MUS 1831 – Applied Organ

Instructor: Dr. Pam Dennis Office: Luther L. Gobbel Library

Office Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Classroom: Chapel

Credit: 1 hour

Course objective: To provide beginning instruction in the technique of organ playing. Skills to be taught include the use of manual and pedal technique, concepts behind playing hymns and accompanying anthems, and an introductory discussion of ornamentation, improvisation, free accompaniments, and resources for service music and special services (weddings/funerals). By the end of the term, the student will be able to play a hymn and simple service music for a campus chapel service.

Required text: Roger E. Davis - Organists Manual: Technical Studies and Selected Compositions for the Organ

Lesson: There will be one lesson per week on the chapel’s organ. The student is expected to practice 3-5 hours per week, with the mastery of actual organ pieces beginning in the third week.

Weekly Schedule (flexible according to progress of student):

Week 1 -

Manuals – Attack and Release and Legato – pp. 3-4

Read and play pp. 18-19

Pedal – Exercise 1 on p. 20

Week 2 –

Manuals – Finger Independence – pp. 5-6

Pedal – Alternate Toes – pp. 20-22

Week 3 –

Manuals – Finger Crossing – pp. 7-8

Pedal – Toe and Heel – pp. 22-23

Begin working on manuals pieces

Week 4 –

Manuals – Substitution – pp. 9-10

Pedal – Toes and Heels, Feet Together – pp. 24-25

Discuss Registration

Week 5 –

Manuals – Glissando – pp. 11-12

Pedal – Alternate Toes, Wider Intervals – p. 26

Week 6 –

Manuals – Finger Extension – pp. 13-14

Pedal – Alternate Toes, Broken Chords – p. 27

Read about fingering – pp. 52-54

Manual/pedal exercises – pp. 96-98

Week 7 –

Manuals – repeated notes – pp. 15-16

Read about repeated notes – pp. 42-44

Pedal – Toe and Heel – p. 28

Manual/pedal exercises – 96-98

Hymn playing – pp. 178-179

Mid-term grades due – February 21

Week 8 –

Pedal – Toe and Heel, Interval of the Third – p. 29

Pedal exercise #1 – p. 37

Read about Phrasing – pp. 45-48

Manual/pedal pieces and hymns (Lent/Easter)

Week 9 –

Pedal – Repeated Notes and Substitution – pp. 30-31

Pedal solo – either Pedal solo #2 (p. 38) or Boud’s Pedaling Through China

Spring Break (March 12-16)

Week 10 –

Pedal – Foot Crossings – p. 32

Begin studying ornamentation

Weeks 11-14 –

More pieces and hymns