Applied Organ

The course is aimed at students whose principal instrument is organ or piano. It provides an introduction to shorthand notation and accompaniment.
Course co-ordinator: Karin Nelson

On completion of this course, the student is expected to

• master musical shorthand notation, basso continuo, accompaniment patterns and transposition
• be able to create their own organ arrangements based on audio recordings
• be able to apply theory on scales and styles when improvising
• be able to accompany singers by ear

Depending on the student’s previous experience and future career plans, the course will cover

• ensemble playing and accompaniment
• basso continuo
• shorthand notation
• transposition
• playing by ear
• improvisation

The tuition is given individually and/or in groups of up to four students over 8 weeks in lessons each lasting 90 minutes.

Attendance is mandatory. This means that more than 20% non-attendance will normally cause the student to fail the course.

• At the end of the course the student should submit a repertoire list of at least 15 minutes’ duration, to include:

• harmonised melodies displaying various accompaniment and rhythmic patterns
• improvisation using different scale types such as Gregorian modes and Messiaen’s modes
• basso continuo playing
• own arrangement of melodies created by ear based on audio recordings

All course requirements must be met before the student can be given a final assessment.

The assessment is based on the learning objectives for the course. The course is assessed on a pass or fail basis by the course tutor in the form of an individual evaluation of the student’s level of attainment.

New assessment

The course must be retaken in full to obtain a new assessment. Students who fail the course will not be given priority for readmission.