So You Want to Play Hymns

Hymn Playing

Most musicians with religious leanings are avid hymn players. Many of our Mile High Music Makers desire to play hymns for family and friends. This is an excellent way to share your talent with your family, faith group members and community.
There are a few things that you will need to know about hymns and hymn playing that will help you as you prepare your hymn:

• Hymns are usually written in four part harmony. If you are playing out of your faith group's hymnal, be aware that most hymns will be written for four voices in closed score. This means that you will see two voices in the bass and two in the treble.
  
• Hymns are read in the vertical mode, not the horizontal mode. This can cause lots of distress for any pianist who has not yet tackled a Bach Invention. The eye must take in the whole "chord" instantly and play that "chord" to a pulse while family, friends or a congregation is singing. This takes lots of practice with a metronome or the person who will sing the hymn.
  
• Most real hymn playing and practice is learned around the Grade 4-5 ABRSM level. Most students have the technique required to play the hymns with ease while others are singing.

Are you still interested in playing hymns, but for your own edification? Try to find hymn arrangements from your local music store or religious book store. Simplified hymn books give you the chance to learn familiar hymns while gaining those skills necessary to good hymn playing. What are those skills:

1. Even tempo
2. Not stopping for mistakes. The singer will not be able to read your mind and will become frustrated if you stop to correct your errors.
3. A general idea of the word phrases. You need to give the congregation or group a chance to breathe. Phrasing at the natural breath points aids the singer with getting breath before we have to do CPR.
4. A firm, deep in the key, type of playing. This gives confidence to the singers and gives you really good tone. Singers need to hear their part.
5. A solid grasp of the hymn. That means you must practice the hymn a lot in order to play it in public. As Dr. Hiromi Ohmori say, " No one wants to hear you practice when you should be performing the piece (hymn)."

How should you practice a hymn?

• Start with a slow tempo.
• Play each voice part and sing along so that you get a good idea of where to allow the singer to breathe.
• Play hands together as quickly as possible. You will need to coordinate both hands to get an even tempo and full sound.
  
• Play the hymn for a kind family member before you try the hymn on others. You will need to play the hymn with a metronome many times. DON'T STOP!
  
• Use minimum pedal. You want a clear tone for your singers.

Are you ready to play in church or for the NFMC hymn playing section of Festival? Good Luck!