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So this month we had a great hymn, chosen by a great woman – my wife. This has always been one of my favorite hymns since singing it with a group of the best missionaries in the world in Santana, Amapá – Brasil. (I mean how could you not experience great music in a place called Santana?) Interestingly enough, there is not (or at least not at the time) a portuguese version of this hymn. So we sang it in English. Since no one ever sings all the verses, we did. My absolute favorite part of the hymn is the last few verses where it just repeats “There is no end to …” and names off a bunch of things without end. Powerful.
On with the arrangement…
How can you arrange a song about deep space without some type of travel sequence? So the intro is the “Hie” part, slight speeding up but then slowing down as you arrive at Kolob. That’s when I wanted to strip it down and just make it simple, humble, majestic and reverent. It’s kind of an awestruck moment, as if to say, “Whoa, there it is.”
The second verse “continues onward with that same speed to fly.” It’s gathering momentum for the final verse which is in my mind, the creation verse. I tried to make the guitar as big as possible and mimic a orchestral march as you witness “where God’s began to be” in all of its glory and are taking in the “there is no end to …” sections of the hymn. It continues to build until it gets to the little change in each verse in which it then slows down and cranks up the volume as loud as it will go.
The outro is then pulling back from it all and coming back out of that vision. If the intro was the “hie-ing” the outro would be the “bye-ing.”
And that’s it. Always been a favorite of mine, but it was definitely a challenge. It’s a hymn that needs to be as small and quite as possible in some parts and then big and loud in others. But that’s what makes it fun to play! But video taping it was a challenge. Sorry I didn’t play it as cleanly as I should have (and for making all those crazy faces. Who knew I looked like that and never told me?). But I’ll do a better job when I finally record these the right way.
Continue reading to watch the lesson video, download the sheet music, or to leave a comment. Thanks for all the comments so far both on the blog and on the Facebook page. I’ve gotten a lot of great insight from everyone that has definitely helped shape where this site is going each month. Thank you again!
blake
Posted at 14:56h, 06 SeptemberI’d pay money to watch you jam the guitar.
Ben Howington
Posted at 03:16h, 07 SeptemberAnd I, Sir, would gladly accept your money to watch me jam :)
Tiffany
Posted at 17:04h, 06 SeptemberThought provoking! Thank you for the time and effort to provide a different aspect of this song.
Ben Howington
Posted at 03:16h, 07 SeptemberThanks, Tiffany!
Mike Hickman
Posted at 19:44h, 07 SeptemberYou top yourself EVERY time. I find myself getting impatient for the next month to get here.
Ben Howington
Posted at 16:25h, 08 SeptemberThanks, Mike! I always appreciate your great feedback!
Anonymous
Posted at 08:21h, 08 SeptemberCould you give a tab for Be “Still My Soul”? I love your arrangement, and I can’t find one anywhere else like it.
Ben Howington
Posted at 08:59h, 08 SeptemberThanks! Yeah, TAB is slated to be posted this week.
Ben Howington
Posted at 17:39h, 11 SeptemberDone. http://www.mormonguitar.com/be-still-my-soul/
Anonymous
Posted at 09:27h, 08 SeptemberThanks!
Patrick Wockenfuss
Posted at 16:04h, 08 SeptemberI’m such a big fan of your music! I play guitar as well, and I’m trying to learn your songs right now, because they are so amazing and spiritual. I was wondering if the time comes when you take song suggestions from followers of your music, if you could do a rendition of “Army of Helaman”? I’m getting ready to serve a mission ( I don’t have my call yet), and I would love to play that before I leave! :)
Ben Howington
Posted at 16:31h, 08 SeptemberFirst off, that is awesome that you A) play guitar B) are learning the songs and C) going on a mission! I’m sure at some point soon we’ll do an audience choice for a month. But my kids are in primary, so there is a pretty good chance that sooner or later they’ll choose that one. Let’s just hope for sooner than later! You can also send me an email address on the contact page and I’ll shoot you an email when it finally is chosen, even if it’s after you’ve left. I know some missions allow you play guitar on them. Thanks again for listening, learning and preparing to serve!
Shiloh
Posted at 18:11h, 09 SeptemberBen. So. Rad.
