Hymnbook arrangement?

[Esaias]

Shouldn't hymnals be arranged alphabetically by song name, with a topical or categorical index in the rear?

As opposed to being arranged by category, with an alphabetical index in the rear?

Or, as opposed to having no discernible arrangement whatsoever, like "Sing Unto The Lord"?

Also, why do categorical hymnals have no discernible arrangement within the categories themselves?

Seems like an alphabetical order of songs, with topical index, would be most expedient, efficient, logical, and easiest to use?

[houston]

Yes, excellent idea!

[Carl]

No wonder churches stopped using hymnals.

[KeptByTheWord]

You have made a very valid point.

Are you compiling your own hymnbook? If you ever do, I would be interested in a copy. I'm sure it would be in alphabetical order!

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

You have made a very valid point.

Are you compiling your own hymnbook? If you ever do, I would be interested in a copy. I'm sure it would be in alphabetical order!

Yes, we are tired of using five or six different hymnbooks and want to have one that has all the songs we sing. So far we've got a list of about 145 songs. I'm typing them up now. The format is words only (we know all our tunes) and will probably be in 3-ring binder format so we can add songs as needed. Each song on one page, so adding new songs will not disturb the order.

And yes, it's in alphabetical arrangement, no song numbers needed.

I plan to add a topical index to the back as well so songs can be selected by subject matter if desired.

When it's done I'll put it in PDF form and give you a link to download it.

[Esaias]

I might need to add a short melody section giving a unison, one voice score for the rarer tunes. Some tunes though I don't know how to transcribe as the melodies are old and sometimes irregular and somewhat improvised.

[Esaias]

I just cannot fathom why church hymnal producers haven't figured this out. A regular "songbook" usually is alphabetical, makes things easier.

[Jito463]

Our church rarely uses the songbooks. Most of the time we use an overhead projector. The only downside, as the guy who runs the projector, the song "leader" doesn't always think to signal so I can see where he/she is going.

*sigh*

I liken it to following someone in a car, but driving right beside them (instead of behind), and they don't signal they're turning until they've already made the turn. Very frustrating. Thankfully, they're getting better at it.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Jito463

Our church rarely uses the songbooks. Most of the time we use an overhead projector. The only downside, as the guy who runs the projector, the song "leader" doesn't always think to signal so I can see where he/she is going.

*sigh*

I liken it to following someone in a car, but driving right beside them (instead of behind), and they don't signal they're turning until they've already made the turn. Very frustrating. Thankfully, they're getting better at it.

I think its been researched that a congregation can only learn about 100-200 songs "by heart", give or take whatever. Most songs we sing from memory but often require some "help" to remember parts of lines or the order of verses, thus the hymnbooks.

I think some churches make a mistake in having too many songs. It's good when a congregation can - for the most part - sing from memory. Helps people focus on praising and worship, I believe. But with a repertoire of say 400-500 songs, people don't get a chance to actually learn them. How many songs can a church sing in one year, anyway? lol

I don't look at hymnbooks as books to "sing from" so much as a collection of songs that are sung. The ideal would be everybody singing by heart from memory, but of course that's not possible except with a very scanty song selection.

My opinion, anyway.

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Shouldn't hymnals be arranged alphabetically by song name, with a topical or categorical index in the rear?

As opposed to being arranged by category, with an alphabetical index in the rear?

Or, as opposed to having no discernible arrangement whatsoever, like "Sing Unto The Lord"?

Also, why do categorical hymnals have no discernible arrangement within the categories themselves?

Seems like an alphabetical order of songs, with topical index, would be most expedient, efficient, logical, and easiest to use?

But I think when the hymnal goes from 3 ring binder format to book that page numbers are also a great aid,,especially when using an index to find something.