To Inspire More Singing

19. Use MANUAL-ONLY playing as a contrast to constant deep pedal tone. When the second-to-last verse is played manual only, the impact of the pedal entrance on the last verse is increased.

In manual-only hymn playing all four parts are played by the hands. To do this with attention to the listening skills, especially independence of line, is a great challenge to even accomplished pianists and organists. Although good manual-only playing is not a beginning hymn-playing technique, it is worth developing.

The effect of manual-only playing is one of “suspension” or “lightness” as the deep pedal tones are eliminated. As a verse is “lightened” through manual-only playing, the impact of the following verse is increased as the pedal foundation returns.

One great benefit of playing an internal verse of a hymn on a manual only is that no change of registration is required either coming into or going out of the verse. However, the price that must be paid for this benefit is the substantial manual technique required in order to play a four-part hymn well without pedal.