By George Smith

I wonder what it was like going into 1935. I mean through the eyes and mind of an adult. Take for instance Laurens Hammond, (1895-1973). a great inventor. A man ahead of his time who created, single-mindedly culture of organs for home, church and institutions that changed the way musicians came to convey their musical talent.

As a child, I would sit at my mother’s desk, which was in the shape of a Hammond B3 organ, and ask God to add 2 manuals (keyboards) and 25 foot pedals. It took a few years of waiting, but He did answer that prayer – in multiples! But in the interim my talents were being formed and no time was wasted, I assure you. I started playing the piano in church at the age of 8. I was on a special radio program playing the Hammond organ at age 10 in downtown Indianapolis at the old Guaranty Cafeteria. My point is not to flower my identity but to tell you of the opportunities that are waiting to happen to you if you will listen to your inner voice and "go for it." Use the word imagination. It is so powerful. Let it fly. The sky is the limit. Blessed quietness should be the rule. You have the power to think.

Hymn-playing is probably the most generally neglected field in piano teaching in my opinion. Organists, of course, do special work in this line, but there are few indeed piano students who are given any particular encouragement in the playing of hymns. My reason for stating this is the high number of churches who call me regularly to see if I know of a church pianist. I tell each one to seek out an interested child, or adult and consider paying for the lessons. Make it an ongoing program in the church. Not everyone will want to play for the congregation, but we must keep on keeping on. Not everyone who comes to church listens intently to the minister, but that minister doesn’t give up on preaching the word. Professional piano teachers don’t give up either. We keep on keeping on! Hymns and hymn playing have a legitimate place in the course of study of every piano student. They are excellent sight reading material and they also serve as the pupil’s first step in accompanying. Besides being valuable in these two fields, the study of hymns can be an avenue of approach to interpretation of the classics.

Before studying the music of any hymn, the pupil should read the words. If possible, he should be given some idea of the setting of the composition and of the life and characteristics of the author. He should read slowly enough to get the meaning of the words, then play the music, trying to reflect the meaning of the poem as he plays. The result will be surprising. Something bright and energetic is good for a start. Then try something more emotional by way of contrast.

The main idea is to bring the pupil to realize that great hymn tunes are not merely word carriers, but that they also have a real meaning and true musical value. The teacher will find that this method will cultivate, first of all, the musician’s playing of hymns, and secondly, self-expression in absolute music.

Cultivate music in the home. To be rich, enormously rich so as to be able to buy everything beautiful, to satisfy every heart’s desire – who has not known this longing? And yet the richest man is poor if he never has felt in his heart the noble magic of music. Who only listens to music profits half. What others can do can be done by you, too. Do not believe that it is too difficult. Whoever has ambition and good will masters the first difficulties and soon finds pride in his own knowledge, if he is guided by good teachers. Parents, if you wish to get your children real birthday or holiday presents, then select this day to give them instruments that will accompany them through their entire lives and that will shorten many sad hours. A jolly player is welcome in every house, in every society, and there are many who have obtained their happiness in life through the noble magic of music, by George!