Pentatonic Hymns

I have noticed in my summer travels to worship and music conferences and workshops that whenever musicians gather for worship, singing, and fellowship, they almost always include pentatonic hymns. That has certainly been the case this summer.

Pentatonic hymns and songs are those that are built on the five-note pentatonic scale. On the piano, this consists of the black keys: F#, G#, A#, C#, D#, often with the F# repeated at the top. An example of a pentatonic melody using this scale structure is "Jesus Loves Me," no. 191 in The United Methodist Hymnal, appearing in the pentatonic scale based on C: C, D, E, G, A, (C). You could easily transpose this song to the F# pentatonic scale by playing it on only the black keys of the piano. Thus, a pentatonic hymn may be based upon any foundation note, just as is done with major and minor hymns.

Some pentatonic melodies place the foundation tone in the middle of the scale and start on a different note of the pentatonic scale, such as C#, D#, F#, G#, A#, (C#). Even though the five notes are arranged in a different order, it is still pentatonic. An example of a hymn using this structure is "Amazing Grace," no. 378 in The United Methodist Hymnal, transposed to the pentatonic scale build around a G foundation note: D, E, G, A, B, (D). Other arrangements are also possible.

It is a fascinating fact that cultures widely divergent in time and place have made use of the pentatonic scales in their sacred, art, folk, and popular music. It is found in the music traditions of England; Ireland; Scotland; Northern, Western, and Eastern Europe; North and South America; Africa; Southeast Asia; the Middle East; the Far East; and the Orient. Pentatonic melodies date from the pre-Christian era and are found in modern practice.

For singing Christians, pentatonic hymns provide the delightful experience of being able to sing in a variety of ways.

  • Divided men and women: Have men sustain an open fifth while the women sing the melody. Basses sing "oooh" or "aaah" on a low Ab; tenors on the Eb above; women sing the melody of "How Firm a Foundation" (UM Hymnal no. 529). Switch on a later stanza, with women sustaining the open fifth and men singing the melody below.
  • Sing in canon: Divide the congregation into two, three, four, or more parts and have them sing "How Firm a Foundation," each part entering successively at intervals of four, two, or one measure, just the same as singing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" as a round.
  • Combine different pentatonic melodies: Because they are all built on the same pentatonic pattern, different pentatonic melodies can be sung simultaneously. This sometimes takes some rhythmic adjustment for pick-up notes or different time signatures. Try combining "How Firm a Foundation" (UMH 529), "God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens" (UMH 150), "Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service" (UMH 581), and "Amazing Grace" (UMH 378, changed to 4/4 rather than 3/4 time to match the others), all at the same time. You will also have to synchronize "God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens" with the downbeat rather than the pick-ups of the other three. While this may sound a bit complicated, it really is not; and congregations and choirs will quickly get the hang of it and enjoy it. If you would rather substitute different words for any of these pentatonic tunes, make use of the hymnal's Metrical Index of tunes, pages 926-931.

You will find some helpful indexes of pentatonic hymns found in The Faith We Sing (2000) under the Indices link:

  • Pentatonic Hymns in The Faith We Sing (2000) Listed in Numerical Order
  • Pentatonic Hymns in The Faith We Sing (2000) Listed by Title in Alphabetical Order
  • Pentatonic Hymns in The Faith We Sing (2000) Listed by Tune in Alphabetical Order

And don't forget the children and youth. They will find this kind of singing fun and will take great delight in the resulting harmony and polyphony, just as will the adults.

• • • •

Dean McIntyre ([email protected])is the Director of Music Resources for The United Methodist Discipleship Ministries

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