The Ten
Commandments of Organ Practise:
By Daniel E.
Gawthrop, as published in Keyboard World, ca. 1975.
I. Thou shalt practise every day, even if only for a short period.
II. Thou shalt NEVER practise faster than thou canst play
perfectly, for it is written: Perfect Practise Makes Perfect.
III. Thou shalt NOT put off working on the hard parts; David did not
invite Goliath to come back after tea.
IV. Thou shalt work out a usable fingering, inscribe it on thy papyrus
and NEVER vary from same, for Fumble Fingers Find Fate Fickle.
V. Thou shalt never apologise for thy playing, nor say "Oops!" when
thou makest a mistake, for thou wilt only draw attention to things
which otherwise would never be noticed by the thick people.
VI. Thou shalt practise each composition in short segments; that thy
fingers may ot break off more than thy mind can chew.
VII. Thou shalt listen ... and not only to organists, for it is
written: What this untidy world needs is fewer organists and more
musicians who can play the organ.
VIII. Thou shalt NOT play pedals without shoes ... for thy Odor-Eaters
may be spent, and besides, it leads to sloppy playing.
IX. Thou shalt begin and end each practise session with something thou
canst play readily, that thou mayest not be discouraged.
X. Thou shalt always remember that thy practise is a labour of love and
that by persistence (oft proved by thyself in other undertakings) thou
canst bring to pass many wonders.
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