Question:
I have been playing acoustic for quite some time now and playing chords in many forms and progressions are generally not a problem. Have even played in some worship bands. Give me the chord charts and I got it. No problem.
Until recently. The band leader wanted to play some hymns. I was given a photocopy of somes songs from the hymnal (circa 1965) which obviously contains no guitar chords or references.
Is there a trick or an easy way to play along to some degree. I ask this because often we are given the songs with little prep/practice time. I could probably get it if I had a couple hours to work through the theory. Which BTW my music theory stinks (I have no brain for it).
Thanks for any help or suggestions!!

Answer:
First, search the 'net and see if there is a guitar chord chart of the hymn available.
Second (and please don't neglect this even if you find every chart you need and they're free), get familiar with the basics of music notation reading: notes on the staff, keys, and timing.
This may be made easier for you if you do already know the song in the particular key that it's in on the sheet music as you can extract the notes from your guitar neck and identify them on the staff.
Third, go to Cyberhymnal.com and listen to the midi file of the hymn. If you have a good ear then this route may be the higher priority for you than the other two I mentioned. You may even be able to go so far as to download the midi file, translate it to proper notation and print yourself a lead sheet from there but that's dependant on how much work you wish to do and what kind of software you have to translate midi to chart (I think Print Music does this but I'm not positive).
Hope this helps.
Answer:
It does. I think the best option for me is your #2 and basically just to study. We often are given the music at 8:30 a.m. run through the set once, work out any special music scheduled, then the service starts. I guess if I study the theory enough I will be able to pick out what to play much faster.
Thanks for the other suggestions/resources!!
Answer:
Originally Posted by forresal We often are given the music at 8:30 a.m. run through the set once, work out any special music scheduled, then the service starts.
Wow. No offense but to me that is one of the most wreckless and inappropriate ways of rehearsing music for church.
Maybe I don't have to tell you that.
Except for the very best studio musicians that I know, few people would be able to worship in that kind of atmosphere due to having to study the chart in front of them.
Anyway, I'll hop off of the soapbox and go for a walk...
Answer:
Don't worry about the soapbox. I fully agree and there have been hints about the team that the music director is on the way out.
In slight defense, many of the songs are generally well known songs and we have played them on numerous occassions. It is often the "hymn wrench" so to speak that is the real problem.
We often get the music on Weds or Thurs before with a "practice" tape. So the musicians have the charts but not a true rehearsal time is set....reason is still a mystery to me.
But all in all there is no excuse for poor service prep. This I believe true no matter how well rehearsed or skilled the individuals are...always need full ensemble prep.
Answer:
It would be impossible for me to just look at a hymnal sheet and bust out guitar chords.
We have this thing that is unfortunantly not printed anymore, but it is just a guitar hymnal. Chords right above the music.
Answer:
You'd mainly look at the piano left hand, and usually search for triads to flag down what the chord probably is. Sometimes the bottom note will be the root, but often it's just a transitory bass note.