ORGAN REGISTRATION Workshop Aram Basmadjian March 13, 2008

Music Supports the Worship Program Supports the Worship Program Must adapt to worship objectives Must adapt to worship objectives The Primary Musician is ???? The Primary Musician is ???? Good music supports worship and prayer Good music supports worship and prayer Bad music is distracting & inappropriate Bad music is distracting & inappropriate Also an evolving aspect – more of an industry! Also an evolving aspect – more of an industry!

The Organ as the Primary Instrument?  Taken for granted by most people  Considered the ultimate worship instrument  Types of instruments  Just a few more keyboards?  Technological advances – benefits to the music minister  Other instruments: replacement, augmentation or both?

Basic Service Playing What does a congregation hear? 4’ Tone is Key to congregational singing Fundamental sound is the Diapason family Improbable to find an organ w/o diapason 8’ provides foundation, 4’ defines pitch

Registration IS :the proper selection of stops (sounds) IS NOT: the same thing as expression Diapason “choruses” provide foundation 8’ & 4’ generally enough for hymns Add 2’ as necessary Where does one go from there? Reeds FIRST!!!! (as available, of course) Mixtures can be confusing to congregations

Divisional Information Great Division  Provides foundation  “bottom” keyboard  Main diapasons here  Flutes for singing?  Sometimes necessary  “Pitch Definition”  Mixture usually big  Reeds not always here  CAN be used as solo Swell Division  What does SWELL mean?  “moderate” upperwork  “colors” usually here  Mixture can be useful  Reed chorus present?  What’s a Celeste?  WHY NOT for singing?  Greatest flexibility

Divisional Info, Continued Choir Division  Why called “Choir?”  Evolved over time  Lighter, more color  Sometimes “positiv”  Sometimes negative !!  Not always expressed  “icing on the cake” Pedal Division  Usually smaller  Foundation is 16’ tone  Best if “stand alone”  Couplers to pedal add but can subtract, too  Less is better  Pitch definition is key  Diapasons vs. flutes

Hymn Playing  Accompaniment or Leading??  Most important aspect of service-playing  Key ingredients:  Registration  Introduction  “Play the Words, not the notes”  Changes / Modulations

Hymn Registration  Remember 4’ tone  Diapasons are always the foundation  Use softer 2’ first, even if coupled  Reeds offer more sound, pure tone  Mixtures with Great Care!!  NEVER Celestes??  NEVER Tremulants??

Hymn Introductions  First Impressions are Lasting!!  Consistent Registration  Consistent Tempo  Congregations are what count!!  But Congregations don’t COUNT....  Changes at the wrong time stop the singing

Hymn “Accompaniment”  Remember to let people breathe (once in a while)....  Singing while playing? Some can do this  Registration changes – where & when  Expression: NOT a substitute for registration  “Playing the room”

Additional Items for Discussion Preludes and Postludes Preludes and Postludes Accompanying a solo singer Accompanying a solo singer Accompanying an instrumentalist Accompanying an instrumentalist Ensemble Playing Ensemble Playing Weddings & Funerals – kinda the same Weddings & Funerals – kinda the same

Keyboards, MIDI, Etc.  Musical Instrument Digital Interface  Devices vs. People  Sampling – High Quality Sound  Sequencing: Hands-free Accompaniment  Music Software: a nightmare?

The Relentless Job  Ministry takes commitment.  Performance takes practice.  Inspiration takes Clergy support.  Big choirs take a miracle...  Tenors take a bigger miracle.

Summary  Practice Hymns!  Try something new regularly.  Know the Congregation you serve.  Know the Clergy you serve with.  Be Optimistic – God likes that!  Never forget your own Spiritual Life.