SOPP723: 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!

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 SUPER simple videos like you share to help me learn.

I would love to see more videos about simple improvisations- I am a great organist, but improvisation is (and has always been!) a major “black hole” for me- and I am getting a lot out of your videos about harmonization, chord progressions, and simple improvisation. More of these simple videos, or ones that build on the video would be most helpful.

For example, I used the techniques in the “Auld Lang Syne” video to make an improvisation on St. Brendan’s (They’ll know we are Christians”) as it is also pentatonic -in an ABA format (I’m going to use a bicinium for the B part I think).  But it was something you mentioned could be done to expand in the Auld Lang Syne video, and I’m working on it as something for communion for a job interview.

I think you do a really excellent job of explaining things very simply- I have made it a goal for 2025 to work on the techniques you are sharing for improvisation, rather than just “being stuck to the page”. I need it so simply and clearly explained. 

Thank you!

Filippa Duke

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