Organ shoes

[Bach>Meer]

Hi all

I've been playing the pedals with my socks on since I began playing the king of instruments.
My question is - would shoes help better my pedalling technique as although I am improving, I'm not improving as quickly as I want!

I watched John Scott Whitley play the pedal solos in the BWV 564 and BWV 540 Toccatas on 21st Century Bach, gliding with ease and when I play the same pedal passage (or attempt it!) I bounce too much from pedal to pedal and the pedals make noises as they are pressed down which can't be good for the instrument - which I don't like doing.

Would shoes improve the situation, what shoes would you recommend and if I don't want to buy a pair of actual "organ shoes", can you recommend any normal shoes which have thin soles and all the correct characteristics etc which can be adapted for organ playing?

Thanks!

[musicalis]

Hi !
I have never played with special shoes, but sometime with no shoes.
Did you try to play with no shoes. There is no noise and you can feel very well what your feet are doing.
J-P

[JONESEY]

I just use an old pair of shoes which are really smooth on the soles.
I found it made a difference to have shoes that moved easily across the pedals.

[jvhldb]

I played with socks for about 18 years before I started taking organ lessons. My teacher insted that I play with shoes. I couldn't get any organ shoes in SA, so I bought a pair of thin soled shoes. Unfortuanetly they had a rubber heel, so I had a shoe repair shop glue leather to the bottom of the heels. Now that I'm used to them I will never play bare foot again.

The only drawback is they are so smooth now that I have to watch my footing on the wood floors of the church or I go sliding down the isle like an oversized bowling ball.

[Muza]

lols, jvhldb, you are funny

[Contratrombone64]

I play in socks, can't stand shoes as I have big feet.

[Corno Dolce]

Hi CT64,

You mean to tell the forum that you don't wear shoes when you're out and about on town? Yowzah, dude - those must be some big surfboards you have atached to your ankles.

Cheers,

CD

[Contratrombone64]

Very funny.

[Muza]

haha, oh this forum is really making my otherwise crappy day today unfortunately, at CT64's expense

[Flute'n'Pedal]

Hi Bach>Meer,

Why don't you want real organ shoes? I just bought myself a pair a month ago, after one year of organ study. They've helped my pedaling tremendously. They don't cost more than ordinary shoes.

LlL

[Krummhorn]

I've used organ shoes since day one playing the organ. I get mine from a company called Organmaster Shoes in the US ... I buy a new pair about every 8 years ($60 USD) but really love them. Can't play pedals worth diddly squat in my sock feet ...

[Flute'n'Pedal]

Hi Krummhorn:

I also got mine from Organmaster, and I echo every word you say. But do the shoes really last for 8 years? Don't the soles wear out before then?

LlL

[Corno Dolce]

Hey folks - I had one of my infamous foul-ups today. I was playing for a wedding today and everything was going smoothly and I felt a little cocky. The priest said you may kiss the bride and then the couple turned around to begin recessing out from the sanctuary. After the Recessional was over the couple came over and thanked me. I then said that I was honored to have played for their funeral Well, the bride laughed hysterically but the groom gave me a dirty look.

[Contratrombone64]

LOL @ Sweet Corn

[Muza]

haha, Corno Dolce, now thats gutsy! and funny - I just told the story to my husband and well, he had a reaction somewhat close to that of the bride's !!!