The Sing! Hymnal, Lay-Flat Edition with Chords - Musician Edition

In this review of The Sing! Hymnal, Lay-Flat Edition with Chords the bottom line is simple: this is a hymn collection built for worship leaders and accompanists who need readability and practical layout. The reviewers found it most valuable for pianists and guitarists leading congregational song because the generous 8' x 11' pages and wire binding let the book lie flat on a stand, while the enlarged text and chord symbols above the staff make following lyrics and harmony easier in live settings. It reads like a working tool rather than a display book.

Key Features

• Lay-flat wire binding: Allows the hymnal to lie flat on a piano or music stand so pages stay open during services without constant handling.
• Generous page size: The 8' x 11' pages provide larger notation and lyrics, reducing eye strain when leading worship at a distance.
• Chords above the staff: Chord symbols placed above the music help guitarists and pianists quickly find harmony changes while accompanying congregational singing.
• Enlarged text: Bigger lyrics and hymn titles improve readability for worship leaders and volunteer musicians during rehearsals and services.
• Curated hymn selection: Compiled by Keith and Kristyn Getty and collaborators, the collection blends classic and contemporary hymns aligned with the broader Sing! Hymnal suite for cohesive liturgical use.

Who It's For

The Sing! Hymnal, Lay-Flat Edition is ideal for worship leaders, accompanists, and church musicians who need a durable, easy-to-read resource for weekly services. Its layout benefits pianists and guitarists who commonly sight-read or provide accompaniment from a stand, and teams that follow the broader Sing! liturgical materials will appreciate the alignment.

This edition is less necessary for casual home study or collectors who prefer a bound book for shelf display; those users might prefer a standard hardcover or compact edition if portability or aesthetics are the priority.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Lay-flat wire binding keeps pages open without damage, making live use smoother.
• 8' x 11' format and enlarged text enhance readability from a short distance at the piano or on a stand.
• Chord symbols above the staff give quick access to harmony for accompanists in worship settings.
• Thoughtful hymn selection by the Gettys and collaborators fits congregational worship and liturgy.

Cons

• Wire-bound lay-flat design is practical but less elegant for display or personal shelving.
• At 8' x 11' the size makes it less convenient to carry for travel compared with smaller hymnals.

Specifications

Edition	Lay-Flat Edition with Chords
Binding	Wire binding (lay-flat)
Page size	8' x 11' pages
Text features	Enlarged text with chord symbols above the staff
Curators	Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, John Martin, Dan Kreider, Douglas Sean O'Donnell
Intended use	Worship leading and musician accompaniment

Our Verdict

The Sing! Hymnal, Lay-Flat Edition with Chords is a practical, well-considered resource for church musicians and worship leaders who prioritize functionality and readability. Its lay-flat binding, larger pages, and chord placement make it a good value for regular congregational use, though those seeking a decorative volume or maximum portability may prefer other editions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this edition include chords for guitar and piano?
Yes. Chord symbols are placed above the staff to assist guitarists and pianists in accompaniment.

Will the book stay open on a music stand?
Yes. The wire lay-flat binding and the larger 8' x 11' pages are designed to remain open while in use on a piano or stand.

Is this the same content as other Sing! Hymnal editions?
Content is aligned with the Sing! Hymnal suite, but this edition is specifically formatted for musicians with enlarged text and chords.