Secrets Of Organ Playing Podcast

This question was sent by me, Vidas! I posted my answer in the Total Organist Community Basecamp channel, where I’ve been asked the question, “What have you been struggling with the most in organ playing this week. So, I wrote: “Last week I was struggling to record Trio Sonata No. 1 in Eb Major, BWV 525 by J.S. Bach. Somehow I find it easier to play live recitals than to record pieces one by one.”

This question was written by Diana, and she writes, "This week I was struggling to record videos. When I play, sometimes I hit the wrong key or pedal... also I had some difficulties recording the introduction of my performance in Unda Maris concert."

This question was sent by James, and he writes that he is struggling with: “Sitting down and learning a new repertoire. With all the performances and recitals I’ve been doing, it’s hard to set aside time to learn new things.”

This question was sent by Jeremy.  He’s our member of Total Organist Community, and helps us with fingering and pedaling scores.  And he writes, Today I did a variety of different things on the organ.  The past couple of weeks I have been working through the New Oxford Organ Method just to see what it did (I really am enjoying it).  It acts kind of like an organ teacher for those who have basic piano skills.  It walks you through how to break the piece down into technical and musical bits.  So I recorded the last piece in the "ordinary touch" section of the book today--Rising Passacaglia by Frederick Stocken, and practiced the next piece in the book (which is evading my memory at the moment).  I began week three of the Pedal Virtuoso course and was inspired by Vidas to start the first Trio of J.S. Bach (learned four measures of the notes).  Then I started working on Walther’s Komm Der Heilige Geist and made sure Buxtehude's Lobt Gott ihr Christen Allzugleich was still

This question was sent by Jay, and he writes: “Vidas: I think I’ve seen that you use ForScore on an iPad for reading music.  I was wondering what size iPad do you use?  Have you had experience with more than the one size you use regularly?  I’d really like to do that but I’m not sure which size would work best for me.  I think the iPad 12.9” is likely optimal but so expensive.  Perhaps the 11” model would be adequate, being a bit less expensive. Any thoughts you would care to share here or on your podcasts would be helpful. Thank you! Jay”

This question was sent by Eduardo, and he writes, Greetings, Recently I found about historical improvisation and I stumbled upon your dissertation "Improvisation of keyboard preludes in the style of JS Bach: A practical method comprising techniques derived from selected keyboard works" And it looks exactly what i'm looking for at the moment, but I can't find a complete version of it, I just found the index. Is there a way I can get the complete one? Also , In your webpage you mention a Keyboard Prelude Improvisation Mini Course but the link is dead. Can I still join the Course? Looking forward to hearing from you, Eduardo Villalobos

This question was sent by John, and he writes, Dear Vidas, wow this is so beautiful! I hear from respected organists that these trio sonatas are some of the most difficult music to play, and you executed it perfectly!  Thank you for such an enjoyable experience, and also for setting such a great example for me, your student! Take care, John

This question was sent by Joe, and he writes: “Vidas, Hope all is well with you. I am making much headway on Widor's Toccata, even though I have had limited time to practice. The score that I purchased from you certainly has helped expedite the learning process - MUCH THANKS! Since the score did not include registration suggestions, I was curious if you know of scores that do include registration. My organ has the following Stops:” Pedal Organ Diapason 16' Bourdon 16' Quintaten (Sw) 16' Octave 8' Gedackt 8' Choralbass 4' Mixture iii Posaune 16' Trompette (SW) 8' Swell Organ Quintaten 16' Gedackt 8' Violas II 8' Spitzprinzipal 4' Koppelflote 4' Nasat 2-2/3' Blockflote 2' Terz 1-3/5' Mixture III Basson 16' Trompette 8' Clairon 4' Great Organ Quintaten (Sw) 16' Principal 8' Rohrflote 8' Violas II (Sw) 8' Octave 4' Spitzflote 4' super Octave 2' Waldflote 2' Mixture IV Krummhorn 8' Vidas: He has three divisions: Pedal, Swell, and Great, and each has around 10 stops, maybe more. He writes further: “I a

This question was sent by Ausra, and she writes, "This week I’m struggling with sitting down on the organ bench. At first I didn’t have time and now I don’t have motivation to practice."

This question was sent by Manfred, and he writes: Hi Vidas, I was playing the organ in the church for services only. The requirements are low. Therefore I could train the Pedal in ‘wild’ and fairly uncontrolled way. Because of Corona the congregation must not sing. The organist is asked to prepare a few pieces as a solo. So I started to look for organ pieces that are a little more demanding. Then I was facing severe difficulties with easy or low-medium pieces for organ. Thanks to Youtube I watched the pedaling of good organ players. My style is way off! This led me to you. You have a method, you want to teach it in an internet-based style – so, I gave it a try. Man! The first week told me I was not using certain muscles in the ankle area, I had muscle sore. Now, I see a much higher flexibility in my ankles. I was playing with a sort of tennis shoes. No way! Yesterday I started with organ shoes (dancing shoes actually). Now I can feel the pedal keys and can slide on them. Wonderful! After this first week I

This question was sent by Doug, and he answered my question, What is your goal in organ playing, and what are some challenges that he faces when he tries to reach this goal.  So the goal is to become a church organist, and basically advanced in hymn playing.  And the challenges are three: Pedal techniques. Taking a hymnal with one line and converting it to swell, great and pedals on the fly. Grand Orgue or Hauptwerk conversion for home organ to practice on.

