Janice Kapp Perry... or... W.W. Phelps?

What's harder?

Writing a hymn, or writing a primary song?

They both have their challenges, to be sure.

Ok, well...

What's more useful in the church?

A new hymn or a new primary song?

It seems to me that the MOST likely to be used and gain wide attention is a new primary song.

So, why on earth am I hosting a Hymn Writing class instead of a Primary Song writing class?

(and yes... I will be hosting a Primary Song writing class in the near future)

For ONE reason, and ONE reason only.

Because you simply CANNOT write a well-crafted primary song without first learning certain CRUCIAL skills.

First, is the art of tightly controlled, coloring-within-the-lines of strict parameters lyrics.

There is more freedom is lyric writing in a Primary Song, but most aren't ready for the "freedom" quite yet. First comes some very rigid control and discipline.

And there's no better place to learn that than in writing your own original hymn.

Second, is the art of writing ear-worm, catchy melodies.

As before, a primary song has much more melodic freedom than a hymn does. But again, before we can open up the free highway of melody writing and succeed in the fast lane, we've got to take your learner's permit and stick to the residential streets of careful, controlled melody writing a hymn provides so perfectly.

Third, is the art of writing functional, emotionally charged, powerful harmony.

I don't think you'll be surprised to hear me say, yet again, that there is much more harmonic freedom available to you in the setting a Primary Song offers.

But learning to control those harmonies in the closed, controlled hot-house of hymn writing is not only some of the best education you can get to prepare you to write a great Primary Song, it's education that will carry over into ANY kind of writing you do at any time, in any setting, at any scale.

And if you think I'm overstating, then consider the daily routine of many famous composers who constantly studied the chorale/hymn writing of J.S. Bach throughout their lives, even while writing symphonies.

So, if you feel that you have a Janice Kapp Perry primary song in you...

...and I believe you do...

...or any other style of primary song...

...the BEST way to prepare yourself to craft something worthy of the kind of respect and reverence such a great Primary Song often engenders...

...consider learning FIRST how to write a solid 4-part hymn.

And if you think this might be the right time for you to get started, I can help.

The "Write Your Original Hymn With Dr. Doug" 8-week workshop (with a bonus 9th week) begins THIS FRIDAY.

We'll get your text written and ship-shape... your melody perfectly fitted to your text... and harmony to support and testify of the words you'll set.

And as a BONUS...

I will personally prepare your original hymn for publication by setting it in Finale.

And you'll get to keep all our classes in audio and video format for later reference.

Plus, copies of each of my original hymns as study materials.

But there are only 20 seats available for this class.

I only have "so much" bandwidth. So I need to keep it a pretty small class.

If you'd like to join us, just click the link below.

https://douglaspew.thrivecart.com/writing-your-hymn--with-dr-doug/

I can't wait to see you THIS Friday!

Doug

The genius hoax blocking your path

I don't believe in the idea of genius as some inherent set of powers someone's born with.

Sure, we all have some things we're born with.

But this mystical unreachable mirage of genius is really a form of resistance.

It's an excuse.

I've certainly fallen for the genius hoax at times.

It's easy to slip into, especially with the deification and glorification of important figures from history we see portrayed in films.

What's MUCH more for real is "potential."

"Potential" is a fuel you have inside you that can propel you onto greatness, to extraordinary results and abilities.

All you have to do is ignite your reserves of "potential" and keep feeing the fire to achieve the extraordinary.

This goes for any endeavor in life and most certainly applies to improving any of your musical skills.

​You have, right now, a reserve of "potential" energy, ability, craftsmanship that can turn you into a great musical practitioner.

​Excelling at conducting the hymns in church, or writing hymn arrangements, or playing the organ... NONE of these are something anyone is born with.

​They take practice.

​Consistent sparking of that internal "potential."

The more you stoke it, the hotter your fire gets. The greater its ability to "BURN BABY, BURN!"

But sometimes we all need, as the Beatles sang... "a little help from our friends."

And that's what the soon to be released Conducting the Hymns with Dr. Doug Virtual Workshop is all about.

​It's a chance to get together and stoke our "potential" together.

​We'll keep feeding your fire with the best kind of conducting tips, strategies, tactics and more so you can keep your tools super sharp and effective.

​So, at the very least, even if you decide NOT to join the Conducting the Hymns with Dr. Doug Virtual Workshop, at the very least, please don't let the idea of "genius" stand in your way any longer.

​You CAN figure out how to get better, even masterful at whatever musical endeavor you're in.

​To get yourself on the Conducting the Hymns with Dr. Doug Virtual Workshop waitlist, simply click the link below.

​https://douglaspew.ck.page/6c95a4c00d

Let's stoke that fire!

Have a good one,

Doug

Beware of fiery flying sacrament meeting serpents

It's a trap!

And too many of us... myself included... fall victim because of what Alma calls, "the easiness of the way."

"Oh yeah, sure, I'll conduct the hymns on Sunday, Bishop. No biggie..."

And then we get like, "Oh, I can just get up at the last second and be fine. I know the patterns. Nobody's looking anyway."

And the fiery flying serpents start nibbling at our heals.

It's like their venom fills us with either apathy or enough pride to stop us from doing just a BIT of preparation.

All it takes is a few minutes to look through the hymns, take a moment to think deeply about them.

It's SO easy.

But, with all the hyper-distraction of smart phones and social media and our busy schedule, we let the fiery flying serpents inject us a little more, and a little more with their venom.

