Helps and Hints

Making Registration Changes

Changing registration between verses, between verse and chorus, or even within a verse must be practiced just as the notes must be practiced. Whether the change is made by hand (such as pulling a stop or a coupler) or by using the combination action (pressing a piston or toe stud), the timing of the change must be perfect. Avoid making the registration change too early, resulting in a sort of “chirp,” and avoid making it too late.

An effective strategy follows:

• FREE ONE HAND by working all of the notes of the final chord into the other hand prior to a registration change.
• MOVE (PRE-LOCATE) THE NEWLY-FREED HAND to the stop or piston that will affect the change.
• MAKE THE CHANGE rhythmically, in the short rest between sections.
• QUICKLY RETURN the freed hand to the proper keys. This is the step that requires the most practice.