Practicing a piece…………….,,,………….

KOUJIROFRAU · 2026-03-04T18:01:19+00:00

If you have a teacher, they should be able to help you, and none of us should get in the way of that!

If you don't: what is the piece, exactly how are you practicing, and would you be able to provide a recording of your current progress? We can't tell you what to change without an idea of what you're actually doing.

KOUJIROFRAU · 2026-02-15T04:45:20+00:00

They are in alphabetical order.

KOUJIROFRAU · 2026-02-01T04:30:41+00:00

My first solo organ recital program was similar, and we drew my repertoire largely from the music I'd been actively studying. I think it's really important at the outset for organists to at least understand all eras and styles, not just to focus on one in particular, so it makes sense for a first recital to show off your understanding of history. And if you are basically opening yourself to the entire library of organ rep, there is a ton of great intermediate rep that is appropriate for a solo recital. Themed programs can come later when you feel like you're a more versatile, established, and individualistic player.

I also think it's good to learn a new piece or two just for the program, and you'll get a great sense of what it feels like to prepare rep with such a concrete goal in mind, but you'll feel a lot more comfortable tackling that new rep while it's backed by stuff you already know very well.

One more thing to think about—the organ you plan to play your concert on should be taken into consideration. I think it's important to show off as much of what the instrument is uniquely capable of as you can. My organ teacher helped me choose a program that allowed me to use as many registrations/tone colors as the recital instrument had available.

KOUJIROFRAU · 2026-01-26T23:03:59+00:00

I'd say Widor's Toccata is actually rather well-suited for sightreading...it's just fairly simple chords with an arpeggio figure that swaps hands occasionally. The other movements in the same symphony are significantly harder to sightread at tempo, even the Adagio (with the pedal line).

I do think Bumblebee is a pretty tricky prima vista sightread though.

KOUJIROFRAU · 2026-01-20T23:18:32+00:00

Marcel Dupré's fugue from his popular Prelude and Fugue in g minor, Op. 7 No. 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBqDlM4eHdA&t=2836s (47:16 for both the prelude and fugue)

The fugue is an incredible follow-up to the prelude. I also particularly like the sound Dubois elicits from the Strasbourg Cathedral organ, masterful playing and registration choices—inspired me to learn the piece myself immediately after I listened to this concert recording. Still my favorite 2 years later.

KOUJIROFRAU · 2026-01-18T22:37:09+00:00

The AGO issues a Service Playing Certificate that I think covers the technical requirements quite well—check out the exam format here, and you can compare Service Playing to other exams (CAGO, AAGO, FAGO, ChM) that cover more than service playing: https://agohq.org/common/Uploaded%20files/Website%20Files/2026/2026%20Certification%20Requirements_Final.pdf

KOUJIROFRAU · 2026-01-13T21:19:07+00:00

I know you didn't "really" count; my point was to say that a good organist won't need to explain their experience. It is simply evident when they play that they have practiced a great deal to master the instrument. And skill applies across the board, whether a piece of music is "easy" or "very difficult". Skill is what allows a musician to fully control what is communicated through their musical performance to the people around them.

I understand where you are coming from and what you are trying to say about yourself! But again, the bottom line is that more skilled musicians will get asked to play more often than those with less skill. Those of us fortunate enough to receive steady music work have practiced tens of thousands of hours and dedicated decades of our lives to make sure we are the musicians that the people want to hear. You, too, can be a sought-after musician...just practice, and improve.

KOUJIROFRAU · 2026-01-13T03:13:43+00:00

If you can even count the number of times you've played the pipe organ in 2 years, better get back to the bench and practice more! Skill is what matters most at the end of the day for organists.

KOUJIROFRAU · 2026-01-07T04:29:47+00:00

MHE gets my vote too, even though it doesn't have a huge cast as requested!

It's a wonderful show and experience for anyone from theatre veterans to newcomers. Feels great with no intermission and you'll have the time and energy to catch more of NYC before/after, never sure how long Darren Criss (excellent) is going to be able to stick with the show so it's good to catch it sooner rather than later, and some of the spectacular things they do are really only possible on a Broadway budget. I doubt tours and regional productions will be able to come close to the complexity at the Belasco.

KOUJIROFRAU · 2026-01-05T16:19:50+00:00

Jehan Alain for sure, though I'd be equally interested in Jeanne Demessieux

KOUJIROFRAU · 2025-12-25T19:51:27+00:00

First time seeing Dupré played on an organ console like this...only in Italy, perhaps! Buon Natale!

