Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast

This question was sent by Irineo, and he writes: Now that WAS an interesting post. I recall when I started to think of pedal exercises in order to achieve as close a legato as possible. I took a long look at the pedalboard and imagined which pedals would turn out to be most comfortable for each foot while playing scales upwards. Then downwards. It became clear rather soon that the bottom C would b...

Sally wrote: “I struggle with finding time to work on expanding my organ skills and techniques. It seems I spend most of my time at the organ prepping for choir rehearsal and weekend Mass. I also work full time, so there not a lot of hours available for practice.”

Today, I’d like to talk a little bit about what Jeremy wrote about Total Organist when I asked him how is total organist working for him so far. He wrote: "Just so much to learn! Loving every second as it gives me something to work on daily."

This question was sent by May, and she writes: Hi Vidas, Thank you very much for addressing to my concerns in this email! I have been spending over an hour each day on the harmony exercises for a few weeks. I worked on the difficult way whenever possible (using 2 fingers from each hand) as suggested by you in an earlier email. Ever since I could manage to use to play the bass part (of hymns) with...

This question was sent by Marjorie. And she writes: Thank you! You were very helpful. My problem: I passed my Grade 7 for Associated Board Organ Exam about twelve years ago. Since then, my playing has deteriorated. I play for church services every Sunday, but I am not challenged. I play a two manual tracker organ with limited stops, and only a bourdon in the pedal. I took my exam on a four manual...

This question was sent by John, and he writes: I have struggled to get much quality organ practice in the last 2 weeks, but family has to come first. Prior to that I have been diligently practicing the first 10 Hanon exercises with a metronome, starting at 60 bpm and working my way up to 80. I started noticing a few small issues where I was drifting off beat. I have also tried practicing pieces to...

This question was sent by Jay, and he writes: Hymns for church service on Sunday. Trying to get to the point where I know the music well enough, to recover quickly if (or when) I mess up.

This time, Colin writes: "Thank you for the bonus materials for the Pedal Virtuoso Master Course, I shall look forward to working on them."

This question was sent by Irineo. He writes: Hello back there maestro! Now that was an interesting discussion you had. But I wonder, which other clefs are there besides two G, two C, and one F? Those are the ones I’m familiar with. And while transposing, you mean when you’re writing a score or improvising? Thank you. Very truly yours, Irineo

This question was sent by Damian, and he writes: Hi Vidas, I've been catching up on podcasts lately and I'm very pleased that you've touched the topic of my little device. It is a very simple solution from the technical side and there is nothing revolutionary in it, maybe only the application is unusual ;) In Poland, displaying song text in churches is very popular, at least in my area there is a...

I started hymn improvisation week 5 where I am playing 8th against the hymn tune. I am just not sure what exactly the notes should be apart from the fact that the notes on the beat should be consonant. Do they have to be steps or can you jump up and down? (Ariane)

This question was sent by May, and she writes: Thank you Vidas for sending me this video. I didn't have a chance to watch it yet. The harmony course is challenging enough for me. It's like a brain exercise. With the S-D transposing sequences, I have to first figure out what key it lands on at a major 3rd interval. Then which key is its subdominant and which key is its dominant. I took a long time...

This question was sent by Colin. And he writes: Dear Vidas, Firstly, I’m sorry if you have already received the following message. My computer is playing up and I’m having difficulty in sending and receiving some emails. Thank you for your Pedal Virtuoso Master Course. For some strange reason, I have been unable to download the material of the final lesson. A bit of background about me: I’m retire...

@laputis and I today visited our friend organist Paulius Grigonis (@pauliakaz) at his church where we showed him the photos from our recent concert trip to the French Alps. He in turn gave us coffee and cake. Before we left, I asked his permission to sit down on his organ bench and record this training. I wanted to show you guys how to harmonize C major scale in 4 voices - soprano, alto, tenor and...

This question was sent by Dieter. He writes: In Bach’s Two Part Inventions, if I were to move some of the left hand parts to the pedal, how would I set about that?

Blue Jay (Organ Improvisation) - My entry for Whaleshares Open Mic Contest Week 24 by Vidas Pinkevicius

This question was sent by May, and she writes: Hi Vidas, Thank you for sending me the week 6 Harmony material. I have been working hard (and struggling) with the chords, the progressions and the sequences in the past 2 weeks. I find it most difficult to play with hands only using 2 right hand fingers and 2 left hand fingers. It is easier to play with left hand doing the bass only and right hand pl...

This question was sent by Tim, and he writes: Dear Vidas, The course is working out fine for me, and I’m able to keep up to date with it. Sometimes, I do a few days ahead, depending on work commitments. I usually use a tempo of around crotchet = 16, and I find I am able to get all the articulation correct in all of the parts. Looking forward to the rest of it. Kindest regards, Tim.

This question was sent by Jeremy, and he writes: Played for church this morning. Krebs e minor prelude and fugue for prelude, accompanied a handbell piece on the organ and ended with Piece Heroique of Franck. Standard hymns and some piano playing in there as well. I did improvise a bit today during the passing of the piece. Played through a hymn, then tried to improvise a canon between the soprano...

Today, instead of a podcast conversation I would like to share with you my newest organ demonstration I just did for a group of 5th graders from Vilnius International School in English. On the Klais organ at Lutheran church was my colleague Dovile Savickaite and I talked about the pipe organ, J.S. Bach and his music. Let me know what you think.

This question was sent by Jeremy, and he is on the team who transcribes our fingering and pedaling videos. So, he writes: I have been struggling with the Bach Dorian Fugue. The notes for the most part are there at half speed, but getting it up to speed has been… difficult. This being said, I did have a bright moment today that I will verify tomorrow by phone. I am learning the Dorian's Toccata and...

Trying out the organ at Aula Parva of Vilnius University by Vidas Pinkevicius

This question was sent by Michael, and he writes: "Hello Vidas and Ausra, I would very much enjoy an episode of Secrets of Organ Playing where you discuss the compositional characteristics of Max Reger's organ music, as well as what compositional processes Reger employs that makes his music so recognizably his own. Thank you both, Michael"

This question was sent by Terry, and he writes: Very helpful! I did the 12 week course earlier and that was very helpful, as well, but did not have the scales. There are a couple of scales, however, that may require orthopedic surgery on my ankles to achieve a legato perfection! But, I will stay with it. Thanks for all you do. Terry

Spring (Organ Improvisation), My Entry For Whaleshares Open Mic Contest Week 21 by Vidas Pinkevicius