Organ Lessons

[Guest]

My wife has a Hammond organ and I've decided to try to learn how to play it. Does anyone have suggestions on how to find an instructor?

[soubasse32]

Re: Organ Lessons



Welcome to the Forum. [:)]</P>


Do you read music? If not, you might have an easier time finding a piano teacher who can start you off on some of the basics.</P>


Piano teachers are plentiful; organ teachers, much less so. Organ teachers whospecialize in theHammond - are probably pretty hard to find!</P>


You might want to start with something like Craigslist - look for some local organ teachers there, or post an ad seeking anyone who might offer to teach you.</P>

[Guest]

Re: Organ Lessons



It's been about 20 years since I played any type of music. I used to read music and I'm sure it would come back quickly. I'll try craigslist. </p>


Is playing a Hammond organ different than other types of organs? My wife's is a J-110 and it looks pretty simple, at least as far as switches and what not.
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Thanks
</p>

[Guest]

Re: Organ Lessons



About 3 years ago (at the age of 57) I decided to start playing an instrument. Never had since momma gave up tryin to teach her idiot son the piano about 50 years earlier. </p>

I decided to start with the electric bass for a whole lotta reasons. After a couple of years, it became obvious that I needed to learn more about music...like how to read it, some theory, a bit about chord progression, etc. So I started studying the many tutorials that are available on the web. All of a sudden it became obvious that these lessons were all in the treble clef and not very easily practiced or tested with the bass. They also seemed to be directed toward the piano.</p>

So I bought a cheap Casio 76-key thingie and started in on that. That led me to a sampled voice called "Jazz organ." THAT got my attention. I liked it so much that I almost never played the piano voice again (I've used it when I want to demonstrate something real quick for a friend or test a chord sequence real quick, but that's about it.) My M-101 sorta fell from the sky. I'd asked about which model might be a good one to start with on this forum and people suggested an A-100...and I still have my eyes open for one. But I couldn't pass up the deal that I got and after I got it running, I've done a couple of things. </p>

I started by learning how to play the bass lines that I already knew and then expanding on them with some chords. Then I decided to switch hands. So instead of playing the bass line with the left and the chords with the right, I started playing the chords with the left and bits of the melody with the right. I'm still working on that. I also started in on the 1961 Hammond Songbook that came with the organ. (It had been pretty well cared for, even if the bearings were dry) I haven't gotten real far into it, but I'm chipping away at it. I found a site that allows one to keep track of daily practice (sort of a commitment to play every day) and did that with the Casio...I've taken a month's break while getting the Hammond running but at the beginning of May I plan to start in again with commitment of daily practice...which I try to do anyway. This is just a bit of additional motivation. It's sort of associated with the Piano World forum.
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I've found that I could learn bass on my own and I seem to be doing so with the organ. I even played for my son and daughter-in-law a few days ago..until I realized that it was the first time I'd ever played a keyboard instrument of any kind with a human being watching me. When that reality set in, I sorta got shook up for a minute or two, but got back at it. If someone had told me 3 years ago that I'd be playing the organ with people watching me, I'd have called 'em fools to their face. It's not the sorta thing I do. But wonder of wonders, there I was.</p>

Take it for what it's worth. I feel pretty good about what I've been able to accomplish in a relatively short time on my own.</p>

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[Hammondlover]

Re: Organ Lessons



Well if it's J series we're talking about, then it's not Hammond technique you're looking for. There's no drawbars on a J, only stops via rocker switches. Idon't think you need a teacher for a J, since this Hammond doesn't fall under classical, Hammond, or Piano technique. There are lots of keyboarding books out there. Hal Leonard Series are some of the most popular. Most keyboarding theory applies to the J. This organ is very simple, you'll learn what each button does relatively quickly. You also find that a lot of the time, the bass note is simply the root of the chord for simple music (although this is not always true). When you master the spinet organ and its pedals, you might want to move on to a larger organ with 25 or maybe even 32 pedals.</P>


This organ is all transistors. In fact,it is Hammond's first all transistor Organ.It does not need to be oiled or have a special start sequence like tonewheel Hammonds. It will, however, need to be tuned on occasions. </P>

[myorgan]

Re: Organ Lessons



Since you appear to be in the DC area, I'd suggest a few things (in no particular order):</P>
<UL>
<LI>Find the local American Guild of Organist chapter and ask them for references. Make sure they know you have a Hammond.</LI>
<LI>Find the local Theatre Organ Society chapter and ask them for references. Make sure they know you have a Hammond.</LI>
<LI>Find a church where the organist plays acceptably well, which still uses a Hammond, and ask the organist what (s)he'd recommend.</LI>[/list]


If you'd like, I can do an Internet search and find chapters near you. I just don't have time this AM. Let me know if you want me to do that.</P>


Good luck!</P>


Michael</P>

[andyg]

Re: Organ Lessons



You know, you mightstill be lucky, There were a heck of a lot of teachers out there at one point, when the home electronic organ was selling like hot cakes and you had a dealer on every corner. Many of them, as the demand for 'home organ' tuition died away, turned to teaching piano (if they didn't already teach it) and electronic keyboard. Apart from those who have retired in the interim, they're still there and still able to teach home organ. Local music shops may well know who and where they are. I make sure that all my local shops know that I'm one of the few guys that can teach home organ properly. Trouble is, not many people want to learn it properly and seem to want the 'instant fix' that using all the auto-play functions gives. However, it is nice to get back to basics when the phone does ring!</P>


As for books, look on eBay for titles like 'The Pointer Series', 'The Anchor Method', and any of the Hal Leonard books, usually branded as 'xxxxx Organ Course' (insert name of organ for xxxxx). Or, if you can find it, the UK publication 'Complete Organ Player'. They're simple enough to get started but beware, organ playing is addictive and you'll outgrow that J in a month or two. Isn't it also lucky then, that you'll be able to move on upwards to a bigger instrument probably for free or for very little $.</P>


Best of luck.</P>


Andy G</P>

[Guest]

Re: Organ Lessons



[quote user="RatMan"]After a couple of years, it became obvious that I needed to learn more
about music...like how to read it, some theory, a bit about chord
progression, etc. So I started studying the many tutorials that are
available on the web.[/quote]</p>

</p>

I'm in the same boat. Can you point me to some of the tutorials you found helpful?</p>

[Guest]

Re: Organ Lessons



Hey Andy,</p>



I was reading your recommendation re the "Complete Organ Player" and on Amazon there's a lot of them. Could you please point out which is the one you are referring to?</p>

</p>

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&amp;field-keywords=Complete+Organ+Player&amp;x=18&amp;y=21</p>

Thanks</p>