Fingers and Feet: A Journey to the Organ Bench is a new tutor book created specifically to support learners starting the organ as their very first instrument. It has been developed by the Royal College of Organists (RCO) and the Diocese of Leeds Keyboard Studies Programme, with funding from the Vinehill Trust.

As well as going on sale, the book, along with 34 short accompanying tutorial videos, is being made available as one of the many free resources on the RCO’s new First Stop! website – a major online resource designed to welcome newcomers into the world of the organ.

RCO Chief Executive Sir Andrew Parmley said: “The enthusiastic response to last year’s Play the Organ Year initiative demonstrated yet again the enduring appeal of the organ to musicians, would-be musicians, and music lovers of all ages.

“By creating dedicated print and online resources for those coming fresh to the instrument we are continuing to lower barriers, widen access, and give more people the chance to share the remarkable experiences that the organ offers.”

PART ONE

Chapter 1
Getting started
From Sound to Sensation
Sitting at the organ
Introducing the black keys
Making your first piece
Different organ sounds
A Rainbow of Colours
What do the dots mean?
March of the Organ Pipes!
Alphabet Day!
Finger Olympics: Bronze
Scale it down
Arabesque
Pieces to practise

Chapter 2
Introducing the Middle C position
Spell it out
Name and play
Yankee Doodle
Mirror Scale
Finger Olympics: Silver
Pieces to practise
Time signatures
Pedal Power
Take a Rest
Seesaws and Ripples
Time for a chat
Accidentals
Tones and Semitones
Finger Olympics: Gold
Hurdles and Hopscotch
How organ music is written down
Mirror Hymn
Samba Spider

PART TWO

Chapter 3
Musical stepping stones: Legato touch
Jazzing about with chords
Freddie the Funky Penguin
More on registration
To tie or to dot? That is the question!
Scaffolding – a practice technique
Clap and play
Spell it out again!

Chapter 4
Back to Bach
Long-finger piece
Mapping the keyboard: finding your way in C!
Pivoting and finding the notes
Toot, toot, tootsies!
Key signatures
Shifting the lick (again)!
Two Baroque pieces

Chapter 5
A Heart-to-Heart
Pieces to practise
Left hand and pedals
Hopping manuals
Echo Fantasy
The Swell box: open & close
Minimal effort!
Festive Fifths: Ding Dong! Merrily
The Spice of 7ths!
Technique Recap
March in C
More chords in pairs: March in C
Black-note improvisation
Sortie in G
Glossary
Things to remember
Manuscript
Organ manuscript