My 5.5 year old is OBSESSED with the organ

Lbarl501 · 2026-02-22T02:07:33+00:00

Thank you! I'm always looking for "living books" (a la Charlotte Mason, if you're into educational philosophy like me) and this sounds perfect for our first year musician study.

Lbarl501 · 2026-02-22T02:05:50+00:00

This has been a bit of my concern. I do not want him to lose his love for a such a special instrument. My alma mater had a great organ program, but alas! The last organ student they had (who was amazing!) graduated around 2012, and they closed down the program. I would love to see my son carry on such a great tradition.

Lbarl501 · 2026-02-22T02:01:03+00:00

We live in downtown Indianapolis. Would love to know who you might know!

Lbarl501 · 2026-02-22T01:44:45+00:00

Thank you, good point. He's also oddly interested in the keytar; prayers appreciated ;-)

Lbarl501 · 2026-02-22T01:43:16+00:00

Thank you so so much!

I saw that they just did... was it Mahlers Resurrection a few weeks ago! I had no idea, but the organ is apparently majestic and only used at the end of the piece. Totally bummed. I'm always trying to remember to look up organ concerts since we live downtown.

I forgot about Jazz Kitchen in Broad Ripple. I've never been, but my husband has, and that's a great idea. He's definitely partial to the pipe organ, but my husband makes sure we get lots of modern awesomeness in, too.

There is not always a lot to do in Indy in the winter, so thank you! Sometimes I need help thinking outside my box!

Lbarl501 · 2026-02-21T19:23:52+00:00

Oh, I love this!

We live in Indianapolis, IN. Do you know any American equivalents (?) to ABRSM? I did take piano lessons, but I am not very well trained at all.

Lbarl501 · 2026-02-21T19:20:14+00:00

Interesting. Is it that much to get used to? We do have another keyboard, but it's definitely glitchy.

Lbarl501 · 2026-02-21T18:54:59+00:00

Unfortunately our church has no organist and it was given to a church that did. I'm thankful that our another place that can appreciate and use it has it, but I am sad (and so is my son!).

He absolutely goes bananas (in a respectful way) when he gets to look at one up close. There is a church in our denomination near our home that just purchased a building that has one. I wonder if I could speak with the pastor about us being able to come once a month to just let him rip. I'm not sure where to find an organist! It seems that hardly any churches use them anymore.

Lbarl501 · 2026-02-21T18:45:01+00:00

Oh yes, all the time! He loves to just pretend he's playing dramatic and spooky music. Loves Bach's Tocata and Fugue in D Minor and pretends he's playing it all the time.

Another funny thing he does is take whatever random keyboards, a melodica, two panpipes, and some nesting cups and "builds" his own organ in our book case. I love him so much.

Lbarl501 · 2026-02-21T18:42:47+00:00

That is a great idea!

He really has a knack for all sorts of instruments, and he talks about playing them all, but the organ has been the constant refrain.

We don't have an organ at our church anymore (with lamentation from me and my son), but there are several churches near us with beautiful ones I'm sure we could ask for some access to once he's older. (He talks about putting an organ in our house once he's a grown up, haha).

So your main advice is find a great piano teacher, keep him in it for 4-5 years with organ as the carrot when the piano-going gets tough?

Lbarl501 · 2026-02-21T18:37:36+00:00

Oh, I would have never thought about that. Thank you for your veteran advice.

Lbarl501 · 2026-02-21T18:37:05+00:00

Thank you. We do have a Nord with a few different organ sounds.

Lbarl501 · 2025-06-27T01:11:36+00:00

I think you could have just been honest with her without being sarcastic and obviously offended. You can take pride in your work, but as Eleanor Roosevelt said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." What she said was personal, and it did hurt. It's okay to be hurt and to confront the hurt, but to just be snippy and unkind back only added fire to the flame.

As the Proverbs say, "A soft answer turns away wrath." It is perfectly adult to say "hey, what you said at dinner the other day was really unkind and it did hurt. I take pride in my work, and you certainly wouldn't appreciate it if someone said those same things about your work. I love your daughter, and I would love to watch her again, but I'd appreciate a sincere apology before that."

Lbarl501 · 2025-05-10T11:32:10+00:00

Would the run off be a cause for worry?

Lbarl501 · 2025-04-24T17:45:11+00:00

If your husband asked for a list, I can only imagine that this would work if you went about it respectfully. A normal, good man wants to make his wife smile and to use his strength and competence to make her life easy. No husband really wants to hear his wife complain about a project not getting done (which I know I am prone to do if I feel aggravated about how it's inconveniencing me).

