Full Version: Organ
I play the piano at grade 5 standard. I was wondering how hard it is to play the church organ. I would love to be able to play it as this would be a good source of pocket money. I think i'm too young and not the right standard to actually play the church organ just yet, but I was just wondering for future reference. It has about 4 different sets of keys doesn't it?
Ooooooooooh do have a go if you possibly can!
We generally reckon you need to have grade 4 piano skills or above, so if you are grade 5 you should be ok on that score.
Every organ is a bit different - that's half the fun of it.
A typical instrument will have two sets of keys (manuals), three if you're lucky. Four is starting to get big, but more is not unknown.
The stops are rarely the same on any two organs, although there are some stops that are fairly standard.
You have to learn to find your way around the pedal board (like another keyboard for your feet) without looking. I think perhaps the hardest thing for most people is co-ordinating hands and feet. If you can sight-read a (traditional) hymn tune on the piano, imagine having to play the bass line with your feet, and the other three parts with your two hands.
Then imagine playing the treble line with your right hand, the middle two parts with your left hand on a higher or lower keyboard, and the bass line with your feet. Might just give you some idea!
I started organ at 12, so don't assume you are too young. It might be a source of pocket money, but don't do it for that reason, do it because you love the sound. It will a be a while before you can earn, but once you're starting to be competent you will be in demand, as it's not something everybody plays. I had two jobs before I went to college, and they were great experience.
Find a local church with a decent sounding instrument and a friendly organist and get talking!
Maggie
We generally reckon you need to have grade 4 piano skills or above, so if you are grade 5 you should be ok on that score.
Every organ is a bit different - that's half the fun of it.
A typical instrument will have two sets of keys (manuals), three if you're lucky. Four is starting to get big, but more is not unknown.
The stops are rarely the same on any two organs, although there are some stops that are fairly standard.
You have to learn to find your way around the pedal board (like another keyboard for your feet) without looking. I think perhaps the hardest thing for most people is co-ordinating hands and feet. If you can sight-read a (traditional) hymn tune on the piano, imagine having to play the bass line with your feet, and the other three parts with your two hands.
Then imagine playing the treble line with your right hand, the middle two parts with your left hand on a higher or lower keyboard, and the bass line with your feet. Might just give you some idea!
I started organ at 12, so don't assume you are too young. It might be a source of pocket money, but don't do it for that reason, do it because you love the sound. It will a be a while before you can earn, but once you're starting to be competent you will be in demand, as it's not something everybody plays. I had two jobs before I went to college, and they were great experience.
Find a local church with a decent sounding instrument and a friendly organist and get talking!
Maggie
Thankyou that has given me a much better idea.
Wow Maggiemay! Do you really only need to be grade 4 standard on piano before starting to learn the organ? This instrument is my first love, but I've always assumed you'd have to start playing it when young or be about grade 8 piano standard - I'm not sure how my old brain would deal with the co-ordination challenges!! I actually selected my digital piano by the choice of organ voices because I love the sound so much.
Pianoforte - do give it a go if you can, as not having done so has been one of my greatest regrets.
Jen
Pianoforte - do give it a go if you can, as not having done so has been one of my greatest regrets.
Jen
i love the organ and i personally learn how to play it....going to do grades soon.... do give it a go....it feels so different from playing the piano...and each organ has a different character....
Am I the only person to notice a Freudian link between this topic's title and it's description?
| QUOTE (lucy @ Jul 18 2004, 03:14 PM) |
| Am I the only person to notice a Freudian link between this topic's title and it's description? |
Lol, I never ment it to be freudian.
| QUOTE |
| Am I the only person to notice a Freudian link between this topic's title and it's description? |
I must be slipping - how did I miss that ??
Maggie
| QUOTE (maggiemay @ Jul 17 2004, 12:33 PM) |
| Find a local church with a decent sounding instrument and a friendly organist and get talking! |
where do live. my church has an organ and a frendly organ player!
if your near it my church is wigmore church in luton.
| QUOTE |
| Wow Maggiemay! Do you really only need to be grade 4 standard on piano before starting to learn the organ? |
Grade 4 is generally considered to be a reasonable starting point, yes.
Jen - I was gr6 when I started organ, but I had a number of friends who started at gr 4 or 5. You certainly don't need to be gr8.
One of my adult student has recently started organ lessons after having done gr4 piano.
Why don't you start investigating possibilities in your area for organ lessons if you are interested ? I happened to change piano teachers at age 12 and my new teacher was the organist of our parish church, where there was a really good three manual instrument I was so lucky to have this instrument to play - it was a whole new sound-world.
Do let us know how you get on ??
Maggie
Please don't think of it as a source of pocket money first.
If you are playing in church it should really be part of your worship.
If you are playing in church it should really be part of your worship.
i agree with sbhoa... to be a performer in the church is a ministry to me..
Another thought....
Check out The Royal School of Church Music' organist training scheme.
Don't know whether it will be of use as I know of it but not the details.
If your church is affiliated to RSCM you may be able to get the contact there to put you on the right track. Otherwise try their web site.
Check out The Royal School of Church Music' organist training scheme.
Don't know whether it will be of use as I know of it but not the details.
If your church is affiliated to RSCM you may be able to get the contact there to put you on the right track. Otherwise try their web site.
Lovely response sbhoa.
To give pleasure to other people with our music-making is what it is about to me.
To give pleasure to other people with our music-making is what it is about to me.
i want to ask one question... i have been playing the organ for quite a while and haven't yet done any grades... my music director says i can do a grade 6 next year and grade 8 the year afterwards (i'll be leaving my school, for uni)...is it possible to achieve this... 
well, it depends of course on how much work you put into it. Grade 6 to grade 8 is a bit of a jump in one single year, but it is possible. you have played the organ for a while, so if you want to do it, you can. I went straight in for grade 8 piano and was fine. you need determination
| QUOTE (lucy @ Jul 18 2004, 03:14 PM) |
| Am I the only person to notice a Freudian link between this topic's title and it's description? |
sorry for being a dope, but whats a freudian link?
| QUOTE (clarinetlover @ Jul 26 2004, 09:34 AM) | ||
sorry for being a dope, but whats a freudian link? |
The definition from the dictionary is: "unintentional error that seems to reveal subconscious feelings" Have another look at the title and the subject.
Well i have heard it is quite difficult.
but when i was a primary school.
we had a pianist/teacher.
he would play at assemblys and what ever.
he had never done a grade in his life and he played the organ with out pedals but it still sounded ok
i know for a fact that lessons arn't that hard to get hold of.
but organs are very expensive.
i should think at grade 5 your well past the standerd to beable to play one.
so i really suggest you just go for it and do aswell as you can,
if your lucky they might even give you a full time job at the church for it
hope so.
good luck mate
Davé
but when i was a primary school.
we had a pianist/teacher.
he would play at assemblys and what ever.
he had never done a grade in his life and he played the organ with out pedals but it still sounded ok
i know for a fact that lessons arn't that hard to get hold of.
but organs are very expensive.
i should think at grade 5 your well past the standerd to beable to play one.
so i really suggest you just go for it and do aswell as you can,
if your lucky they might even give you a full time job at the church for it
hope so.
good luck mate
Davé
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