Organ Shoes?

[Doctor Robert]

Hello Friends,

I'm a lifelong musician but am relatively new to the joys of the mighty Hammond. :-). I own a D-152, which is spectacular, and just picked up an equally nice C-3 with a Leslie 145, and I am loving every moment with both of them.

Now, as to my question: How many people wear specials shoes when they play their Hammond? Or do you prefer socks or bare feet? I'm just trying to get a handle on all of this and would appreciate everyone's feedback.

Thanks!

[skydawg]

Weren`t you trying to decide between a C3 or A100 a few days ago? That was a C3 with an HR40.You already had a C3/145?

[Doctor Robert]

Weren`t you trying to decide between a C3 or A100 a few days ago? That was a C3 with an HR40.You already had a C3/145?

Yes, indeed, I was looking at the aforementioned organs, but I came across an even nicer C-3 with a Leslie 145. I had her delivered this morning. I am very happy with my new purchase! I only wish I had the room to have a few more. I will, however, someday figure out a way to add a theatre organ to my collection, although I have not broken that to the wife just yet...

[larryjanca]

I kick pedals and play with socks. real kick, not the stomping of one pedal and left hand bass. can't stand to have shoes on. my teacher was a firm believer of wearing shoes with leather soles..Larry

[lcid]

Organ shoes with Hammond

All of my teachers have insisted on special laced-up organ shoes and even with the flat-pedal Hammonds I have always worn shoes; never socks alone. I've worn out two pairs of shoes: one thinned sole oxford and one OrganMasters. Now wearing my third pair which are also OrganMasters.

[auronoxe]

Shoes that are used for dancing purposes do the organ job usually quite well. They are narrow and light enough.

[Stravinsky416]

If you don't have shoes yet, it is preferable to play with socks rather than bare feet. You are better able to slide over the pedals and won't get as much oils on them. That's what I have been doing for the last 9 months and will continue to do so until I get my Organmasters for Christmas.

[andyg]

Socks were an absolute no-no with my two organ mentors. It had to be shoes or you didn't play! Neither were classical organists but both were renowned theatre and electronic artistes, so they didn't advocate any fancy shoes. I've followed their advice and worn normal shoes, but I've always checked my shoes for dirt and grit before treading on anyone else's pedals. I do make sure that they are not too grippy and a couple of pairs are flat soled anyway.

[Piperdane]

Socks were an absolute no-no with my two organ mentors. It had to be shoes or you didn't play!

My organ tutors were the same way. I played in organ shoes up until severe foot neuropathy (as a result of having diabetes) set in. I was no longer able to "feel" where my feet were through even a thin layer of leather much like the OrganMaster shoes have. For the past 7 years I have been playing in tight socks and able to properly feel my way about the pedalboard.

I know it isn't proper for correct pedaling technique but these days I mostly do service work in church - preludes, offertories, postludes and hymns.

[bnelson218]

I've been an avid pedal all my career and have never found any advantage or disadvantage to any particular type of shoe. Common dress shoes, cordovans, wing tips, boots, tennies. I do not play in my socks and personally hate seeing anybody who does. Not sure why, it just rubs me wrong.

[Doctor Robert]

I’m going to give the organ shoes a Go and see how I like them. I feel awkward playing pedals with conventional shoes.

[Tim_at_Jonas]

If you are a bowler, try your bowling shoes.

[Polkahero]

Organmaster shoes all the way. My Hammonds are my practice organs for church and I always wear them, feet can't function without them. Actually forgot to bring them to church once and ended up playing piano for the entire service rather than try to play in stockings or my dress shoes which would have been a disaster. Ever try to play keyboards with gloves? Lol

[Hamman]

This guy did......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXCsdTWN8PI

[Doctor Robert]

Actually forgot to bring them to church once and ended up playing piano for the entire service rather than try to play in stockings or my dress shoes which would have been a disaster. Ever try to play keyboards with gloves? Lol

Good analogy!

[Darth-Car]

My original organ teacher told me to play in what I felt comfortable in, so I opted for the socks. My subsequent teachers could not break me of the sock habit, and 40+ years ago organ shoes were not quite as common place as they are today. I always thought myself the outcast playing in socks while colleagues played in their shiny wing tips. Then I met my current organ buddy, and found that he too had always played in socks. So we each exonerated to other! My wife just giggles at my dancing sock covered feet as I play.