How much do you improvise?

[NEB]

I ask the question because increasingly, I dig out something for before a service play only a few bars and then spend the next 10 mins or so improvising around the themes, and most especially the mood of the day rather than playing the piece itself. Seems to be becoming the norm rather than the exception.

Hymns as well, Most often the offertory needs extending, and I often put in an interlude before the last verse leading to a climactic rendition on the final verse.

During the communion, invariably I'll put in 3-5 mins while choir get theirs and sort themselves out before singing the anthem.

Even exit voluntaries might see me expemporising if the voluntary strikes me as a little short

[Contratrombone64]

Such is the life of the church organist. I think they and jazz musicians are the only ones left who truly improvise. I sadly lack the ability. My organ playing abilities are basic. Very basic.

NEB - happy new year, by the way

[NEB]

Happy New Year to you as well CT64

[NEB]

Oh CT64, it's funny you should say that. - A good chunk of my early career was spent playing jazz piano either in trios/quartets in the bars or restaurants or in dance bands, with a fair bit of cover band work thrown in for good measure.

[Krummhorn]

I improvise frequently in my service playing. Most of my 'improvs' come out of thin air and develop as I am playing. I really need to get a portable digital recorder so I can get these pieces scored, if only for my amusement and others amazement .

I always start the prelude so many minutes ahead of the service time, having timed it out in my own rehearsal time. There are times when the clergy is delayed in entering the church and I prefer not to alter the composers original piece by repeating back a few measures just to 'fill' the time void.

I truly enjoy doing on the spot improvisations - sometimes, on longer improvs, I get into a trance with the instrument and we become one, breathing together, creating music from our own individual souls ... it's a fantastic experience.

[NEB]

Yes - I know what you mean Krummhorn. I too get completely wrapped up in the music, at one with the instrument. There's always a moment or two after a particularly long and involved improvisation when there is silence before the opening bell, and I can feel my heart beating in my chest, and my soul is moved.

Truly exhillerating. When I feel this, I know I have played well...

Also, when I have played well, you can hear a pin drop when I finish the congregation are that quiet. I've rarely ever had that from playing a composers work. There must be something that is communicated from my soul to those there with me.

[Contratrombone64]

At the church I attend, our organist is a wonerful improviser ... I guess it comes with years of practice. I marvel at the way he can pick harmonies out of thin air and make it all make sense. He sometimes is quite contrapuntal ... truly amazing, Bach would smile.

Here's a link to my church ...

www.ccsl.org.au

and to it's modest organ ...

http://www.ccsl.org.au/index.php?opt...d=20&Itemid=69

[Krummhorn]

Beautiful church, Contratrombone64 ... very nice instrument, too. And a large choir to boot ... wow, quite impressive. What does the church membership number?

[Contratrombone64]

It's one of those rare things in Sydney (which favours "happy clappy" - Sydney diocese is a worry) in that it's "high church Anglican" ... that is "bells and smells".

So - the congregation comes from far and wide.

The choir are, on the whole, wonderful. I attend for the sublime music ... oh, yes, and to worship the universe.

[NEB]

yeah - we're high church too.

I've got a small choir at present, but I'm building it up and slowly introducing more complex music. I was employed to develop the musical activities and create a strong musical tradition for the church. And bit by bit that is starting to fall neatly into place. :-)

I like the high church and its strong adherance to liturgical structures. It leaves so much opportunity for wonderful music through the choral settings, anthems and so forth.

This christmas has been extremely busy, but a joy nonetheless.

[Contratrombone64]

Do you sing the many Palestrina mass settings? CCSL does them often, lovely. The latin text doesn't bother the "bells and smells" crowd too much (of course).

[NEB]

Unfortunately the choir I inherited when I took this job is nowhere near as big as that, and while I'm building it back up again, I'm keeping things very straightforward. It's gonna be a slow methodical process methinks.

[Contratrombone64]

NEB - the size of the choir isn't too important, unless your space is huge. Building them up slowly, and carefully sounds like a wonderful challenge, I wish you good luck.

[NEB]

Yes indeed. There's really two aspects to this. One is increasing the numbers with reasonable singers, the other is training all the singers to get the best out of them. Few can actually read music, which is a hindrance, but they will gradually become more familiar as time goes by. I've insisted on every member having music copy all the time. That way they'll becomes familiar and recognise at the very least the ups and downs, dynamics, rests etc. even if they never properly get to read it.

Dealing with basics right now like breathing and voice production, supporting the voice properly etc. Lots of flexibility exercises, and exercises designed to expand the range and give them confidence.

It's all about time and patience...

[Contratrombone64]

Have you tried to teach them to read music? I'd love the chance to teach adults how to read music ... I think I'd use butcher's paper and start with absolute basics, making it as colourful and fun as possible.

I remember having to learn silly verses like "every good boy deserves fisticuffs" and FACE for the spaces. In the politically correct age we (very tediously) live in this is probably just plain sexist. But I don't care!