AGO Organ Performance & Technique 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary function of a swell box on a pipe organ?
- To tune individual pipes automatically
- To enclose pipes behind shutters that open and close to control volume (Correct answer)
- To amplify sound electronically
- To switch between manual divisions
Correct answer: To enclose pipes behind shutters that open and close to control volume
A swell box encloses a division of pipes behind wooden shutters (jalousies) operated by the swell pedal, allowing dynamic control.
Question 2: In organ technique, 'finger substitution' refers to:
- Replacing a finger mid-note to facilitate legato playing (Correct answer)
- Switching hands on the same note
- Using the thumb exclusively on black keys
- Playing consecutive notes with the same finger
Correct answer: Replacing a finger mid-note to facilitate legato playing
Finger substitution silently replaces one finger with another on a held key, enabling smooth legato without retacking the key.
Question 3: Which pedal technique involves the heel and toe of the same foot alternating on adjacent pedal notes?
- Toe-only technique
- Heel-toe substitution (Correct answer)
- Cross-pedaling
- Toe-substitution
Correct answer: Heel-toe substitution
Heel-toe technique on one foot alternates heel and toe for smooth melodic lines or scale passages in the pedalboard.
Question 4: The term 'terraced dynamics' in Baroque organ music refers to:
- Gradual crescendo using the swell pedal
- Abrupt changes between loud and soft by adding or subtracting stops (Correct answer)
- Using only pianissimo registration
- Playing loud on the manuals and soft on pedals
Correct answer: Abrupt changes between loud and soft by adding or subtracting stops
Baroque organs lacked swell boxes, so dynamics were achieved through abrupt registration changes rather than gradual swells.
Question 5: What is 'thumb under' technique primarily used for on the organ?
- Crossing the thumb under fingers to extend range, as in piano technique
- It is actively discouraged in organ playing (Correct answer)
- Depressing the lowest note in a chord
- Operating the pistons while playing
Correct answer: It is actively discouraged in organ playing
Unlike piano, organ playing discourages thumb-under technique because lifting fingers breaks the essential organ legato.
Question 6: When voicing a fugue subject on the organ, the performer should primarily ensure:
- The subject always appears on the softest dynamic
- The subject is clearly audible above the other voices at each entrance (Correct answer)
- The subject is always played on the Great manual
- The subject uses only principal stops
Correct answer: The subject is clearly audible above the other voices at each entrance
Clarity of the fugue subject at each entry is essential so listeners can track the thematic material through the counterpoint.
Question 7: In organ registration, a '2'' (two-foot) stop sounds at what interval above written pitch?
- One octave above
- Two octaves above (Correct answer)
- A fifth above
- At unison pitch
Correct answer: Two octaves above
A 2' stop sounds two octaves above written pitch, as each halving of foot length raises the pitch by one octave.
AGO Organ Performance & Technique 2
What is the primary function of a swell box on a pipe organ?