Online Newsletter / May 2007

Student Hymn Playing

By Wesley Schaum

Although there is usually a paid musician who plays hymns for services, other people may be needed to play hymns for religious school classes, Bible study groups, meetings and special events in the church. You may have a junior high or high school student who could do the job. The minimum musical background for hymn playing is a mastery of Level 4. Experience at Level 5 equips a student with the proficiency needed to play most four-part hymns and many choral accompaniments.

Music notation for a hymn is visually different from notation in piano music. It takes a lot of experience for a student to get comfortable with reading various configurations of notes with stems up and down that separate soprano, alto, tenor and bass parts. At first, students may work several weeks to prepare one or two hymns needed for a specific occasion. Working on favorites from their own hymnal can provide additional experience. This could be included as part of the regular lesson.