Mastering Hymn Playing: A Practical Guide for Organists
A study using Hymn Studies for Organists by Dr. Parley Belnap
A study using Hymn Studies for Organists by Dr. Parley Belnap
Hymn Contents and Instructions
Each chapter in "Hymn Studies" is to be worked through sequentially. Do not skip chapters! Before beginning work on a chapter, carefully read and study the chapter instructions. Refer back to them frequently as you study the hymns within the chapter.
Hymns with a (*) are approved hymns for the temple.
Chapter 1 - Emerging Preparedness for Pianists (page 2)
Be sure to read this chapter before starting your work in the rest of the book.
Chapter 2 - Introduction to Hymn Playing (pages 3-7)
Be sure to read this chapter before starting your work in the rest of the book.
Chapter 3 - Part Playing (pages 8-39)
Chapter Instructions (pages 8-9)
*Hymn #6 Redeemer of Israel (pages 10-21)
*Hymn #125 How Gentle God’s Commands (pages 22-30)
*Hymn #116 Come, Follow Me (pages 31-39)
Chapter 4 - Part Playing II (pages 40-75)
Chapter Instructions (pages 40-41)
*Hymn #117 Come unto Jesus (pages 42-44)
*Hymn #204 Silent Night (pages 45-48)
Hymn #67 Glory to God on High (pages 49-52)
Hymn #76 God of Our Fathers, We Come unto Thee (pages 53-56)
*Hymn #196 Jesus, Once of Humble Birth (pages 57-58)
*Hymn #195 How Great the Wisdom and the Love (pages 59-61)
*Hymn #187 God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son (pages 62-63)
*Hymn #149 As the Dew from Heaven Distilling (pages 64-66)
*Hymn #140 Did You Think to Pray? (pages 67-70
*Hymn #172 In Humility, Our Savior (pages 71-75)
Chapter Review points (page 75)
Chapter 5 - Part Playing III (pages 76-99)
Chapter Instructions (pages 76-77)
*Hymn #170 God, Our Father, Hear Us Pray (pages 78-79)
Hymn #3 Now Let Us Rejoice (pages 80-83)
*Hymn #247 We Love Thy House, I God (pages 81, 83)
Hymn #226 Improve the Shining Moments (pages 84-85)
*Hymn #142 Sweet Hour of Prayer (pages 86-87)
*Hymn #294 Love at Home (pages 88-91)
*Hymn 295 O Love That Glorifies the Son (pages 89, 91)
Hymn #241 Count Your Blessings (pages 92-95)
Hymn #222 Hear Thou Our Hymn, O Lord (pages 93, 95)
Hymn #152 God Be with You Till We Meet Again (pages 96-99)
Hymn #218 We Give Thee But Thine Own (pages 97, 99)
Chapter 6 - Part Playing IV (pages 100-120)
Chapter Instructions (pages 100-101)
*Hymn #141 Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee (pages 102-103)
*Hymn #194 There Is a Green Hill Far Away (pages 104-105)
*Hymn #137 Testimony (pages 106-107)
Hymn #31 O God, Our Help in Ages Past (pages 108-109)
*Hymn #123 Oh, May My Soul Commune with Thee (pages 110-111)
*Hymn #45 Lead Me into Life Eternal (pages 112-113)
*Hymn #184 Upon the Cross of Calvary (pages 114-115)
*Hymn #135 My Redeemer Lives (pages 116-117)
Hymn #153 Lord, We Ask Thee Ere We Part (pages 118-119)
Chapter Review points (page 120)
Chapter 7 - Part Playing V (pages 121-138)
Chapter Instructions (page 121)
Hymn #30 Come, Come, Ye Saints (pages 122-123)
*Hymn #143 Let the Holy Spirit Guide (page 123)
*Hymn #145 Prayer Is the Soul’s Sincere Desire (page 124)
*Hymn #98 I Need Thee Every Hour (page 125)
Hymn #7 Israel, Israel, God Is Calling (page 126)
*Hymn #301 I Am a Child of God (page 127)
Hymn #239 Choose the Right (page 128)
Hymn #21 Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice (page 129)
