Secrets Of Organ Playing Podcast

This question was sent by Timothy and he wrote: “I recently purchased your fingering for BWV 553 (https://secrets-of-organ-playing.myshopify.com/products/prelude-and-fugue-in-c-major-bwv-553), and I stopped dead at the transition from the first page to the second. The last right-hand note on the first page specifies finger 3, and the first note on the second page is also 3. Is that a misprint? Am I missing something important? How can the third finger jump like that in the middle of a fast 16th note passage? Timothy

This question was sent by Steve from http://www.organbench.com. And he wrote: Good morning Vidas, Hope all is well with you. Most of my compositions are listed now for sale with Sheet Music Plus Press and Noteflight Marketplace. Under the terms of this arrangement I retain ownership of my compositions and copyrights and can exercise control over listed retail prices and product descriptions. Royalties are at or near half of the retail price, for every copy sold, payable every month or quarterly, by PayPal or written cheque, my choice. Their online catalogs reach 110 countries world wide. A certain publishing house has also expressed an interest in publishing one of my compositions separately, namely, the E Major Op. 17 Communion song. The standard contract from this firm arrived today in duplicate, and, if I sign it, I will be assigning ownership of this piece to this firm. In return I'm to be paid through PayPal just once a year, the standard 10 per cent of the retail cost, which is set by them, for each c

This question was sent by Tomás, and he wrote: My dream in organ playing is to play impressive songs with lots of stops. I would like to change them (the stops) during the song playing.

This question was sent by Barbara, and she wrote that she struggles with two related things: 1) keeping my mind from wandering when I'm doing repetitions to teach my hands/feet the fingering/pedaling, and 2) resisting the temptation to sightread at tempo (with mistakes).

This question was sent by Andrea. And she writes: Dear Vidas, Stage fright, shyness, lack of confidence and lack of patience for the last 10% to make the piece perfect. I have a teacher now for 5 years, tough lady, very demanding. So I am not in the organist’s desert. Kindest, Andrea

Let’s start episode 324 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Dieter and he writes: Good evening Ausra and Vidas. Just recently something electrical malfunctioned on our Churches organ. As a result we lost the 32' and 16' ranks in the pedals. Only 8' and 4' left. I have heard it is possible to create the illusion of say a 32' by playing two notes on a 16' in the pedals. I am not averse to playing a two note chord in the pedals, as long as it is not too complicated for hymn accompaniment, a bit like a drone. Question is which two notes? Dieter

Let’s start episode number 322, of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Rob. He writes: Hello Ausra and Vidas, Today, I have a few things to share with you that relate to subjects that both of you discussed in recent SOPPs. Please feel free to use it as “ammo” to elaborate on as you see fit. 1) Accompanying the congregation in singing This is something that I’ve been doing for almost 45 years now. When I accompany a choir, I’ll have to “obey” the SATB setting of the songs. When I accompany the people, I can basically make up my own harmonies. What I do is this: one of my ears listens to the organ, the other ear listens to the singing of the congregation. Now, in the middle of my head, I bring the two together: I always make sure, that I am just a fraction of a beat “ahead” so I can give them the next note, the next tone that they need to sing. This way, you can also control the pace of the song, because congregations are inclined to slow down in singing and it is best not to allow t

Let’s start episode 320 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Hanna, and she writes: Hi Vidas, This is what I studied and practiced last month, just recently adding the 2 Minuets and this new one. I don't speak German so can't pronounce it. 10-Day Pedal Exercise Ich Ruf zu Dir Praise to the Lord Doxology If you Could Hie to Kolob- piano/organ duet I am working on to play in sacrament meeting at Church. Our Prayer to Thee - Hymn out of the hymnal for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Minuet in G Major #132 God is in His Holy Temple Organ Technique- listen (I have listed to one 30-min presentation). I am only 5'1" and can't block the church organ up. So it is difficult to skim the pedals like I want to. But I'm trying for better range of motion in my ankles so my heel can reach as I stretch the achilles tendon more. It is a thrill to sense even minor improvement, so your teaching must be working. Thank you. -Hanna

Let’s start episode 321 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Heidi and she writes: “Wow! Vidas Pinkevicius, what an Artist you are! Runs in the family, except your media is painting with music, rather than oils. The music you’ve created and performed here is deeply profound and moving to me. At times, I also noticed that it is so far 'above my comprehension' that I feel a bit confused. In no time, however, the music is telling its story again. The birds singing brought so much joy! I actually wondered for a moment if they were live birds. And then there is the Giant. How I loved hearing the giant come tumbling down. Very deliberately, filled with tension and suspense, slow, getting slower as he descended!! Wow, it was so much fun listening to this. Everything about this piece is wonderful, including the Artist - thank you. Oh, and by the way, the fact that the organ is mechanical totally added to the music’s drama. Beautiful performance by the artist, Vidas. Articulat

Let's start episode 319, of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Irineo. He writes: Have you ever partaken in an event where 2 organs (or organ + harpsichord/2 harpsichords) were played simultaneously? Very truly yours, Irineo.