This question was sent by Bob, and he’s taking our Melodic Dictation Course Level 1.  He writes, "Vidas, I have a question about 4 kl. 280 in Melodic Dictation Week 9. I thought that if there is a pickup measure in a song that the last measure of the song and the first measure should add up to one measure. But in this case there is a rest contained in the last measure, so the two measures do not add up to one measure. How do I decide whether I should add the rest or not? Or is it one of those times that it does not matter? Thanks. Bob"

This question was sent by Paje, and this is the answer to my question, “What is the goal in organ playing, and what are some challenges that get in the way of this goal. So: “1. Dream to serve as an organist and lead the choir in my Church Organisation. 2. Lack of consistent mentorship, lack of accountability, lack of clarity on what to focus on first as a beginner.”

This question was sent by Nabil, and he writes, 1) My dream is to be a great concert Organist, and to be one of the most significant Organ performers in this century. Because I believe I have something new to bring. Also to be the first Organist in a Cathedral (good organs usually are in big churches), to push the people in the church with me looking towards heaven in their prayers by making great music… V:  This was his dream.  Number 2, it’s obviously the challenge, and it is 2) * Not having Organ or even Classical Music atmosphere around me. V:  He lives in Israel.  Also * Planning to study Organ and Church Music in Europe (it's very hard and complicated plan) * I need support in social media to get known Love you and Ausra!!!

his question was sent by Katrine, and she writes, Thanks for asking about this Vidas. 1. To be as fluent and reliable at organ playing as I am at the piano (professional accompanist/repetiteur by background) 2. Getting the set-up right for feet and being confident that I am practising in a way that will lead to accuracy - not sure if stool height is correct, shoes are perhaps too wide etc. Unclear on where feet should be able to reach (get pain in legs if I stretch too far and have hurt knee trying to insist with my right leg that it can reach the bottom notes!) and not sure how best to practise pedal scales (have seen varying advice on toe/heel use). Many thanks! Katrine

This question was sent by Rosemary, and she writes,: “Happy New Year greetings to you all. This day dawned breathtakingly beautiful and we will all be glad of the shade in the garden as the heat rises. A new year ahead in which our prayers and hopes are with those frontline workers caring for victims of Covid 19, and discoveries for containment. May you all and your families stay safe. Your comments, goals and plans are incredibly inspirational for me, with renewed energy I have heaped my attention on BWV 529, and various choral preludes, BWV 604 a favourite. Studying your improvisation and trying out some variations. Thanks to you all and the very best of good wishes for a happy and productive year ahead sharing your wonderful talents. Rosemary”

This question was sent by Pieter, and he writes,: “Dear Vidas, Thank you for sending me the extra exercise supplementary to the sight reading course. I appreciate that very much. Firstly let me apologise for my late response after finishing the course. It has been rather busy with various things. You may recall that when I first approached you asking your advice my goal to improve my sightreading skills was very much focussed on obtaining the CRCO (Colleague of the Royal College of Organists) diploma. I had already achieved credits for the paperwork and repertoire but not the musicianship tests. I am pleased to tell you that I achieved the last part of the qualification in the summer session and I therefore now have my CRCO qualification! I was really delighted to achieve this as it was a real challenge for me but after a lot of work, my efforts paid off! There can be no doubt that the sightreading course helped me particularly with issues of rhythm which I always found a weak point so I am grateful for

This question was sent by Whitney, and she writes, My challenge is with getting enough courage to play hymns with pedals. I can do it fine when practicing, but I get way too nervous when I’m playing at Mass.

This question was sent by Graham, and he comments on my recording of the practice session of his Idyll. So he writes,: “Wonderful, Vidas! It was written in the summer of 2020 during the first lockdown of the Covid pandemic. I saw a competition advertised for a meditative piece for organ and this composition appeared nearly instantly! I do love Erik Satie's 'Gymnopedies' (I have heard you play No 2 on the organ!) and there is a strong French impressionist influence in this piece. It came together remarkably quickly from an initial improvisation to the finished composition as I was very near the deadline for submitting for the competition. As you know, I am not 'original' in my writing as I recognize everything I create is derivative - a fusion of everything I have ever heard or played. I love the music of Cole Porter and George Gershwin and Irving Berlin . . . so there is a trace of those songsters deep inside the piece as well. It sounds gorgeous on the Salisbury Willis - a sound I never expected to hear. T

This question was sent by Steven, and he writes: “Hi Vidas. Organ playing is going okay, thank you for asking. These days I am making more time for practice, which is key. I still feel like I am a slow learner, but I know how to pull apart a new piece and start making it work. Pedal work continues to improve, with the biggest aspect I'm noticing is my accuracy. The right foot position (like keeping toes touching the "black" pedals) seems to be super helpful. I have a teacher, and we have lessons every other week for one hour. I typically work up a couple hymns out of the ELW, sometimes an introduction or related piece with those hymns. Then I have several other pieces in various states of progress.”