All it takes is a little effort to turn the congregational singing into something MUCH more than just another hymn... just another tick of the meeting agenda.

The music is the open portal to spiritual wonders.

But that venom is stirring in our veins now and it's too hard to do the easy thing, to "look and live."

Perhaps part of the problem is not knowing what to do to prepare better. Okay, that's a fair point.

And I can help with that.

In fact, as I've been mentioning, that's one of the most important topics we'll cover during the "Conducting the Hymns with Dr. Doug" virtual workshop, coming up in a few weeks.

If you've like to avoid these fiery flying serpents and look and live so you can open that portal to spiritual wonders during your congregational music leading, I hope you'll join us.

You can sign up for the waiting list by clicking the link below:

https://douglaspew.ck.page/6c95a4c00d

I'm really looking forward to this.

For now, don't be swayed by the easiness of the way.

Take a few minutes and at least consider the meaning of what lies beneath the notes and words before you stand to lead the joint congregational choirs of your ward members and any visiting from the other side of the veil that day.

Have a good one!

Doug

Liahona of congregational hymns

When I was in Poland during my Fulbright, one of the senior sister missionaries in our little branch in Warsaw really opened my mind about they hymns.

She took the First Presidency message in the preface seriously.

It says...

"Brothers and sisters, let us use the hymns to invite the Spirit of the Lord into our congregations, our homes, and our personal lives. Let us memorize and ponder them, recite and sing them, and partake of their spiritual nourishment. Know that the song of the righteous is a prayer unto our Father in Heaven, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon your heads."

The part she took seriously was, "memorize and poder them."

Over several years, on her drive to work each day, she worked on memorizing the text of each verse in every one of the 341 hymns in the 1985 English hymnal.

Amazing, right? This blew my mind!

But the result in her life was what amazed me even more.

She talked about how the hymns became like a Liahona to her.

With all those verses on call in her memory bank, when problems or difficulties came, words of help, comfort, peace, or whatever else she needed floated up into her mind at just the right moment.

What an amazing musical Liahona!

Of course, each of us can, and probably should, be more dutiful with our own study of the hymns as a source of doctrine.

But imagine doing that kind of deep study in addition to preparing your gestures and other important conductor hand-waving before leading the singing each week.

What extra insights will you receive with such dedicated focus? What extra insights can you bring to the actual singing of they hymns?

In my experience, in whatever type of conducting I'm doing (orchestra, choir, congregational), the deeper I've studied the music and the text, the more inspired my conducting is.

During the upcoming "Conducting the Hymns with Dr. Doug" virtual workshop, we will discuss how to study the music in preparation for conducting. And we will definitely talk about the study of the text.

I've not done nearly as much study and memorization as my sister missionary friend, but very often in time of trouble or stress or difficulty, a hymn text comes to mind and is just the dose of spiritual medicine I need.

To make sure you don't miss our discussion about deep study in preparation for conducting the hymns, click the link below to sign up for the virtual workshop waiting list.

https://douglaspew.ck.page/6c95a4c00d

Have a great day!

Doug

Old prospector's golden hymn-conducting fanny pack

Remember when Pres. Ballard told the story of the old prospector?

Back in the days of the California Gold Rush, there was a man who sold all his belongings to move west, get gear, and dig for gold.

Like many, he figured he'd be pulling chunks out of the ground in no time.

Every once in awhile he's spot a little fleck of gold in a rock.

But it was so tiny and insignificant, that he cast it aside and moved on.

He wanted the nuggets!

After months of disappointment, he met an old prospector who asked him why he was so down.

A​fter hearing the young man talk about how he hadn't found any nuggets, only little tiny flecks every few days or so, the old prospector told him that's about all he'd found too.

​But instead of casting them aside, he collected every one of those little flecks of gold.

When he opened his fanny pack to show the young man all his flecks, the young man's jaw dropped.

His fanny pack was filled to the brim with gold.

Thousands and thousands of little tiny flecks of gold.

It's pretty amazing how quickly those little tiny flecks add up.

And so it is when working to master the craft of conducting the hymns with confidence.

Maybe you've thought...

"How will I ever become great, or even semi-decent at conducting the hymns?"

"Learning to inspire the congregation by waving my arms seems way too hard."

You'd only be human if these thoughts have crossed your mind.

And it's true, mastering the craft is challenging.

If there's one thing, and one thing alone to focus on that will do more for you and the improvement of your skills in the long run...

...it's focusing on daily consistent mediocrity.

Doing what seems mediocre, or mundane, or barely like scratching the surface...

...but doing it consistently...

...well, it really adds up.

Like those little flecks of gold.

And that's one of the best reasons to join "Conducting the Hymns with Dr. Doug" virtual workshop when it’s officially launched in a couple of weeks.

We're going to work together to keep collecting those little flecks of hymn-conducting gold.

To sign up for the waiting list, click the link below.

https://douglaspew.ck.page/6c95a4c00d

And just think of the music and the special spiritual moments you'll make possible when your hymn-conducting fanny pack is filled to the brim.

The sky's the limit!

Have a good one.

Doug

Pres. Packer, Nephi, and the Spirit gang up on me to deliver a well-deserved SMACK

I can still hear President Packer's voice in my head. It makes me pretty nostalgic, actually.

When I first became addicted to binging conference talks, I was serving in the office during my mission. I can still see myself in the office Elder's apartment in down town Antofagasta, Chile, taking my little tape player with me as I got ready for the day, relaxed on P-day, and any other time I could sneak in some listening.

