ORGAN REGISTRATION Workshop

1. ORGAN REGISTRATION Workshop Aram Basmadjian March 13, 2008

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

3. 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?

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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 Information

7. 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 Divisional Info, Continued

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

9. 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??

10. 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

11. 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”

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

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

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

15. 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.