Keyboard Resource Guide

The purpose of The Organists' Manual is to provide, within a single volume, technical studies, diverse compositions, and technical information for beginning organists.

Keyboard improvisation is often considered the domain of the musical genius, a perception created no doubt by masters from Bach and Mozart to Liszt. The capacity to express one's musical thoughts spontaneously and coherently, however, presumes neither a virtuosic command of the instrument nor a sublime command of compositional theory. Assuming only an elementary background in harmony, each of Overduin's 32 lessons focuses on a specific harmonic, melodic, or structural topic designed to provoke experimentation and to develop improvisatory skills, starting with simple melodies and improvising on one or two chords. Subsequent exercises expand the harmonic vocabulary and incorporate a range of techniques including variation, ostinato, sequence, ornamentation, and figuration. Written in an engaging style and featuring numerous accessible musical exercises, Making Music is the ideal introduction to this essential skill.

Thirty-five years of organ teaching and years of research as a musicologist have made Gleason's guide one of the most reputable and well-documented of its kind on the market today, providing future organists with the musical and technical foundation necessary for mastering the fine art of organ playing. Reflecting the latest principles of techniques and interpretation, it offers clear, basic instruction, providing users with a solid foundation and practical start to a lifetime profession in organ playing. Supporting technical practice with important and applicable background musical information, it includes a new section "An Outline of Study for the Beginning Organist" which shows users how to use the book in the most efficient manner to achieve their particular career goal. Also available in Braille for use in schools for the blind. Ideal resource manual for organ faculty and those interested in a background study of organ playing.

This classic method for beginners provides a brief history of the instrument followed by an explanation of organ construction, a thorough discussion of the various stops and their management, and a major section devoted to practical study — including detailed pedal techniques, precision in manual touch, hand-foot independence, pedal scales, trios, and finger substitution to achieve a perfect legato. With the author's meticulous explanations and accompanying illustrations, students can actually teach themselves to play! Seven organ pieces complete the original edition, including five of Stainer's own works and two pieces by Guilmant; three additional works have been added to round out this Dover edition.