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**soubasse32** · 08-06-2008, 07:44 AM

Re: Do we have any female forum members?

I know of at leastsix orseven women on this forum; unfortunately they don't post too often.

**andyg** · 08-06-2008, 08:17 AM

Re: Do we have any female forum members?

SB is right. We don't hear from them that often here. Over on the Lowrey Yahoo group, there are a few ladies who post on a regular basis. Can't say the same for the Hammondzone group though.

Andy

**Sarah Paks** · 08-14-2008, 07:04 AM

Re: Do we have any female forum members?

[quote user="skippy"]

Surely, there must be some female organ lovers around.[/quote]

Hi Skippy,

I have been reading items on this forum for some time now with interest, and like you I see that most of the participants are men. From experience that seems to be the way with organs. In the past I have taught organ at a music store and helped out sometimes in the shop. But most of the staff and the teachers there were men, but I think that music can be better taught by a woman as we have much more patience. I think most men will have to agree that at sometime in their school years they were taught by a woman.

All of the sales reps from the music companies we used to see were also men, and most of them were more interested in telling us how much they knew, or showing us how well they could play, not showing us how to use their products.

I have also noticed that most of the so called "professional" organists that play in churches are men. I have often wondered why that is. It seems that the only churches where women play the organ are the smaller ones that can't afford to pay a man so they get one of their women who really only knows how to play the piano.

I have often wondered too, why most men that play the organ are short, I very rarely see a man over 6' playing. Maybe it's just that smaller men are attracted to the organ.

I am all for affirmative action and would like to see more girls participate on this forum.

SP

**soubasse32** · 08-14-2008, 10:03 AM

Re: Do we have any female forum members?

Welcome to the Forum Sarah. [:)]

Forgive me forasking youthis off-topic question:

Do you really think a man less than 6 feet tall is short? [:s]

**skippy** · 08-17-2008, 01:09 AM

Re: Do we have any female forum members?

[quote user="Sarah Paks"] I have often wondered too, why most men that play the organ are short, I very rarely see a man over 6' playing. Maybe it's just that smaller men are attracted to the organ.[/quote]

Hi Sarah,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

Great Avatar! And I don’t quite make the 6' either. Idon’t thinka persons ability in playing, selling or teachingorgans is gender related or influenced by physical attributes. Remember Ethel Smithand Klaus Wunderlich.Have you ever heard of the great organist Billy Alexander? Checkthis out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSTEzFcP4vI<o:p></o:p>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grRHxIDlkfs&feature=related<o:p></o:p>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz67GUDmilI&feature=related<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
In the 70s and early 80s (the days of organ madness) woman’s liberation was notquite as established as today anda lot of the top jobs went tothe boys. And there was and probably always will be a larger pool of male employees available.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
I am a retired carpenter. While I was still working I did not dare to mention my organ playing hobby to my fellow workmates. As far as they were concerned, this was associated with whimsy guys. So I just said I was playing keyboards. This was considered cool. Strangely enough, most of them loved The Doors, The Animals, CCR and anything associated with some bluesy organ input. I guess the ladies don’texperience this kind of discrimination.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Good to see some female participation - keep it coming.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Have a musical day,<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>

Skippy

**Tim Rinkerman** · 08-17-2008, 11:29 AM

Re: Do we have any female forum members?

We in this are are trying to organize an american tour for this woman. She is incredibly talented and dedicated...enjoy... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf4tb...ted&search= Barbara Dennerlein.

**myorgan** · 08-17-2008, 11:55 AM

Re: Do we have any female forum members?

[quote user="Sarah Paks"]I have often wondered too, why most men that play the organ are short, I very rarely see a man over 6' playing. Maybe it's just that smaller men are attracted to the organ.[/quote]

Sarah,

Welcome to the forum.

OK, I'll say it! Short guys are compensating by learning to play an instrument that makes some noise!!![:O] Seriously, I only knew one rather tall fellow who played the organ, and he regularly bowed to his instrument (about once per phrase). As he bowed to his instrument, his elbows extended to resemble a large,ungainlybird about to take flight. WOW, he made me thankful I wasn't taller! In fact, I lost about ½" when I shattered my back.

