Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast

This question was sent by Tim. He writes: My dream for organ playing is to have the confidence to play publicly in church and concert settings. How can I get comfortable play for others and play as well then as I can when playing just for myself. Barriers include no local teachers in our small community. I’m learning on my own so get no critical feedback on my playing. Lack of opportunity to play...

This question was sent by Brad. He writes: I am a 39 year-old music educator and church musician who has played piano for twenty years, and began studying/playing organ five years ago (with two years hiatus due to a significant job change). I returned to my study of the organ a year ago and have made significant progress. 1. My dream would be to become a proficient organist, capable of playing sta...

This question was sent by April. And she writes: Hello Vidas Pinkevicius, I am answering your survey. 1. What is your dream for your organ playing? I would like to know more about how to convert piano sheet music to organ sheet music. Our hymn book for church is written for piano and I struggle with creating a reasonable, but fairly easy, pedal line and deciding which stops to use. 2. What are 3 m...

This question was sent by John, and he writes, Could you also talk in your podcast about actually recording the CD, like where to place the microphone, or what sort of microphone to use. How to pick the repertoire, what sort of editing processes should be used, and how to organize the actual recording schedule. For example, did you do the whole CD in one hit, or over several days or weeks? Did you...

Where do you put a camera when recording organ music? by Vidas Pinkevicius

Would you like to publish a book? by Vidas Pinkevicius

What does it take to organize a successful organ recital? by Vidas Pinkevicius

Demonstrating the largest pipe organ in Lithuania by Vidas Pinkevicius

How to be productive? by Vidas Pinkevicius

This question was sent by John, and he asks, “Could you do a podcast about making a CD, please?” So he returned back home from his trip to play in Vilnius, and now he’s in Australia. And he’s thinking about recording some of his organ performances on CD and presenting them as a gift. So, I thought we could talk about how I do it.

This question was sent by John, from Australia. When he got back from his European trip, and he visited us and played the recital at our church, Vilnius University, St. John’s Church. And upon returning he sends this question, feedback basically.

This question was sent by Jane. She writes: Is there a source on the Internet for all of the toe-toe, heel/heel scale patterns? I am playing 15-20 hours per week in preparation for some private lessons in Paris this summer. I am an accomplished musician, but my pedal technique has become lazy over time. Working it back into shape as I am playing repertoire such as the Guilmant, op. 42 which has ve...

This question was sent by Ahra. And she writes: Dear Vidas, My name is Ahra Yoo. I am an organist in Korea. My recital is coming up in Germany, and the organ has short octave. I have never been played on short octave organ and I read your article about ‘CDE Octave’ Could you recommend any appropriate pieces for this organ? I am in trouble to make a program. It will be very helpful any of your advi...

This question was sent by Alison. And she writes: Hi Vidas, I enjoying reading your blog and would appreciate some advice on repertoire using the mutation stops. I am to give a recital on an organ which has 3 mutation stops and would like to demonstrate all 3 during the recital. I have looked out a Cornet Voluntary by John Stanley and a tierce en taille by Michel Corrette, but perhaps you could su...

This question was sent by Petty. She writes: I would like to offer my contribution as follows : 1. What is your dream for your organ playing? To become a reasonably capable parish organist. 2. What are 3 most important things that are holding you back from realizing your dream? I would like to provide a brief background of myself to put my input into a better perspective : I will be turning 50 in...

This question was sent by Kae, who is helping us to transcribe some of the podcasts into text and make them into blog posts. So, she wrote a question: Labas Vidai ir Aušra! She knows a little Lithuanian. So this means, “Hi Vidas and Ausra!” She continues: I was inspired by AVA192 to make a video of my newest creation--a lyric song, which meant I would have to sing (*shudder*)--and post it on YouTu...

This question was sent by Robert. And he writes: Hi Vidas ... Robert here again from Vancouver Canada: I'm at a point where I read well and have pretty good independence with hands and pedals. I seem to have trouble with arpeggios though, left and right hand. Basically it's doing the fast transitions to other chords (in the progressions) which are often in inversions. Any material you know of or f...

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What is your bucket of ink? by Vidas Pinkevicius

What is your one thing? by Vidas Pinkevicius

Give yourself permission to fail by Vidas Pinkevicius

How do you start your mornings? by Vidas Pinkevicius

What did you love doing when you were 6 years old? by Vidas Pinkevicius

What things increase and decrease one's creativity? by Vidas Pinkevicius

How Can I Become Creative? by Vidas Pinkevicius