Hymn Project 2: Helps and Hints

“Blest Be the Tie” (Dennis)
(“How Gentle God's Commands”)

PEDAL. The toes stay mostly “planted” around C and F. The second pedal note in measure 9 is played by the right heel, and the first pedal note in measure 12 is played by the left heel.

INDEPENDENCE. The first point where the hands may tend to break where they should not is in the first full measure. The pedal repeats F, but the hands must stay legato. You may wish to mark each point where a repeated note occurs in one part but not in the other part(s). Practice freezing at these spots.

REPEATED NOTES. In this slower-moving hymn you may wish to lengthen the first note slightly and shorten the following rest.

PHRASING. Using an eighth rest between phrases works well.