I don't remember how I got my hands on them, but I had a couple conferences worth of cassette tapes, plus the Truman Madsen Joseph Smith tapes that I darn near wore out.

I listened over and over, and I can still remember, nearly word for word, part of President Packer's talk when he quoted 2 Nephi 32. Nephi was talking about how the people didn't realize how great a gift they had in the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

His voice keeps coming back to me... "And they knew it not. Imagine that, they knew it not."

Over the years when I've needed a little correcting here and there, the Spirit often sends those words to my mind, in Pres. Packer's gravely voice.

It's usually a kind of, "Hey, Pew, straighten up! You don't realize how good you have it!" And then Pres. Packer's voice blares on the surroundsound of my subconcious.

Not too long ago, I was having one of those S.N.O.B.-ish moments I mentioned yesterday (here's a link in case you missed it), and I got a well deserved SMACK from the Spirit once again.

This time, Pres. Packer, Nephi, and the Spirit ganged up on me to help me see how I was being as blind as the people who... "knew it not."

I'd been taking for granted what an opportunity I had to do more good in the small sphere of influence I had (until COVID) in my ward as the organist.

Together with the music leader, we have this incredible chance to open the heavens a bit each Sunday.

To give our ward a chance to have one of those "having our hearts knit as one" moments that actually can happen when people sing together.

Not only do their hearts begin beating collectively in time together (as proven by many a reputable medical study of choirs), but as an aligning of purpose and mission and desire and yearning and praising as we simeltaneously raise our voices in unison.

It was like a blaze of vision. I could see what an opportunity it was and how much I had been taking it for granted.

It certainly helped me think more seriously about my organ playing... which is just shy of mediocre and often quite dismal compared to my "real organist" friends.

But I can do better, prepare better, and go into each Sunday doing all I can to allow the heavens their chance to open as we sing.

And that's the real reason behind the upcoming "Conducting the Hymns with Dr. Pew" virtual workshop.

To work together to be better prepared for those really great moments. To correct my, and perhaps "our" general flaw of... "And they knew it not. Imagine that, they knew it not."

If you'd like to join me for this workshop, please click below and get your name on the waiting list.

https://douglaspew.ck.page/6c95a4c00d

In the meantime, as we go into the weekend, I bet we can go into this Sunday prepared to have a special singing moment with our families as we continue having Church from home.

I know I'm going to "do a little better," as Pres. Hinckley would say.

Have a good one!

Doug

Alma's masterclass for music leaders

This week in our family Come Follow Me study, we've been enjoying the 80 or so questions Alma posed to the people of Zarahemla.

But I couldn't help thinking how much his counsel rings true when it comes to music in the church. Especially congregational singing.

All his talk of the "mighty change" and questions like, "can ye feel so now?" really got me thinking.

I seems to me that the Nephites in that time were suffering from apathy.

They'd just been through an awful civil was with the Amlicites who'd teamed up with a massive host of Lamanites.

Even Alma himself fought and was injured.

Their fields had been trampled, and I assume they had an awful harvest that year.

It was a tough time. I can see how apathy snuck in.

And then, once they started getting back on their feet, a whole bunch of them started on the all-too-common cycle of feeling very proud of themselves because of their riches. And the pride cycle began to turn.

They took for granted how much their blessings meant. How hard they had to fight for them. And they seemed to forget how indebted they were to the Lord for his help.

I know I've fallen into the apathy trap.

Even though I've had my own "mighty change" of heart and attitude many times.

Which is why I love Alma's "can ye feel so now?" question.

And I see a way we often fall into the apathy trap today.

Because we all too often (and I know I'm preaching to the choir, but, still...) take for granted the sheer power of commonplace congregational singing.

And when it's our turn to lead the congregational singing, we're in danger of falling into the apathy trap yet again.

Oh yeah, just another Sunday. Just another hymn. Just another 2 pattern. Just another cutoff.

And around we go again.

Not that we're being prideful.

But, aren't we missing the chance to remember the mighty change? Or, even more importantly, to create some new mighty changes for us and our congregation?

Yes, in the upcoming "Conduct the Hymns with Dr. Pew" Virtual Workshop, we will talk about technique and gestures and all the mechanics.

But we'll talk about it under the umbrella of what's most important... the MIGHTY CHANGE!

So, if you'd like to take up the arm-waving challenge and join forces with me and Alma at the same time, consider putting your name on the waiting list.

Just click the link below and I'll make sure you hear about when we're officially getting started. Which won't be much longer.

https://douglaspew.ck.page/6c95a4c00d

Take care,

Doug

This email was written by a persnickety snob

Time to fess up.

It's true.

I'm a persnickety music snob.

Especially in church.

I admit it.

There.

The secret's out.

Well, it's probably obvious if you've been following me for a while.

You're like, "duh, Doug, we know already!"

Perhaps this confession is more for me to come to grips with, as Jacob says, and as Elder Maxwell often quoted, "things as they really are."

Okay, I accept it.

In fact, I feel it's time to flaunt it.

Not in a Nephite pride-cycle kind of way.

And definitely in a Zoramites up on the high horse of their Rameumptom, "holier than thou" kind of way.

For me, it's MUCH more of a Sons of Mosiah, "Mosiah 28:3" kind of way.

Because I feel SO STRONGLY about the potential for what congregational music and other Sacrament Meeting music CAN be, and what it CAN do, if we decide it's time to raise the bar.

I'm a persnickety Sacrament Meeting music snob because I KNOW how powerfully music can lay the tracks for the freight train of the Spirit ride on.

