How to play hymns in church part 1

[@sarahsieg2757]

Thank you, especially for the encouragement at the beginning for those of us who know we have a lot to learn yet.

[@timrishton5871]

You are so welcome (sorry for the slow reply - for some reason I didn't see it earlier). Every blessing with the playing! Tim

[@martinholcik1597]

this is fantastic, and much needed! Thank you.

[@timrishton5871]

You're so welcome! Tim

[@monsieurgrigny]

Loved this. Can't wait for episode 2!!

[@timrishton5871]

Thank you for the encouragement. Episode 2 coming in a couple of days. Tim

[@triopraise2172]

What a thoroughly helpful video. I play for a church (Free Church of Scotland) with a background of exclusive psalmody sung a cappella led by a precentor. I've recently started playing piano for them and have struggled a bit with how to bring the congregation in on the right note at the right time. Thank you for such practical advice.

[@timrishton5871]

I'm so pleased it's helpful - and I hope it all goes well for you! Tim

[@mattleach958]

Thank you Dr. Tim. Very helpful. I'm a beginning church organist.

[@timrishton5871]

I'm really glad. Good luck with your playing! Tim

[@nilsvanvelzen]

Thank you. This tutorial is very useful for me being in de situation as where I’m asked more often to play a few hymns when no “experienced” organist is available. In particular the 1.5 beat rest tip is very useful.

[@timrishton5871]

Glad it was helpful! Best wishes with the playing. Tim

[@EllenMoore-fb6nr]

Great advice. Thank you! I am looking forward eagerly to the other 3 episodes.

[@timrishton5871]

Thank you. Episode 2 is just out: I hope that too will be useful. Tim

[@KlausBambey]

Very very helpful

[@timrishton5871]

I'm so glad. Thank you. Tim

[@RandyandLauraScott]

The very first question should be: can you play the piece on the piano without any difficulty? Whether or not you are the only person they have to play is irrelevant; if you can't play it on the piano you will never play it on the organ. It is not inspiring but it is reality.

[@timrishton5871]

Oh sure, but I find that many of the people who do play - good people who work very hard to provide a service for their churches - feel inadequate and have a low opinion of the great work they're doing. That's really what I was driving at: we can afford to forgive ourselves for what we can't do on the strength of the good things that we are doing. Tim

[@mimibergerac7792]

This starts promising...

[@timrishton5871]

Thank you. I'll try to keep it up! Tim

[@rednekokie]

I have been organist of our local Episcopal church for over 20 years. The introduction to all hymns is to play the entire hymn through once. Then the singing starts.

[@timrishton5871]

That's a very useful tradition and has a lot going for it. Perhaps most denominations are less patient than yours; whatever the reason, it's more usual to have a shorter playover, except in European Lutheran traditions (like mine), where all hymns are introduced by a chorale prelude. But the principle remains the same: keeping the beat going is the important thing. Great that you've worked for such a long time for your church! Every blessing, Tim

[@user-qe4dw8dy9i]

The latest edition (2015) of The Salvation Army Tunebook has introductions marked by brackets under the score.

[@dianeallen3732]

Our Anglican hymn book has the suggested introduction marked with brackets.

[@nicks40]

@@dianeallen3732 Which Anglican hymn book is that? I have to suggest an intro to my organist every time.

[@dianeallen3732]

@@nicks40 Common Praise (Canadian: