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    Frederik Magle
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    Krummhorn
    Co-Administrator

What is the best way for a beginner to practice?

ahmed213

New member
Hi, I have just started the organ and I was just wondering what would the best way to practice be? Would it be worth it buying a cheap second hand electric organ, or is this too early a stage to be doing that?
 

wljmrbill

Member
Getting a teacher would be the best solution. Do you have a piano background? Buying an organ depends on how serious you are in learning as is always nice to have an instrument handy. Might check with music store/church etc to see if you could arrange practice time too.(cheaper)
 

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
A piano background is essential prior to learning the organ. My teacher would not even allow me to consider organ lessons until I had studied with her for 6 years! I did just that, and am forever grateful for those piano lessons.

I practice most of my organ pieces on the piano at home. Then I take them to the church where I am the organist and work on them there during my weekly practice sessions.

I would seriously advise getting a teacher/tutor to guide you through this learning process. As a beginner we are too focused on just trying to learn the notes and have no knowledge yet aboutabout poise, poster, phrasing, fingering and organ registration.

There are lots of great "method" books out there, one of which is "The Art of Organ Playing" by Eugene Thayer. That publication is now in the public domain and can be downloaded for free from IMSLP. Here is the link: https://imslp.org/wiki/The_Art_of_Organ_Playing_(Thayer,_Eugene)

IMSLP.ORG is a fantastic site ... everything imaginable for the organ, all in public domain, all in PDF's ready to print or download, and, all FREE.
I have a paid subscription to IMSLP so I don't have to deal with all the ads and stuff.

I am a professional organist with over 62 years experience, and love what I do. I play at my church every weekend and would be lost without music in my life such as this.

For a practice instrument: Check out your local churches, some may be willing to extend practice privileges. If you are in the USA, check for a local chapter of the American Guild of Organists (Agohq.org) and maybe join as a student member.

Let us know how things are going. You have a world of support right here and we would love to hear about your progress.

Kh :cool:
 
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