Making Music

One Step at a Time

Learning to play four-part hymns in this manner requires a great deal of attention to the release of the key. It may not be wise to aspire to this level of hymn playing in the first few months of organ study. Instead, give yourself time to master the listening skills you will need to play musically by applying them in simpler contexts, such as in single melody lines, in duos, and in trios:

• PRECISE RELEASES (touch: first legato and “measured” detachments; later the various forms of non-legato)
• PERFECT LEGATO (especially when other parts are detaching)
• INDEPENDENCE OF LINE (playing up to three parts independently with the two hands, at the same time that the feet play another part)