Monday, February 17, 2014

The Catholic Organist's Book of Hymns


Hymnals have music arranged to be sung and organists are expected to take lessons and master the art of what I call "playing the invisible notes". There are things that are "understood" that are not written in hymnals - since they are written for singing. Certain notes are repeated with articulation (little puffs of air) while others are festooned with invisible ties and are never repeated unless....well, there are a whole bunch of rules. And there are no rest for breathing? In music written to be sung? And the organ HAS to breath to keep the rhythm going when the choir breaths even though the choir is not shown when to breath.

Can you see why pianists have "trouble" playing hymns on the organ and sounding effective?

So this project offers the following:

A choral prelude, useful to play when introducing the hymn before singing - but especially useful when introducing the melody by playing it 4 to 6 weeks in advance of the first singing.

Then, on the left page the usual hymn. On the right side is the exact same hymn written to be played by the organist.

On the next page is a version for three part playing, especially useful as a variation to play while singing but also for those coming from the accordion who can play two parts in the RH and are learning to play Bass Lines in the LH. And also for less accomplished pianists getting started playing hymns.

On the right page is the hymn melody and words with chords.

Both organ versions omit the words sung since they appear on the opposite page for reference - Select TWO PAGES when viewing the attached sample file.

It will be available as a set of printed books but also in PDF form so that you may print out only what you need.

Use this link to be notified on release - expected before Lent.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Why organists hate some organs.

I've known since 4th grade that most of my life was going to be centered around the organ as a musical instrument. Young people tend to like any organ, by any builder, in any style.  It's in the late teen's and 20's when outside influences start molding feelings against some kinds of organs and total admiration for others.

I recall playing an organ years ago that replaced pipes with digital recording and speakers and thinking, "So what?" an opinion that changed a few years later when I found myself working for churches, designing organs for them.  Digital computer organs.

Then, for awhile I was designing pipe organs and pipe organ with digital stops in them while still designing digital organs.


Eventually settled into working with digital organs that easily combine with pipes.

A comfortable connection.

I'm not sure why organists as they mature develop love/hate relationships with certain organs.  People who were thrilled to play a Hammond suddenly are embarrassed to admit ever playing one.  

Of course, organists also have the strange situation of being one of the few instrumentalists who do not have to buy their instrument!  Could that be at the base of this?