Organiste
New member
I've been playing the organ again for about a year. I had studied as a teenager and was the summer organist at our local church; I took some lessons at Oberlin (not my major). Now 30 years later, I'm the organist at a local church.
I practice 4-5 times a week (while also working full-time) and my technique (and confidence) have shown much improvement. I play for 2 services every week plus accompanying the choir.
Strangely, I feel only slightly nervous in the services. But my playing suffers, especially on the pedals. I don't feel anxious; my hands don't shake. But my fingers seem to stiffen up, get tangled; my feet miss notes I was sure of.
Today I played my first wedding in decades and everything went well...until the recessional (Mendelssohn). I lost my place a couple of times, stumbled, had trouble getting back on track. Of all the times! Afterwards I was miserable. I don't know what else to do except keep practicing. And why am I not nervous? Seems that might even help.
Looking for suggestions...
I practice 4-5 times a week (while also working full-time) and my technique (and confidence) have shown much improvement. I play for 2 services every week plus accompanying the choir.
Strangely, I feel only slightly nervous in the services. But my playing suffers, especially on the pedals. I don't feel anxious; my hands don't shake. But my fingers seem to stiffen up, get tangled; my feet miss notes I was sure of.
Today I played my first wedding in decades and everything went well...until the recessional (Mendelssohn). I lost my place a couple of times, stumbled, had trouble getting back on track. Of all the times! Afterwards I was miserable. I don't know what else to do except keep practicing. And why am I not nervous? Seems that might even help.
Looking for suggestions...