Hymns as Transcriptions
One way that we can modify a hymn to create a better "fit" for the organ is to tie some of the repeated notes. Although the entire OrganTutor lesson “Hymn Playing--Repeated Notes” is dedicated to this topic, it can be introduced rather simply. The following may need to be modified (tied) in order to preserve the sustained character of the hymn:
- repeated notes that occur between adjacent notes WITHIN A SINGLE PART
- common tones BETWEEN ADJACENT PARTS (soprano & alto, alto & tenor, tenor & bass)
The ties highlighted in green to the right represent one solution to the problem of repeated notes in this hymn. Many options are possible and may seem equally convincing, as this is a highly subjective matter.
Careful consideration of the repeated notes can make the performance of a hymn more idiomatic to the organ; that is, it may sound more natural to the organ and less like piano or choral music simply “played on” the organ.
