Organ Options

[mrbouffant]

For completeness: a toe is marked as a V above the note (right foot) and a /\ below the note (left foot) ....

EDIT: we say "toe" but in fact it is probably the ball of your foot. It helps to tilt the feet inwards to get this effect...

Depending on your school of tuition, heels in Baroque music are anathema since the pedal boards of the time (esp. in Germany) were constructed of such short dimension (front-back) that you couldn't play with heels at all. If you're more pragmatic, sometimes it is a matter of "needs must" !

Heel/toe works very well until you have to play TWO notes with one foot which happens occasionally - the end of Guilmant's First Sonata for example. Right toe on tenor F#, right heel on tenor A a minor third above, left toe playing low D to make D major.... :blink:

If you play in shoes, great.. a built-up heel in the shoe helps with that kind of thing. Unfortunately, I have always played in socks (a bad habit picked up from very early days playing when I was ten) and even with my size 11 feet, this is quite difficult to form a big enough arch...

[pianoandflute]

For completeness: a toe is marked as a V above the note (right foot) and a /\ below the note (left foot) ....

EDIT: we say "toe" but in fact it is probably the ball of your foot. It helps to tilt the feet inwards to get this effect...

Depending on your school of tuition, heels in Baroque music are anathema since the pedal boards of the time (esp. in Germany) were constructed of such short dimension (front-back) that you couldn't play with heels at all. If you're more pragmatic, sometimes it is a matter of "needs must" !

Heel/toe works very well until you have to play TWO notes with one foot which happens occasionally - the end of Guilmant's First Sonata for example. Right toe on tenor F#, right heel on tenor A a minor third above, left toe playing low D to make D major....  :blink:

If you play in shoes, great.. a built-up heel in the shoe helps with that kind of thing. Unfortunately, I have always played in socks (a bad habit picked up from very early days playing when I was ten) and even with my size 11 feet, this is quite difficult to form a big enough arch...

i have sized 12 feet(and very wide as well) so my friend told my i need to play with out shoes and it is alright for me though :rolleyes:

[mrbouffant]

i have sized 12 feet(and very wide as well) so my friend told my i need to play with out shoes and it is alright for me though :rolleyes:

I have to say, if you're going to get into it, that you should consider shoes.. It's my biggest failing and holds me back from being a decent organist..

One supplier is here.. but I was recommended a men's "character shoe" from Freeds of London (how embarrassing was I wandering into a ballet shop to enquire upon footwear.. :blink: )

[pulsatororgani]

At lease Allegro now import them :) I had to get the pair i have sent from America a couple of years ago
Are these ballet ones meant to be better than the organmasters? ? :S

[diapason]

Morning everyone.

Glad to see some discussion about the organ. I have always been fascinated by the instrument from being a small child (why?) and have worked with professional organists, performed and taught the instrument for 30 years. I consider myself very lucky to embrace the organ in its various forms - classical pipe, theatre pipe and modern electronic.
Many of these "home" organs ( and I'm NOT referring to single keyboards of which I'm not all that fond, but still teach) have been a stepping stone to the pipe organ for many of my students, young or mature. It is very easy to look down on them - yes, they are very different - there is usually an octave of "toe only" pedals, the manuals are shorter, and the sounds are now truly authentic orchestral/instrumental with traditional organ sounds as (almost) second place.
But they do have there place in the world of making music. All the Examination Boards consider them as equally examinable (except ABRSM - sorry!)
For those that are not keen on "church" organ, I also teach theatre/cinema organ. This is a pipe organ designed originally for the accompaniment of silent films, but arrived in this country towards the end of that era, and therefore were installed in cinemas to provide musical interludes and solo spots for the organists, who were the stars of their day. The music most suited to these instruments is light and popular classics, ballads of the 20's 30's 40's and so on, marches, waltzes etc.
It's VERY interesting to note how many classical organ recitalists are including pieces of a light and more modern nature in their programmes. Recently heard amongst Bach, Widor and Sweelinck was some Eric Coates marches "Calling All Workers and "The Dambusters", some novelty pieces "Nola" and "Dance of the Icicles".......and why not? These items received more response of delight from the audience (we were in a church) than the "straighter" pieces.

If any "organ" or style of playing gets someone going on making music, then I'm all for it.

Your thoughts and views?

Best wishes
Diapason

[tbjhilton]

I've always wanted to play Theatre Organ ever since hearing Robert Wolfe on the Wurlitzer at Thursford when I was about 6 years old!

[diapason]

I've always wanted to play Theatre Organ ever since hearing Robert Wolfe on the Wurlitzer at Thursford when I was about 6 years old!

I don't suppose you live near Stockport. I occasionally teach on the 4 manual Wurlitzer in the Town Hall. Have quite a few local pupils lined up to get on the mighty beast next year.