"Like a River Glorious" for Beginner Pianists | FREE Music
September 8, 2026
How can I encourage and help train the next generation of church musicians?
This thought has been rolling in my mind and pressing on my heart for a little while now. As I think about training my own children in music, I expand my vision to, "How can I help other young people in my life love and play sacred music?"
I had some amazing, giving, and talented music teachers during my growing up years. They nurtured not only my fingers but also my heart to play for the Lord. In a small way, I want to give back by inspiring and helping the next generation of church musicians.
As I have pondered how to help my children quickly learn to play sacred music, a simple thought came to me. Why not bring hymns to them in a simple, straightforward manner?
Why not break down hymns in a child-friendly way that gives them a feeling of success and an immediate "I-can-play-this!" feeling? Instead of saving the hymnal for when my children are older, I need to start teaching them right now how to play from it.
Instead of waiting until my children master levels of piano (or violin) books and then teach them from the hymnal, what if I use the hymnal to teach them how to play their instruments (piano, violin, etc.)?
Yes, the hymnal is a bit complex for them at this point. But what if I took simple hymns and rewrote them in a simple for way for them to start playing right now?
In my own home, I took an easy hymn that my children are already familiar with--“Like a River Glorious”—and wrote it out beginner-style, complete with notes named and fingerings marked. This isn’t cheating. This is teaching rapid fire for fast recognition and dynamic success.
The result of this simple music written by mommy has been electric amongst my children, a surge of interest and curiosity. One that has dawdled at the piano for a while is suddenly a self-proclaimed expert on this piece and has practiced for lengths of time. Another child asks for lessons on the violin.
All this excitement happened because I took the time to bring a classic hymn to my children’s level. Once they master the very basic version, we can begin work on the next level up that I am also sharing here. From there, the children can then move straight into the hymnal.
I am not charging for this music because I genuinely want to help inspire a love of Christian music in the next generation. Please share this music with others! Please print multiple copies for children, friends, nieces, nephews, students, aunts, uncles, grandmas…okay you get the point.
I would be delighted if this simple music found it’s way into little piano studios across the country and inspired a love of hymns amongst young people (and the young at heart.)
FREE Download Here-- Like a River Glorious -- Early Beginner Version
FREE Download Here-- Like a River Glorious -- Intermediate Version
A Few Ideas on How to Use This FREE Music
Start with the beginner version. Once a child (or child at heart) masters this level, then progress to the intermediate version.
You could use this music on another instrument such as a violin or flute.
If you have a very young student, consider printing this FREE piano chart. My kids and I color-coded their music. For example, we colored the note F on the keyboard green and then we colored all the Fs in the music green. We colored all the Gs orange, all the As red, all the Bs blue, etc. This is especially helpful for students to begin understanding the connection between music and the piano keyboard.
You could have multiple students using this music for a duet. For example, a young student could play the very beginner version on the piano a couple octaves up while a more advanced student plays the intermediate version below.
Don't be afraid to print multiple copies of this music for a student or child. Let a child "make it his own" by marking it up or even coloring/drawing on it.
To all my fellow teachers and parents, I hope that you can see beyond all the whining at the piano bench (my hand is raised for such childish antics as a kid...) and immaturities and see children as the next generation of piano players, vocalists, and instrumentalists in our churches. With kindness and thoughtful teaching, we can inspire a love of church music in young hearts!
-Ashley
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So excited! My kids will love this! Thanks so much for taking time for create a free resource. Blessings upon you.