In General

3. In MEDITATIVE HYMNS, stops from the flute chorus might be substituted in place of principal stops to minimize sharpness, especially at the 4' or the 2' level.

Pipe voicing varies much from organ to organ. If the principal at some pitch level is too sharp or heavy, it might be replaced by a clear flute, a hybrid (or string), or a flute and a hybrid (or string) combined.

Most organists consider the principal 8' and 4' stops “givens” for hymn registration. The 4' principal will frequently be rather strong, particularly when it is unified with the 8' principal. This lends a very bright quality to any combination in which it is used. In a meditative hymn, where such brightness may not be desirable, the 4' principal might be replaced by a clear 4' flute.

Any such replacement of a principal stop for congregational accompaniment should be used only if there is still enough strength in the combination to lead the congregation. This should be considered an exceptional circumstance, and then only for the more meditative hymns.