Hymn #2 The Spirit of God (pages 130-131)
*Hymn #131 More Holiness Give Me (page 132)
*Hymn #144 Secret Prayer (page 133)
Hymn #264 Hark, All Ye Nations! (pages 134-135)
Hymn #265 Arise, O God, and Shine (page 135)
*Hymn #221 Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd (pages 136-137)
Hymn #279 Thy Holy Word (page 137)
Hymn #83 Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah (page 138)
Chapter 8 - Creating Hymn Modifications (pages 139-163)
Chapter Instructions (page 139)
Hymn #66 Rejoice, the Lord Is King! (page 140)
Hymn #72 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (page 141)
Hymn #246 Onward, Christian Soldiers (pages 142-143)
Hymn #285 God Moves in a Mysterious Way (page 143)
Hymn #26 Joseph Smith’s First Prayer (page 144)
*Hymn #175 O God, the Eternal Father (page 145)
Hymn #237 Do What Is Right (pages 146-147)
*Hymn #277 As I Search the Holy Scriptures (page 147)
*Hymn #24 God Bless Our Prophet Dear (page 148)
Hymn #267 How Wondrous and Great (page 149)
Hymn #212 Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains (page 150)
Hymn #92 For the Beauty of the Earth (page 151)
*Hymn #134 I Believe in Christ (pages 152-153)
Hymn #231 Father, Cheer Our Souls Tonight (page 153)
Hymn #27 Praise to the Man (page 154)
Hymn #73 Praise the Lord with Heart and Voice (page 155)
Hymn #200 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today (page 156)
Hymn #78 God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand (page 157)
Hymn #263 Go Forth with Faith (page 158)
Hymn #58 Come, Ye Children of the Lord (page 159)
Hymn #240 Know This, That Every Soul Is Free (page 160)
*Hymn #308 Love One Another (page 161)
Hymn #303 Keep the Commandments (page 162)
*Hymn #220 Lord, I Would Follow Thee (page 163)
Chapter 9 - Planning Fingering and Pedaling (pages 164-172)
Chapter Instructions (pages 164-166)
Hymn #94 Come, Ye Thankful People (page 167)
Hymn #91 Father, Thy Children to Thee Now Rise (pages 168-169)
Hymn #57 We’re Not Ashamed to Own Our Lord (page 169)
*Hymn #133 Father in Heaven (page 170)
Hymn #81 Press Forward Saints (page 171)
Hymn #19 We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet (page 172)
Chapter 10 - Solo-and-Accompaniment-Type Hymn Playing (pages 173-181)
Chapter Instructions (page 173)
*Hymn #147 Sweet Is the Work (page 173)
*Hymn #109 The Lord My Pasture Will Prepare (page 176)
*Hymn #122 Though Deepening Trials (page 177)
*Hymn #136 I Know That My Redeemer Lives (pages 178-179)
*Hymn #281 Help Me Teach with Inspiration (page 179)
*Hymn #130 Be Thou Humble (page 180)
Hymn #93 Prayer of Thanksgiving (page 181)
Chapter 11 - Variety in Hymn Playing (pages 182-187)
Chapter Instructions (page 182)
*Hymn 166 Abide with Me! (Pages 183-187)
Chapter 12 - Registration (pages 188-189)
Read this chapter to supplement and enhance your understanding of organ registration.
Chapter 13 - Tempo (page 190)
Read this chapter to better understand how to decide on the right tempo for a particular hymn.
Chapter 14 - Other Important Facets of Hymn Playing (pages 191-192)
Read this chapter to supplement your study of hymn playing and how to effectively lead a congregation in worship.
Chapter 15 - Suggestions for Making Hymn Playing Artistic and Inspirational (pages 192-193)
Read this chapter to understand how to make hymn playing and congregational singing an inspirational experience.