Secrets Of Organ Playing Podcast

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 things I already knew, but just forgot over time... Please keep doing what you are doing, it is appreciated. Neil” Get more organ playing advice when you subscribe at http://www.organduo.lt

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 would like to give it a try. I know that finding a good teacher is important, but before I do that I would like to look at a few Bach pieces to get me started. I know Klavier-Ubung 3 - is there something in there to try, or is there something more appropriate and possibly less intimidating for a beginning organist? I would like recommendations for some pieces with interesting pedal parts, that are accessible (either with cantus firmus in the pedal, or with something like what I naively believe pedal parts are like). What would you start with if you were me? I've been starting with Bach chorales, but I would lik

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 such illustrious locations as Walt Disney Hall (Los Angeles, California), Hallgrímskirkja (Reykjavík, Iceland), Cathédrale Saint-Omer (France), Kurhaus Wiesbaden (Germany), the Riverside Church (New York, New York), the American Cathedral (Paris, France), Musashino Civic Cultural Hall (Japan), Krasnoyarsk Philharmonic Hall (Russia), Cathédrale St-Quentin (Hasselt, Belgium), the Hauptkirche St. Petri (Hamburg, Germany), Merrill Auditorium (Portland, Maine), Bradford Cathedral (England), the Cathédrale Poitiers (France), Severance Hall (Cleveland, Ohio), among others. As first prizewinner of the American Guild of Org

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 advanced for my level and should wait on this until after 8 P&F? Thanks Vidas”. http://www.organduo.lt

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 difficulty with this. Do you have memorization tips to achieve this goal? PS. Very cool your site, but many of the techniques presented are still difficult to understand, for MY level of learning. I hope someday to get there ... with your help, if possible. Thank you very much, from Brazil, Radavia.” http://wwww.organduo.lt

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)? Thanks for your continuous work teaching and inspiring me. Regards, Peter.’ http://www.organduo.lt

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 my left hand instead of my feet (and visa versa)! I have to stop, recognise what is happening, and mentally reassociate parts with hands and feet in order to continue. It is frustrating, but I do believe that the right sort of exercises/training could improve independence of motion, and strengthen the linkage between parts and hands/feet. I have tried to develop a few such exercises myself, but I haven't had very much success in eradicating the problem yet. I continue to enjoy and benefit from your daily postings. Thanks and keep up the good work! Regards, Alan Peterson (Sydney, Australia) http://www.organdu

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 various venues throughout North America, including Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center, The Piccolo Spoleto Music Festival in Charleston, South Carolina, The Concordia Organ Series at Concordia College in Bronxville, New York, The Old West Organ Society Summer Evening Concerts at Old West Church in Boston, and St. Thomas Church in New York City, have been met with great enthusiasm. As church musician, he has held appointments in New York, Boston, Minneapolis, San Antonio, Austin, Wisconsin, Iowa, and South Carolina. Dr. Eaton served as Director of Music at The Church of St. John the Evangelist on Beacon Hill in Bost

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 created a new account with my new address as a way to try to get the system to remember me, but it is not linked to the monthly subscription, so I still cannot download scores through it. Can you help me so that I can log in to my monthly subscription account? Many thanks. Rose.” http://www.organduo.lt

Today’s question was sent by Marvin. He writes, “I’m a beginner who still struggles with pedals, I really need your help”. http://www.organduo.lt

Today’s question was sent by Jerome, and he writes, “Can you please tell me the notes in this b minor chord progression?” And the chords are as follows: iv, ii 65, V42, i6, and V43. Secrets of Organ Playing: When You Practice, Miracles Happen - http://www.organduo.lt

Paul writes: "I want to be able to take any music and create an arrangement which would be possible for me to play without automatic or electronic tricks, and yet would be found interesting and fun for whoever should hear it. Secrets of Organ Playing: http://www.organduo.lt

Today’s question was sent by Paul, and he writes that his challenge is that he doesn’t have enough free time to become good enough to play difficult passages. He writes, “However, on thinking about it a little more, it is the problem of coordination between two hands and feet, with all three playing something different. Yes! It is this problem of coordination between separate rhythms. Unfortunately, I only have one brain, probably with only one core, while an organist probably needs at least three cores.” Secrets of Organ Playing: http://www.organduo.lt

Today’s question was sent by David, and he writes, “Thank you very much for answering my question. I have the Ritchie/Stauffer book and started with Chapter 3 Early Organ Technique since I am working on Handel's Largo. I have a follow up question. When I master Handel's Largo, should I continue with another early music piece or change to modern music and start at the beginning of the Ritchie/Stauffer book?” Secrets of Organ Playing: http://www.organduo.lt

today’s question was sent by Don, and he writes, “Dear Vidas, while I respect your work as an organ teacher, I wonder if "selling" your ideas of fingerings is the best for students. My present teacher would never force me to copy or use other person's fingerings. Dupre, in my opinion, wasted a lot of his time with his "fingered" editions of the Bach works. My instructor at the time told me to "throw them in the garbage can!"....so who, as a student, do we believe? Let us guide students with some basic principles...but to finger every note for them??? Don” Secrets of Organ Playing: http://www.organduo.lt

Today’s question was sent by Matt, and he writes,: “Vidas and Ausra, I have enjoyed your posts and appreciate all the work you put in. My goal is to be a better church organist.” http://www.organduo.lt

Today’s question was sent by Matt, and he writes that he wants to learn how to do proper registrations for standard pieces(Bach, Vierne, Franck. etc.) and good registration approaches in general. Get more organ playing advice and inspiration when you subscribe at http://www.organduo.lt

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast #112! http://www.organduo.lt/podcast Today's guest is an American organist Robert L. Morehead, CAGO. He is a native of Pittsburgh and is the Director of Music Ministries at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Vienna, Virginia. Robert began his organ studies at the age of twelve in Germany under the instruction of Tassilo Schlenther. For twenty years, Robert has held Director of Music positions in German Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Evangelical Lutheran churches. Robert holds a Bachelor's of Music degree in Organ Performance from Malone University in Canton, Ohio. While at Malone, Robert received instruction from W. Robert Morrison, FAGO and also earned a piano teaching certificate. Over the years, Robert has earned three organ certifications: the D-Schein from the Lutheran Church in Germany, the Service Playing certificate from the American Guild of Organists, and the Collegaue certification from the American Guild of Organists. Robert is a fifteen-year member