INTRODUCTION

    This book is arranged in a six-lesson format, having been used extensively both in Utah and elsewhere for courses that were generally six weeks in duration. Each lessson, which should last about two hours, may be divided in half if a longer 12-week course of one-hour classes is needed; however, experience has proven that six weeks was about as long as most participants in larger groups could devote to the course at any one time.

    The first three lessons concentrate on basic organ techniques derived almost exclusively from Hymn #125, "How Gentle God's Commands." These exercises are presented gradually to the student according to the seven-step practice procedure advocated by other teachers/authors; namely, Dr. Parley L. Belnap in his respected book on hymn playing, HYMN STUDIES FOR ORGANISTS (Deseret Book, l970, Revised 1993). However, the exercises in this book are even shorter and more gradual. Each voice is introduced in units as small as three beats each, first only with changing notes (for drill in legato and attack and release), and then with changing notes and repeated notes combined. Thus, this approach reduces hymn playing to its very lowest common denominator beyond which there is no possible further simplication.

    While the main goal of this text is learning to play one hymn correctly with manuals and pedals combined in the first three lessons, chord progressions for manuals and pedals in all major keys should give the student practice in playing homophonically in a four-part hymn-style texture in preparation for playing the greater majority of hymns in any hymnal. While this may seem innovative and even unorthordox, in reality most hymns could be classified as multiple or extended chord progressions. It is my belief, after more than 25 years of teaching, that this method book will enable pianists to learn to play the organ and especially hymns correctly in as short a time as possible