Secrets Of Organ Playing Podcast

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 now..." http://www.organduo.lt

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, Matthew commenced his church music career by playing voluntarily at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Lake Charles. He then became accompanist at Christ the King Catholic Church at the age of 15 in 2009, and in 2011 he returned to the Cathedral to play for the Saturday Vigil Mass in addition to holding the principal organist position at St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church in Lake Charles. He currently serves as organist at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lakewood, Ohio, and in September 2017 he will assume the position of Director of Music at Holy Family Catholic Church in Parma, Ohio. Matthew

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 way to develop this skill! So throughout her years at Covenant High School in Tacoma, she accompanied weekly chapel and school choir concerts. At the prodding of her piano teachers at the time, Paul Twedt and later Chris Rogers, she also competed and placed as a soloist in local MTNA competitions. In 2013 she began attending Seattle Pacific University, where she collaborated with SPU choir and solo vocal performances and recorded several student-led ensembles, while continuing private lessons with Dr. Wayne Johnson. He retired in 2014, and she joined the studio of Dr. Dainius Vaičekonis. Kae lives in Lake City, Se

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 Mendelssohn, Edwin Lemare, Arvo Pärt, Johannes Brahms, David Conte and, of course, Johann Sebastian Bach. Having first encountered the pipe organ at the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp (Michigan) at the age of sixteen, Weston later graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy. At the Eastman School of Music, Weston earned his Bachelor of Music Degree and the prestigious Performer’s Certificate. He recently completed two years in England as the Organ Scholar of Canterbury Cathedral and Chelmsford Cathedral. During this time, he was also appointed the first Organ Scholar to the Royal Festival Hall, London. Weston currently s

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, metaphorically. Practice goes one step at a time, and life goes one step at a time. I have a question, rather questions. When playing on the pedals, for instance, E flat then D, then C sharp then D, the D sounds different in each sequence. There is a sort of shift of frequency in the mind—the D sounds higher in the first as compared to the second of the sequences. However, if you start on the D and go to E flat, then D to C sharp, the D sounds just fine, the same frequency. I realize it is psychological. It reminds me of the phenomenon of comparative colors, where one color seems shifted a bit depending on which

#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. ​Arnoldas is very hardworking and motivated organ student and Ausra and I are very delighted that he came and found us in the organ studio. He substituted for me a number of graduation ceremonies and recently performed at Unda Maris organ studio concert. You can read his thought about these experiences here: http://www.organduo.lt/home/the-most-memorable-day-in-my-musical-life http://www.organduo.lt/home/how-important-is-organ-playing-to-you In this conversation Arnoldas shares his insights about finding more practice time, choosing your organ repertoire wisely and expanding your musical horizons. ​Enjoy and

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