I have trouble pedaling in the center of the pedalboard, especially heel/toe technique. So for instance, playing the notes middle D, E, F with the right foot only is really tough. I feel like my ankle and calf muscles are too stiff. Also, it feels far more natural for me to play on the outside of my foot in this range.
Does anyone do any kind of exercizes (or is that exercises?) away from the organ to stay limber? Or is it simply a matter of practicing?
Here's a simplified approach that I've used in the past. begin by considering that there is a muscle on each side of the ankle, plus one on the front and one on the back. That's four areas to stretch.
- Stretching is always done gently. Never force it beyond what's comfortable. In this area, I'd said that the motto "No pain, no gain" is to be avoided.
- To stretch the back, lift the front of your foot, whether your heels are on the ground or not. This can be done while sitting or standing.
- To stretch the front, point the front of your foot down. If you're standing, this means going up on tiptoe.
- To stretch the sides, turn each foot to the left or right.
In each case:
- you can do feet together or one at a time;
- feet together, they can move together "in unison" or against each other, eg. lift the front of one foot while the front of the other foot points down.
- you can add a rhythm to these exercises to make it more fun.
- sometimes, adding a bit of tension, then allowing the muscle to relax will have a more relaxing effect than just trying to relax on its own. Classical example of this - to relax your hands and arms, start by making a really tight fist and arm, THEN relax. You'll feel the difference.
Possible positions:
- standing on the floor;
- sitting on a chair with both feet flat on the floor;
- sitting on a higher chair or stool where you can't touch the floor - the feet hang in the air to move;
- standing with the front of your feet on the edge of a step, heels are thus off the ground. If you need to balance, do this where there is something stable to hang on to, like a handrail. This can also be done on things like curbs.
- while walking - walk into a step starting on your toes, let your heel drop to the ground, then left your heel as you leave the step. This is relatively normal anyway, but you can exaggerate the amount of 'lift' to create the exercise. You might look like you are bouncing as you walk.
- though it might be okay to walk on tiptoe, I'd avoid walking on your heels - the foot functions as a shock absorber; walking on your heels directly means that your skeleton, especially your back, might be jarred which could be harmful.
The more you do it, the more flexible your ankles/calves will become. The more you do it, you'll realize which days your muscles are tenser and which days they are more relaxed.
Thank you very much Regeron. Is this a practice which is common in professional/trained organists? Have you found that it improves your pedal technique?
I have no idea how common this might be. It's never talked about.
I should also say that if I'm doing a physical warmup before a concert, I'll include various stretching exercises:
- stand, then lean forward to see how close I can get to touching my toes. Success is not measured by actually touching my toes, but by being able to reach closer and closer to the ground after a few minutes of stretching.
- while standing, leaning to each side to stretch abdominal muscles. Similar movement for neck and shoulders. Note that most people advise against tipping your head back too far.
- if it's not awkward to do so, I'll lay on my back, then bring my legs up and as far over my head as possible, keeping my legs straight. On a good day, I can reach far enough to touch my toes to the floor above my head. Again, although that may be one goal, the real goal is to be able to stretch more after 5 or 10 minutes than when you first started the stretching exercises.
- basically, anything that gently stretches muscles in the whole body: ankles, legs, body, arms, hands, neck, shoulders.
Anything that can get rid of stiffness will allow you more freedom, fewer constraints, and generally more accuracy, too.
I observed a fellow organist who had impeccable technique, noticing that his posture was excellent - upright without being rigid. I found that if by using him as a role model, my own accuracy improved, just by sitting up straight, yet remaining supple and flexible. I describe him as a 'still' player, not writhing around on the bench. Part of that is my own personal preference for minimal movement.
Thanks, Regeron. This makes perfect sense. There is obviously a great deal of physicality in playing the organ, and having good muscle tone is clearly important. I wonder why it isn't talked about more.
I agree with you regarding 'still' playing. When I practice I try to be aware of what my whole body is doing, especially during difficult passages. If I feel I'm moving too much, I stop and start again, with a goal of using the most economy of movement. Sometimes it actually helps!
