[rodgersorgan] Hymnplaying Suggestions by Jim Hockin
- From: noel jones <gedeckt@xxxxxxxx>
- To: rodgersorgan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2003 07:41:18 -0400
Jim Hockin has sent yet another very nicely done note to his organists, which I
am posting here. Jim is a glowing example of a Rodgers Representative, working
in the upper Midwest of the US.
QUESTION:
What is the correct way to play a hymn? How often and where should I change
registrations?
ANSWER:
Of course there is no one answer. But let me suggest a few things
INTRODUCTION:
Introduce the hymn at the same tempo and style that it is to be sung. Use the
length of intro your congregation is used to. Sometimes the whole verse,
sometimes the first and last lines, sometimes the last two lines. You be the
judge. It should be long enough to tell the congregation how it is to be sung.
REGISTRATION CHANGES:
Avoid changing during the verse. Sudden drops in volume or changes in character
of the sound confuses the congregation so they either soften their singing
volume or stop altogether. Changes in manual are OK as long as the SW has about
80% or more of the volume of the GT.
Also leave out the pedal for the first few lines of one of the verses. I like
to
bring it back in by the last line though.
Change registration between verses. Usually there is a slight pause to allow
the
congregation to take a breath, so stretch the silent measure between verses a
bit. This is easier to feel than to describe.
QUESTION:
I don't seem to have enough time to change registration between verses.
ANSWER:
Use your left thumb to hit the memory piston you want. I always use my left
thumb for 2 reasons:
First, I can free up the left hand because it is not needed for the last chord
of the hymn. Hymn melody lines usually go down toward the end, so my right hand
can handle the last measure and a half or so. I hold hold the last chord
accompanied by a pedal note and since the chord is lower, the tenor notes are
not missed and the bass notes are covered by the pedal. So...as my last chord
is
being held by the right hand my left hand is free to position my thumb over the
memory piston to press it just after I release the chord.
Secondly, use the thumb because of how the memory pistons are placed under the
keyboard. Using any other finger causes you to turn your hand upside down and
is
clumsy at best.
Also, listen to the words of the verses. A quiet verse with soothing words
should be reflected by a less full registration. Notice I did not say "softer",
just "less full". Do this by dropping some of the higher mixtures and 2'
principals. Keep the 4's on though because that lets the hymn sing. Avoid
closing the expression shoes too far because the bottom drops out of the sound.
Remember to keep a nice full registration of 8' stops for support. Using just
8'
stops can work but the congregation can have trouble hearing the melody. Why?
Because they sing at 8' pitch so their singing covers the note they need to
hear. That is why the 4' stop is so important. It "sings" one octave above
them!
So, reduce fullness by reducing registration, not by closing the expression
shoes 1/2 way.
Any questions let me know and I can add more to this topic.
Jim:)
--
noel jones, aago
athens, tennessee, usa
423 887-7594
-------------------------------
frog music press, publishing MIDI music
moderator, rodgers organ users group
at www.frogmusic.com
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