• Welcome to the Pipe Organ Forum! This is a part of the open community Magle International Music Forums focused on pipe organs (also known as "church organs"), organists, organ music and related topics.

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    Frederik Magle
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    Krummhorn
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A long long time ago...

ParryHotter

ParryHotter

New member
(or just a couple years ago), I frequented these forums, to some degree. Anyway, I've found time in my schedule again, and I thought I'd fill you in on what I've been up to.

One of my last threads involved learning Widor's famous Toccata. Those plans more or less fell through the cracks, due to increased work and the fact I got back into college.

The good news with all this is the fact I got back into college, and that I also started formal organ lessons. We've been working through "The Little Organ Book" by Flor Peeters, and I've found it quite challenging, actually. We only started back in January, and we're about to start the 4 part pieces in the book, for those who are familiar with it.

I'm getting lessons from the Minister of Music at my church, and I even got to play a hymn and the postlude here a couple weeks back (Ash Grove, and a Trumpet Tune by David Johnson which was my choice). My technique has improved greatly, of course that's relative because my pedalling technique was practically nonexistant before we started. I could heel-toe pretty well, but anything beyond the most basic pedal lines was out of reach.

The point of all this is, after 17+ years of piano playing I've absolutely fallen in love with the pipe organ. I only wish I could have started earlier! Hopefully my summer job will allow me to afford a nice digital camera so I can post some videos later this year. Even thinking about it is getting me all excited to go practice!
 
Krummhorn

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
Hey Hi :wave: and welcome home, ParryHotter :cheers:

Glad to hear that you have started organ lessons and returned to your college studies.
The pipe organ is very addicting - I too wish I had more time to spend playing it.

Regarding your pedal technique, you'll get there eventually - patience and practice are the key in learning the pedals, and soon enough, it becomes second nature and you will no longer have to look at your feet. I only turn on the pedalboard light as some peeps enjoy watching with great amazement what the feet can do.

Great to have you back with us here on MIMF :up:
 
ParryHotter

ParryHotter

New member
Yeah, I'm in a good place with my technique. I'm light years beyond where I was 6 months ago, but at the same time I'm light years away from being "good" :grin:

Unfortunately it'll take a while, as math degrees do not lend themselves to much practice time!
 
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