ORGAN ORGAN REGISTRATION REGISTRATION

WorkshopWorkshopAram BasmadjianAram Basmadjian

March 13, 2008March 13, 2008

MusicMusic

Supports the Worship ProgramSupports the Worship Program Must adapt to worship objectivesMust adapt to worship objectives The Primary Musician is ????The Primary Musician is ???? Good music supports worship and prayerGood music supports worship and prayer Bad music is distracting & inappropriateBad 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 singingFundamental sound is the Diapason

familyImprobable to find an organ w/o diapason8’ provides foundation, 4’ defines pitch

RegistrationIS :the proper selection of stops (sounds)IS NOT: the same thing as expressionDiapason “choruses” provide foundation8’ & 4’ generally enough for hymnsAdd 2’ as necessaryWhere does one go from there?Reeds FIRST!!!! (as available, of course)Mixtures can be confusing to congregations

Divisional Information

Great DivisionProvides foundation“bottom” keyboardMain diapasons hereFlutes for singing?Sometimes necessary“Pitch Definition”Mixture usually bigReeds not always hereCAN be used as solo

Swell DivisionWhat does SWELL

mean?“moderate”

upperwork“colors” usually hereMixture can be usefulReed chorus present?What’s a Celeste?WHY NOT for singing?Greatest flexibility

Divisional Info, Continued

Choir DivisionWhy called “Choir?”Evolved over timeLighter, more colorSometimes “positiv”Sometimes

negative !!Not always

expressed“icing on the cake”

Pedal DivisionUsually smallerFoundation is 16’

toneBest if “stand alone”Couplers to pedal add

but can subtract, tooLess is betterPitch definition is keyDiapasons vs. flutes

Hymn PlayingHymn Playing Accompaniment or Leading??Accompaniment or Leading?? Most important aspect of service-playingMost important aspect of service-playing Key ingredients:Key ingredients:

RegistrationRegistration IntroductionIntroduction ““Play the Words, not the notes”Play the Words, not the notes” Changes / ModulationsChanges / Modulations

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

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

singingsinging

Hymn Hymn “Accompaniment”“Accompaniment” Remember to let people breathe (once in Remember to let people breathe (once in

a while). . . .a while). . . . Singing while playing? Some can do thisSinging while playing? Some can do this Registration changes – where & whenRegistration changes – where & when Expression: NOT a substitute for Expression: NOT a substitute for

registrationregistration ““Playing the room”Playing the room”

Additional Items for Additional Items for DiscussionDiscussion

Preludes and PostludesPreludes and Postludes Accompanying a solo singerAccompanying a solo singer Accompanying an instrumentalistAccompanying an instrumentalist Ensemble PlayingEnsemble Playing Weddings & Funerals – kinda the Weddings & Funerals – kinda the

samesame

Keyboards, MIDI, Etc.Keyboards, MIDI, Etc.

Musical Instrument Digital InterfaceMusical Instrument Digital Interface Devices vs. PeopleDevices vs. People Sampling – High Quality SoundSampling – High Quality Sound Sequencing: Hands-free AccompanimentSequencing: Hands-free Accompaniment Music Software: a nightmare?Music Software: a nightmare?

The Relentless JobThe Relentless Job

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