In General

2. The PRINCIPAL CHORUS should form the basis for registration in congregational singing.

The harmonics created by the principal pipe cover a fuller spectrum in greater balance than those of the flute, string, hybrid, or reed pipe. Although stops from any of these other families might be added, principal stops should be used as the foundation in congregational hymn accompaniment.

Most organists consider the principal 8' and 4' stops “givens” for hymn registration. If the 4' principal is too bright, it might be replaced by a flute, but this should be considered an exceptional circumstance, and then only for the more meditative hymns.