The Pedal Division of the organ provides an excellent foundation for supporting musical needs and as a result of this, pedal technic must be considered paramount to the total musical effect.

A simple yet very effective pedal exercise can aid the organist in gaining freedom of movement for the feet.

Just as the wrist should be free and sufficiently relaxed for the hands and fingers to do the manual playing, the ankle must be free and sufficiently relaxed for the feet to do their playing.

Along with freedom and relaxation must be a sense of control which the following exercises help to develop through good concentration.

The following ideas are important to the above exercises:

1. Practice each exercise for one minute continuously (you may have to build gradually to that goal).
2. By ear, concentrate on a very steady and controlled flow of sound.
3. Don't play too heavy but at the same time go for a firm feeling.
4. Most of the work should be done by the ankle, not the whole leg.
5. Plan for a two week minimum period in the development of these exercises with practice periods at least every other day.
6. Be aware that you could exercise the ankles while sitting and watching a TV commercial - try to concentrate on steadiness of movement.
7. Begin with a comfortable tempo.  Use a watch to time for the minute goal.  A future and final goal is to increase the length to 3 minutes.  Also increase tempo to a possible goal of    = 66 or 69.
8. With exercises III & IV take care to play the F# with the right side of the foot and the A  with the left side; do not hesitate to exaggerate the ankle movement.

Those who are interested in greater development of pedal technic should consider purchasing "ORGAN PEDAL TECHNIC" by Pietro Yon published by Warner Bros.  The book is well designed and the exercises very well explained so that an individual is able to gain much self help from this publication.