Here is a new page that I have decided to park some of my other music.
Be sure to bookmark it so you can check back often for new songs.
It’s been nearly 5 years since I began practicing the pedal organ. I still do not play while others sing….to high anxiety for me…but I do enjoy prelude and the feel of the pedals beneath my feet.
As a beginning organist, my biggest obstacle was finding any free organ prelude that I could play. Most simplified hymns for organ are written for the hands and I still had a hard time pulling out the pedal notes as I played. (To be honest, I am closer to being the least talented of my fancy-fingered constituents. I am a prelude kinda girl – I leave the accompanying to those with less anxiety about playing – I would rather lead the music.)
As I taught myself to play, I purchased a couple of Organ Chains books from Jackman music, they were good. I figured, if I went slow, I could play them. Unfortunately, not at a speed that would keep a tempo well enough to sing to. I found myself utilizing the children’s songbook and the simplified hymnbook, using the chord markings as my pedal cheats.
That is all well and good, accept that not all the standard hymns are simplified, some of the chord markings just didn’t sound right. ( Imagine trying to pick out a pedal part in all those notes, play with two hands and watch the chorister – seems like it would be a bit overwhelming.)
I enjoy re-working music, (I have been writing and reworking music since 1992), so I have taken it upon myself to re-write and simplify our sacred hymns for the ward organist who is looking for simpler organ music, that includes the pedal, and sounds like you are playing all the notes. I consider myself more of a re-arranger, rather than a writer. I take others works and mix them up, while trying to keep the creativity simple enough for all.
Enjoy, my adaptations are free ~ for non-commercial and church use.
I will post new music often enough, so keep checking back.
Simplified Hymns for Organ and Other Songs 
Thank you – very nice. You must be very talented.
J.G.
Just found your site. How about an easy version of “For All Saints”, P. 82?
Also P. 310, “A Key Was Turned in Latter Days”, especially the 2nd line. I’d be grateful. Thanks.
Wish I had that talent. I play without using the pedals. On some songs I can do it if I play REALLY s-l-o-w, by myself, but can’t do that for the congregation.
Thanks Elaine I will see what I can do.
I usually add the pedals to give more substance to the simplified piece.
I have been working on what a side project I affectionately call Organ cheats,
where I put my pedal note markings above the music – where guitar chords usually go,
(see children’s hymn book to get an idea). I started marking my music that way when
I first began playing the organ, because three lines of music was just too much!
Let me know if the organ cheats would interest you.
How soon do you need this music???
Elizabeth 🙂
No hurry. Those are just 2 songs that I always have a hard time playing. In fact, I never have gotten good on the whole “For All Saints”. Thank goodness I haven’t had to play it for church, but just for myself, I would like to maybe play it for prelude some time.
I can play “A Key was Turned in Latter Days”,kind of okay, but sometimes get by with just playing part of the base notes, either the tenor or bass. I don’t remember having to play it more than once or so for R.S. though. It’s not a well known song.
I can play most of the songs in the hymn book without too much problem. I am the ward organist, so when I practice the songs for any particular Sunday, I also practice the 2 songs on
either side of that song. It has helped me a lot in being able to play a song in R.S. that I didn’t know I was supposed to play until I got there.
I think these simplified songs are going to be REALLY NICE for prelude music that I don’t have to practice much on. I have to confess I don’t practice for Sunday until Saturday night, so I spend most of the time on the congregational songs that I have to play then.
Your organ cheats sound like a good thing. I would be interested in them. I have always had trouble with the 3 line thing, too. That’s why I am so slow when I try to play that darn bottom line so far away. Sometimes I just add one or two notes in with the top hand if I can reach them.
I enjoyed your comments on avow. That’s where I found the simplified hymns info. I very seldom do anything but lurk there most of the time, but I learn a lot of things.
Thanks again. I appreciate your help.
Elaine
Elaine, I have not forgotten about you.
I was blessed to re-arrange a bunch of choir Christmas music this past few months and I just finished an arrangement of “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” for Easter. I want my super low basses to feel useful and welcome in choir.
I should be redirecting myself back to organ music soon.
I have been pondering over these two hymns and hope to have a simplified solution in the near future.
Eliz 🙂