And where much is given... well, you know the rest.

So, yes.

I'm a SNOB!

I'm a...

S = Steadfast...

N = Neverendingly...

O = Over-Zealous...

B = Believer...

...in the power of high-bar sacred worship music as a ridiculously effective mechanism for building testimonies, soothing souls, and healing emotional and spiritual wounds.

All of that is nice and flowery and sunshine and rainbows.

But it comes down to improving our craft so we can achieve these higher heights.

Even with something as simple as waving your hand around while the congregation sings.

There are SO MANY small and simple things that can bring these GREAT things to pass, all inside the seemingly not-so-important hand waving we do in all our Sacrament Meetings.

Which is why I'm still talking about the upcoming class I'm hosting for improving your Sacrament Meeting music leading.

If that sounds like something you'd like some S.N.O.B.-ish help with, click this link and sign up for the waiting list.

https://douglaspew.ck.page/6c95a4c00d

I'm excited to get started soon.

Have a good one!

And, don't worry...

...if you're a S.N.O.B. too...

...let's be S.N.O.B.s together.

Take care,

Doug

Musical shepherds shake their way into chronic pain, despite valiant efforts

I've often enjoyed a silent chuckle when reading the instructions in the back of the hymnal to conduct Hymn 221, "Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd" in an altered 4 pattern, even though it's in 6.

Have you ever tried this?

It feels super awkward to me.

And more importantly, it touches on a very common issue with music leaders and conductors of all levels of experience.

Rather than make the conducting "busy," as this altered 4 pattern is in a 6/4 time...

...it's SO much better to follow the "oncoming traffic" principle when leading the music.

And what, pray tell, is the "oncoming traffic" conducting principle, you ask?

GET OUT OF THE WAY!

Rather than direct traffic...

...your job when leading the music is to get out of the way of the "busy"-ness of all the moving parts...

...and become one who creates a space that enables a smooth flow for the congregation...

...an easily flowing river of words and song, no matter how much the tempest is raging, or the billows are tossing high.

Otherwise, you'll run yourself ragged and shake your arm right into a brace from the chronic shoulder pain you'll soon experience.

This "get out of the way" principle is REALLY clear when you look at orchestra conductors.

It's really fun to watch how different young, energetic orchestra conductors, and old, wise, controlled senior statesman conductors are.

The young guns move about 10 times more than the old dogs.

And sure, it's often exciting to see all the podium choreography...

...but the old guard command an ocean of weight, respect, and empowering of their musicians with the simplest of basic, "getting out of the way" of the music kind of gestures.

And since Sacrament Meeting is MUCH more about getting out of the way so the Spirit can take over...

...I recommend taking the simpler path of the older, wiser conductor.

But it definitely takes practice.

Which is why, pretty soon, I'm going to host an online virtual Sacrament Meeting conducting class.

If you'd like to sign up for the waitlist, you can do so below:

https://douglaspew.ck.page/6c95a4c00d

We'll work together to increase your confidence...

...smooth out your gestures...

...and give you all the tools you need to empower your congregation to sing a joyful noise at the top of their lungs...

...whether you're in front of 50, or a Conference Center of 21,000.

I'm really looking forward to this class.

Just click the link above to make sure you don't miss this one.

Now, go take a minute to practice your slow 2 pattern for the next time you conduct Hymn 221. That's all you need. A nice, slow-and-steady 2 pattern.

Have a good one!

Doug

Why I stopped listening to the Spirit

I was upset.

That's why.

I felt I'd been dealt an unfair hand through certain challenges.

I got angry.

And like an angry 5-year-old, I huffed and puffed and put my fingers in my ears... "la la la la, I can't hear you, la, la, la, la!"

Not my finest hours.

I wasn't doing anything overtly wrong.

But after a while, something worse happened.

Not listening became a habit.

I've been working on reversing this habit for a few months.

It's not been easy.

But what I'm constantly amazed at, is how, when I sincerely make the effort to pray and listen, I always get a tangible response or result.

Every time.

It's not so much a habit of praying that I'm trying to re-kindle.

It's a habit of putting down my pride.

Being humble.

Being sincere.

And remembering that even the unfair challenges come as a means to bless me.

In His time.

When I woke up this morning, after praying last night that I'd sleep well and wake up early to get some work done, as happens every time I offer a similar prayer, I woke up a few minutes before my alarm.

Refreshed.

Alert.

Ready to roll at 3:53 a.m.

And one clear work came to mind.

And I actually saw it in my mind.

It looked like this...

"Pray!"

And I thought...

"Ok! I will."

Now this all seems ridiculously simple and maybe even far too personal a story.

But, in this world of influencers and social media stars and experts and gurus...

...the simple...

..."pray!"...

...speaks louder...

...when I actually listen...

...than anything else.

So, my mantra for today is...

...Hymn #130.

Be thou humble in thy weakness,
and the Lord, they God shall lead thee.
Shall lead thee by the hand and
give the answers to thy prayers.

Not sure this will even be helpful to anyone.

But it's certainly been helpful to me.

Hope you have a great day!

Doug

Anxiety cure embedded in 5 favorite-hymn words

Often, I'm plagued by worry.

Does this ever happen to you?

I've never really understood it.

Never understood where it came from or how to handle it.

I'm ashamed to admit it, but it's been a real and present constant in my life for far too long.

Recently, it's been worry about our new baby, William.

He was born a little early and he's been struggling to gain weight.