Let’s start episode 318 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Sjouke and he writes: “Hi Vidas and Ausra, Today I have finished a morning practice session for about 2 and a half hrs, and than after that I was done for, meaning very tired. I get that way, my back is hurting and between my shoulder blades etc. Although I am not very good at it, playing the organ that is, still I try to get to the church at least once a week, because others also want time behind the organ, which is understandable and I do not begrudge them that, and I am working at trying to get a key for the church so I do get more time behind the organ. I do have a organ at home and I enjoy playing of it but of course the sound is different, so that is why I go to church to practice. But it seems that I am a slow learner, being 72 years of age does not help, but that is frustrating me. I usually pick pieces that I know that I can learn, a couple of months ago I heard a friend of mine play, "Wachet auf, ruft uns d

Let’s start episode 317 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Barbara, and she writes: My challenge continues to be aware of posture + unrelaxed hands, arms, and shoulders to prevent numbness in my hands (especially my right hand). This came to a crisis 2.5 yrs ago. I've been to doctors, occupational therapist, and Alexander Technique teacher and am determined to control it without surgery. Mild arthritis is also an issue (age 67). I hold chords too tightly, press the keys harder than I need to, and frequently find my shoulders hunched. Releasing all of this helps. I'm thinking of focusing on 17th-18th c. French organ music this fall (interesting, need to learn ornaments + performance practice better, and not so many chords). Will give my feet exercises and tricky Bach pedal passages (and learn the hands later).

Let’s start episode 316, of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Regina. And she writes: I enjoy reading your blog and find your responses to be absolutely spot on. I am a retired music teacher and choral director. Piano was my primary instrument (began lessons at 4). Upon retirement, I decided to pursue a life-long dream (the number one item on my “ bucket list” lol) to learn to play the organ. I have been studying for almost eight years and have tackled some of JS Bach’s most challenging masterworks. As a pianist, I found that the most difficult aspect of learning to play the organ was not the pedals but, rather, the left hand. If I made mistakes, it was usually in my left hand! I’ve recently gotten the St Anne’s into performance- level shape. I will probably use the Prelude as exit music for my next wedding gig (I work as a substitute organist for two Lutheran Churches here on Long Island, NY) . Again, I enjoy your blog tremendously and always find some piece of advice I can util

Let’s start episode 315 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Dianne and she writes: “I’m struggling with the pedal exercises that call for playing a fourth with heel and toe of one foot... And doing so legato without playing pedals in between. Some of the 3rds, depending on octave and foot called for, are difficult as well. My feet don't bend and stretch that way!”

Let’s start episode 314 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Dianne, and she writes: ​ I am struggling with keeping the practice slow. I am too goal oriented for my own good. And then of course I am more easily frustrated when I make mistakes. Working on patience and enjoying the process!

Let’s start episode number 313, of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. We had a discussion in our communication channel on Basecamp recently. And Jay wrote that ‘he’s feeling a bit frustrated with seemingly little progress’. And then he wrote some details: “For one thing, I have a similar problem that Dianne posted about slow practice. I'm trying slow down things that are more difficult and go through many repetitions. Maybe I'm not going through enough repetitions. And, I know we shouldn't compare ourselves with others–it's easy to do though. I see others posting about getting perfect on things that I can't even play. I am enjoying practice though. I just would really like to improve faster. And like someone else who is 71 recently said, that at this age, it just takes longer to get things. Perhaps that's where part of the frustration is”. V: Diane answered: “I agree with everything you said. I tend to compare myself now to when I was younger, and I get frustrated that I can't play things perfectly

Let’s start episode 311 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by David, and he writes that he is dreaming to play organs for fundraising concerts and for worship accompaniment, but obstacles in the way of his dream is a busy life, and that means that he cannot practice as often as he’d like.

Let’s start episode 312 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. Today I’d like to share with you the discussion that was going on our communication channel on BaseCamp between Total Organist students. Annabelle wrote the answer to the question “What is she currently working on?” and “What is she struggling with?” So she is playing Wedding March by Wagner and she writes: Annabel: I'm playing for a wedding in October and have some issues with performance anxiety. So I thought it would help to learn it by heart. David: Great idea I have the anxiety issues, too. 2 bananas 30 minutes before performance has been helping me keep my hands and ankles from shaking so badly and slows down my racing heart. Recently my doctor suggested trying a medication called Propranolol, so this Sunday will be the first run with it. I don't always need that kind of help, but when my performance anxiety gets out of control, I need just a little help. Annabel: I’ll try bananas, that's very interesting. Is it the potassium? I'm fi

Let’s start episode 309 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Michael and he writes: "Hi Vidas, You're very welcome! I very much enjoy your music scores, and I intend to purchase more in the future. Thank you for making them available for purchase! They are all excellent works. I was hoping you and Ausra might consider discussing the following organ history subjects in future podcasts: 1. When was the organ introduced into the Christian liturgy? Where were the first church organs installed (e.g. in which regions of Europe or Western Asia, etc)? How did the earliest organists serve in the context of the liturgy? Were the service-playing responsibilities quite different from that of a parish organist today? What was the medieval (pre-Tridentine) mass like? 2. Historical tunings/temperaments: Pythagorean tuning, Mean-tone temperament, the "well-temperaments," etc. When and were where these tunings were used? 3. Compositional practices/features of organ music prior to 18th century? Who

Let’s start episode number 310, of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by C.K. And C.K. writes: C.K. Hi Vidas, 1. My dream is to become a competent, versatile and creative church organist. V: And the obstacles toward this dream are, ​C.K. 2. Modulation skill; improvisation technique; setting registration. Regards, C K