Syllabus - Music 72
Organ Performance Level 2
(free version)

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Are You Enrolled in the Appropriate Course/Level?
Course Structure
Working Through the Course
Course Materials and Resources
Preparing for the Three Played Assignments
Policies

Course Outcomes

  1. Students will work with a qualified organ teacher locally or online who will offer needed assistance through the course.
  2. Students will increase skill levels in organ technique, organ repertoire, hymn playing, and sight-reading.
  3. Students will gain knowledge in organ registration and music theory.
  4. By applying their new skills and knowledge, students will increase confidence in playing the organ in church service and for their own enrichment.

Are You Enrolled in the Appropriate Course/Level?

Make sure that you are enrolled in the course and level that are right for you. These "Free" versions of Music 71 or 72 share the same general structure as the "Standard" 70-series (Certificate) courses and the 399R-series (College Credit) courses. There are Eleven lessons, each with reading assignments, and three played assignments covering organ technique, repertoire, and hymn playing (and possibly sight-reading). Both versions offer the Quick Review and end-of-lesson tests in the OrganTutor Online registration lessons. Be aware, however, that the following are not offered in the free versions:

The standard "70-series" (Certificate) courses (Music 71-76) offer the same structure as the "399R-series" (College Credit) courses (Music 399R sections 1-6). Both series' share the same lesson structure, quizzes, midcourse and final exams (or "reviews"), played assignments, and student tracking. And they both offer certificates of completion if requested. There are no free versions of Music 73-76.

The courses in the Music 399R series and the "Standard" 70 series differ in three important ways. First, the midcourse and final "exam" format is different - the 399R series includes proctored midcourse and final exams, while the 70 series offers only non-proctored midcourse and final "reviews." Second, only the 399R-series courses offer college credit (between 2 and 5 credits per course). Third, all 70-series courses require the same course fee ($150), while the 399R series courses are higher, depending on the number of credits offered in each course.

You can enter the BYU Independent Study organ courses in either series and at any level - just make sure that your choice fits your level of training and your goals.

Level 2 (Music 399R section 2 or Music 72 [either the standard or free version]) reviews the basics taught in Level 1 and deepens them significantly. Level 2 is designed for those with organ training, but who would benefit from a review of basic legato organ technique, repertoire, hymn playing, and registration. Because Level 2 develops the ability to sight-read two-part music, students should already be able to sight-read single line melodies. Music theory topics covered in Level 2 include harmonic and melodic intervals, numerical classification of intervals, compound intervals, classification of intervals by quality, inversion of intervals, enharmonic intervals, structure of the basic scales, modes, the keynote, structure of the major scale, use of accidentals to form major scales on any note, the minor scales (natural, harmonic, and melodic), diatonic and chromatic intervals, key and tonality, major key signatures, relative keys, minor key signatures, use of accidentals to form the various minor scales, the circle of fifths, enharmonic keys, parallel keys, the tertian system, triads (basic, major, minor, diminished, augmented), and triads generated by major and minor scales.

Level 1 (Music 399R section 1 or Music 71 [either the standard or free version]) offers beginning organ instruction — for pianists with little or no previous formal organ training, or who need help in applying what they have learned in their organ playing. It is also very helpful to those who have played the organ for years but wish to “fill holes” in their organ training. Level 1 covers basic organ technique, early-level repertoire, basic organ registration, and sight-reading single-line melodies. It also begins developing organ accompaniment and transposition skills. Music theory topics covered in Level 1 include the overtone series, musical notation (including note names, clefs, ottava sign, accidentals, enharmonic notes, chromatic scale, whole and half steps) rhythmic concepts (including duple, triple, and quadruple meter; simple and compound time), note values and rest values, metronome indications, tempo indications, and time signatures.

Level 3 (Music 399R section 3 or Music 73) is early intermediate — for those with substantial training and fluency in the basic organ fundamentals listed in Level 2. Level 3 students should feel comfortable with the playing skills and understand the music theory topics covered in Levels 1 and 2. Music theory topics covered in Level 3 include:

Level 4 (Music 399R section 4 or Music 74) is intermediate - for those with substantial training and fluency in the basic organ fundamentals listed in Level 3, including playing organ pieces in both legato and articulate styles. Level 4 students should be able to play easy four-part vocal scores, to sight-read simple three- and four-part organ music and hymns, and to transpose hymn melodies (only) up to and including a major second up and down. Music Theory prerequisites: an understanding of the music theory topics listed under Levels 1-3. Music theory topics covered in Level 4 include:

Level 5 (Music 399R section 5 or Music 75) is early advanced — for those with substantial training and fluency in legato organ technique, repertoire, registration, hymn playing, and in intermediate organ pieces in both legato and articulate styles. Should be able to play moderately difficult four-part vocal scores and easy choir accompaniments, to sight-read three-part pieces with very easy pedal, or easy four-part hymns with slow-moving long-note pedal lines, and to transpose two adjacent parts of hymns into all keys up to and including a major second up and down. Level 5 students should feel comfortable with the playing skills and understand the music theory topics covered in Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 (see below). Music theory topics covered in Level 5 include:

