Hymn Project 2: Helps and Hints

“Silent Night” (Stille Nacht)

PEDAL. This hymn uses a toes-only pedaling on sharps and naturals. As the right foot switches between F and E-flat, be sure to go far enough to avoid the E-natural. Find the low F in measure 11 by brushing lightly over A-flat and G-flat, letting them guide you to F. Then use heel-arch contact to find the final B-flat.

INDEPENDENCE. See the example used earlier in this lesson.

REPEATED NOTES. As in other slow-moving hymns, you may wish to lengthen the first note of a repeated pair slightly and shorten the break between them.

PHRASING. Using an eighth rest between phrases works well. The text requires different phrasing in each verse. Always be aware of which verse you are playing, using breaks or slurs as needed to help clarify the text.