Hymn Playing

Suggestions & Tips

Playing the hymns is the most important role of a church organist because, for many people, singing hymns is the most enjoyable part of the church service. In fact, sadly, it may be that in your church it is the only enjoyable part of the service!

Gathering notes and timed rests or intervals between the verses.

A gathering note is a one beat pause on the first note of each verse to allow the congregation to open their mouths and take a breath.

A timed interval between each verse allows the congregation to take a breath or two and know exactly when to start singing the next verse. Each interval should be the same amount of beats, however, for timed intervals, no gathering note is given as the time between verses is long enough for the congregation.

My Left Foot

There are many organists who only use their left foot when playing the pedals. High notes on the pedal board are transposed down an octave so the left foot can reach.

I don’t recommend this as a long term method because it is much easier (with some practice) to use both feet.

At this moment we’ve got a right handed, left footed organist!

Developing a good technique is essential if you want to become a very good player. However, if you do not have the time or aspirations to become excellent, leaving the church on Sunday morning with your dignity still intact may be your most important consideration.

In this case, it is quite alright to simplify the music you are playing. Sometimes however, by simplifying, you can make your music even more difficult to play. Perhaps you are changing what you already had begun to learn, or maybe it’s the time it takes to prepare the music rather than the difficulty, so changes made should be done with care.

Ways to simplfy:

  • Change a hymn to an easier key, from Ab to G for example.
    All Creatures of Our God and King (Lasst Uns Erfreuen) is easier to play in D than in Eb.
  • Make a pedal part easier by changing notes up or down an octave.
  • Making the print bigger on copier/scanner is another good way to make reading easier.
  • Write chord symbols in the bars.

Registration - The Stops

Registration is an important consideration when playing hymns.

Use at least three different registrations or sound settings and make each one available at the pull or change of just one stop. You don’t want to be pulling and pushing too much in the middle of verses!

These can also be soft, medium and loud settings which reflect the meaning of the hymn’s words.

Phrasing - Don’t Forget to Take a Breath

Phrasing is also a consideration when playing hymns.
Leave gaps where the commas come in the words to encourage the choir and congregation to breathe in the right places.

Remember, the congregation is following you and they’ll soon catch up if you leave them behind!