Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast #109! http://www.organduo.lt/podcast Today's guest is a Canadian organist Francine Nguyen-Savaria. She entered the piano class of the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal at the age of sixteen. Two years later, she entered the organ class, studying under Jean Le Buis. She graduated from the Conservatory in May 2011. ​Francine is the recipient of many pri...

#AskVidasAndAusra 56 - Can you introduce us to the easier toccatas? by Vidas Pinkevicius

This question was sent by Morton, and he writes: “Dear Vidas, recently more people have wanted to practice on the organ in the chapel that I practice on. It is a 3 manual Johannus, and it is just fine for me. We are asked to sign up in advance for no more than four hours a week - I usually sign for two hours on two separate days. Naturally if no one has signed up, I guess anyone can practice durin...

Today’s question was sent by Morton, and he is struggling with Guilmant’s prelude based on the hymn “Thine is the Glory,” which is the paraphrase of a chorus in Judas Maccabeus. He writes: “I really hope to get that up to standard by Eastertide of 2018. My "struggle" is with certain places where I have to coordinate my hands and feet together..." http://www.organduo.lt

Morton writes: "My struggle is with playing pieces in many sharps. I don't have trouble with playing pieces written in many flats - don't ask me why... For example, David German's Trumpet Tune changes keys in the latter portion... If he had written that portion in flats I would be able to manage, but I haven't been able to manage that portion which he wrote in sharps... I have put that aside for n...

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast #108! http://www.organduo.lt/podcast Today's guest is an American organist Matthew Buller. A native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, he is a recent graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, Ohio. He began his piano studies at age 9 and 3 years later he began his organ studies at age 12 under Calgary native Marlene Mullenix. At the age of 14, M...

Today’s question was sent by David, and he writes, “Hello Vidas and Ausra. In the podcast with Paulius Grigonis, the book by George Ritchie was discussed. Would you recommend this book for a beginner? If you do, how about I use this book as part of my daily practice? My daily practice now consists entirely of learning a single piece. Thank you for your help.” http://www.organduo.lt

Today’s question was sent by Liesel, and she asks this question: “How do I cancel Total Organist if it’s not for me? I want to do the trial version. Is there a cancellation page to go to?”

Today’s question was sent by Anna, and she writes that she tries to sit correctly on the organ bench, but she doesn’t seem to be able to find her position--her convenient position. http://www.organduo.lt

#AskVidasAndAusra 49 - I feel the pain in my knees when I play the organ pedals by Vidas Pinkevicius

Nadine asks what does it take to become a concert organist?

(Pat) Holding me back is having forgotten basics, both hand facility and knowledge of flats, sharps etc.

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast #107! http://www.organduo.lt/podcast Today's guest is an American organist ​and pianist Kae Hannah Matsuda. She began piano lessons at age 9. In junior high school she accompanied her youth group's weekly hymn sing, and at 13 began her ongoing involvement in church music. She's a performer at heart, and church music offered a challenging but forgiving wa...

Pat writes that he just needs to follow our plan each day to reach his goals in organ playing.

Pats writes about his challenge of time without interruptions, the lack of which causes him to be discouraged at his ability to regain his organ playing skill.

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast #106! http://www.organduo.lt/podcast Today's guest is an American organist Weston Jennings who is quickly establishing himself as a talented and engaging international performer. We recorded this conversation before his concert at Vilnius University St. John's church which was about a month ago on July 1. On his thoughtful program - works of Felix Mendel...

Annunziato asks about how to understand XXII or XIX indications on Italian organ stops. Sign up for a free 10-day organ playing mini course on mastering any organ composition at http://www.organduo.lt

Dear Vidas, if you could accept my question, here it is: What practice methods do you suggest for simple fugal improvisation? It might be a good idea to practice it in writing as well. A good source/material/method would be tremendous help and would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for all your work! Sincerely: Lilla Find more organ playing advice at http://www.organduo.lt

While comparing two versions of Franck’s Offertory in Eb Major I noticed that there are some differences in the score .... here and there they have naturalized the odd note here and plus other variations. Is that normal? I suppose they modify as to difficulty or based on level of competency? .... Thanks again! Robert Find more organ playing advice at http://www.organduo.lt

Hi Vidas and Ausra, you are the best teachers. The pedal training is really helping me to integrate my entire body into organ playing. It is a slow process, but well worth it. As you learn to slow down and get things right--which doesn’t happen overnight, especially since the learning process is very biological and physiological—it is as if you are learning to keep your feet underneath you, metaph...

#AskVidasAndAusra 40 - Identification of sounds to the appropriate chords is a problem for me by Vidas Pinkevicius

#AskVidasAndAusra 39 - Movement of my left hand fingers always becomes a problem by Vidas Pinkevicius

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast #105! Today's guest is Arnoldas Leleika. He is our student from Vilnius University majoring in Chemistry but hopes to transfer to Medicine next year. He's just finished his freshman year and right away started playing the organ at our Unda Maris studio from last September and currently has chosen 3 pieces for the upcoming competition for young organists....

#AskVidasAndAusra 38 - Joblessness is holding back my concentration when I practice organ playing by Vidas Pinkevicius

#AskVidasAndAusra 37 - When/how to use Bourdon 16' in the manuals? by Vidas Pinkevicius