A lip tie and some pretty severely tense shoulders and neck muscles due to a hurried, induced natural birth because of very low amniotic fluid in the womb all combine to result in a pretty poor sucking ability.

He's the happiest little guy, which is so great. But in a way, that's made the worry even worse.

The stress on my wife has been severe with pumping at all hours and working with nursing specialists and other specialists to help baby William.

Plus, the rest of our 6 kids being home all day due to the quarantine, well, it's been rather a lot.

But I didn't realize quite how much "worry" has played a regular part of my life over the past 15+ until a few days ago when I began reading a new book.

New to me, anyway.

It's actually a pretty old book by Dale Carnegie, the author of "How To Win Friends And Influence People."

It's called, "How To Stop Worrying And Start Living."

But even in the first 20 or 30 minutes of listening on my morning walk, some real icebergs have chipped off.

I'm understanding why I've been so worried and how to get rid of it entirely.

Thank goodness!

And one of the early, helpful examples Dale Carnegie uses is one of my all-time favorite hymns, "Lead Kindly, Light."

Dale Carnegie talks about how important it is to, as even Jesus recommended in the Sermon on the Mount, to focus only on TODAY.

And the 5 words from the hymn, "one step enough for me," rang through me as I walked around our neighborhood park a few mornings ago.

And I heard President Monson in my mind, quoting one of his favorite poems, "The Gate of the Year" by Minnie Louise Haskins... 

"Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way."

Maybe that's one definition of faith... "one step enough for me."

Maybe that's why I love this hymn so much. 

And maybe that's why, when I decided a long time ago that I wanted to be a composer, one of the first pieces I wrote was an arrangement of "Lead Kindly, Light."

Well, I hope you can find some calm, some faith, and some ice-chipping anti-anxiety medicine when you need it from all of this.

To help, maybe have a listen to my arrangement for violin, cello, and piano.

It does "go out into the darkness" a bit. 

But in the end, it finds "the hand of God."

Just click below to listen.

https://dougpewmusic.com/lead-kindly-light-duet-for-strings

And I hope you have a great day!

Doug

Finger flicking butler-bridle that moves the congregation to and fro (part 3 of 3)

Ok, so, forgive my rather blunt mixing two of my obsessions...

...Harry Potter and Downton Abbey.

I guess I can't help myself since my 9-year-old is currently reading book 7 for the first time, and we usually read together.

On to the point of my appearance in your inbox this morning.

Here we have the 3rd and final of Mr. Carson's conducting tips for Sacrament Meeting music leaders.

This last one, while usually taking up most of a conductor's focus...

...while important...

...is only one small part of the equation.

Without the 1st of Mr. Carson's tips, the bushy eyebrows secret (see here if you missed it)...

...or the 2nd, all-important "preparation" technique (see here if your missed it)...

...this 3rd gesture wouldn't really matter much at all.

But when all 3 combine...

...they become like the Deathly Hollows of getting attention and beginning the congregational singing with an almost magical proficiency.

You'll become Master of Deathly-accurate hymn starting.

It's rather simple.

All it takes is a look back at our pendulum exercise (see here if you missed that one)...

...and a simple little finger flick.

Like flicking a drop of water off the tips of your fingers.

Once you're poised and ready to begin...

...you step through the "preparation" gesture from yesterday, and then apply the pendulum motion directly towards the first beat on which the singing occurs.

And with that magical water-droplet flick...

...you give the very first beat of the hymn.

See how Carson gets the job done so simply, effortlessly, and with a great deal LESS ostentation than most conductors.

(click here to watch)

You see, like too much foolish wand-waving in the wizarding world, which usually demonstrates ineptitude...

...the simple, less showy path in conducting is usually best.

Any more than just enough is quickly too much...

...and too confusing.

And so, I exhort you to stand in front of your mirror and practice.

A little every day.

Before you know it, your little finger flicks will be as powerful as a flick from Dumbledore's elder wand.

And if you'd like some extra help...

...a chance to practice your worshipful hand-waiving...

...I hope you'll consider joining me and a few friends in an upcoming hymn conducting workshop.

It's not official yet, but you can click the link below to sign up for the waitlist.

https://douglaspew.ck.page/6c95a4c00d

In the next few weeks, I'll have my act together enough to make it official.

Until then, keep practicing!

Have a good one,

Doug

Mr. Carson raises the bar in congregational hymn leading (part 2 of 3)

Now, armed with the steady gaze and communicative brows of the butler we discussed yesterday...

...here's a link in case you missed it...

...you're ready to follow Mr. Carson's lead in raising the bar in your Sacrament Meeting hymn leading.

Tip #2 from this majestic manservant comes directly after he raises his bushy brows to get his player's attention.

There's a swift upward motion of the right hand.

A motion that seems so simple as to be unimportant.

But it turns out, this upward motion is even more crucial than perhaps any other motion in all conducting of any kind...

...be it hymn leading, marching band directing, or symphony conducting.

It's the "preparation" gesture.

Now, if ever there was a pregnant moment of movement in all music-making...

...a movement poised to deliver...

...a movement that on it's own, gives life to the entire musical experience...

...it is the "preparation" gesture.

You almost don't need a downbeat if you get your "preparation" right.

With just an upward swoop, Mr. Carson inspires the players and gives a sudden gush of information they need to make a clean, clear, confident entrance.

The "preparation" communicates tempo, mood, intensity, articulation, dynamics, and more.

All with a simple...

...yet easy to completely botch...

...swoop.

So, what's the secret to getting your "preparation" gesture delivering in this perfectly pregnant musical moment?

