Topmusicanswers
- Are church hymns copyrighted?
- How do you structure a hymn?
- Can a church broadcast music?
- What is the main instrument used in a hymn?
Are church hymns copyrighted?
Churches must always have permission to distribute lyrics and sheet music for copyrighted songs, including during worship services. Purchasing and using hymnals is one way to comply with copyright law—the cost of licensing the lyrics and sheet music is included in the cost of hymnals.
How do you structure a hymn?
Those hymns that are not free verse follow a format that easily sets them apart from other songs. The use of stanzas is one distinct way to identify a hymn. The lyrics of a hymn are broken up into verses or stanzas; most hymns have about 3 or more verses, but sometimes they can have as many as seven verses.
Can a church broadcast music?
Churches cannot broadcast the music component of their services, whether on television, on the radio, or online, without paying for a license.
What is the main instrument used in a hymn?
In ancient and medieval times, string instruments such as the harp, lyre and lute were used with psalms and hymns. Since there is a lack of musical notation in early writings, the actual musical forms in the early church can only be surmised.
