I'm thinking of starting organ lessons (was going to leave it until next year but don't want to wait that long....!) and wondered whether it would be possible to have piano and organ lessons on alternate weeks and still make reasonable progress (ie if taking exams, aiming to achieve a grade a year, or if not, roughly that sort of standard). Oh, I also need the same teacher to teach me grade 6 theory!

Also, what about practising organ music on piano to start with? If things go well I hope to buy a small two manual digital organ for practising on eventually, when we have more room.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated as I keep turning this question over in my mind & can't decide what to do.

(How do multi-instrumentalists find the time (let alone the money) to learn and progress on all their instruments ?)

Thanks
Jen

I don't see why you can't learn two instruments at the same time, lots of people do. Whether you would make as much progress as someone learning a single instrument I don't know but you would certainly not have trouble learning two very similar instruments simultaneously (don't know if the spelling's right!). You may find that learning grade 6 theory and aiming for a grade a year on each instrument is not realistic (although I am not saying it's impossible) as you may have other commitments i.e. socialising, school/work depending on how old you are.... so be prepared to work extremely hard and know that achieving these goals may take up a lot of your time.

Good luck with the organ if you do decide to learn it and I hope all goes well with exams etc.

Lisa xxx

...um...as you know...i'm a pianist as well as an organist....i normally practice in the school chapel, which makes life easier....anyway...i used have short organ lessons every week...but now it's a long one (since i'm going to do my grade 6)....i'm sure you'll make a resonable progress..if you practice (i can't practice during the holidays...as i go back to hong kong...it's so hard to book a place for practice)....however, it's not a very good idea that you practice organ music on the piano....as some of the technique is different....please beware of that....you can't be a pianist when you are playing the organ...

I had a quick go on an organ on Sunday and as far as I can tell, the hardest bits are 1. Managing to play on the separated manuals and 2. foot accuracy. These would be pretty much impossible to practice on the piano. However I don't think most churches mind if you practice on theirs - they look at it as a long term investment

I've heard it said that you can only play the organ as well as you can the piano. I think that a good piano technique makes the job easier on the organ. A fluent technique puts paid to most fingering issues on the organ. I also find the piano is excellent for developing finger strength and flexibility; particularly important if you're called upon to play a tracker instrument.

Also, if you have 10 confident fingers then its a matter of working on the feet and combining them.

So, I would say to ensure that you can master keyboard technique and the organ should become easier.

Getting used to the touch of the organ is a different matter. But that's another thread I reckon.

*Note to self - pity they didnt modify this Forum to include a by-line that it's for ALL keyboard instruments and not the piano alone - BAH....*

A long time ago I had Organ lessons having studied piano.
My tutor said that the touch playing the organ is not the same as that of a piano. They can easily conflict and upset each other. However, she said some people manage very well on both. You need to be aware of the differences and ensure they are kept different.

Maggiemay?

Where are you?

Hehe - I thought I'd seen one but must have dreamt it - but, yes, I agree with you grand choeur!

Thanks for all your thoughts - I can see it will probably be tough going but I don't want to give up piano and yet I very much want to learn the organ....my trouble is that I won't be able to afford lessons after I retire, so want to have as many as I can during the next 4.5 yrs.....do I see a very confused brain on the horizon (or perhaps it is already!)?

Jen

waiiit, is the organ that big thingy with 2 layers of keyboards?

or are u talking like the "phantom of the opera" type organ?

Yes, that's the one!

lol no offence, but i cant stand those, they get really anonying, i prefer the big phantom of the opera type ones...

I would love to learn to play the organ too - I play the piano. How does one go about finding a tutor? Is it ok to ask at the local church?

You could try looking on the RSCM (Royal School of Church Music) site. I think they run an organist training scheme. It might be on a more local level, so it's worth looking at your own area details on the site.

THAT, is called an electric organ, my friend. The one in the phantom is a pipe organ and it's also found in some traditional churches. The sound is created by forcing air through pipes of different lengths

Thanks Andante in C. Have just done that and found that the person to contact lives about half a mile from me! Will let you know how I get on.