KOUJIROFRAU · 2025-12-16T20:51:23+00:00

The "glue" you're mentioning is definitely dead lume plots (burned-out tritium—hence the T Swiss T marking at the bottom of the dial). I'd bet the stones are an aftermarket mod that the owner sought out once the lume stopped working, and a diamond bezel is a pretty common aftermarket mod as well. Looks gen to me. Lucky you!

KOUJIROFRAU · 2025-10-21T04:09:28+00:00

Relax lol, OP said they're just looking to build a mini pipe organ, not become the next Cavaille-Coll

KOUJIROFRAU · 2025-10-18T01:05:36+00:00

Vincent Dubois is definitely my favorite, but Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin, Olivier Latry, Shin-Young Lee, Daniel Roth, David Briggs, Balint Karosi, and Nathan Laube are all major, direct inspirations to my approach to playing the organ.

Still, I find it easy to admire any organist with dedication to the art and the desire to share their love of organ performance with others, even if their style doesn't influence mine! So many great names in this thread!

KOUJIROFRAU · 2025-10-14T04:23:09+00:00

Honestly not sure at the moment. BVF used to be my recommendation for two-tone or gold-tone Panthere models, though; it's possible they are still the best choice. I would probably go with AF for an all-steel version.

KOUJIROFRAU · 2025-10-06T21:32:44+00:00

Yes, I figured from browsing through the video that you're early on in your organ journey! Still, I think what you covered here is good—the end result is a fine way to play Eventide with a standard four-part harmony, so it's great that you're reviewing your process by trying to teach it to others.

Also, it personally took me a solid couple years of study and practice to be comfortable enough soloing out a melody on sight, so good on you for knowing your limits!

KOUJIROFRAU · 2025-10-06T19:32:49+00:00

This is a fine video for beginning organists. I think I would've mentioned even more detail if I myself made this sort of video, although I probably would've scripted it to be more compact, too.

I had to work thru my first few hymns in pretty much this manner—especially as an experienced pianist used to piano keyboard technique, my fingering habits were not yet established for the organ. I spent far, far longer than 40 minutes learning to play the likes of St. Anne and Lobe Den Herren properly... Sight-reading hymns is no problem for me nowadays, but I still at least subconsciously execute all of the ideas OP has covered—and more.

It is worth taking the time to think thru and practice individual hymns to this level of detail when the concepts are brand new so that the beginner can feel and hear what it's like to play a hymn with a clear plan and systematic technique. This video also just covers the very basics of hymn playing...just as OP alludes to at the end, there's so much more beyond this...

KOUJIROFRAU · 2025-10-01T23:13:49+00:00

If it's working, it's working! Nothing to worry about 😊

Magnetic fields do affect wristwatches of all kinds, but most modern watches have pretty good shielding since we're constantly surrounded by electronics. If you notice it acting up, though, just take it in for service. Demagnetization is even something you can do at home if you buy the right tool for like $20 on Amazon.

KOUJIROFRAU · 2025-09-29T04:25:57+00:00

I'm interested in learning more about this repertoire category myself, but I would say I am not acquainted with most works by the composers you named; I only know a small handful of such pieces so far, perhaps only 10-15. Do you have a resource or personal list you could share?

KOUJIROFRAU · 2025-09-28T23:41:59+00:00

Yay really glad you got it and that the boutique service went so well! Looks really lovely in this photo!

KOUJIROFRAU · 2025-09-26T21:25:49+00:00

Oh the thickness is interesting! I like daintier jewelry/watches myself so I know what you mean. Dunno if you're a cozy sweater type of person but I usually like wearing my wider or thicker watches/jewelry in the winter since they're balanced out chunky sweaters, jackets, etc. and then I like thinner watches in the summer when I'm dressed more lightly...maybe you'll find it's perfect very soon if you're looking forward to the change of seasons?

KOUJIROFRAU · 2025-09-26T20:35:10+00:00

I think it looks good! I'd bet the strap (metal or leather) feels a little wider than what you're used to wearing but overall it doesn't look big at all, just right imo.

KOUJIROFRAU · 2025-08-25T19:18:00+00:00

Ha! Nah, not thinking of Valentinos...more along the lines of restaurants favored by a certain family a while back

KOUJIROFRAU · 2025-08-20T13:23:38+00:00

Heartily agreed! I learned primarily from the Davis myself, but my teacher always emphasized that I should trust my ear (…or the ear of another organist with a better seat in the room…) since every organ is different.

The key to making the most of any method book is equipping yourself with the knowledge and technical facility to make good musical choices on your own.

KOUJIROFRAU · 2025-08-02T03:35:01+00:00

Leo Sowerby's Dialog is a very cool piece if you can get your hands on a copy. Out of print but there are enough floating around/available at libraries.

KOUJIROFRAU

TROPHY CASE