Ben Howington
Posted at 05:33h, 13 September:)
Brett Knudson
Posted at 12:45h, 12 SeptemberHey Ben,
Just wanted to let you know I am a missionary serving right now in the New York Rochester mission. I am able to watch your videos often and I play guitar myself. I am inspired by them! I never wanted to learn hymns on guitar before now and these have made me want to learn these songs to play for different people I come in contact with throughout my days here. Thank you so much for the awesome and inspiring videos!!
Ben Howington
Posted at 05:32h, 13 SeptemberThanks! I had never really played them much either before this site. I had maybe arranged two or three over the last 10 years, with Be Still My Soul being the most recent. I’m finding just as much joy in the hymns myself. It just seems natural to play them on the guitar :) And thank you for serving a mission! All the best to you!
Ernie Hayes
Posted at 05:30h, 05 NovemberThis is my favorite hymn. Since about 1991.
Ben Howington
Posted at 18:44h, 13 November1991 must have been a good year. Or a really bad year. I’m hoping good.
b-mo
Posted at 19:02h, 09 FebruaryTop 2 all time fav hymns…Thx for the rendition…the passion becomes you well, my friend. Love it.
Lane
Posted at 18:08h, 11 FebruaryMy favorite hymn of all time. I gave each of my kids $100.00 when they mastered it on the piano. They later learned to play the guitar and I watched from afar. The youngest is serving an LDS mission and left the guitar at home, so I started taking lessons. I transcribed my hymn and asked my teacher for a real arrangement. He linked me to you. Wow!! It will take me a very long time to understand and do what you did, but that is why we have eternity. I loved your interpretation and execution. Absolutely beautiful. Thanks.
Aaron Young
Posted at 09:22h, 08 AugustI’m an old dog trying to learn a new trick, playing the guitar! I’ve gotten through the first verse of “If You Could Hie to Kolob” using your video instructions and the Motab, but I’m afraid that at the rate I’m going there may be “no end” to me learning this song. Have you considered compiling your instructional videos onto a DVD for sale? I’ve purchased your CD and I would definitely buy the instructional videos to go along with it. Thanks for sharing your talent I’ve enjoyed it greatly!
Shaun
Posted at 14:17h, 26 AugustGoing through your arrangements again, showing them off to people. I sure enjoyed singing this hymn with you and the other awesome Elders in Santana, Amapá. All Creatures of Our God and King was pretty amazing too, singing in the Fortress of São José. Awesome time with such talented missionaries. Fique firme, Guerreiro!
Todd
Posted at 18:18h, 02 NovemberI just found your website this morning and have listened to everything you have done. do you ever do fire sides? I am really touched by your renditions of these hymns. I think the youth would really be inspired too. families can be together forever brought me to tears. I am so glad your daughter is doing well. Thanks for your music.
Ben Howington
Posted at 10:42h, 13 NovemberThanks Todd! Yes, I do firesides. But I live in North Carolina. So travel can sometimes be a roadblock.
Trey Mance
Posted at 22:51h, 08 DecemberSir
My favorite hymn of all time is “ye elders of Israel” I was just wondering if you could draw up an awesome tab for me to play for my brother, who is going on a mission soon. And send it to my email: hatguyefilm@gmail.com
Thank you for your time.
Austin
Posted at 23:12h, 26 MarchStill cant figure out the Palm Muting part..
Ben Howington
Posted at 23:31h, 26 MarchWhich part are you having trouble with? The Palm muting or making the melody come through?
Austin
Posted at 20:52h, 22 MayPalm muting. How to strum?
Randall Smith
Posted at 10:51h, 27 FebruaryI ran across your site searching for a song to sing in sacrament meeting (accompanied, as I usually do, with my Martin guitar). Your arrangement of Kolob is extraordinary, but I’m equally impressed with the site design and capabilities. The interaction between the video, tablature, controls and even typefaces are beautifully handled. Now I just need to work on a few of those D#7(no5)/E chords.
Karl Sharp
Posted at 05:15h, 23 FebruaryI love this arrangement- it’s awesome as is- but being a metal head, I can’t help but wonder what this would sound like tuned down, like on a 27″ scale baritone acoustic.
Jessica Merris Lance
Posted at 06:34h, 12 AprilBeautiful song