Francis Knights offers much food for thought about Bach’s deft handling of thematic material in pedal parts. Many examples show us how the simplification of thematic and motivic ideas, in order to make them playable by the feet, was a well-honed and strategic skill. The alteration of musical content in the lowest part frequently raises questions as to what Bach expected of players, and adaptation methods can also help us to assess what may or may not be an actual pedal part.

RCO Accredited Teacher, Anne Marsden Thomas, has curated a major new series of films for everyone involved in organ teaching. A summary of the series with links to all the films can be found here.

Three films presented by Anne Marsden Thomas covering the teaching of pedal and manual technique, including remedies and resources for common problems encountered by organ teachers.

As of last week, organists within the Church of England were allowed access to church buildings again, for organ practice, under new government guidance.  So we hope it’s not too optimistic to focus this week on pedalling technique, for organists who may be moving back to a pedalboard for the first time in many months; with advice on how to start playing again, and pedals-only music.

In this video, Richard Brasier investigates how Fernando Germani’s Organ Method offers advice on, and exercises for, acquiring a secure and articulate pedal technique. He discusses four key areas of pedal technique – attack and release, foot positioning, ankle flexibility and foot substitution.

This video, written and presented by Andrew Cantrill, is an introduction to the pipe organ for those less familiar with the instrument.  Andrew demonstrates the sounds of the organ, how the instrument is constructed, and how it is played.  You can learn more by downloading the reading list.

In this video Jonathan Bunney introduces the essentials of developing a pedal technique on the organ, discussing foot position and action, pivoting, and learning to find the notes.

This download from the RCO Academy covers aspects of teaching technique to students, including posture, pedalling, and playing legato.  It addresses bad habits, particularly those that have been acquired initially on the piano, and suggests remedies, and includes a list of books for developing organ technique. Technique how to teach it This article originally appeared […]