ORGAN TUITION FOR BEGINNERS – THE METHOD BEHIND THE METHODS1

Abstract

There exists a general opinion that organ beginners should have basic keyboard skills before organ tuition may commence. This viewpoint is explicitly confirmed by various organ pedagogues and beginners’ methods. For this article, eight published beginners’ methods, four intended for beginners with keyboard proficiency and four designed for neophytes at the keyboard, were investigated to determine whether they are sufficiently comprehensive and diversified to meet the requirements of organ beginners with varied profiles. The evaluation was done against the background of the writings of organ pedagogues and their ideals for a sound organ technique, as well as the approach of piano pedagogues to initial tuition with the focus on comprehensive music tuition. The traditional prerequisite for established keyboard skills is also considered in terms of the difference between the sound production and technical requirements of the piano and the organ.