Level 6 (Music 399R section 6 or Music 76) is advanced - for those with substantial training and fluency in the basic organ fundamentals listed in Level 5, and in early advanced organ pieces in both legato and articulate styles. Should be able to play more difficult four-part vocal scores and choir accompaniments, to sight-read more challenging four-part organ music and hymns, and to transpose moderately difficult hymns into all keys up to and including a major second up and down. Music theory prerequisites: an understanding of the music theory topics listed under Levels 1-5 (see below). Music theory topics covered in Level 6 include:

While it may be possible to "catch up" during a course on a few concepts or skills that you may have missed from earlier levels, avoid enrolling in a course that may be too difficult to complete in time (twelve months). If you feel that you have enrolled at the wrong level, contact Independent Study to request a change of course. If you are unsure, you might post a question on the BYU Organ Workshops Facebook Group.

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Course Structure

Lessons

This course consists of eleven lessons and three played assignments. These are described below in the "Working Through the Course" section. The three played assignments must be completed with the help of a Qualified Organ Teacher (see below). The eleven lessons can often be completed through self-study, but your teacher or others may also help you through them as needed.

Qualified Organ Teacher

You should choose a Qualified Organ Teacher (other than your BYU Organ Faculty course instructor) to help you through the requirements of your level. Although this person does not need to be approved by your BYU Organ Faculty course instructor, look for someone who has at least one of the following qualifications:

Make arrangements to meet with your teacher, either in person or online, as often as needed to complete the course in time. Although some can complete the course with only occasional contact with a teacher, most students do their best work when lessons are frequent and regular (i.e., weekly or biweekly). You are responsible to pay the fee required by your chosen teacher directly to them.

There is no Approved Evaluator in the free versions of Music 71 and 72.

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Working Through the Course

The nature of this free course allows you to pick and choose whatever parts of the course to complete; however, we recommend working through the entire course as described below.

In this level the lessons are numbered roughly in the order in which they should be completed. Lesson 1 is a review of basic manual and pedal technique. After that, lesson numbers alternate between registration lessons (Lessons 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 11) and music theory lessons (Lessons 3, 5, 8, and 10). Follow the list below as the general order in which to begin lessons and played assignments. After finishing Lesson 1, you should usually be working on a music theory lesson, an organ registration lesson, and practicing on a played assignment at the same time.

For each lesson, carefully study the reading assignment with the goal of internalizing each concept thoroughly. When you have finished Lesson 1, you can complete the three played assignments in sequence at any time. For information on how to prepare for the played assignments, see “Preparing for the Three Played Assignments.”

Course Completion

Although a certificate of completion is not offered in the free versions of Music 71 and 72, we wholeheartedly congratulate you for working through the course! It takes great discipline to do so, especially when certificates or college credit are not on the line. We encourage you to continue your study into the next level as soon as circumstances permit.

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Course Materials and Resources

Summary: The main textbook for this course contains materials developed for the Group Organ Program at Brigham Young University and for the Independent Study organ courses. Its primary strength lies in the written materials, worksheets, and exercises that cover a wide range of topics of importance to the early-level organist. It is revised frequently to meet the needs of the BYU organ program – including these courses. You and your teacher may wish to use the Davis, Gleason, or Keeler textbooks listed below for alternative exercises and studies that you might prepare for the played assignments.

Required:

The OrganTutor Workbook is the main course text, along with OrganTutor Online. The technique exercises and hymn projects appear in the workbook for practice, but are also demonstrated through video clips on OrganTutor Online. Organ registration and other concepts are illustrated and demonstrated through hundreds of audio clips. For more information, see the OrganTutor Website.

Organ Technique: The Method Books

Use The OrganTutor Workbook and OrganTutor Online as described above. For the organ technique portions of the three played assignments, you may use exercises from The OrganTutor Workbook or from one of the other three texts listed below as an alternative. You may choose any one or a combination of these books from which to play. You may even use another method book with the approval of your local organ teacher, who may have a preference.

In the Organ Technique section of each played assignment you will find charts specifying the particular exercises or studies you need to prepare, according to the book(s) you choose to use. Whatever method book you choose should develop the same concepts and skills listed in those charts using comparable exercises. See Appendix A, “Where to Buy Organ Music.”

Music Theory

The Music Theory portion of this course is divided into four lessons (Lessons 3, 5, 8, and 10), to be studied in order. The text for the music theory portion of Level 2, which was also used in Level 1 and will be used once more in Level 3, is the following:

Basic Materials in Music Theory is a programmed learning text in music theory, designed for self study. Chapters 6 through 10 of this book should be completed during the four Music Theory lessons of Level 2. We will focus on Intervals; The Basic Scales; The Major Scale; The Minor Scales; and Key Signatures.

