Baroque Vs. Modern Pedalboard

[ArthurCambronne]

So, last week, I played the Hymn version of Wachet Auf (J.S. Bach Setting), as the Processional. It was one of the more difficult Hymns I have learned, with lots of pedal runs and syncopated motion in multiple voices. Thanks to my organ teacher I was able to learn and play it nearly flawlessly (and with proper heel-toe technique).

So the reason for this post in this thread is thus:

I learned this Hymn on my home organ (AGO spec), and when I got to the Church (about 2 hours early), I found that adjusting to the flat pedal board for this hymn was more difficult than for any other piece I have learned to date. Switching between pedal boards is usually not a problem for me, so it was quite noticeable this time. The geometry of the flat-straight pedals was such that turning my toe to the inside for the descending pedal runs in measures 5 & 13 was noticeably difficult, and it took me about 20 minutes of running through the piece over and over to get it right.

The nice thing is that the flat-straight pedals have a bit more space between them, so it is actually a bit easier to play cleanly, once you know where to jump to.

Just thought I would share a specific example of my experience.

[myorgan]

Switching between pedal boards is usually not a problem for me, so it was quite noticeable this time. The geometry of the flat-straight pedals was such that turning my toe to the inside for the descending pedal runs in measures 5 & 13 was noticeably difficult, and it took me about 20 minutes of running through the piece over and over to get it right.

Arthur,

Your observations bring up a couple of salient points:

• The difficulty of the pedal work of the piece in question certainly affects the ability to transfer from one pedalboard to another.
• The frequency of the switch from one pedalboard to another will certainly affect the ability to make the switch.
• Needless to say, the transition is primarily toward the ends of the pedalboard where you need to reach further to get to the notes. Once you learn the additional effort necessary (especially with the heels), the transition should be made easier. Increased range of motion is required.

Michael

[ArthurCambronne]

The other minute point I would make, is that I realized during my adjustment to the flat pedal board was that it was easier to play the runs in question cleanly if I really focused playing on the inside of the ball of my foot and big toe. The turning in of the foot and emphasis of playing on the inside of my foot down the decending run made me more accurate, and this was the main "adjustment". My organ teacher has been emphasizing this technique for a while, so perhaps it is no big surprise that it was helpful.