how are they different?

why do they work?

how to (re)write one

M O D E R N

H Y M N S

l i s t e ntwo versions of a hymn

how do they differ?

good/bad points?

4 c a t e g o r i e s

new arrangement

added chorus

completely rewritten tune

new hymn

how are modern hymns

d i f f e r e n t ?

how are modern hymns

d i f f e r e n t ?simpler chords

added chorus

bridge or tag

modern language*

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D i s c uss i on

why do peop le l i ke

H Y M N S ?

P O S S I B L E

I D E A S

theological depth

metrical rhythmic structure

content

f e w e r s y n co p a t e d r h y t h m s

singable melody

familiarity

r h y m i n g

how to (re)write

a H Y M N

how to (re)write

a H Y M Nreasonably well known hymns

are often best for re-writes

e.g.

All people that on earth

Immortal, invisible

O worship the King

T H I N K

A B O U T

subject – does it fit and flow?

rhymes – maintain the pattern

creative languagee.g. the one who created the world was put on a cross

= hands that flung stars into space to cruel nails surrendered

a d d i n g a

C H O R U Stry to distill the idea of the song

what is our response?

usually shorter than the verses

w r i t i n g a

N E W H Y M Nbegin with a theme or passage

try things out – establish a metrical

structure (and then stick to it)

don’t assume you’ll write in order

draft and re-draft

a d d i n g t h e

M U S I Cmelody is the most important factor

don’t get caught up on nice chords

start by singing (in time)

a d d i n g t h e

M U S I Cpick the right time signature

try to stick within a good range

just over an octave is best

harmonise the melody you come up with

understanding

M U S I Cyou’ll probably use the major scale

think: do – re – mi – fa – sol – la – ti – do

anyone can understand harmony

t h e m a j o r

S C A L EEvery key has SEVEN notes

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1

t h e m a j o r

S C A L EAll notes found by using the same pattern

Root T T S (T) T T S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1(8)

3 rules….

t h e m a j o r

S C A L EOne of every alphabetical letter

Never miss out any letters

Never mix sharps and flats

t h e m a j o r

S C A L EExample

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1

t h e m a j o r

S C A L EExample

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 1

G A B C D E F G

t h e m a j o r

S C A L EExample

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 1

G A B C D E F# G

chords fo r a

S C A L EAlways follow the same pattern

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 1

maj min min maj maj min dim maj

chords fo r a

S C A L EExample

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 1

G A B C D E F# G

maj min min maj maj min dim maj

1/3 5/7

G/B D/F#

chords fo r a

S C A L EExample

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 1

G A B C D E F# G

maj min min maj maj min dim maj

1/3 5/7

G/B D/F#

w o r k i n g o u t

C H O R D SUse the notes of the key

Play a note, miss a note…

G A B C D E F#

G major

w o r k i n g o u t

C H O R D SUse the notes of the key

Play a note, miss a note…

G A B C D E F#

A minor

w o r k i n g o u t

C H O R D SUse the notes of the key

Play a note, miss a note…

G A B C D E F#

C major

w o r k i n g o u t

C H O R D SUse the notes of the key

Play a note, miss a note…

G A B C D E F#

D major

w r i t i n g o u t

C H O R D S1 2 3 4

5 6 7

G A B C D E F#

B C D E F# G A

D E F# G A B C

G Am Bm C D Em

F#dim

a d d i n g

H A R M O N Yuse the chords to fit with your notes

chords 1 & 5 are most important

then 2, 4 & 6

end on chord 1 (with 5 or 4 before it)

s i m p l i f y i n g

C H O R D Syou can use the same process

to simplify chords for an arrangement

find chords that fit – 1 or 2 per bar

experiment and see what sounds good

QUESTIONS

?