Practice Plan
Most of the time it takes to learn a four-part hymn at the organ will be spent working through the fifteen steps of the Individual Voice-Part Method listed to the right.
PRACTICE INDIVIDUAL PARTS
Begin by practicing the soprano part of one section (such as section 1) on the Great. Focus on one item at a time, polishing each at a slow tempo:
- Notes and fingering
- Rhythm
- Precise releases and any phrase breaks
- Perfect legato
Continue repeating the passage until it is easy to play it flawlessly 3-5 times in a row without much thinking. When you are ready, increase the tempo slightly (2-5 beats per minute) and repeat the process. Write down the tempo at which you decide to stop.
Repeat the process with the alto on the Great, then the tenor on the Great, and finally the bass in the pedal.
