonderful compositional techniques to give each piece a unique beauty. Every piece has at least one, if not two key changes. He uses some echoes, non-chord tones, and accidentals to color each piece. The easier pieces (in my opinion) are probably "My Faith Looks Up to Thee" or "More Love to Thee". The harder pieces include "Take Time to Be Holy" (my favorite) and a certain section in "Be Though My Vision".Personally, I struggle most with playing too many parallel octaves and it seems that there are quite a few sections where those are present. I either have to practice those sections a great deal, or just play the one octave. Most of his indications for fingerings are perfect, but I don't agree with all of them 100% of the time.While this is the only book that I own by him, I would recommend it and any other works by him. This would make a great additional to any church pianist's library.The titles for this book are:Abide with MeBe Thou My VisionDay by DayMore Love to Thee / I Love TheeMy Faith Has Found a Resting PlaceMy Faith Looks Up to TheeSavior, Like a Shepherd Lead UsSun of My SoulTake My Life and Let It Be / I Surrender AllTake Time to Be Holy

What a nice collection of hymns & in really lovely arrangements! I do agree with the others who voiced that this wasn't quite as advanced as we thought, however, they are still arrangements that are thoughtful, worshipful, and easy to play without needing much preparation, and that makes it a very nice asset in one's arsenal! Very pleased with this purchase - it will be used often!

I have recently become a fan of Tom Fettke. I love that his music is so playable, and easy to prepare, but it doesn’t sound it. It sounds smooth and gentle. I need more “soft” music in my repertoire and this fits the bill!

Hymns with a Velvet touch is absolutely on of my favorites! The arrangements are beautiful, for late intermediate/ early advance Pianists. What I love the most about these arrangements is the creativity, simplicity, and beauty Tom Fettke uses on each hymn giving a fuller harmonious sound! It is #1 on my list. And I'm looking forward to see what "Gospel Hymns with a Velvet Touch" will bring! I just purchased it!

Love the arrangements

I bought this book based on the other reviews I read, which were all very positive. However, when I got the book, I was very dissapointed. The arrangements are exasperatingly simple, DEFINITELY not 'early advanced'. They are rather pretty, but cannot exist alone as piano solos. They might make a nice offeratory if you're really in a pinch. They would probably sound great on an organ or a keyboard, with like an orchestra strings setting or something. There are few, if any, octave reaches, so they would be good for students (or adults) with small hands. They're not very long, but they all have at least one key change in them. This book will remain on my shelf.

Die Begleitung ist nicht so schwer. Wenn man 3-4 mal durch gespielt hat, liegt schon sehr gut in der Finger.

Pretty arrangements!

Great book of hymn arrangements that are not too difficult for a moderately advanced player.