Sarah, tell us more about your playing situation. Do you play often? If at church, what brand?

Of my organ professors, the predominant professor is male and the second professor female. Piano teachers were 3 female to 1 male.

Welcome to the forum, Sarah.

Michael

**Sarah Paks** · 08-18-2008, 12:06 AM

Re: Do we have any female forum members?

[quote user="skippy"]
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
Good to see some female participation - keep it coming.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>

[/quote]

Hi Skippy,

Thanks for your support of women contributing their thoughts to this forum. I have read some of your posts and see you are German and like a glass or two of communion wine when playing.

I can't imagine you as a man, who before he plays, spends half an hour fussing over the shine on his patent leather organ shoes, especially the soles so they glide over the pedals without getting a sticky feeling.

Apart from male vanity I can't see any point in men wearing patent leather shoes when they play, because the onlyway anyone could see their feet would be if they were playing one of the very old Hammonds or newer Yamahas. And if they were playing a theater Wurlitzer pipe organ in a theater, the audience couldn't see what was on their feet either, andmany organists in churches are enclosed in some sort of cage. Sometimes all you can see of the organist in a church is when he cranes his neck to peer over the music rest of the organ to see if his elderly mother is in the congregation making notes of any mistakes he might have made during the proctology, so they can discuss his performanceduring the family Sunday roast after the service.

I see you used to be a carpenter. Were you by any chance apprenticed to Jesus Christ (he also used to be a carpenter) like some of the silly men over in the grease pit? If you were then you would know how to "build on the rock and not upon the sand". I wouldn't talk to them in the grease pit though, because you will probably get 27 different answers on how to bend a straight line.

I do know of Ethel Smith and I have 5 of Klaus Wunderlich LP records, and I enjoy his playing, particularly on "Sound 2000" where he plays a Wersi W248 & a Lowrey H25-3, which are both multi tracked with a rhythm section.

SP

**andyg** · 08-18-2008, 03:49 AM

Re: Do we have any female forum members?

Sarah, you have a deliciously wicked sense of humour. We tend to share that over here on what I'm certain some of the grease-pitters would call 'the dark side'. Your observations are spot on. Maybe the shoe-shiners are hoping that there's a video camera showing their pedal virtuosity (or not). 

Sound 2000 is a great album. Used to have that one many years ago. I learnt a lot about multitracking by listening to KW's albums. I only met him a couple of times, he seemed to be a really nice guy.

Andy

**soubasse32** · 08-18-2008, 07:09 AM

Re: Do we have any female forum members?

[quote user="Sarah Paks"]many organists in churches are enclosed in some sort of cage.[/quote]That might be a properenclosure for some organists [;)] butin my church the console issituated in such a waythat about 900 people can see me play; of those, about 200 can see my feet - many more than that, if you count the folks walking down the street that look into the window.

I don't polish my shoes, unless I'm giving a recital.

**davidecasteel** · 08-18-2008, 11:21 AM

Re: Do we have any female forum members?

Perhaps our situtation here in Dallas is different, but I think about half the professional organists in this area are women--in fact, the resident organist for the Lay Family Organ in the Meyerson Symphony Center (Fisk Opus 99, I think) is female. My church's organist for 37 years that was in place when I joined is female, and her replacement when she retired in 2001 is also female.

I cannot understand why there would appear to be so few contributing to this forum. I would say that many of the regular posters on Organ Chat are female.

David

**myorgan** · 08-18-2008, 02:11 PM

Re: Do we have any female forum members?

[quote user="soubasse32"] . . . In my church the console issituated in such a waythat about 900 people can see me play; of those, about 200 can see my feet - many more than that, if you count the folks walking down the street that look into the window.[/quote]

Oh, stop bragging!!![;)] My feet aren't that cute!

Seriously, It would be a good day in our church if we had 1/20th of your attendance! Guess it doesn't help that the town only has 1,200 population and at least 3-4 churches of the same brand! I miss the days of playing for a church with more than 1,000 people. I think it has something to do with the geographic location, though. Maybe we can recruit mooses, deers, and bears?

