Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast

This question was sent by Ron. Hi Vidas, Do I have this right? Pedal point, as the vertical column of numbers below the chords, which can be 3s, 5s, 4s, 6s, 9s., flat whatevers to the root? Also, more than one, even two, three, four pedals held down at a time, sustained over the chords or measures? So, a 4 below a 6 in CM would be the F and A pedals, held down? A 5 and a flat 9 (flat 2nd an octave...

This question was sent by Neil. He writes: Hello Vidas. Thank you for all the wonderful fingered compositions you publish on your store for which I have purchased a number of. I’ve decided to purchase an iPad with a hope to play a number of the pdf files via Forscore. I wonder if you have had the experience of playing music from a tablet?

Today, Ausra and I are going to talk a little bit about our recent trip to London, to play at St. Pauls Cathedral.

This question was sent by Krampah and he writes: Thanks so much Vidas, for your advice piano playing, I can accompany hymns and quite a number of anthems for my church, I now want to take my piano playing to a concert pianist level, I have played through a couple pianoforte tutors, will I be in a rush if I am to take Handel Messiah's pieces and play through them, or I should work more with the beg...

This question was sent by Ben, and he writes: Hi Vidas, I just wanted to send you a quick thank-you note. Not only did I learn many a piece with your fingerings, and carefully read your newsletters and listen to your podcasts, but you inspired me to "go public" with my journey learning organ improvisations. Last week I posted my "organ/music diary" (http://my-music-diary.com) to some online organ...

This question was sent by Glaiza. And Glaiza writes, “Hi, please teach me to do full pedaling in organ.”

This question was sent by Jeremy. And he writes: "My Boellmann’s Suite Gothique performance at church went alright. Everything felt comfortable before the service, but some wrong notes crept in during the service, particularly in the Minuet. The Priere went really well. One small mistake that is bothering me occurred at the transition into the g minor section. A parishioner did approach me afterwa...

This question was sent by Heidi and she writes: Since I have imposed upon you again with a lengthy answer to what I’m sure you thought was a question that would have a succinct reply, I will reduce my desires into a few bullet points: (although I’m glad you know a little bit more about who I am) * I wish to expand my grasp of Theory to enable me to learn Improvisation * Most difficult are the phys...

This question was sent by Gene, from http://generoberson.com and Steve from http://organbench.com. They want to know, “how to find people who are interested in your music.”

This question was sent by Heidi, and she writes: Dear Vidas and Ausra, I am enjoying very much browsing your Course Materials and making downloads. My situation involves the fact that my children are grown, and my grandchildren are grown, the youngest is 14 years. For so many years having children and grandchildren blessed me with much to look forward to on a daily basis and kept me very busy. I a...

This question was sent by Steve and he writes: Good morning Vidas, Another very fine podcast topic, very helpful, and thank you for posting. A couple of additional thoughts came to my mind as I listened to the podcast ... When I pedal this piece, I keep in mind the type of organ for which it was written. On French organs there's a stiffness in the pedals, because of linkage, that makes it a little...

This question was sent by Michael. He writes: "I'm really glad I have encountered such an opportunity from you, I want to be able to sight read most of the complex classical pieces by heart, as at now my current level is just playing hymns and not so difficult anthems for my church... please I want to just pick any complex Handel piece and sight read it easily… Please help me." This blog and podca...

This question was sent by Reggie. He writes: "Hello Sir, thank you for your question. In answer to #1, I want to play the pipe organ at my church. In answer to number 2, I bought my first keyboard a month ago so I am still learning my first piece: Bach Preludio 1. I practice everyday but I am still internalizing the note and finger positioning. I had some musical training as a child and currently...

This question was sent by Sarah. She writes: Hi Vidas, ​ My dream for my organ playing: To be confident with articulation, pedals, and registration as I accompany hymns; am I supporting congregational singing? I wish to be an excellent church organist. Three things holding me back: Here, I don't have anything holding me back. I just need to continue to practice, listen, and learn. I have just acce...

This question was sent by Jeremy, and Jeremy is on our team of people who transcribe our podcast conversations. So one day, he wrote that he received word that he passed the CAGO examination from the American Guild of Organists. And I asked him what the requirements were, and he writes: I found out about three years ago that I need some type of long term goal to work towards in my life. The easies...

This question was sent by Ron. He wrote: Hi Vidas and Ausra, Thank you for the nice comments on the post. The improvement I’m feeling may not be apparent, but I have pushed through several things in my contest attempts. I’m starting to learn and mentally catalogue groups of note fingerings. Speed is still a problem, but I know that comes with time. Keeping to the correct notes is becoming second n...

This question was sent by Michael. He writes: Hi Vidas, I had private lessons with Michael Schneider in the 70s and 80s for 13 years - I am very satisfied with my playing technique and don’t have serious difficulties with the literature. I had a 30 years break - settling in my job and having a family with 2 kids. In 2010 I discovered the Hauptwerk software and bought a three manual console and sev...

This question was sent by William. And he writes: Do you have any advice for organists who have never played hymn melody in feet or in tenor range? I have been trying all week to do this on hymn amazing grace. I am having hard time. Is it a waste to learn this process? I am trying to begin to improvise and so much I read say to do this and then practice in different keys. It is really hard for me....

This question was sent by John. And he wrote: Dear Vidas, I improvise at every service. I often improvise before the start of Solemn Mass (generally an improvised prelude on the first hymn) and always at the Offertory - during the censing of the altar. The only times I do not improvise at the Offertory are during the seasons of Advent and Lent. On Palm Sunday, I improvise on Stations of the Cross...

This question was sent by Luciano and he writes: Dear Mr Vidas, Thanks for your reply. Apart the mini course I have a question /big doubt and hope you can clarify. -I found your article "Steps in Composing Organ Sonata " of 13/09/2012 and found it very interesting and clear: it is a kind of Template which I'm using with satisfaction (I'm Composer Amateur and write music only for my satisfaction)....

This question was sent by David. He writes: Hello Dr Vidas I love playing the organ but I never learned how to finger a piece so as to learn it well. I lack confidence in fingering and get frustrated. Will your online course help me? I am learning Bach’s Jesus Joy of Man’s Desiring which I received from your website. The other piece is by Alexander Guilmant---Offertoire from 18 Pieces Nouvelles op...

This question was sent by Jan, and She writes: Dear Vidas, Thanks for answering my question. I was just wondering how one knows to play on the manuals or pedals if the notation is not the usual 3 staves. Now I know! Last question...does that then mean that organists also have the discretion of playing other early Baroque pieces (such as Titelouze) on manuals and pedals. I always wondered how my te...

This question was sent by Mark. He writes: Unfortunately I am not playing the organ at present due to a hand injury. I should be most grateful if you would cancel my subscription to Total Organist at present and not automatically renew my subscription when it becomes due. All being well I will rejoin your site once I am back playing in the future.

Would you like to play a beautiful and charming Andante in D Major, MWV W 32 by Felix Mendelssohn? It's a theme and variations on a very sweet melody. You will love it! 110 percent guaranteed! It's Ausra's favorite work by Mendelssohn. In fact, she first heard it play on our Vilnius University St John's church organ back in 2007 by the great Swiss organist Guy Bovet. We both fell in love with this...

This question was sent by Koos and he writes: Hi Vidas, I am an organist that plays mainly organ in church services of a Christian commune in the Netherlands. Also I play at home on a classic digital organ, spiritual classics and music. Baroque and romantic. My biggest wish is that I can improvise. Although I do have time to practice I manage not to learn it. Apart from this wish I would like to b...