Creative Hymn Playing: Accessible Ideas for the Busy

Creative Hymn Playing: Accessible Ideas for the Busy

Church Musician

Wisconsin Lutheran State Teachers’ Conference Thursday, October 24, 2019

David Porth Grades 7-8 Teacher/Music Director Pilgrim Lutheran Church & School

Menomonee Falls, WI [email protected]

Introduction As organists and worship leaders, we all want to develop and expand our ability to creatively lead our

congregation’s song. Perhaps you are an organist that will never “stray from the page”? Others might go

“off the page” and improvise from time to time -- whether by use of a passing tone or simple pedal

point. No matter your comfort level, it is always beneficial to work toward developing and mastering

your personal “bag of tricks” in which you employ harmonic and rhythmic devices that can be utilized

skillfully to support and encourage singing within your congregation.

We’ve all been there: “Wow! The singing was phenomenal and I had the privilege of leading God’s

people in song.” and “The singing needed an extra nudge of encouragement this morning to get things

moving.” Playing something a little different, even a little unexpected, especially when it highlights and

paints the hymn text, is an effective way to encourage your congregation’s singing.

Read the text!

As we begin… We will move quickly through these tricks in order to provide a brief introduction.. A basic

understanding of music theory is required to understand what is happening with these tricks. With that

being said, I do not expect you to agree with or use each trick. You are the ultimate judge of what works

in your congregation. Let your ear and skill level serve as your guides. Take a few favorite “tricks” and

work on developing them to the point of it being second nature when you practice for church.

Remember, this will not be an overnight process so do realize that time, practice, and mistakes are all

part of the development. The hope is that you discover some tricks that work for you -- and some tricks

you may accidentally discover as you practice!

Creative Hymn Playing—Accessible Ideas for the Busy Church Musician 1

Harmonic Tricks

I. MOVE ONLY ON STRONG BEATS

Strong beats are typically found on beats _____ and _____.

Remember playing and/or singing Bach chorale harmonizations in college? Remember

completing a harmonic analysis for each beat; moving chord by chord? I apologize for bringing

up bad memories, but it is important to realize that our hymnal and its attendant resources use

a similar style of harmonization.

As we move from the Baroque-style of a Bach chorale harmonization, we take an approach that

is more likely found in the Classical period. Let’s try changing the harmonies much more slowly

in comparison to all four voices changing chord by chord. Start simple! This can be challenging at

first so feel free to rely on the primary chords (I-IV-V) to start. Also realize that some dissonance

very well may be created with this trick which can be extremely based on the hymn text. Let

your ear be your guide. Try practicing on one manual, then move to two manuals -- soloing out

the melody as you play.

Ex. 1 | Nun freut euch

Ex. 2 | Ebenezer

Ex. 3 | Hyfrydol


II. CHROMATIC DESCENDING LINE OVER A PEDAL POINT

The simple trick can pull the words of a quiet or dark hymn stanza right off the page. Think of

the hymn stanzas that focus on our sin, the Law, and God’s condemnation. Play the tune in the

RH on a solo stop and hold a tonic* pedal point. Be sure that the LH uses a quieter stop (or

combination) and play slow-moving chromatic lines. Don’t worry about how the line harmonizes

with the tune. These “built in” dissonances and chromaticism provide a dark and disjointed feel

which accurately reflects a particular hymn text. Keep in mind that the clear statement of the

tune and pedal point ensures that the congregation will be lead effectively with this trick.

Ex. 1 | Nun freut euch

Ex. 2

Additional examples can be found on the next page.

*Tonic: the first note of a scale


Ex. 3

Ex. 4 | Spanish Chant

An additional example can be found on the next page.


Ex. 5 | Ebenezer



Ex. 6 | Ein feste Burg

Though devils all the world should fill,

All eager to devour us,

We tremble not, we fear no ill;

They shall not overpow'r us.

This world's prince may still

Scowl fierce as he will,

He can harm us none.

He's judged; the deed is done!

One little word can fell him.

(Christian Worship 200:3)


III. CASCADING

This trick (and name) are borrowed from well-known composer and friend, Benjamin Culli. It

involves starting with a narrow or tight voicing, and opening it up with each chord change which

covers a wider interval by adding chord tones. Removing the tune from the accompaniment can

be quite dramatic but do so sparingly and use your judgement. The last thing you want to

happen is for the congregation to get lost and become frustrated due to a lack of leadership.

Ex. 1 | Ebenezer

Ex. 2 | Reuter


IV. FLAT 7 IN BASS ON DOWNBEAT

Need to “bring the hymn home” on a final stanza while adding a bit of tension? Try adding a

flatted 7th in the pedal. This trick should always resound downward.

