I've just started organ lessons!

[cosmicpanda]

I took a few lessons last year and resumed them this year. I'm thinking that the organ is quite a fun instrument [:)]</P>


My teacher is quite expensive but also quite good, being a concert organist. Right now he has me working on pedal technique and one of the easy preludes and fugues by Bach. In addition to these lessonsI am studying music at university, majoring in composition. </P>


I remember seeing a discussion somewhere on this forum about wearing watches while playing, I asked him about this and he was quite surprised to find that anybody thought it was an issue. I know many pianists don't like to wear watches - I went to an informalconcert of modern New Zealand music a few weeks ago and the pianist playing had put his watch to the side of the music desk of the grand piano, and in one piece it fell inside and made things stick together! He was most surprised. </P>


I like Bach but I'm sure that other composers have written pieces suitable for a beginner organist - can anybody give examples?</P>

[myorgan]

Re: I've just started organ lessons!



[quote user="cosmicpanda"]I like Bach but I'm sure that other
composers have written pieces suitable for a beginner organist - can
anybody give examples?[/quote]</p>

I'd suggest trying some of the
pieces you'd find in any lesson book (i.e. Gleason or Ragatz).
They use actual examples from pieces.</p>

Assuming (perhaps
mistakenly) you are interested in church music, depending on the brand
of church you attend, I'd suggest some of the church music compositions
done by church organists. If it is a Protestant church, perhaps
some of the following arrangers:</p>
<ul>[*]Paul Manz (more Liturgical--Lutheran-like)--Used to be published
by Concordia, but not sure who publishes his music now. If it's
in the same volumes, I like some of the arrangements in Volumes 1, 2,
5, and 7. He has a couple of Christmas volumes as well.[*]Donald Hustad (more Baptist-like)--Published by Hope Publishing, Carol Stream, IL. He has some <u>very</u> simple pieces (i.e. The Lord's My Shepherd--Crimmond, Joy to the World). I'd suggest purchasing The Complete Works of Donald Hustad if you still can find it. If not, eBay may have it.[/list]


For Classical, I'd suggest something by J.C. Bach--some of the
chorales. Perhaps even some of the 79 Chorales and Preludes by
Marcel Dupré. Many teachers will also begin a student with a
simple Bach piece from the Orgelbüchlein.</p>

Last, I would mention
that there is general concensus that J.S. Bach did not write the 8
Little Preludes and Fugues--that it was probably one of his
students. But we know what you mean. Great place to start.</p>

Also, consider doing a search of the Forum for your topic as well. Hope this has helped. Welcome to the club!

</p>

Michael</p>

[Clarion]

Re: I've just started organ lessons!

[quote user="cosmicpanda"]Itook a few lessons last year and resumed them this year. I'm thinking that the organ is quite a fun instrument [:)]


My teacher is quite expensive but also quite good, being a concert organist. Right now he has me working on pedal technique . . .[/quote]</P>


Enjoy!! [:)] For myfirst two+ months of organ studies, I wasn't allowed to touchthe keyboards! The entire endeavour waswas totally focused on the pedals: Scales, arpeggios; more scales, more arpeggios; pedallines only . . . .[:|] That was 40 years ago; and for some reason that I can't explain to this day, I loved every moment of it!Emerging on the other side of the experience, I was left with a legacy that haslasted a lifetime. I seldom even think about what my feet are doing. They seem to have developed some sort of sub-consciousmind of their own, leaving me freeto concentrate on more pressingmatters. [*-)]</P>


[quote user="cosmicpanda"] and one of the easy preludes and fugues by Bach. In addition to these lessonsI am studying music at university, majoring in composition. </P>


I like Bach but I'm sure that other composers have written pieces suitable for a beginner organist - can anybody give examples?[/quote]</P>


Notwithstanding that nothing of significance immediately comes to mind, I would suggest that you finishyour stint with Bach; and in particular,the Orgelbüchlein ("Little Organ Book") in it's entirely, as a solidfoundation for anything you will ever do in the future. My favouritebook for this is:</P>


J.S. Bach Organ Works
Book 15
Orgelbüchlein
The Little Organ Book</P>


Edited by Ivor Watkins .. Revised by Walter Emery
Published by Novello</P>


Once you get through the Little Organ Book on a routinebasis as some sort of warm-up exercise,thenit may beappropriateto start considering the works of other composers.</P>


BUT,if you find theLittle Organ Book either boring, or perhaps even nauseous; you may,no-doubt be focusing upon the wrong instrument! [:(]</P>

[Clarion]

Re: I've just started organ lessons!



-- duplicate</P>