Plein Jeu Masterclass: French Classical Organ Improvisation

How Can I Improvise a Plein Jeu?

Unleash the Majesty of the French Classical Organ

Step into the shoes of the French masters with Samuel Liégeon, one of the world’s most celebrated improvisers. This masterclass dives deep into the heart of the Plein Jeu—the iconic “Full Chorus” (minus reeds) sound that defines the French Baroque era.

Whether you’re playing a historic Cliquot or a modern electronic instrument, Samuel Liégeon teaches you how to improvise the perfect “Plein Jeu” sound, harmony and structure.  Master the art of the 4-3 suspension, ascending 9th, and navigate the “Harmonic March” like a pro.

What will Organists Gain?

• Registration: How to build the Grand Plein Jeu (16, 8, 4, 2 + French Mixtures).
• Stylistic Mastery: Learn the “unhurried” overture style that balances tension and release.
• The “Surprise Minor v”: A harmonic trick to instantly elevate your improvisation.
• Expert Guidance: Led by world-class organist and global prize-winner, Samuel Liégeon, titular organist at St Pierre de Chaillot, Paris.
• Historically informed: Using Plein Jeu’s from the French Classical (Baroque) era and harmony methods from the time.
• Mini Apps and Interactive Scores: Utilise our mini practice apps and interactive, transposable scores.

What Will I Learn in this French Classical Plein Jeu Organ Improvisation Masterclass?

• Registration: 16, 8, 4, 2 Principal stops, Cymbale and Fourniture, Positif and Grand Orgue coupled
• The Plein Jeu Compositional Concept: A strong, stately piece, showcasing the strength of the principal chorus and repeated dissonance-resolution strategies
• Openings: Unfolding of the tonic chord.
• Harmonic Marches: Sequential variants of the Circle of 5ths, Rameau’s treatise being a prime resource as well as Boyvin and Nivers.
• Harmonic March modification: The modification of sequences to create interest and change direction, often by just altering one note of a chord.
• Systematic Practice Methods: including harmonic marches and Nivers inspired approaches to chord progressions.
• The 4-3: The most common suspension in all French music and an important part of the final cadence.
• Dominant Major-minor: The dramatic colour created by playing the minor version of the dominant chord after the Major.
• 7ths and 9ths: the importance of intense dissonances, the occasional rising resolution of these dissonances.
• Cadential Approaches: approaching from the subdominant side and often using the minor version of chord iv even in a major key.
• Cadences: The use of the 4-3 suspension and 7th.
• Skeleton Resources: Boyvin’s figured basses.
• Historical Sources: including Boyvin, Couperin, Clérambault, Du Mage, Marchand, De Grigny, Rameau, Raison, Guilain, Nivers and Gigault.

Who is the Plein Jeu Organ Improvisation Masterclass for?

• Grade 7 and above: You will be learning Circle of 5th chord progressions from the era.
• Diploma/Degree Level Organists, Conservatoire Organists: Understand French Classical Repertoire from a composer’s perspective.  Perfect for Royal College of Organists diplomas, Royal Canadian College of Organists and American Guild of Organists, those studying Organ and Church music in Germany.
• Cathedral Organists: Forget that “Cathedral waffle” and improvise organ authentically in the French Classical style.
• Keyboard Harmony: An excellent keyboard harmony method for those who already have a basic understanding.
• Historically Informed & Research Based: Boyvin, Couperin, Clérambault, Du Mage, Marchand, De Grigny, Rameau, Raison, Guilain, Nivers and Gigault are all French organ authorities from the time.
• Future Composers: Anyone who wants to expand their organ composition skills.
• Perfect For: All students trying our Creativity Grades exam syllabus List A – Famous Organists’ Pathway  and is particularly suitable for our higher level organ exams. It’s also suitable for pianists and harpsichordists.