Ex. 1 | Wojtkiewiecz

Ex. 2 | Nun danket Alle Gott

Ex. 3 | Sine Nomine

Ex. 4 | Nicaea


V. CIRCLE OF FIFTHS (see chart below)

Work backwards from a cadence* and experiment with the circle of fifths. How far can you go?

Ex. 1 | Thank the Lord

Ex. 2 | Wir glauben All

Circle of Fifths Chart

*Cadence: a sequence of chords or notes the closes/ends a musical phrase.


VI. WITH A MAJOR TUNE, FIND THE MINOR CHORDS

This trick provides a dramatic and heavy feel, but it best used sparingly (one or two phrases).

This trick can also be reversed in finding major chords with a minor tune.

Ex. 1 | Grosser Gott

Ex. 2 | Hyfrydol


VII. “CRUNCHY” CHORDS

Another trick borrowed from Benjamin Culli. This trick can add a touch of brightness by adding

2nds (9ths), 6ths, and major 7ths.

Ex. 1 | Nun danket Alle Gott

Ex. 2 | Hymn to Joy



Ex. 3 | In dir ist Freude


Rhythmic Tricks

I. LOUD/HEAVY REST

These types of rests can add great strength to a hymn text. I highly recommend this trick!

Ex. 1 | Deo Gracias

Ex. 2 | Wojtkiewiecz (upbeats in 4/4 time)


II. 1-3-2 IN 3/4 TIME

A well-placed (and planned) hemiola* in a quiet accompaniment gives a noticeable but gentle

shift. This trick can be quite thrilling in a louder accompaniment.

Ex. 1a | Angelus (one manual)

Ex. 1b | Angelus (two manuals)

Additional examples can be found on the next page.


Ex. 2 | Lobe den Herren, o meine Seele

Ex. 3 | In dir ist Freude

*Hemiola: a musical figure in which, typically, two groups of three beats are replaced by three

groups of two beats, giving the effect of a shift between triple and duple meter.


III. STACCATO LH/PEDAL

Using a standard hymn harmonization, play the tune legato, but add a slight separation to the

rest of the harmonization. As always, use sparingly and don’t get carried away.

IV. SYNCOPATED CHORDAL ACCOMPANIMENT

This is especially effective in 3/4 time. The exact feel does not need to be consistent throughout

the hymn tune -- use your creative license! A heavy registration is not recommended with this

trick. Paul Manz was a master of this technique!

Ex. | Loben den Herren


V. REST AT THE HIGH POINT OF THE TUNE

Consider a rest on the high point of the hymn. This allows the congregation to hear themselves

sing and always leads to a dramatic re-entry of the organ on the following upbeat. Only use this

trick when the congregation is singing well.

Ex. 1a | Lobe den Herren (standard harmonization)

Ex. 1b | Lobe den Herren (alternate harmonization)

Ex. 2 | Vreuchten


Final Thoughts My hope and prayer is that this workshop has equipped you with ideas to take back to your

congregation. What a blessing and privilege that the Lord has given us to lead God’s people in song!

Remember, you are the ultimate judge of what works in your congregation. Let your ear and skill level

serve as your guides. Feel free to contact me to let me know which tricks are working for you and your

congregation. May Jesus richly bless you and your continued music ministries!

Resources & Acknowledgements

Here is a list of resources that I use to enhance my hymn playing:

● AUGSBURG FORTRESS

○ Introductions and Alternate Accompaniments for Organ (ten volumes) - Various

Composer (piano volumes are also available) ○ Pull Out the Stops!: Congregational Song Accompaniments for Organ (two volumes) -

Various Composers

● CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE

○ Introductions, Harmonizations, Accompaniments, Interpretations (multiple volumes) -

Jeffrey Blersch

○ Let the People Sing - David Cherwien

○ Sonus Novus (multiple volumes) - Various Composers

● GIA PUBLICATIONS, INC.

○ Hymn Harmonizations for Organ (multiple volumes) - John Ferguson

● MORNINGSTAR MUSIC PUBLISHERS

○ As Though the Whole Creation Cried (two volumes) - Michael Burkhardt

○ The Festival Hymn Collection (three volumes) - Samuel Metzger

○ Off the Page & Off the Page, Too - Donald Rotermund

■ Good books for getting similar ideas that were mentioned in this workshop.

Many thanks to Benjamin Culli for permission to use some of his tricks in this handout.

+ Soli deo Gloria +

©2019 Benjamin Culli & David Porth


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Creative Hymn Playing: Accessible Ideas for the Busy