Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast

This question was sent by Paul, and he writes that he doesn’t always have the patience for a highly systematic and laborious practice. http://www.organduo.lt

Today's question was sent by Rivadavia and she writes: "I would like to play reasonably difficult scores at first glance with the least error." http://www.organduo.lt

Today’s question was sent by Rivadavia, from Brazil. And she has a problem that she doesn’t have enough time to practice. http://www.organduo.lt

Today’s question was sent by Rivadavia, and she writes that she struggles with lack of memory. http://www.organduo.lt

Today’s question was sent by Rivadavia. And she has a struggle with patience, and she writes that she lacks patience and even perhaps lack of memory, when she practices. http://www.organduo.lt

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast #117! http://www.organduo.lt/podcast Today's guest is composer, organist and choir conductor from New Zealand, ​Nigel Williams. During his student days he was a chorister at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland. In his eleven years in the choir he developed an interest in composing organ and choral music. After graduating from the University of Auckland wi...

This question was sent by Ken. He writes: “Hi Vidas, I purchased the Chord Workshop course. I have been a church organist for many years, and have an online friend now, from the sale of a Roland C190 keyboard to him. I'm in Ontario Canada, he's in Nova Scotia Canada. He wishes to learn to play, and as he is retired and to encourage him to be able to play and enjoy doing it quickly, the use of chor...

Today’s question was sent by Simon, and he writes: “Hello Ausra and Vidas, what are some tips for building up speed, and expectations for how long this should take – weeks, months? Learning a faster piece e.g Gigout Toccata, I can play the last section accurately at about 2/3 speed, but much faster and it starts to unravel. Playing same section over and over again I lose concentration, and probabl...

Today’s question was sent by John; and he asks how to create alternate harmonizations and descants for the last verse of the hymn. Basically, this is the question: how to reharmonize any type of melody. http://www.organduo.lt

nd today’s question was sent by Max, and he writes: “Hi Vidas, just letting you know I love your channel and have found a lot of useful hints in your theory videos, particularly. You have a clear and unaffected teaching style which is rare on YouTube. Suggestion for topics I would submit (if you were looking) would be organ playing in terms of continuo and supporting vocalists (I really like the u...

Today’s question was sent by Sunny. And she writes: “It would be good to mention the type of shoes you should wear while playing and NOT barefoot like I've gotten in bad habit. My teacher taught me to wear same shoes, with 1/2' heels, carry in bag with my music or keep at the organ. AND one rule we have in our house: NEVER touch ANY of the 4 keyboards in my home without washing your hands. That’s...

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast #116! http://www.organduo.lt/podcast Today's guest is a Finnish classical virtuoso concert pianist and organist Kalle Toivio. Born in Lahti, Finland, Kalle has performed as soloist and chamber musician in his native country Finland and around the globe. With his sister, cellist Seeli Toivio, he has worked for years. They performed on a long concert tour...

Today’s question was sent by Anne, and she writes: “Hi, I really enjoy watching your videos and have found them very instructive. I am an organist/pianist/violinist. However, I've recently been diagnosed with an ulnar compression which is affecting the sensation and dexterity of my ring finger and little finger on my left hand. It is also causing me issues in using the pedals because I am finding...

Today’s question was sent by Daniel. He writes: “Hi Vidas. In my church in Watertown, SD, I have 2 organists, whom I don't think ever got trained to be church organists. I can tell that very easily, because their way of playing hymns sound tired and funeral-like. They have been with my church for a long time, longer than me. I got really tired of listening to them playing hymns. So, what I do is s...

Today’s question was sent by Robert. He writes: “Hi Vidas, when I purchased your score of music (Bach’s Pastorella) I was out of town and will be till Sunday. I can download it at a later date can't I? I can still get access? Didn't know I had to go away, should have waited I guess”. Get more organ playing advice when you subscribe at http://www.organduo.lt

Today’s question was sent by Neil and he writes: “The only thing I struggle with now is my age. I am not able to play fast complex pieces any longer. My coordination is beginning to fail, so I just stick to easy slower less complex pieces. Mostly hymns and ballads. However, I really do enjoy listening or reading what you bring up on organ playing. I do learn things, and I also am reminded of thing...

Today’s question was sent by Bruce. He writes: “Greetings Vidas, ​Thank you for your mailing list and your fine resources for organists. I am a big fan of J.S. Bach, a fairly proficient pianist, pretty knowledgeable about theory and acoustics, conduct a community chorus and orchestra (focusing on Bach cantatas), and am a big fan of the organ. I have recently been given access to a fine organ, and...

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast #115! Today's guest is a young a talented American organist Katelyn Emerson. She performs throughout North America and Europe, showcasing repertoire from the 14th-21st centuries with “impressive technical facility and musicianship” in performances that are “thrilling from beginning to end” (Cleveland Classical). Upcoming and past recital venues include s...

Today’s question was sent by Dan, and he writes: “Vidas, I have been purchasing materials from you. I have about 3-4 years experience on the organ. I am using your resource for 8 Preludes & Fugues. I am only starting the 8 P&F series and have not mastered them. I also purchased BWV 565. I am trying to learn 8 P&F and BWV 565 all at the same, time taking bite sizes out of each one. Is BWV 565 too a...

Today’s question was sent by Radavia, and she writes that she is a beginner already, in advanced age--55 years old--in piano, and she loves organ. Radavia writes further: “I have a virtual organ in my house (Grand Orgue software). My aim is to learn simultaneously the technique of the two instruments. I depend on reading (still easy) scores and I would like to memorize them, but I have some diffic...

oday’s question was sent by Peter, and he writes, “Dear Vidas and Ausra, I recently learned a new and ugly concept: Convenience rubato. Meaning slowing down, when it gets difficult. It hit me by my heart, because it is, what I do during rehearsal. But how do I avoid it during a performance e.g. a service (especially during preludes or postludes, since the hymns normally stick to the the tempo)? Th...

Alan writes: Hello Vidas and Ausra, This is a very interesting problem that Vince describes, and one I can empathise with. In my case, I seem to be somewhat dyslexic between my feet and my left hand. Which is to say, when I make a mistake, I often find that I have confused the left hand (tenor) and pedal (bass) lines. Somehow I am reading the bass line but the instructions are being carried out by...

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast #114! http://www.organduo.lt/podcast Today's guest is Dr. David Danielson Eaton who is an organist, teacher, and church musician whose performances have been described as ‘world class,’ ‘dynamic and consummately musical,’ ‘meticulous and powerful,‘ and ‘the zenith of musical talent.’ ​His appearances in the great Cathedrals and Churches in Europe, and va...

Today’s question was sent by Ugochukwu, and he wants to know about enharmonic transposition. He writes, “Why do I need to know the rules for enharmonic transposition if the notes sound the same?: http://www.organduo.lt

“Dear Vidas, I love your products and have a monthly subscription. The problem I am encountering is that suddenly this week I cannot log in with my email. The system says there is no account with that address. I also tried my personal address, in case it was the one linked to the subscription, but it didn't work either. I receive my monthly bills at that address for some reason. I may have just cr...