Entire sections of conducting books deal with this topic.

It's endlessly intricate, fascinating, and mess-up-able, depending on context.

But here are two tips that often cover up the most common mishaps.

First...

...make note of which beat the congregation enters on.

Is their first word on beat 1, as in "Hark All Ye Nations"?

Do they begin on beat 4, as in "The Spirit of God"?

Or do they enter on the most commonly screwed-up beat in a 4/4 time, beat 2, as in "Be Still My Soul"?

Which ever beat they enter on...

...your first job is...

...when raising your eyebrows for attention...

...and setting your hands at the ready...

...to place your conducting hand (whether you're a righty or a lefty) clearly in the place of the beat that's 2 beats BEFORE the singing begins.

So, if the congregation begins "Hark All Ye Nations" on beat 1, you place and hold your conducting hand "out" where beat 3 lives.

Then, when the organ completes its intro, you give a clear, full of the emotion in which you desire the congregation to sing in, swooping pulse "up" to where beat 4 lives, motion COMBINED with a clear opening of your mouth that says to them... BREATH! And they will. Which means, they'll come in correctly on beat 1.

If the congregation begins "The Spirit of God" on beat 4, you place and hold your conducting hand "in" over the center of your body where beat 2 lives.

Then, when the organ completes its intro, you give a clear, full of the emotion in which you desire the congregation to sing in, swiping pulse "out" to where beat 3 lives, motion COMBINED with a clear opening of your mouth that says to them... BREATH! And they will. And they'll enter on beat 4 without a hitch.

Or, if the congregation begins "Be Still My Soul" on beat 2, you place and hold your conducting hand "up" where beat 4 lives.

Then, when the organ completes its intro, you give a clear, full of the emotion in which you desire the congregation to sing in, bouncing pulse "down" to where beat 1 lives, motion COMBINED with a clear opening of your mouth that says to them... BREATH! And they will. And they'll have no trouble entering on beat 2.

Second...

...and though this is simpler to explain...

...often escapes the memory of music leaders and conductors of all shapes and sizes...

...you take a few moments to think through a few bars of the music you're about to lead.

Because even in conducting it is true, that by small and simple things, great things are brought to pass.

You set the tempo in your mind.

You feel the mood with which you desire the singing to take shape.

In other words, you do as was done in creating the world.

You create it first in spirit, in your mind.

Of course it helps that you have an organist giving you an introduction.

But, depending on the organist and your working relationship with them, could make this even more difficult because what you have in your mind may be VERY different from what they have in their mind.

So, just give a steady glance at the organist during your "preparation" beat, and a few beats thereafter, to make sure you're on the same page.

Here's the video of Mr. Carson once again.

Take a close look at how all of what's explained above happens literally in 1 second.

Like I said, small and simple things. Great things coming to pass.

(click here to watch)

Come back tomorrow for the las of Mr. Carson’s hymn leading tricks.

Take care,

Doug

Downton Abbey's sacrament meeting conducting lesson (part 1 of 3)

When conducting the hymns, what makes for a solid start?

How can you be sure you've got the congregation's attention?

Even with the least inspired start, the congregation usually finds its way a few bars in.

But it's nice to have a crisp, clean, confident start to the hymn singing.

How can you, as the music leader...

...not the chorister...

...choristers are adolescent sopranos in an Anglican church choir...

...begin with precision and clarity?

Well, you need look no further than the esteemed butler of Downton Abbey for the answer.

When Mr. Carson gave the downbeat to kick off lady Rose's ball in season 4, episode 9 of Downton Abbey...

...I'm not ashamed to admit how much I love this show...

...he gave 3 great tips to all music leaders of congregational music.

Hopefully you've been practicing the "pendulum in the mirror" technique I shared last week (here's a link in case you missed it).

Keep that going.

It never becomes redundant.

And it's the perfect preparation for the 2nd and 3rd of Mr. Carson's excellent tips.

But first, watch carefully what Mr. Carson does to prepare, in this case, his string players.

This is the perfect way to get your congregation ready too.

It all comes down to a "call to attention" with 2 sweeps of his bushy eyebrows and a strategic positioning of the hands.

With that, the players, or in your case, the congregational singers, will be ready to receive your instructions, in your time, with the emotional energy you put into the next split-second movements.

All in a few bushy eyebrows and hand positions.

Take a look...

(click here to watch)

Did you see it?

First, he made clear eye contact with the musicians and with a swift rise and fall of his eyebrows, he communicated... "it's time to make some music."

Then, he raised both hands and returned his voluminous brows to the "up and ready" position.

Excellent work, Mr. Carson!

A whole lot happens with purposeful eye contact, eyebrows, and subtle hand positioning, even when you feel far removed from you congregation up on the stand.

But it works, every time.

So, I recommend you add this to your practice routine.

Try some purposeful eye contact with your kids, or pets.

See how much more they pay attention to you with some strategic eyebrow movements.

And then come back tomorrow for the 2nd of Mr. Carson's regal conducting tips.

Have a good one!

Doug

Volunteer church musician's search for meaning

Recently I re-listened to Victor Frankel's incredibly important book, "Man's Search for Meaning."

It's always an impactful, overwhelming experience.

But for some reason, this time through, I kept thinking about finding meaning in the musical service we do in the church.

One particular way...

...which turns out to be very, very easy to bring to pass...

...no matter what level of skill, education, sophistication, or experience you have as a musically interested person...

...is something I recommend anyone conducting the congregation in hymn singing consider.

