Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast

Let's start episode 735 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Dawn and she asks: Ausra, ​is your technique for composing the same as Vidas? Hope you will enjoy this conversation! Find out more at https://organduo.lt

Let's start episode 734 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Kathrin and she writes: That's a really interesting topic.  Can I add a few questions? - Level 1 - 2 - 3 method sounds plausible. But for me, when a piece really looks like level 1, after practicing for a while, it turns out, it's at least level 2. I never found level 1 pieces. What would you suggest...

Let's start episode 733 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Ann and she writes: I have a related problem. I also have been working on the E flat trio sonata, and have absolutely loved working on it/playing it. But I played it in a recital recently (one movement) and I played it badly, even though it is great when I play by myself. When I started playing, my hands wer...

Let's start episode 732 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. These questions were sent by Rien and Benas and they write: Maybe you could answer this question in a podcast (referring to Benas): with some pieces you “feel” while practicing that everything comes together. And if you are there, you stay there. Even if you don’t play the piece for a while, it still flows (maybe with some light prac...

Let's start episode 731 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Dan and he writes: Interesting podcast episode here, on pedal technique, Vidas.  You talk about putting hands on the bench during pedal solos. I’ll often do this, as I’m not playing anything in the manuals.  Would you say this is a good thing to do, technically speaking?  Or would you advise organists that y...

Welcome to episode 730 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast! This question was sent by Benas, our student at Vilnius University organ studio "Unda Maris" and he writes: After learning to play Bach's Trio Sonata in Eb major, I found myself reluctant to try and explore the rest of the Trio sonatas. What could I try to overcome this fear?  Last year, I played Bach's Trio Sonata in E-...

Let's start episode SOPP729 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Nick and he writes: Hi there!   Been following your site for a while (and even bought a few pieces). I just recently stepped up to learn organ for my church – it’s a Catholic traditional Latin church, so I’m being asked to play hymns, interludes, and to accompany chant when I can.   It’s been a while sin...

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast No. 728! It's Vidas and usually we do these conversations with Ausra but today I’m delighted to speak with a very special guest—someone whose music has brought inspiration, beauty, and calm to listeners and performers around the world. Dr. James Michael Stevens , joining us from Nashville, Tennessee, is a remarkably prolific composer, pianist, and educat...

Let's start episode 727 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Gene and he writes: My question is tempo, on BWV 624: Hilf Gott, dass mir's gelinge by J.S. Bach. I'm amazed that I can play it pretty well,  and it sounds pretty good on my funny, little house organ. Fluit 4, on the triplets and to Pedal. Cantus on Principal 8. I can play it @75, metronome, mostly....

Welcome to episode 726 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast! This question was sent by Tamsin and she writes: I have a technical question that you might be able to shed some light on.  When playing Baroque repertoire I usually use all-toes technique.  I would like to ask if you find foot-crossing and other elements of all-toes technique easier to perform on a straight pedal board than on a radial p...

Let’s start episode 725 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Steve and he writes: Is it possible at 78 years old to memorize? Hope you will enjoy this conversation!​

Let’s start episode 724 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Kathrin writes: I can‘t play versets for services like confirmation. I need festive, more or less bold and „friendly“ pieces, at least between 3 to 5 minutes, pieces with repeats are always nice. The „biggest“ organs I play regularly have 14 (a mechanical organ) and 12 (pneumatic organ) ranks on two manuals, no...

Let’s start episode 723 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by the listener and she writes: Hi Vidas, 1. My dream would be for the idea of improvisation not to make me very nervous and to be something I can do with some degree of confidence! 2. The 3 things holding me back are: chord progressions and harmonizations while improvising, not practicing improvisation like I prac...

Let’s start episode 722 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Dawn and she writes: "My New Year's resolution is to be confident at improvising. You can support this channel by becoming a member here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO4K3_6QVJI_HlI5PCFQqtg/joinIf you like what I do, you can buy me some coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/organduoPayPal: https://P...

Let’s start episode 721 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Massimiliano and he writes: Hello Vidas, How are you? Since I have some problems with my eyesight and was looking for a somewhat large written edition. I wanted to ask you please what editions you use for Bach's music. In your videos I can't understand it well.  I also wanted to ask you if you know a goo...

Let’s start episode 720 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Maureen, and she writes: Dear Vidas, Could you advise me on how to play on a 1 manual organ?  There are no foot pedals and no volume pedal. This organ was built for a side chapel in the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. There are eight draw stops 1x16’; 2 x8’; 2x 4’; and 2 x 2’ and stop which on its own sounds out o...

Welcome to episode 719 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Kurt and he writes: Dear Vidas, Thanks for Your newsletter and the advice and remarks for technical topics such as registration and daily exercises. My dream at the moment (as on beginner level) is to coordinate the pedal playing - it causes me so much power (and pain?) to get the brain (and hands and feet) in th...

Welcome to episode 718 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Carl and she writes:"Hallo Vidas! My stretch goal is to be a church organist. I can't really play the piano right now, I have to learn that. I have no access to an organ. I am stretched for time. I guess this is pretty vanilla feedback. But that's pretty much it."You can support this channel by...

Welcome to episode 717 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Pamela and she writes: "I would be interested in tips on how to accompany plainsong chant. I know that many people do not like or approve of chant accompaniments but many USA churches use them. The organist often has to invent on the spot." You can support this channel by becoming a member here: https:/...

Let’s start episode 716 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Ray, and he writes: “Hey Vidas Thanks for your tips. Here are my goals: - to increase my play from memory ability (given the fact that l am 71) and to perform two major pieces Challenges: - time is a challenge - correct fingering (still fumbling at times) - improve my pedal skill Thanks again for your tips! Rega...

Let’s start episode 715 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Ben, and he writes: 1. Goal: To play more complex pieces such as Bach D minor "Dorian" toccata and fugue fluently 2.  Obstacle: Advanced age (76) although I did study organ at ages 15-17 and violin from age 9 and have a good knowledge of music theory. Fortunately now being semi-retired I have time to p...

Let’s start episode 714 of Secrets of Organ Playing podcast.  This question was sent by Kathrin, and she writes: “When I first write fingerings in the score, partly it doesn't work anymore, when I play the piece faster. In some pieces it is necessary to play one or two or more notes in the first line in the left hand or vice versa. So both hands have to work together. I can only write fingerin...

This question was sent by Jim, and he writes: I'm trying to think when, if ever, someone would want to use a 16' stop when playing on the manuals. It seems that practice would give a very thick and muddy sound to the part written for the manuals. Can you give an instance or example of when it would be appropriate to use a 16' stop for the manuals, or one of the manuals, please? I am just having tr...

Let’s start episode 712 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Jim, and he writes: “There is a topic that I, and probably every other church organist on here, would like for you to cover. And that is how to accompany the choir for the choral anthem from a piano score at the organ. It is a nightmare. Usually if there is a piano available, I will move to the piano to accompan...

Let’s start episode 711 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Spencer, and he writes: Hello Sir,  Please do you have materials and videos on creating last stanza reharmonization for organ accompanying a choir singing unison with or without descant? This podcast is supported by  Total Organist  - the most comprehensive organ training program online. A: It has hundreds of co...