Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast

This question was sent by Laurie and also Dianne and they both are our Total Organist students and I’ve asked the question at the end of the week “What are they struggling with recently?” And Laurie answered by writing: My biggest struggle has always been, just do it. If I can get myself to the organ bench - oh, and by the way I have a practice instrument in my home, I can have a good time practic...

This question was sent by David, and he writes: When I'm playing Sine Nomine once through or twice through, I do well... but the 4th or 5th time through, I start to make mistakes; particularly at the very beginning and very end of the piece. Also, I picked a prelude that is too long, and at the end of the piece, the organ just does not want to play all the notes that are written in the music... th...

This question was sent by John, and he writes: I’ve almost learnt In dulci jubilo by Bach, your training videos have been so helpful thank you! It seemed a really daunting piece to learn, but its coming together quicker than I expected, all the sight reading has helped me and your teaching has really helped me improve. My question is how should I play this piece on smaller church organs in buildin...

This question was sent by Irineo. He writes: “How can you detect the German, French, English spirit or accent in Bach’s suites? There weren’t so many different answers back then, so how can you tell?”

This question was sent by William. He wrote: Hello again! Question. I am working on some choral preludes from the Orgelbuchlen. When there is a melody separated from left hand and pedal, do you articulate all of the parts? Thank you. William

This question was sent by Anders and he wrote: Hi Vidas and Ausra! I´m following the information you give with great interest. I have been playing the piano for a while but I´m not very good at it, though I really love it and listening to great music, Classic as well as Jazz and Ragtime. In the last period I have started to think much about playing the organ and I've asked the local organist to gi...

Today’s question was sent by Spencer. And he asks for tutorials on playing varied hymn harmonies.

This question was sent by Ana Marija and she writes: Hello! I am going to play a recital with my violinist friend on historical short octave organ (with no pedals, 8 stops). But we have some trouble finding repertoire, that is suitable for this organ. For the solo organ part, I will be playing some music by Byrd, Tomkins, Sweelinck, Frescobaldi and Froberger...do you have any other idea? But mainl...

This question was sent by Dineke and she writes: Dear Vidas, Glad with the quickly received materials, and the bonus, for the pedal virtuoso course start. Although most things went automatically, I wish you to say my thanks. Admiring your lots of work and your knowledge in digital ways. ​ Kind regards, Dineke

This question was sent by Rob. He writes: "Perhaps it is a good idea to help (beginning) organists by instructing them how to accompany a singing audience during a church service. Not everybody know how to accompany singing hymns etc. during church services."

This question was sent by Rob. He writes: Dear Vidas, In this mail I’ll provide the answers to you questions: (that is the least I can do for the wonderful work that you and your wife do) 1. What is your dream for your organ playing? My dream of organ playing is to completely free, sit down at the organ console and play and improvise whatever I want. (my inspiration comes from people like Pierre C...

This question was sent by Carsten and he wrote: "f I may be so keen to ask for an amount of your valuable time, I would be very interested in your professional listener's perspective feedback and honest criticism on these five specific pieces, which I consider to be some sort of personal milestones in my improvisation": * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHGg5MNR_pU&index=10&list=PLYdkxyPei724Y0j84...

This question was sent by Carsten. ​ Dear Vidas and Ausra, I'm glad to hear from you and I'm happy as well that my donation is so highly appreciated. Please take it as my personal way to say "Thank you!" to both of you for all of your great inspiring and continuous advice, newsletters and videos, which always helped me out when I got stuck on my way to further dive into playing the organ. Apropos...

This question was sent by Paul. He writes: Would you please rate the top 10 most popular organ toccatas in difficulty? Which is easiest? I'm sure everyone would love to know! Thank you for your blog. My top 8 organ toccatas that I like are: 1. By Pachelbel D Major (from Toccata and Fugue) 2. BWV 912 3. By Thedore Dubois G Major 4. By Boellmann Suite Gothique 5. BWV 538 D minor Dorian 6. By Gigout...

This question was sent by Henry, and he writes: Thank you so much for the first video you have just sent me Sir... My question is, what are the techniques for playing scales perfectly , how to play without looking the hands , how to look ahead and lastly how to prepare an organ practice schedule?

This question was sent by Jur. And he writes: My biggest challenge is still to be patient and not rush ahead in a piece before I have mastered it bit by bit. I know this is a very bad habit and this is the reason why I never can play without making mistakes. I am trying to find the discipline! Practising just one piece does get a bit boring so in addition to BWV 639 I have now also started working...

This question was sent by Becca and Becca writes: My dream is to become a proficient at playing hymns on the organ, after years of not playing. Piano was my concentration of study. Besides serious practice, the following three things are holding me back: 1. Finding the best approach to reacquainting myself with playing the organ, in general. 2. Need to refresh the technique of playing the foot ped...

This question was sent by Juan. He writes: Hello Mr. Pinkevicius: ​Thanks a lot for your enormous work propagating the practice of organ. I followed your daily e-mails with special attention dissecting every sentence you wrote in the process of improving organ techniques. My case is a little different because I am man who plays piano for personal entertainment and now when I am retired from public...

This question was sent by Howard and he writes: One suggestion I have for your program is to diversify the focus to other kinds of instruments especially large British and American instruments that have pistons and toe studs. A program on the recommended piston settings for a ~30 min recital on an organ with say 6 General and 6 each of Divisional pistons would be great. Thanks.

This question was sent by Lorelei. She writes: Dear Vidas, I think it might not be a bad idea considering my case, to do a podcast or an article on how to keep the back and neck pain free and hopefully injury free while practicing piano and organ etc. I must say I have in the last 5 weeks a very keen interest in the subject. Thank you for your well wishes and again, thank you for your wonderful co...

This question was sent by Heidi and she writes: ​ May I ask you if you use a software program to create your musical compositions? If so, I would be interested in knowing what you use, and if it is somewhat intuitive or what I’d call, “user friendly". I own Sibelius but haven’t used it since taking Theory in 2009. Hope all is well with you both, Heidi

This question was sent by Dan. He writes, in response to my question about how he became fascinated with the organ. So he continues: For me, I’d say even back then when I was really young, I had an interest, and fascination in the organ. And as I still do to this day, whenever I’d hear the organ played at the church i’d attended at the time, which had really nice, excellent acoustics, i’d listen t...

This question was sent by Andrea. And Andrea writes: Hello Ausra and Vidas, Thanks for your hints and the talks you share with us! I would like to know your opinion about the prelude in D, BWV 532, from JSB, a piece I run into a few days ago, after years of oblivion past the days I studied it... As we know, the piece is divided into three parts, the second of which is marked Alla breve. What do yo...

This question was sent by David. And he writes: Dear Vidas and Ausra. It seems to me that there are basically 5 types of music that the organist has to be ready to play in church other than accompanying hymns and choir anthems. They are: Preludes, Postludes, offertories, introits, and interludes. Perhaps interludes aren't so common in most churches now. What are the important aspects to know about...

This question was sent by T. P. Johnston, Jr. He writes: I'm age 66. Was a professional organist during my high school years. Had been away from the organ for about 40+ years until our church purchased a new Hauptwerk Virtual Pipe Organ, 4 manuals. Very nice instrument. So I've been working to rebuild my skills. They are coming back, but very slowly. Am only able to practice for 1 - 1/2 hours, 3 d...