Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast

Let's start episode 734 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Kathrin and she writes:

That's a really interesting topic. 

Can I add a few questions?

- Level 1 - 2 - 3 method sounds plausible. But for me, when a piece really looks like level 1, after practicing for a while, it turns out, it's at least level 2. I never found level 1 pieces.

What would you suggest?

- First I have to prepare my servi...

Let's start episode 733 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Ann and she writes:
I have a related problem. I also have been working on the E flat trio sonata, and have absolutely loved working on it/playing it. But I played it in a recital recently (one movement) and I played it badly, even though it is great when I play by myself. When I started playing, my hands were actually shaking. This is the ...

Let's start episode 732 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. These questions were sent by Rien and Benas and they write:

Maybe you could answer this question in a podcast (referring to Benas): with some pieces you “feel” while practicing that everything comes together. And if you are there, you stay there. Even if you don’t play the piece for a while, it still flows (maybe with some light practice) out of your hands in the right...

Let's start episode 731 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Dan and he writes:
Interesting podcast episode here, on pedal technique, Vidas.  You talk about putting hands on the bench during pedal solos. I’ll often do this, as I’m not playing anything in the manuals.  Would you say this is a good thing to do, technically speaking?  Or would you advise organists that you’re working with, to keep thei...

Welcome to episode 730 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast! This question was sent by Benas, our student at Vilnius University organ studio "Unda Maris" and he writes:

After learning to play Bach's Trio Sonata in Eb major, I found myself reluctant to try and explore the rest of the Trio sonatas. What could I try to overcome this fear? 

Last year, I played Bach's Trio Sonata in E-flat major (BWV 525) at Vilnius Unive...

Let's start episode SOPP729 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Nick and he writes:

Hi there!

Been following your site for a while (and even bought a few pieces). I just recently stepped up to learn organ for my church – it’s a Catholic traditional Latin church, so I’m being asked to play hymns, interludes, and to accompany chant when I can.

It’s been a while since I’ve been at the keyboard – so I’...

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast No. 728! It's Vidas and usually we do these conversations with Ausra but today I’m delighted to speak with a very special guest—someone whose music has brought inspiration, beauty, and calm to listeners and performers around the world.

Dr. James Michael Stevens, joining us from Nashville, Tennessee, is a remarkably prolific composer, pianist, and educator. He currently serves as the Dean o...

Let's start episode 727 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Gene and he writes:

My question is tempo, on BWV 624: Hilf Gott, dass mir's gelinge by J.S. Bach. I'm amazed that I can play it pretty well,  and it sounds pretty good on my funny, little house organ. Fluit 4, on the triplets and to Pedal. Cantus on Principal 8. I can play it @75, metronome, mostly. Soon, I will be able to do it, s...

Welcome to episode 726 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast! This question was sent by Tamsin and she writes:

I have a technical question that you might be able to shed some light on.  When playing Baroque repertoire I usually use all-toes technique.  I would like to ask if you find foot-crossing and other elements of all-toes technique easier to perform on a straight pedal board than on a radial pedal board since the distance does n...

Let’s start episode 724 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Kathrin writes:
I can‘t play versets for services like confirmation. I need festive, more or less bold and „friendly“ pieces, at least between 3 to 5 minutes, pieces with repeats are always nice. The „biggest“ organs I play regularly have 14 (a mechanical organ) and 12 (pneumatic organ) ranks on two manuals, no preparations. What would you sug...

Let’s start episode 723 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Filippa and she writes:

Hi Vidas,

1. My dream would be for the idea of improvisation not to make me very nervous and to be something I can do with some degree of confidence!

2. The 3 things holding me back are: chord progressions and harmonizations while improvising, not practicing improvisation like I practice my repertoire, and needing lots more S...

Let’s start episode 722 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Dawn and she writes: "My New Year's resolution is to be confident at improvising.You can support this channel by becoming a member here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO4K3_6QVJI_HlI5PCFQqtg/joinIf you like what I do, you can buy me some coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/organduoPayPal: https://PayPal.Me/VPinkeviciusWe support Ukra...

Let’s start episode 721 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Massimiliano and he writes:
Hello Vidas,
How are you?
Since I have some problems with my eyesight and was looking for a somewhat large written edition. I wanted to ask you please what editions you use for Bach's music. In your videos I can't understand it well. 
I also wanted to ask you if you know a good manual for organ impr...

Let’s start episode 720 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Maureen, and she writes:

Dear Vidas,
Could you advise me on how to play on a 1 manual organ? 
There are no foot pedals and no volume pedal.
This organ was built for a side chapel in the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.
There are eight draw stops 1x16’; 2 x8’; 2x 4’; and 2 x 2’ and stop which on its own sounds out of place.
I only h...

Welcome to episode 719 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Kurt and he writes:

Dear Vidas,

Thanks for Your newsletter and the advice and remarks for technical topics such as registration and daily exercises.

My dream at the moment (as on beginner level) is to coordinate the pedal playing - it causes me so much power (and pain?) to get the brain (and hands and feet) in the right moment on the correct key on t...

Welcome to episode 718 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Carl and she writes:"Hallo Vidas! My stretch goal is to be a church organist. I can't really play the piano right now, I have to learn that. I have no access to an organ. I am stretched for time. I guess this is pretty vanilla feedback. But that's pretty much it."You can support this channel by becoming a member here: https://www...

Welcome to episode 717 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Pamela and she writes:

"I would be interested in tips on how to accompany plainsong chant. I know that many people do not like or approve of chant accompaniments but many USA churches use them. The organist often has to invent on the spot."

You can support this channel by becoming a member here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO4K3_6QVJI...