Solo pedal literature

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[PleinJeu]

Sowerby Pageant!!!!!!!!!

[steadywind]

While less flamboyant perhaps than some of the pieces mentioned so far, I and my listeners have enjoyed some of Bach's solo cello material on the pedals. A Skinner string division to couple down, all the better!

[Rexmager]

Hallo,

not mentioned yet but a phantastic piece:

Leos Janacek: Solo from Glagolitic Mass

Regards

Vladimir

[Choralbass4']

There is a new DVD from priory records which shows John Scott whiteley performing on the Organ of York Minster ... I have just ordered my copy. He plays the Thalben-Ball variations on it.. So it might be good getting it if you haven't heard it already. Better yet you get to see it as well..

and Good luck with the Thalben-Ball if you decide to learn it.

Does anyone have any tips or trickson how to play pedal chords ?? Where's the secret ? in the Shoes ? ankles? Will be really interested in learning this technique.

[ReedGuy]

I was about to suggest the piece I am working on now, (i.e. Pageant), but some folks beat me to it! [:$]

Playing pedal chords...hmmm...well with Pageant as with any other challenging piece I learn things dead slow and then gradually increase the speed. You have to keep at it slowly for some time to anchor yourself with the notes. If I mess up, I slow it down again. With Pageant, there are spots where I have to play two notes with each foot at the same time. My heels play a note, and so do both of my toes. Flexibility as well as firm accuracyare important. You have to iron out any muddy pedalling. I swear by Organmasters. With a piece such as this, the sturdy and thick heels come in real handy and so does the soft bottom so you can easily feel your way around the pedals without having to look.With Pageant, I have to hang on to the organ console with my hands as I move up and down the pedals!

I would recommend pedalling exercises and practicing them each day.The only thing is, the exercises I use were created by my teacher so you can't buy them at a music store, so I am at a loss to suggest an alternative right now. But I am sure there must be some out there, just like there are books on finger exercises and such. You should do the exercises before you do anything else - kind of like warming up at the gym first before you start taking on the machines.

Tumult, I would love a copy of the Middelshulte in PDF. Would you be able to send me one? Many thanks.

[soubasse32]

[quote user="Choralbass4'"]Does anyone have any tips or tricks on how to play pedal chords ?? Where's the secret ? in the Shoes ? ankles? Will be really interested in learning this technique.[/quote]The shoes? Organmasters, of course! These have a strong but flexible sole, and the heel is at just the right height for chords. I also like that the soles are trimmed very close; with other shoes I find that a little 'overhang' can catch against the opposite shoe, such as when you play trills.

Here is a simple exercise to help get the ankles pivoting, and to help with accuracy. By the way, when playing Pedal exercises it is a good idea to use a light 4' stop only, so you can easily hear what is happening. It is important to start slowly and not over-do it!

The left foot plays low C. The right foot plays E and G, then E-flat and G. Next, the left foot plays C# and the right foot plays F and G#, then E and G#, etc. Go all the way up the scale, playing major/minor chords. At the top of the pedalboard, come back down the scale.

The next step is to play the two-note intervals with the left foot and let the right foot play single notes. Another variation is to play the two-note intervals with both feet.

Over time your feet learn which direction to point, according to the specific interval; inmostchords there is only one option, and in somechords the interval will seem nearly impossible (such as when both notes are on black keys). But it does get easier with repetition. Once you can play these scales without having to pause you may want to use a metronome to help accelerate your pace.

Another variation is to play major second intervals (C+D) or minor ones (C+C#) - you can do this one foot at a time.

Once you have mastered all the major/minor seconds and thirds, you will have learned all the possible Pedal chord combinations. []

[soubasse32]

Another thought - you can work on your strength/flexibility away from the organ too.

While sitting,do some slow ankle rotations. When standing, slowly rise on to thefront of your feet (dancers call it a relevé), and then slowly descend. You can also - carefully - stretch out the calf muscles with this movement:

Here is a websitewhich goes into more detail about how to do these sorts of stretches.

[Stefanussen]

[quote user="soubasse32"]

These have a strong but flexible sole, and the heel is at just the right height for chords.

[/quote]

Are you referring to 1" or 1-1/4" ?

[soubasse32]

The Organmaster website says the heels are 1-1/4"- 'for legato playing of thirds'.