Tutor Books

Fingers and Feet – a major new organ tutor for beginners

Fingers and Feet: A Journey to the Organ Bench tutor was the brainchild of the Diocese of Leeds Keyboard Studies Programme, with support from the RCO and the Vinehill Trust. The content was devised by organists Drew Cantrill-Fenwick and Robin Harrison, and it was edited by Diocese of Leeds organ tutor David Pipe.

Unlike traditional organ tutors – which typically assume prior piano experience – Fingers and Feet is designed specifically for those starting the organ from scratch, including learners with no previous keyboard background. It also comes with a suite of 34 short videos that guide learners through posture, movement and first musical steps.

The tutor recognises the potential challenges beginners face when approaching the instrument: multiple manuals, the scale of the pedalboard, and the appearance of complex notation across three staves. Fingers and Feet addresses this with a clear, imaginative and accessible approach rooted in the principle of ‘sound to sight’ – encouraging musical play before notation.

Early lessons focus on the black keys, using the pentatonic scale to build fluency and confidence. Learners encounter pieces in a range of styles – jazz, funk, Baroque and more – while posture, movement and musical independence are introduced through enjoyable, achievable exercises. Duets are built in from the outset, encouraging ensemble music-making and countering the idea that learning the organ must be a solitary experience.

By balancing structured progression with creative exploration, the tutor guides learners to around ABRSM Grade 3 level, establishing solid foundations in technique, musical understanding and confidence.

Editor David Pipe said: “We wanted to create a tutor that feels genuinely welcoming – something that says to a complete beginner: ‘Yes, this instrument is for you.’
“The organ can seem intimidating at first glance, but it shouldn’t be. Fingers and Feet strips away the fear factor, focusing instead on joyful discovery, musical curiosity and physical confidence, with a clear pathway that enables learners to grow naturally as they develop more formal technique.”

The complete tutor is available as a free download – with accompanying tutorial films – on the First Stop! website by clicking the button below. Printed copies can be bought from the RSCM online shop.

The Leeds Accordion Method – A new teaching method and materials developed by Diocese of Leeds Music.

We have developed a comprehensive educational framework for the Diocese of Leeds Keyboard Studies Programme. This method is designed to bridge the gap between fundamentals for the absolute beginner and the beginnings of independent learning, ensuring a structured and collaborative learning path for every player.

Made completely free of charge through the generosity of The Vinehill Trust, the platform requires no paywalls, subscriptions or credit cards. It provides children, teenagers, and adults with a structured gateway to mastering the classical C-system freebass accordion.

Designed to take learners from their very first steps to independent musicianship, the Leeds Accordion Method offers a holistic, multi-sensory curriculum which combines:

• Step-by-step topics available online or as free downloads for offline study.
• Visual tutorials, demonstrations, listening quizzes, and ear-training exercises supporting every module.
• Downloadable sheet music and technical exercises linked directly to lesson themes.
• Reading, playing, listening, watching, and exploring to foster well-rounded musicianship.

“Whether approaching the organ or the accordion, complete beginners are often intimidated by complex mechanics and the cost of lessons” said Benjamin Saunders, Lead Consultant. “Following the incredible response to Fingers and Feet, we wanted to bring that same spirit of joyful discovery to the accordion. By making this C-system freebass tutor entirely free and embedding a niche instrument within the wider world of music, we are ensuring that any aspiring musician – regardless of background – can start playing today.”