Now, I hope you've started your daily "Practice In The Mirror" routine I discussed yesterday.

Trust me, it works!

And here's something else that works wonders, especially when working to find meaning in your musical service...

Taking the time to study the text.

"Yeah, yeah... okay Brother Pew... I know. I pretty sure I know the texts fairly well. I've only been singing them my entire life."

Well, maybe so.

But I think you'd be surprised, as I have, to find deeper insights into the delivery, the end result, and the emotional and spiritual affect a careful study of the text can have on a congregation.

In fact, if all you did was take a close look at some of the meaningful commas...

...you might be surprised just how special a little pause in your congregational conducting...

...assuming you've had a chat with the organist beforehand and you're on the same page...

...can have.

Take hymn #193, "There Is A Green Hill Far Away."

Verse 4 has one of my favorite commas in the entire hymnal.

It's the comma after the 1st "dearly" right at the start of the verse.

It gives just a split second of reflection before the repetition of "dearly."

For me, this subtle millisecond of a pause opens depths I wasn't considering before.

And it happens every time I sing it. It NEVER gets old.

It actually get's MORE meaningful to me each time.

Now, I'm NOT saying that every single comma deserves extra attention like this.

But, without reading through, thinking through, pondering the meaning of a text like this one, we can potentially, and inadvertently WITHHOLD what could possibly be the special spiritual moment someone is praying for that day.

Just that little bit of thoughtfulness before conducting goes SO far SO often.

And here's something else I've been rather thoughtful about lately...

I also mentioned this yesterday...

But I'd love to be more helpful to you as far as leading the music in church (at home or in the chapel or elsewhere) goes.

And so I'm considering a live, multi-week hymn conducting Virtual Workshop

If this is something you'd be interested in joining, please click the link below and sign up for the waitlist.

https://douglaspew.ck.page/6c95a4c00d

If it's not that intersting, no worries.

I'd rather wait and see if this would be helpful to you before launching in.

But, why not?

It could be fun.

That's all for today.

Keep up that pendulum practicing in the mirror.

Take care,

Doug

Home church arguments continue... at least in my house...

I don't know about you and your family...

...but in our house, there's a constant "home church" battle for who gets to conduct the hymns each Sunday.

And the arguments don't stop even while we're all supposed to be singing.

"No! 4/4's like this!"

"It's not like THAT... it's like THIS!"

"Can't you guys just SING for crying out loud?"

"It's simple... Floor. Door. Window... NO! Don't touch the Sacrament!"

"... to guide us in these latter..."

"Stop! It's MY turn!"

"I give up! I'm going inactive."

It appears that home-church conductors are just as apt to fall victim to the pride cycle as Nephites.

Well, you know how conductor's can be...

All this drama made me think about the drama that can go on inside the heads of even a sensible adult's mind when confronted with a challenging hymn to conduct.

And why not take some time while you're safely AWAY from your regular every-Sunday large congregation to work on a few simple techniques?

Now, this is gonna hurt a little...

...but, I promise...

...it's really gonna help you in the end.

"Hurt? What are you talking about?"

I'm talking about a regular, daily practice I want you to get in the habit of, at least for the next little while.

It's ALMOST as bad as hearing a recording of your own voice. I really hate that myself...

Maybe it's even MORE painful.

What I'm referring to is...

...practicing a few simple techniques in the mirror.

Yes!

You need to see yourself practicing so you can see what's working and what's not.

And here's your tip for today...

Stand in front of your mirror and practice using your conducting arm (leftie or rightie, doesn't really matter) as a pendulum.

And here's the trick.

Think of a GIANT pendulum.

50 feet high.

With a massive bolder at the base.

In your imagination, visualize how the arm swings all the way out to one side.

It slows as it reaches the extreme to the right.

It speeds up as gravity pulls it back the other direction through an invisible "center" point and swings to the extreme left.

And BACK... and FORTH... and BACK... and FORTH... and FEEL... the WEIGHT... of EACH... and EV... ry SWING... from LEFT... to RIGHT...

This is GREAT practice that even the MOST experienced conductors benefit from.

This is probably THE most important fundamental you can work on.

Sure, there are LOTS of other techniques.

And I'll send some more helpful guides.

But I recommend doing a bit of this pendulum practice each morning in the mirror.

Maybe just after you've finished showering and getting ready for the day.

Take a minute.

Close the door.

Nobody's looking.

And RIGHT... and LEFT... and FEEL... the WEIGHT... of GRA... vi TY... that PULLS... your BOUL... der RIGHT... and LEFT... a GAIN...

I wish I had some tips to help the arguing stop.

I'll keep praying about that one, or my house might spontaneously combust.

Anyway, I hope you have a great day!

Doug

P.S. Haha! Am I the only one whose head is swinging from SIDE... to SIDE... still?

Question for you...

Would it help if we had a few classes in conducting the hymns?

Our new hymn arranging classes on Zoom are SO fun!

We could easily put together a conducting class too.

Would that be of any interest to you?

If you don't mind, hit reply and let me know.

Thanks!

And NOW... I'll TRY... to STOP... my SWING... ing HEAD... from SIDE... to SIDE...

"The aim and final end of all music..."

Several friends have recently been twisting my arm...

...hard enough for me to finally listen.

So, I have a fun announcement to make.

But I'll get to that in just a sec.

First, a quote from my musical hero of all hero's, J.S. Bach, who said...

"The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God!"

That's one of my favorite quotes.

And it's the center of all I do when writing music.

So, what have you been working on during lockdown?

