4 Tips for Hymn Playing on the Organ

The foundation of responsibilities of every church organist is hymn playing. Although solo organ music might be desired and even required during services, the majority of music performed at church is hymns. Hymn playing has its own rules, techniques, and traditions which the organist must know in order to perform them well. In this article, I will give you my advice on how to play hymns on the organ.

Choose the right tempo. Because hymn playing involves singing as well, perhaps the most important aspect here is tempo. How well you choose the tempo will determine the success of your performance and congregations' ability to sing it with energy. Although there are many variables to consider, the general rule of thumb is such: play a hymn in such a tempo that you could sing each of the lines in one breath loudly and with energy.
Play a short introduction. It is the norm to introduce the hymn before singing it. You can construct your introduction in many ways: if the hymn is short, you could play it through once. For longer hymns, you may want to play a few lines (the second half of the hymn; first and last lines, if they fit together; create a short fughette out of the opening line) etc. Whatever you do in your introduction, play it in the same tempo as that of the hymn and choose a different (not necessarily softer) registration.
Play your hymns in time. Always keep the tempo steady and do not slow down or speed up. Start each line also in time. People will soon get confused if they don't feel the steady pulse. I suggest that you try always to be aware of the meter and count out loud the beats, if you need to. Maintaining one tempo often also depends on how well you are prepared or how good your sight-reading skills are. Remember this and practice accordingly.
Do not correct your mistakes. If you make a mistake, never try to correct it during your performance in public. Just keep going at the same tempo and forget the mistake. Otherwise you could make another mistake just because you are thinking about it. Keep your mind focused on the measure you are playing now.

This rule is as valid in concerts as it is in hymn playing. Many people who will be listening to you or singing together do not read music. Therefore, they are not likely to recognize every wrong note (if you hit not too many, of course). However, if you show them your mistakes yourself by correcting them and don't maintain a steady tempo, then everyone will notice them.

Keep these tips in mind when you practice your hymns on the organ. They will help you to perform the hymns with precision and confidence. Your congregation will also be able to appreciate your playing much more and sing together with more spirit.

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