The theory portion of this course was designed around the ninth edition of this book. Although you may use earlier or later editions, you are responsible to align chapter titles and frame numbers with those given in the course. Because the most recent editions are very expensive, it is recommended that you go online (i.e., Amazon, Ebay) to find and purchase a used ninth edition or later. It will prove useful in Levels 1, 2, and 3.

Organ Repertoire

The four repertoire pieces required in this course should be selected from the list contained in the "Requirements in the Three Played Assignments" page. That list includes pieces found in The OrganTutor Workbook and from other books that can be purchased separately. If you wish, in consultation with your local organ instructor, you may select pieces other than those included on the list. In doing so, be sure to choose pieces that (1) require legato manual and pedal technique, and (2) are simple enough that you will be able to polish in time, but that are more challenging that Level 1 pieces.

Organ Registration

The Organ Registration portion of this course is divided into six lessons (Lessons 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 11), to be studied in order. The OrganTutor Workbook  and OrganTutor Online contain the needed materials in organ registration. Supplemental information may be found in the books listed in Appendix B. Each of the concepts should be thoroughly learned by first studying the sections given in The OrganTutor Workbook and OrganTutor Online, and then by using additional resources as needed.

The lessons from the Music Theory and the Organ Registration sections can and should be studied at the same time. Studying music theory and organ registration together, while practicing one of the played assignments, will offer a varied and well-rounded learning experience in organ playing.

Piano Technique (Not Required)

The following method book is included to indicate the technical and musical skill required at this level, and as a recommendation for piano study concurrent with this level of organ competency. Piano technical study, while recommended, is not required at this level.

Alfred’s Basic Piano Library, Level 3. Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Publishing Co.

BYU Organ Faculty Resources

In addition to the materials you will receive from BYU Independent Study for this level, other resources are available on the BYU Organ Study home page. Make use of this web resource as you continue organ study. It provides interesting organ-related resources, some of which are designed specifically for Independent Study organ students.

You BYU Organ Faculty course instructor, Dr. Don Cook, cannot serve as a direct resource for questions dealing with the subject matter of the free versions of Music 71 and 72. Instead, please use the services of your organ teacher, or the BYU Organ Workshops Facebook Group.

For questions about course procedures and policies, please contact Independent Study through their contact form or by phone (800-914-8931).

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Preparing for the Three Played Assignments

Looking Ahead

Each of the three played assignments consists of up to four sections--organ technique, organ repertoire, hymn playing, and sight-reading. Your instructor can make point ratings for all sections on manual technique, pedal technique, accuracy of notes, and accuracy and steadiness of rhythm as applicable. In addition, they can evaluate certain sections for tempo, registration, musical effectiveness, and line (meaning consistent touch, clean articulation, musical phrasing, parts independent yet cohesive). The Played Assignment Instructions in the course map out exactly what is expected of you in each of the three played assignments. The method books contain the exercises and many of the pieces.

Preparation

Give your qualified organ teacher a copy of the Played Assignment Evaluation Form on which you are working. In this free version of Music 71 or 72 it is recommended that you play the requirements for your teacher as you go. They can teach and offer feedback on your organ technique, organ repertoire, hymns, and sight-reading items specified for that assignment. When you are ready to play each item for a grade, they can record the score on the form and you can move on to the next item. Completing a played assignment usually requires between several weeks and up to four months.

Lesson 1 reviews the essential manual and pedal techniques that set the stage for success in the Played Assignment 1. It will direct you to important topics to study in OrganTutor Online and The OrganTutor Workbook. Complete that lesson first, then begin working through Played Assignment 1. If you choose exercises from The OrganTutor Workbook, you will find helpful written information accompanying each group of exercises, and video demonstrations of those exercises in OrganTutor Online.

As soon as you complete one of the played assignments, Take a moment to celebrate! And then, move on to the next one!

Music 72 (free version) Played Assignment Evaluation Forms

Two versions of each of the three Played Assignment Evaluation Forms are listed below: a .pdf version and a .doc version. The .pdf version is not editable, and is best for printing. The .doc version is editable in MS Word, and may be useful if your teacher wants to keep track of your scores electronically. Click the link you need to open the file, save it on your device, and then attach that file in an email to your teacher. Or print it and deliver it by hand.

Played Assignment 1 Evaluation Form - .pdf (non-editable pdf format)

Played Assignment 1 Evaluation Form - .doc (editable MS Word document)

Played Assignment 2 Evaluation Form - .pdf (non-editable pdf format)

Played Assignment 2 Evaluation Form - .doc (editable MS Word document)

Played Assignment 3 Evaluation Form - .pdf (non-editable pdf format)

Played Assignment 3 Evaluation Form - .doc (editable MS Word document)

Set a goal to successfully complete the course by finishing all eleven lessons and all three played assignments.

Best wishes!

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Course Policies

For information about copyright, use of course content, accommodations, and general policies for Independent Study University courses, please refer to the Independent Study University Course Policies page.