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I have been questioned a few times for easy to sing Catholic hymns that can be sung and played during Mass. While there is a plethora of liturgical music out there, Latin, English, Spanish, you name it, it can be hard to narrow down what is actually a simple, beautiful piece of hymnody.
We all want music that we can learn quickly, intone seamlessly, and play without too much effort. If that is where your skill level or music ministry situation is, this list will be particularly helpful for you.
Or, perhaps you are looking for easy Catholic hymns as backups for when you need an extra Communion hymn, a last-minute change has occurred, or if you are dealing with fewer choir members or cantors because of a global pandemic.
If this describes you and your situation, let’s get going on setting some criteria and discovering the kind of music liturgy that is out there!
Note: I got most of these ideas from Catholic choir directors and musicians just like you! So these are sure to be tried and true selections to check out and implement if they work for you and your singers!
Overview/Background:
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Cons:
Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 4
There are some jumps within the melody that may be difficult for singers and the assembly to navigate. It also contains many different types of rhythms, a few non-key tones, and many chord changes.
I am not familiar with this hymn, but it is a lovely setting! Definitely fits in my list of easy to sing Catholic hymns.
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Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 2
A few interval jumps in the melody, but none that cannot be learned well and overcome. The melody is not high, though added options of a descant can add interest and beauty.
One I am unfamiliar with, but very pleasant!
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Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 4
This seems to be a classic American hymn that is included in every hymnal I know. It may not have the most Catholic roots, but it still is a nice song that many people love. Nevertheless, how you feel about it, it can be played with 4 simple chords and most people in your assembly will know it!
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Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 3
This song has been a classic for parishes I have sung in all my life. But you must keep the tempo upbeat and bouncy for it to be fun for the assembly to sing, too. Dragging the tempo or not singing it with joy will kill the nature of the whole song.
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Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 4
Based on the number of chord changes for players (especially if you do both playing and singing, I give it a rating of 4. Just singing purposes, it is entirely doable by anyone. The nice rhythm and note patterns that are in this song make it pleasant to both play and sing.
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Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 5
A beautiful short setting to use for Communion, offertory, or a Psalm. This would be perfect for a singer who has some experience in reading music, and of course, a little practice will make it easy for anyone. I upped the difficulty rating because of the number of chord changes and the offbeat entrances for the singers.
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Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 5
With some practice, any beginner singer will put this on their easy to sing Catholic hymns list. It is a beautiful hymn that I am unfamiliar with, but one I kind of wish my parish would adopt! I might have to make some new suggestions for the organists.
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Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 4
This song is a great choral rendition of Matt Maher’s rock-like version. It can sound very reverent and sacred when sung and played the right way. It might be time to try something like this in my parish, too!
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Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 4
This song is a beautiful slow song to use during meditation or Communion. A singer may have a hard time navigating some of the dotted rhythms, but the melody is definitely doable and can be learned along with everything else.
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Difficulty Rating (out of 10): 4
This hymn would work well as an easy to sing Catholic hymn for the Easter season. The assembly as well as the choir would enjoy singing it.
I think so. Start by picking out a few from these 10 songs that you could incorporate into your Masses. Once you have learned those as a singer (or an accompanist), you can go on and learn other easy to sing Catholic hymns.
There is a little bit of everything for singers, a bit of classic, a bit of slow, a bit of faster, and all very doable for beginner singers and those who have trouble reading music.
This list will also be helpful for music directors who need to have unison choir pieces that sound great but are super easy to sing!
I love helping with your needs; so let me know what you favorite easy to sing Catholic hymns are, and I will be happy to add them to this list.
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