Better than sudoku

Are you struggling with playing different melodies in different hands and feet? Do you know what is the exercise which will boost your musical thinking and hand and feet coordination? I'm talking about playing a hymn from the hymnal in the following 8 ways:

1. The melody is in the soprano played by the right hand. This is a usual four-part arrangement. The alto is in the right hand, the tenor - in the left hand and the bass - in the pedals.

2. The melody is in the soprano played by the right hand. The alto is in the right hand, the tenor is in the pedals, the bass - in the left hand.

3. The melody is in the soprano played by the right hand. The alto is in the pedals (with the 4' registration), the tenor and the bass - in the left hand.

4. The melody is in the soprano played by the pedals with a 4' registration or a 2' stop one octave lower. The alto is played in the right hand, the tenor and the bass - with the left hand.

5. The melody is in the tenor played by the left hand, the right hand takes the alto and the soprano and the feet play the bass.

6. The melody is in the tenor played by the pedals, the soprano and the alto - by the right hand, the bass - by the left hand. 

7. The melody is in the bass played by the pedals, the soprano and the alto - by the right hand, the tenor - by the left hand.

8. The melody is in the bass played by the pedals, the soprano - by the right hand, the alto and the tenor - by the left hand.

Try these exercises with your favorite hymn today. You'll be surprised at how difficult that is. This is also an exercise for your brain - for an organists it's even better than a sudoku puzzle.