The opposite of back phrase is front phrase.
You start a melodic line before where it normally occurs.
This technique is more difficult than back phrasing and is used less frequently.
A front phrase….start the melody on beat 4 of the previous measure.
You then need to stertch a note or two to get the melody back on its normal track.
In March, 2008, I listened to Be thou My Vision improvisation by Joel Rosenberger
www.freshpiano.com
It’s a beautiful improvisation.
The following is his advice:
I’ve since embraced the simpler style that you are
hearing. My influences now are George Winston and Brad Mehldau, as well
as some of the modern film composers. Of course, I do like to have fun
and play a lively piece occasionally.
Since I record a piece first, then score it later, I only have a few
scores written, all of which are online. But it sounds like you are
interested in simplifying your technique. If so, I’ll be happy to point
out a few things that you might notice as you study my arrangements.
1. Melody line is simple, with the octave rarely doubled.
2. Harmonies usually consist of 1 or 2 additional notes in the right hand,
almost never a triad. The right hand rarely plays the 3rd of a chord,
except when it’s the melody. Harmonies are also sustained, or else follow
the rhythm of the song; they do not typically parallel the melody, except
for effect in certain passages.
3. The left hand plays arpeggios usually consisting of the root, 5, and 3 of
the chord. The 3 is played an octave above the root. This may vary, but
the idea is to keep the bass notes widely spaced.
4. When the melody note is the third of the chord, a preceding grace note
is often played.
5. Ritards occur often, coupled with decrescendoes.
6. Sustained notes are used liberally, allowed to trail off. This works
well with reverb.
To follow up: these are one of the greatest links:
www.joelcast.blogspot.com/2005/10/index-of-songs-and-hymns.html
More mp3 music of hymns:
www.freshpiano.com/music.html