Have you started any new Sacrament Meeting music projects?

Maybe you've been practicing a new piece for church, whenever we get back to congregating in chapels?

I've been writing a couple of things, and practicing a few things too.

If you're writing a new arrangement or original work... and if you could use a little help... I hope you'll take a minute to consider getting this 341 page practical guide to hymn writing."

It's only volume 1 of 3. But it's my own picking apart of the first 100 hymns in our LDS hymnal.

This is a compliation of daily posts I published back at the end of 2018.

Now you can access all 341 pages in one, easy to access PDF for just $39.

It was a total accident, but I'm pretty tickled that this fit into exactly 341 pages, the same number of hymns in the 1985 hymnal... not that this matters at all.

But, anyway, if you've got some time and are working on your next hymn, I think these reveiws could really help you.

​https://douglaspew.thrivecart.com/dr-pews-hymn-reviews-vol-1/​

And now that this is out of the way..

...I'll get back to the announcement.

My LDS hymn reviews will SOON be returning! Woohoo!

BUT...

They will NOT be in blog/written form.

I'm still working out the details of these audio... and possibly even video reviews... but I'll let you know soon how they'll work.

Hope you have a great day!

Doug

My favorite line of text in the entire hymnal

"What's your favorite hymn?" is a difficult question.

"What's your favorite hymn text?" is, I find, even more difficult.

I know I've been guilty of not spending enough time reading, studying, pondering, considering the meaning of the texts our hymns are set to.

But what a course in doctrine, human emotion, and powerfully helpful brainworms they can be in times of crisis and need.

Just the thought of the opening lines of Hymn 140, "Did You Think To Pray" remind me so vividly of my Grandma Pew. Each time I sing it, floods of memories return. I can hear her sweet little grandma voice asking me if I say my prayers every day. I can hear her telling me how much she loved Jesus.

Eliza R. Snow's are particular favorites of mine.

Especially texts like "Behold, the Great Redeemer Die."

I love the texts of the Sacrament hymns because they depict Christ's atonement with varying and delicious ways that, when combined with music, bring new appreciation.

"There is a Green Hill Far Away" always bowls me over.

Just the thought of it now as I type gives me those tingling feelings from the Spirit.

How simple, how clear, how moving. And isn't Christ's Atonement the most simply beautiful, moving thing ever?

"We may not know, we cannot tell, what pain he had to bear. But we believe it was for us He hung and suffered there."

Mmm! Maybe it's the juxtaposition of brutal hanging and suffering mixed with tender flowing music.

But my favorite line of text in any hymn...

Which also happens to be my favorite hymn musically as well...

It's the end of the 2nd verse of hymn 197, "O Savior, Thou Who Wearest a Crown."

In 11 words, the depth and meaning of the Lord's sacrifice is on great display...

"The very foes who slay thee have access to thy grace."

Every time I sing it, I see Judas with his betraying kiss, his 30 pieces of silver.

I see the men hammering nails.

I imagine those immortal words, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

And when combined with Bach's stirring music, which slips back and forth between D major and B minor, depicting both the beauty and the terror of that eternal sacrifice...

I swoon, and I feel so grateful.

While we continue to have home church, though we may miss the traditional singing of hymns with organ and our congregations around us, we can still have moving moments of inspiration from the hymns.

In fact, I wonder if these moments can be even more special now.

This Sunday, I'm going to take the time to study at least one hymn text with my family during our private Sacrament Meeting.

We love to sing in our house, but I want to make sure the kids grasp the full experience. That they make the connection between music and words, gospel meaning and auditory vibration.

Perhaps you too can have a special moment of focus in the hymns with your family.

When you do, I'd love to hear about them.

Please let me know what you experience. I'd love to hear your stories.

Well, that's all for today.

I hope you have a lovely weekend and find comfort in the texts of these and other hymns.

Best,

Doug

You still up?

Not sure the "Writing Your Hymn Arrangement With Dr. Pew" class is right for you?

Feeling like it's either above you or beneath you?

I understand the worry.

But let me re-assure you...

You'll get the chance to send me your work each week for 8 weeks.

No matter what level you're at, I will personally assist you as you write your hymn arrangement.

It can be as simple, or as difficult as you like.

I promise, if you have a bit of ability at playing the hymns, or at writing music at all, I can help you take the next step in your journey.

So, if you'd like to give it a try, now's the time.

The registration shuts down in just about an hour.

Here's the link:

​https://douglaspew.thrivecart.com/writing-your-hymn-arrangement-with-doug/​

Best,

Doug

Last day to join "Write Your Hymn with Doug" class

Tomorrow is the beginning of this fun, last minute idea I had early last week.

If you'd like to join us for the "Write Your Hymn with Doug" class, today's the last day to do so.

Tonight I'm going to shut down registration.

We'll spend 8 weeks together and I'll share with you my best secrets of hymn arranging. They kinds that got me published very early and led to my entrance in grad school, a Fulbright scholarship, and more.

I'm sure you could learn these on your own. But why waste 8 or 9 years when you can spend 8 weeks and cut to the chase?

Classes begin tomorrow, May 8th, at 2 p.m. mountain time on Zoom.

And for those who already signed up...

...make sure you check your email.

I sent you details for how to sign on to our zoom class and our private FB group.

So, if you're ready to work with me and write a gorgeous hymn arrangement, just click the link beow.

​https://douglaspew.thrivecart.com/writing-your-hymn-arrangement-with-doug/​

I'm super excited to get started!

See you soon,

Doug