In Germany, health and safety at the workplace is a big thing, and a few years ago, a brochure for organists was published which includes some theoretical background on how to sit at the organ, and also some exercises.
I'll post the link to the pdf here - the texts are in German, obviously, but there are pictures (exercises start on page 11) and if someone's interested in any specific paragraphs, I can do a translation. http://www.efas-online.de/images/fil...%BCre_2011.pdf
I have trouble pedaling in the center of the pedalboard, especially heel/toe technique. So for instance, playing the notes middle D, E, F with the right foot only is really tough. I feel like my ankle and calf muscles are too stiff. Also, it feels far more natural for me to play on the outside of my foot in this range.
Does anyone do any kind of exercizes (or is that exercises?) away from the organ to stay limber? Or is it simply a matter of practicing?
Your bench may be too high. I am average height (5'10") but there are churches where I cannot practice because the resident organist (usually shorter than I) has the bench so incredibly high it is impossible for me to get my heels on the pedals. I asked on of them why they keep the bench so high and they say its so they don't have to think about keeping their feet up. Whatever that means. When you sit at the organ your feet should just graze the tops of the 'white' pedal keys with your feet relaxed and level. From there you depress your toe or your heel as necessary and unless you are playing the Toccata and Fugue in F (BWV 540) you shouldn't have any problems with stiffness or endurance. Right foot pedaling is, for most people, more difficult. For me it is a matter of practicing. I don't feel I need to do any flexibility exercises but I do feel more targeted pedal practice would be of benefit. FWIW
Your bench may be too high. I am average height (5'10") but there are churches where I cannot practice because the resident organist (usually shorter than I) has the bench so incredibly high it is impossible for me to get my heels on the pedals. I asked on of them why they keep the bench so high and they say its so they don't have to think about keeping their feet up. Whatever that means. When you sit at the organ your feet should just graze the tops of the 'white' pedal keys with your feet relaxed and level. From there you depress your toe or your heel as necessary and unless you are playing the Toccata and Fugue in F (BWV 540) you shouldn't have any problems with stiffness or endurance. Right foot pedaling is, for most people, more difficult. For me it is a matter of practicing. I don't feel I need to do any flexibility exercises but I do feel more targeted pedal practice would be of benefit. FWIW
This is an interesting point. I have short legs and a 28" inseam. So I have thought the bench might be too high, but my feet do touch the pedals. In fact, I feel like I have to hold me legs up a little to keep them from actually causing the pedal to engage. However, only the front part of my foot touches the pedals. In my stocking feet, it is difficult to touch the pedal with my heels. I can touch my heels with the organmaster shoes on.
With the few days of doing the stretches recommended by regeron, I already feel that it is becoming easier. So is the bench too high, or is my physiology simply messed up?
In Germany, health and safety at the workplace is a big thing, and a few years ago, a brochure for organists was published which includes some theoretical background on how to sit at the organ, and also some exercises.
I'll post the link to the pdf here - the texts are in German, obviously, but there are pictures (exercises start on page 11) and if someone's interested in any specific paragraphs, I can do a translation. http://www.efas-online.de/images/fil...%BCre_2011.pdf
Thanks for this. I made a quick perusal and it looks like it is going to be very helpful. Fortunately, I can read German, so it's not a problem for me. For others, I was thinking that at least Google translate could help, but it appears that the PDF is locked. It doesn't allow copying.
... Also, it feels far more natural for me to play on the outside of my foot in this range. ....
One of my most respected teachers asked me if I had ever seen a sports player (he spoke of a soccer/football goalkeeper) standing in the net, waiting, with his weight on the outsides of his feet. No, it's not a good position. It offers nothing - no strength, no agility. Instead, the goalkeeper would have the weight on the insides of his feet, ready to move in any direction at any time.
He said that the same is true of the organist's feet. After many years of playing since then, and watching others, I'd easily support his conclusion and advice.
Here is a picture of my feet while sitting at the console.
As you can see, my feet are touching the pedals. In fact, I think I'm having to actually hold them up just a little. It's hard for me to believe the the bench could actually be too low for me.
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