Balance, Posture, and Relaxation

Reducing Motion

Most organists consider reducing motion to be one of the most important principles of good organ playing. Because depressing the key with greater or lesser force will not produce a louder or softer tone, less motion is required above the key at the organ than at the piano. Dynamic variations and shadings are achieved at the organ in other ways.

As a result:

• Large motions that do not influence the timing of the attack or release are usually a waste of motion.
• Efficient fingering and pedaling techniques that require less motion to execute are favored over those that require more motion.
• Failing to reduce motion can lead to stiff, mechanical playing.