Frequency of organ lessons

[Guest]

Hello all,</P>


There is the possiblity that I'll be able to take some organ lessons through a church fine arts academy. I'm 50 and I've played since age 14. The trouble is there is a huge gap between age 21 and 48 when I played very little. I started playing again almost two years ago but I need some guidance and direction. Does one have to take a lesson once a week? Can one be successful at once every two weeks or twice a month? I have work schedules, triavel time and expense to consider. Itookprivate lessons for 51/2 years and one semester of organ at a community college before I quit playing. My original goal was to be a supper club organist but now my interest is in classical and liturgical music.</P>

[Stefanussen]

Re: Frequency of organ lessons



Hi Mark,</p>

It all depends on how much time you are able to devote to practice. My organ teacher does most of his students at every other week. I try to get as much practice in as possible, and have my lessons once per week. I'm sure every other week would be very productive if that's what works best for you.
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[Austin766]

Re: Frequency of organ lessons

I personally am taking organ lessons on the basis of once a week, but I'm als getting a credit hour for it, so it sort of has to be once a week. But, if you are diligent about your practice (I personally find that I am pretty good about practicing organ, viola on the other hand...), then twice a month / every two weeks would probably work just fine

[Havoc]

Re: Frequency of organ lessons

At least 1.653439 µHz. Or once a week if you have enough time to practise. If you have a busy life outside playing organ then once every 2 weeks is the minimum. Longer than that and you end up practising wrong routines or getting stuck for too long. At least an hour for each lesson so you get time to get used to the organ by playing a bit, you can go through a few pieces without hurry and have time for discussion and a bit of guided practise.

[tumult_in_the_praetorium]

Re: Frequency of organ lessons

My own teacher scheduled lessons every two to four weeks on average. I suppose it depends on the regularity of practice time between lessons.

This is usually the norm here as it is difficult to find an instrument upon which one can practice on a daily basis, thus it is not felt worthwhile to schedule a lesson until sufficient practice can be done.

[soubasse32]

Re: Frequency of organ lessons



[quote user="Havoc"]At least 1.653439 µHz.[/quote]Havoc, you beat me to it! I was going to say that the typical frequency of an organ lesson starts at approximately 32Hz (16Hz if you are lucky)! [8-|]</P>


I see my students once a week, but there is an understanding that if they have not practiced they can reschedule.</P>


Ideally they won't do that too often, as it changes my income. [:S]</P>


If you can't practice quite so much then every two weeks should work. However I find the best results occurwith weekly lessons (which also means weekly practice). A lot can happen in two weeks!</P>


Oh another thought - if my students haven't practiced and they come to a lesson anyway,we canstill have a very productive lesson. In addition to working on technique Iteach quite a bit of organ history to my students. Then there is the topic of registration, which can be quite interesting. We might do a bit of sightreading, or we might discuss theory or even attempt some improvisation. Once in a blue moon I might even have them work at the piano.</P>


So there is a lot that can still be accomplished, even when one has not practiced.</P>

[Guest]

Re: Frequency of organ lessons

I have a lesson about once a month if possible. Due to working out of town, my practice is limited to weekends. It is true that there is some loss in proficiency with the large space between practice sessions. I find that one session is required to return to the same level as of 5 days ago. I haave my own instrument so practice time is available whenever I want except when the family is disturbed by the sound, i.e. too late or disturbing tv watching.

[nullogik]

Re: Frequency of organ lessons



I think that once a week is sufficient - too frequent (more than once a week) and you don't have enough time to build upon the stuff you learnt in the previous lesson to move forwards in the next one - so you end up covering old ground.</p>

Of course its all relative. If you only practice say a once or twice a week, then a lesson a week is probably a waste of time. Something more like fortnightly lessons would be more productive and cost effective.
</p>

I don't have any time now to have lessons, or if I did they would be far too infrequent. The best alternative to having a teacher I've found is to invest in some kind of sound recording device be it a tape recorder, MiniDisc or MIDI recorder with playback feature through the organ. After recording you just hit play and listen to yourself - its amazing what you can't hear or don't notice whilst you are playing like changes in tempo etc.
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[soubasse32]

Re: Frequency of organ lessons



[quote user="AllanP"]I haave my own instrument so practice time is available whenever I want except when the family is disturbed by the sound, i.e. too late or disturbing tv watching.[/quote]</P>


Hey Allan, it occurred to me that you could turn off the sound on the TV (maybe turn the lights down too) and accompany the TV with your WurliTzer! [:D]</P>


Add some popcorn, and I'm sure your family will get the hang of it. [;)]</P>

[Havoc]

Re: Frequency of organ lessons

Would work great with Chaplin, Marx brothers, O&amp;H, Buster Keaton etc... Might become popular and make you famous.

[Austin766]

Re: Frequency of organ lessons

and maybe a little extra $$$ here and there, but it could be fun. we really should get back on topic.

[Guest]

Re: Frequency of organ lessons

[quote user="soubasse32"]

[quote user="AllanP"]I haave my own instrument so practice time is available whenever I want except when the family is disturbed by the sound, i.e. too late or disturbing tv watching.[/quote]</p>

[/quote]</p>

That is a great suggestion! I will test it out.
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[Guest]

Re: Frequency of organ lessons



Perhaps you could fit everyone with wireless TV headphones and earmuffs to wear to bed. </P>


As for practice time, I seem to get enough because my wife sells for the Pampered Chef. When she is working I'm playing in another room. When she's doing a show, I don't mow, I prectice. I really thinks I'll probaby do a lesson every 2-3 weeks if I can work it out to take lessons. </P>