Beginner with Organ Fingering Question

[scrubjay]

Hello, I am a retired Classified Advertising Customer Service Supervisor. I have been on various types of keyboards all my life, but none of them have been musical keyboards.

Recently I purchased a Baldwin RX-220 Organ from a friend of mine and at age 65, I am determined to learn how to play. I do have a couple of beginner books and have already learned some of the basics, including notes, timing and cords. As a Touch Typist for many years I felt very comfortable on the keyboard. I have been able to play the notes from "Middle C, D, E, F & G." I have been using my right hand, hitting C with #1 and G with #5.

Now that I am about to branch out and learn new notes, i.e., A, B, High C, D, E, etc., I am confused. I don't know what fingers I should use to hit those keys. I do not want to learn bad keyboard habits so I would be very appreciative if someone could give me some guidance in this area and direct me to some reading material that would be helpful in my quest to learn the correct finger positions.

I am using the left hand to hit "1" key cord notes.

Thanks,

Scrubjay

[Jeffrey Hall]

Hello scrubjay,

Welcome to the forums! I'm fairly new here myself and have found it to be a very supportive and polite place.

Sounds like you need a good reference with scale fingerings. Is there a sheet music store anywhere near you? There are lots and lots of method books and the store personnel could certainly point you toward a good one.

For now, instead of playing C through G 12345, try the right hand going all the way up the octave with the fingering 12312345, tucking your thumb under on F. For the left hand, you'd use 54321321, middle finger over on A. Practice both up and down, separately and together. And welcome to the lovely world of scales!

[Krummhorn]

Welcome to MIMF, Scrubjay

Congratulations on wanting to learn about a new keyboard .
A great reference, IMHO, to learn more about organ technique is The Method of Organ Playing written by Harold Gleason - possibly a local library or a university Fine Arts library might have it. It's rather pricey if you intend on buying it. I still have mine from 1960 and bring it out periodically for technique polishing.

Kh

[scrubjay]

Many thanks Jeffery for those fingering tips. I started today following your suggestions. It will take me a little time to relearn it but I can see where it is much more efficient than the way I was doing it. I'd also like to thank Mh for the suggested book. I will look for it on half.com. Thank you both for your help.

Sincerely,


Scrubjay

[scrubjay]

Welcome to MIMF, Scrubjay

Congratulations on wanting to learn about a new keyboard .
A great reference, IMHO, to learn more about organ technique is The Method of Organ Playing written by Harold Gleason - possibly a local library or a university Fine Arts library might have it. It's rather pricey if you intend on buying it. I still have mine from 1960 and bring it out periodically for technique polishing.

Kh

Thank you again Krummhorn. I was able to find a 1962 Edition of The Method of Organ Playing on Ebay. I was also very fortunate to be able to buy it at a very reasonable price. I look forward to receiving this book. Again I really appreciate everything you and Jeff have sent my way.

Sincerely,

Scrubjay

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[Krummhorn]

Hi Scrubjay,
We're glad to be have been of help ... that was a lucky find on eBay !

KH

[NEB]

Hi - This is my first post (having joined last night).

I've recently started my two girls off on lessons, and have introduced them to Db major scale rather than C major since it's all on the black notes except for F and C. This means that it is easier for them to know where to put the thumb, and which finger they need to pass across (3rd or 4th) because it corresponds to the number of black notes required.

Within 5 minutes they could both play 2 octave scales in each hand (hands sepparately). In the next lesson we will put both hands together on Db Major and introduce Gb Major which has the same fingering principle.

I don't know what anyone else thinks, but I always start off my practice sessions by wizzing up and down my scales and arps on a piano quickly starting on Db Maj because I think it's the easiest of all the scales and a good introduction to getting the hands to work correctly on the keys and it's easier to get the thumb used to passing under and fingers over. (just and opinion). - Could be a lengthy debate.

Kind regards from Yorkshire

NEB