Hello organists! Newb with Poll.

[Michael J]

Hello all. About a month ago I got an old Yammy and now I am trying to learn how to pat my head whilst rubbing my tummy and tap-dancing with one foot as I stir mud with the other. :->

Do you think I will cope?

[ArthurCambronne]

Welcome to the forum. May you please continue to post.

Starting out with a poll huh? I like your style.

Do you think I will cope?

Determination is more important than talent, right? At least that is what I keep telling myself.

[Michael J]

Starting out with a poll huh? I like your style.

Determination is more important than talent, right? At least that is what I keep telling myself.

Style over insubstantiality is my middle name, or something like that. And who needs talent when you can have volume? FWIW, I've voted option 4 to reduce net discordancy in the world (and so that I don't have to keep clicking on View Results to see the current status).

Roll up, roll up. Vote early, vote often (or at least once). :-)

[Suhndog]

Welcome!

Before determination should come passion! Then determination and perseverance!

If you love what you do, with passion, you will succeed!

I'm rooting for you! Go get 'em!

Have fun!! (Otherwise, I'll stick a sock in your gabber.. swear on me mum! LOL)

- Marc

[Michael J]

21 viewers and only 4 votes... I realise time of year etc., but still I am disappoint. Come along, I've already told myself to pack it in and invest my time in something less multidextrous. Many thanks to those who say I might get somewhere eventually, more votes needed! You are anonymous...

[pictureroll]

I have coped in the past but now I am too old.

[JonathanP]

With all due respect, I'll say my opinion honestly, but will warn you that it contasts the others on here.

Playing an instrument involves investing a lot of time to get anywhere remotely near to "mastering" it. Some people have a natural talent to propel them quicker, others just have to work harder and longer. The home organ really doesn't require any natural talent to bash away at some familiar and lively tunes however. Look at all the people that got playing the organ after just one or two free lessons! It's far from mission impossible, so take a breath and relax!

It can be done very easily, if done properly. Can you read music? Either way, I'm sure you can find a piano teacher locally that also teaches home organ. Even just one or two lessons will set you off properly (and get you reading music if you can't already) and truly make you see if you want to continue with it or not. Some people can teach themselves initially, others really need a trained and specialist helping hand to prevent them from going round in circles and ultimately despising the instrument. If you do take to it and enjoy it, then you may want to look into lessons anyway in the long run to help you learn songs faster and prevent you from developing bad habits (we all develop bad habits when self-taught).

If you're really finding pedals an issue, then have you looked into a keyboard? They have basically replaced the home organ. Just like home organs, you have cheap Casios and expensive Yamahas, which can make some extremely realistic sounds and provide you with some great functionality. Just like the home organ, they are an instrument and definitely not a toy as many regard them! This is crucial to remember, but for some reason is very easily forgotten with both instruments. Essentially, the keyboard is just melody in the right hand and chords in the left. This is how I started out in music, switching over to piano and then organ. You may find this a really nice introduction with the end goal of playing the organ (or both!)

What books are you using to teach yourself? It's crucial you have a good book. When I was learning the keyboard, my teacher guided me mainly through the Kenneth Baker books, although she'd of course push me further than the books did and give me additional pieces. However, the books will still get you reading music and hopefully playing some basic music, which seems to be all you want to do. I really recommend Kenneth Baker's "The Complete Organ Player". Buy book 1 and see how you get on - hopefully you'll get through that in no time and be needing all the rest! Go through book by book and you'll have enough knowledge to entertain yourself and the family.

If you can't teach yourself, but really want to have a go, then do search for local teacher and also consider the keyboard. That's essentially my advice. But, as a reminder, first and foremost - if you don't have the passion and desire to learn an instrument (and these are instruments just like pianos and pipe organs, not a toy), then don't do it. You'll only hate it.

[SBurton]

Give up now, there is absolutely no chance you will ever be good enough.

Now that you have that part out of the way, keep going anyway!

Once the pressure is off, you can take pleasure in the improvements a little at a time.

Before you know it, you will be better than you thought possible.

It's like a freight train...hard to get going at first, but once you pick up a little speed it get's easier.

[AllanP]

I started learning to play at the late age of 35. It is great fun, but it is difficult to start at an advanced age.

I know have a fantastic teacher (Donna Parker) who has greatly improved my playing. A teacher gives a pair of ears who can catch errors and improve interpretation. It also helps me that I have a great pipe organ to practice on.

[jdoc]

self taught by ear, tried lessons, dyslexic, all chicken scratches to me.............although i have used chord books, don't need to any more...........

[eblues]

I started learning to play at the late age of 35. It is great fun, but it is difficult to start at an advanced age.

OK, raise your hand if this gave you a chuckle.... sure did me. (Herm -Started age 61)

[Michael J]

Many thanks to those who have piped up.

I started learning ... at an advanced age.

OK, raise your hand if this gave you a chuckle.... sure did me. (Herm -Started age 61)

Mitts in air. This is my 48th birthday present to myself. :D

... pipe organ ...

Not jealous. Not slightly. No.

[Dogstar]

Hello all. About a month ago I got an old Yammy and now I am trying to learn how to pat my head whilst rubbing my tummy and tap-dancing with one foot as I stir mud with the other. :->

Do you think I will cope?

Hi Michael.

Glad to see you here. I'm an old guy that started piano at 67, then moved to the organ, which I prefer. Now 70.

I think learning takes longer as one ages, but it can be done. I plan to stick to it as long as health / life allows.

Glad to see a fellow Nottinghamian. I was born and raised there in Netherfield until I emigrated in 1970.

Probably quite a few good pipe organs still around those parts if you are interested.

Best wishes.

Dave