Michael

**skippy** · 08-19-2008, 06:46 AM

Re: Do we have any female forum members?


[quote user="Sarah Paks"] <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
I have read some of your posts and see you are German and like a glass or two of communion wine when playing.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Hi Sarah,

I am no longer German. I came to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region> in 1974 and became an Australian Citizena fewyears later - anyway, as soon as they would have me. But I still likea nip of port while I am playing. <o:p></o:p>

I can't imagine you as a man, who before he plays, spends half an hour fussing over the shine on his patent leather organ shoes, especially the soles so they glide over the pedals without getting a sticky feeling.<o:p></o:p>

You got this one right. Actually, I like to play the pedals like Rhoda Scott - barefoot or with socks. And that is where it stops. Just the root and the fifth and the odd simple bass run. None of this fancy 1/64th pedal work. My worn carpenter knees wouldn't have it anyway. Check out this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra4kYAYCdeI. They are just adorable. What did you think of Billy - the fingerless organ player? I put him on the same level as the all time organ greats. So much determination. Very humbling. <o:p></o:p>

I see you used to be a carpenter. Were you by any chance apprenticed to Jesus Christ (he also used to be a carpenter) <o:p></o:p>

I do you one better. I was apprenticed to the FATHER - namely my father. A very hard taskmaster. But all his efforts did not stop me from building on sand occasionally. Never mind. I guess we all do at times. <o:p></o:p>

I do know of Ethel Smith and I have 5 of Klaus Wunderlich LP records, and I enjoy his playing, particularly on "Sound 2000" where he plays a Wersi W248 & a Lowrey H25-3, which are both multi tracked with a rhythm section.<o:p></o:p>

I have some of theKlaus Wunderlich albums. And there is obviously Franz Lambert on the Wersi.Also popular in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region> was the Anthony Ventura orchestra with an emphasis on organ solos. Some may call it elevator music. I find it very relaxing.<o:p></o:p>

Have a musical day,<o:p></o:p>

Skippy<o:p></o:p>

[/quote]<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
]<o:p></o:p>

**Sarah Paks** · 08-19-2008, 11:15 PM

Re: Do we have any female forum members?

[quote user="skippy"]

Actually, I like to play the pedals barefoot or with socks. And that is where it stops.[/quote]<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p>I think you might have something there, Skippy. I play the pedals in just a pair of "flatties"and I feel most comfortable in my Reebok Trainers, but there is definitely something to be said for wearing only thick wool socks.</o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p>Consider this: playing the pedals in only woolly socks would be better for the health of the feet, more air would be able to circulate, minimizing the risk of fungal infections, it would be less painful for those unfortunates who suffer from ingrown toenails, and your audience/congregation would hear no sound from your podiatric actions.</o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p>It wouldn't take much for a musicallyinclined entrepreneur to resource and market high fashion organ socks from high quality superfine wool, procured from New Zealand. It is well known that New Zealand fleece is the best on the planet attributed to the very special way that New Zealand shepherds watch their flocks by night.</o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p>To be a success these organ socks need to be a fashion statement in themselves, say in bright rainbow coloured stripes, or reflective neon colours such as those found on the Kimball Synthetic Swinger organ tabs.</o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p>I can just imagine in a church such as the one Soulbasse plays where you can be seen by all those people out in the street, the excitement that would be generated when the organist rips into one of those little Bach numbers that require the use of both feet to play the melody. Those punters outside would be inside signing the pledge before you activated the "speakeasy in tongues" (if the organ is a Thomas).</o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p>These organ socks could, if marketed correctly be the saviour of Christianity Ltd., already suffering from dwindling shareholder's funds and retail outlets. If we were to move quickly we could avoid the inevitable insolvency and self immolation, or even worse a hostile takeover from the much larger and wealthier Islam Inc.</o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p>If, in "Sister Act", the Choir of St Catherines could save their church with only the help of Sr. Alma, a deaf Nun playing a geriatric out of tune grand piano, think of the opportunites that high fashion organ socks could open up.</o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p>SP</o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>

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