Secrets Of Organ Playing Podcast

Today’s question was sent by David, and he writes: “To answer your question, the most important thing for me, in playing organ, is to learn how to read music well. I handle up to 4 flats, and up to 3 sharps with little effort. Beyond that I have never learned to read music well at all. The second most important thing for me is to learn how to count well and consistently. I know what you will say: when you practice, miracles happen. And here is what I say: You are right! I want to take this opportunity to thank you for this wonderful online resource for those of us who are learning -- or in my case, re=learning -- to play the organ. I am about to settle a lawsuit and with my money award, I intend to purchase the Total Organist training.” http://www.organduo.lt

Victoria asks if fingering is important in organ improvisation. http://www.organduo.lt

Today’s question was sent by Paul, and he writes: “Dear Vidas Pinkevicius, thank you first for your good and precise advice. I spend 2 weeks in Italy, so it was not possible for me to answer immediately to your question. My dream: playing in such a manner, that people, who listen to it, will like to hear this kind of music in the future.” http://www.organduo.lt

Today’s question was sent by Paul, and he writes that his challenge is mainly his age, because he is 75 years old. http://www.organduo.lt

This question was sent by Paul, and he writes that he is a slow learner. First of all, let’s celebrate, a little bit, our small achievement: 100 podcasts of simply helping people to grow in organ playing, answering their questions. http://www.organduo.lt

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast #118! http://www.organduo.lt/podcast Today's guest is Angela Kraft Cross, San Francisco Bay Area organist, pianist and composer. She graduated from Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music in 1980 with bachelor's degrees in Physics and Organ Performance. She then earned her Doctor of Medicine degree at Loma Linda University, where she subsequently completed her residency in ophthalmology. In 1993, she completed her Master of Music degree in Piano Performance at the College of Notre Dame with Thomas LaRatta, with whom she continues to study. Her organ teachers have included Louis Robilliard, Marie-Louise Langlais, Sandra Soderlund, S. Leslie Grow, William Porter and Garth Peacock. In 2001, she was awarded the Associateship credential of the American Guild of Organists (AAGO) after passing rigorous playing and written examinations. She has studied composition with Pamela Decker in recent years. In addition to her musical career, Dr. Kraft Cross retired in 2011 ha

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 with a Master's Degree in composition he began a career as a music teacher. He was at the forefront of music education in New Zealand for almost 30 years having taught variously at Westlake Girls High School, St Paul's Collegiate School, Scots College, and Marsden School for Girls. He retired recently from the position of Director of Music at Mill Hill School in London (UK). Currently Nigel is musical director of the Tauranga Civic Choir for whom he is composing a large scale cantata style work for performance in 2019. He has always maintained an active life as a musician and composer in the community. In Hamilton

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 chording, I believe is the way to go for him. As you know there are "fake books" of every genre of music available, and most hymnals now have chords too. If I decide to, can I purchase the "Chord Workshop" for him, and register it from my computer and give his email address? Also, is there any time limit on using your program on Youtube? I've not yet got into your program, but I wanted this information. Thanks Vidas. Ken.” http://www.organduo.lt

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 probably just re-inforce mistakes. Greetings from Germany, and thanks to you both for your inspiration. Simon.” http://www.organduo.lt

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 use of it in Monteverdi's Orfeo, for example).” http://www.organduo.lt

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 a big time no no. My grand daughter scolded one of our guests who sat down at our grand piano to play. Too funny, but people don't realize how over time, grime from one’s hands becomes a problem with build up gunk so washing hands should be taught to others for any instrument.” http://www.organduo.lt

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 in Japan in 2003, and in 2007 they performed at a televised concert at the international Servais Festival in Belgium. In Winter 2009 Kalle Toivio performed together in New York (USA) with his sister, cellist Seeli Toivio and her husband, saxophonist Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo. In Spring 2006 Kalle Toivio was touring in Moldovia and Romania. Kalle Toivio has regularly performed at the Mänttä Music Festival (Finland) since the festival was founded in 1999. As an organist, Kalle Toivio has performed in Finland and USA. Along with his solo career, Kalle Toivio is also a versatile chamber musician. He has also performed wit

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 that, when playing the organ, I cannot move or sit in an optimum position. I have been told by my physio that this is from wear and tear from playing and practicing, and I was wondering if you know of other musicians who have had a similar problem? Although I am doing exercises to try and relieve the compressed nerve I have been told that to resolve it I will probably require surgery. The only other choice would be to stop playing, which obviously I cannot do. Do you have any suggestions? I'd be very grateful to hear your thoughts. Thank you, best regards, Anne.” http://www.organduo.lt

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 sometimes I go to another church as a guest musician to play music there. And sometimes when that church has no need for me, I attend the contemporary service. In order to understand what I am saying, you and Ausra may need to sometime come to my church and listen to those organists. They also don't play background music during prayer time, which as a result the prayer time sounds empty and meaningless. There were several people, including me, who complained about one of the organists. Have you and Ausra encountered such organists in your area?” Get more organ playing advice and inspiration when you subscribe at htt