Optimum pedalling technique

[Bach>Meer]

Hi all

I've been improving my pedal technique slowly through practise but are there any theories on how to learn how to pedal perfectly as quicly and efficiently as possible?
I've tried to research this but I don't really seem to get many answers other than "Stainer's method" or something along those lines?

Does anyone have any tips to make me a whizz kid on the pedalboard as quickly as possible or if not is there an optimum way of practising?

Thanks!

[Corno Dolce]

Hi Bach>Meer,

I have been playing organ for the past 40+years and I encourage and exhort you to methodically practice the *Stainer* method. There are no *quick and dirty* shortcuts to hard labor - Blood, Sweat, and Tears Baby!!!

Go for it!!!

Cheers,

CD

[Contratrombone64]

Sweet Corn's spot on - practise, practise, and more practise.

[Krummhorn]

Bach>Meer,

Although I learned pedal technique using the Gleason methods (basically always on the insides of the feet and no crossing over or under) I have, in later years, have changed to the Stainer method for pedaling. Now in my 48th year of organ playing, I still have to practice, practice, practice every week to keep everything "working". CD is so correct - there is no shortcut - you can only learn by doing ... practice does make almost perfect.

Read my "signature" below ... kinda sums up what we are all saying about the need to practice.

[Contratrombone64]

No crossing over and under ... how interesting.

[Krummhorn]

Clarification ... what I meant was crossing in front (over) and behind (under).

Quite right, CT64 ... that was the "old school" teaching, at least the way that my professors taught (Gleason method) during my 8 years of organ study. I have since wandered away from the "stuffed shirt" pedaling technique.

[Contratrombone64]

As with all performance, you do what makes the music the easiest way for you with the least amount of effort.

[Flute'n'Pedal]

I've found again and again that crossing the feet is the best solution to pedalling problems. It's particularly useful for sight-reading, when there isn't much time to plan ahead. I can't imaginge why so many young organists in the past were prevented from learning this sensible technique.

[jvhldb]

I've found again and again that crossing the feet is the best solution to pedalling problems. It's particularly useful for sight-reading, when there isn't much time to plan ahead. I can't imaginge why so many young organists in the past were prevented from learning this sensible technique.

Maybe they had "short" pedals like the old organ in our North Church. With my toes against the sharps/flats there is less than 3cm betwen my heals and the pedal support. If you try to cross feet on the organ you either bang the organ case or kick the bench. The pedals are also so shallow, if you use the toes of your feet instead of the sides of the foot you depress the extensions running from the sharps to the support under the bench (eg. step on G and you also depress F# and G#).

[Flute'n'Pedal]

Your explanation sounds plausible. Unless your church buys a new set of organ pedals, you'll have to use the Gleason method.