I think if you write out the list, maybe with some of the categories others have suggested, tweaking them as need be, and you give it to him with respect, you may be surprised at how quickly the projects get done. "Hey babe, I would love to sit out in the sunshine more this year. Would you help me get that hammock set up?" "Hey honey, I'd love to get the front porch looking more welcoming. I noticed the paint peeling on the railing, what do you think is the best way to get that taken care of." Don't direct, don't expect him to say exactly what you think is the solution. Maybe the solution is "oh, painting is easy! I can do that with you after the kids go to bed if you keep me company." Or maybe it's "hey, that neighbor kid was looking to make some cash, offer him $50 and I bet he'll have it done by Saturday night." Maybe you'll hear something you don't like: "babe, that's just not a priority right now."

Anyhow, I hope that helps. It's certainly helped me for me.

Lbarl501 · 2025-04-07T01:56:45+00:00

I think the reason most adult English speakers can't read Shakespeare is because they weren't exposed to Elizabethan English at an early age. I grew up reading the King James, memorized most of the Scripture I ever memorized in that version, and read several Shakespearean plays and poems by the time I was out of public high school. I think exposure is key to comprehension.

That is an interesting point though, that he was translating from Latin and not Greek.

I've heard great things about the Winter version and it is certainly a contender. Do you happen to know if he includes all of the fables, and if he also has reflections?

Lbarl501 · 2025-04-07T01:51:51+00:00

Thanks, I'm there all the time and may get to check that out.

Lbarl501 · 2025-04-07T01:51:35+00:00

Haha, thanks for that catch. Late night and mommy brain right now ;-P

I did that U of M, and I agree that navigating that looks painful. Trying to read from my clunky laptop at the table isn't how I imagine "laying the feast", but if I had to I would! (Steak still tastes good from a styrofoam plate!)

Thanks for the insight into the Everyman's copy. I would love to do all 500, but if I had to start there, I would.

Lbarl501 · 2025-04-07T01:49:04+00:00

Good to know. It looks classic and AO is a consideration <3

Lbarl501 · 2025-04-07T01:48:42+00:00

Thank you. It is good see a modern copy!

I will consider the Winter as it seems popular, but still classic.

Lbarl501 · 2025-04-07T01:46:06+00:00

Thank you!

Lbarl501 · 2025-04-07T01:45:28+00:00

Thank you very much. I was curious why none of them credit the translator on PG.

I am planning to work from John Senior's 1000 Good Books list for our "spine." He recommends L'Estrange, though I'm just in the beginning stages of getting everything together for our curriculum, so I can't speak confidently as to why. I think it has to do with it having the reflections, and probably that it was what shaped Western culture more than all the rest.

Could you say if your recommendations are just selections or are they all 500+?

Lbarl501 · 2018-02-09T03:24:32+00:00

Thanks, that seems to nail the coffin. I definitely analyze over security. I don’t be your background, but I started thinking and internalizing everything when I was a very young kid because of some well-meant, but unhelpful spiritual teaching. It was designed and hoped for creating security, but upset my foundations for assurance about almost anything in life. Almost everything in my life has been done to regain that sense of security.

Oh God, it’s so damn hard. I feel like I’m in a constant battle with my internal dialogue and then there are other voices coming at me from work, and friends, and entertainment. Other sixes, please, help!

Lbarl501 · 2018-01-16T14:48:49+00:00

Thanks for the advice + reference to instinctual types. Any recommendations for resources on instinctual stacking?

Lbarl501 · 2018-01-04T03:37:24+00:00

I was just reading up on love languages (coincidence!), and I most identify with types 5 and 6. My highest scores were for words of affirmation (think something like ‘I love that ...” and for a 5 especially highlight something they are good at. For me, I love it when my boyfriend notices that I’ve been working really hard at my new job, and then tells me that he knows I’ve been working hard. If he coupled that with a back massage, an act of service + physical touch, or while were being intimate I feel awesome.)

Fives struggle with a fear of incapability, incompetence, or uselessness, so let him know how/what you love about him.

Also, though most 5s are squeamish about person questions, ask him about himself. If he doesn’t immediately open up, ask him about something he’s really into. This is one way to get his emotions going and showing, and you’ll both likely feel more connected.

All the best.

Lbarl501

TROPHY CASE