The Procedure
The basic procedure for building a trio/duo combination is not as straightforward as for solo and accompaniment:
- First, register the hymn melody or the most prominent part. We will call this the “first part.” (As an alternative, assign your first-choice stop or combination to one of the parts, which then becomes the “first part.”)
- Second, determine its relationship with the other two parts, and the general relationship between all parts. Choose a stop or combination with appropriate levels of balance and contrast to a second part.
- Finally, register the third part with appropriate levels of balance and contrast.
The rest of this lesson focuses in more detail on the procedure described above. Finally, a few examples demonstrate how trio/duo registration might be applied under various circumstances.