Non-legato technique, also referred to as articulated, is used for pieces composed before 1750. Many think of it in relation to Bach's works. According to a handout written by Carol Dean, legato technique is connected, like a string of pearls without knots in between. Non-legato is fractured, like a string of pearls with knots in between.
Many organ students struggle when first learning articulated technique. The rules change, and it can be difficult to execute it properly. My struggle was with too much space between the notes. My pearls had knots the size of pearls between them.
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Tonight as I was practicing Bach's Prelude and Fugue In G Major, BWV 557 something finally clicked. I've mentioned before that I was a pretty good flautist years ago, and as I practiced, I realized that the sound I'm looking for is simply tongued notes. Legato technique is slurred notes, with breaks when notes repeat. Non-legato technique is simply tongued notes. The sound I'm listening for is the same sound wind instrument players make when they tongue their passages.
Now, getting the releases perfectly timed is much more complex, but the technique itself isn't nearly as difficult for me as it initially seemed.
I hope this help you, too!
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i was told that non legato playing had to be used in large reverberant rooms/halls or the notes would all slur together. that playing the room is as important as playing the organ.
ReplyDeletefor the average worship space and hymn playing legato is important i feel....i hate to use the fake reverb
your thoughts....thanks
Certainly you need to take into account the acoustics of the room. It's true that the average LDS chapel is acoustically dead, so proper legato technique is essential. I, too, don't like the fake acoustics installed on many electric organs.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment!