Question Regarding Organ Arrangements of "Popular" Music

[afuller5]

Hi all,</p>

I have a question regarding the playing of published organ arrangments of "popular" (whatever that means) songs.</p>

First, I will give you a little of my background. I was "taught" by a lady who was mostly self-taught (though she played <u>very</u> well). She learned on the organs of the 60s and 70s before the advent of autoplay features, except drum machines. She taught me the chord method and to play mutliple notes and chords with my right hand. In learning more on my own, I think that she essentially taught me a simplified theatre style. However, I can read both clefs. I play for my church (both organ and piano) and do play accompaniment scores (on piano) for our choir.</p>

Now, I will get to my question. When working on arrangements from Hal Leonard organ books, they often include suggested registration changes within the score. I am currently working on (for my on enjoyment) "Somewhere Out There" from Hal Leonard's Contemporary Love &amp; Wedding Songs (copyright 1989). It suggests Vibes, Oboe, Strings, Open Flutes, and Full Organ (in that order). However, with the Strings, Open Flutes, Full Organ, they mostly have a single melody note for the right hand. To me, with these ensemble registrations, it sounds "thin" to just play a single-note melody. (However, with the Oboe it sounds great since an oboe can only play one note at a time.) I think it sounds much better to add additional chord tones played by the right hand. (It may just be by early training telling me it sounds better.) Do others add notes in the right hand or do you play the score as written? </p>

Other comments and/or suggestions welcome.</p>

Thanks,</p>

Allen</p>

P.S. I also have the same issue with many of Hal Leonard sacred music books that I own.
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[OrgansR4Me]

Re: Question Regarding Organ Arrangements of &quot;Popular&quot; Music



Hello, Allen! Thanks for an important question for learners. Most all registration cues will be listed as "suggested" and they are a great place to start for those whose experience in voicing is limited. But every organist has an individual feel for the piece and is at liberty to use the voicing that gives their interpretation to the music. I.M.H.O. if the choice is between the score and the registration, use your own preferred registration and keep the composition in tact. The single note solo is very important at times and as you indicate especially effective for voices that imitate real instrument.</P>


Second point: If you want an instrumental voice and it is too weak to balance whatever the left hand registration may be add a complementary flute or two. Experiment, Experiment, Experiment!</P>


Best wishes for your continued musical enjoyment both at home and church.</P>

[afuller5]

Re: Question Regarding Organ Arrangements of &quot;Popular&quot; Music



OrgansR4Me,</p>

First, thanks for your input. We are constantly learning new ideas from each other. That is wonderful.</p>

Secondly, just to clear up any potential misunderstanding, I have been playing for 26 years, with 24 of those for church. Thus, I would not classify myself as a beginner. (Please note that I did <u>not</u> take any offense to your post.)</p>

After thinking this issue over, I guess my real question is are the selections in these books arranged by organists? This particular book does not state who arranged the pieces. In many cases, it appears that someone took a piano arrangement and modified it to be played on the organ. (To me, the best sounding part of this arrangement is the introduction which is with both hands on the upper manual with vibes. [However, the arrangement indictes both hands lower.[:O]] This sounds like bells and could possibly be directly from a piano arrangement.) Many of these arrangements do not look or sound as if arranged by an organist. I have other books arranged by organist Bill Irwin that are much better than this particular book.</p>

As an aside, my favorite way to play "popular" music is from a fake book or lead sheet. I am able to add chords (like diminished, sixth, ninth, augment, etc.), bass runs, and left- and right-hand fills to make the piece sound better. Most of the time, what I play from a lead sheet sounds better to me than these published arrangements. However, many times there will be a chord substitution or fill-in that I will "borrow" from a printed arrangement.</p>

Again thanks for you input. And any additional input is welcome and appreciated!
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Allen</p>

P.S. There is no issue of balancing a weak instrumental voice. I have the ability with my instrument to adjust the volume of individual voice. So, I can either boost the instrumental voice or reduce the volume of the accompaniment voices.
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[andyg]

Re: Question Regarding Organ Arrangements of &quot;Popular&quot; Music



Well, I know some of the people who have written books like this. Maybe 'knew', since most have passed away. A few actually cared about the registrations they suggested, but most didn't. Their 'brief' was to make sure there was a good variety of sounds in the pieces, and a few took that as carte blanche to have a little 'fun'. They'd almost pick something at random! The older books from the 60's and 70's (often arranged by theatre organists) aren't too bad but later ones can be cringingly bad. And in any case, a voice that carries the melody well on one organ may sound bad on another make or model.</p>

In short, I'd completely ignore what's suggested and find your own way, experiment and find your sounds. (I'm pretty sure you already do!)</p>

Somewhere Out There is a great piece to play around with. I have five arrangements of this one:</p>

1) Pseudo-classical 'voluntary', with shades of JSB and Albinoni. Gentl soft reed solo, flutes/principals for the chorus
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2) Buddy Cole style theatre. Starts with strings over Chrysoglott arpeggios, Then solo Tuba backed with strings and voxes, moving to full tibias for the chorus
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3) Straight Hammond + Leslie (actually pretty close to version 2)</p>

4) Orchestral Organ, using a solo English Horn and woodwinds, adding strings and horns etc in the chorus</p>

5) One for keyboard, based on 4, but using auto-rhythm and styles</p>

I've been multi-arranging since day 1, having been told to do it by my two organ 'mentors'. Never looked back. Have fun with it. </p>

Andy
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