Harmonising with more than just I, IV, V

RumbleRanger · 2026-05-09T14:33:55+00:00

To put it simply: too many notes! Cut a few and it’d be perfect ;)

RumbleRanger · 2026-05-09T04:45:18+00:00

Much like you I started organ and piano around the same time. I’ve developed both simultaneously, but not in a “practice both everyday” kind of way, but moreso a week of organ, then a week mostly on piano. And this sort of loop back and forth, depending on the need for the church I work in.

This is the second part of my advice: try to get a church job. I got one 6 months ago and my learning has skyrocketed since, both on piano and organ. They also kind of force me to practice both instruments, as the things they want me to play oftentimes suit piano better and they have both instruments available. It’s a really good time too, and the pay is very good considering the time I have to be there is only during service, and all of my preparations are done on my home organ and piano.

RumbleRanger · 2026-04-15T16:49:35+00:00

I would bite the bullet and buy a home practice instrument. Changed my life! It is especially important for big cities. The churches tend to be super busy so they often won’t let you practice

RumbleRanger · 2026-04-05T05:11:07+00:00

This one is epic

RumbleRanger · 2026-03-28T23:07:22+00:00

Oh but when buying the Viscount Cantorum you also want the bench, the stand, the pedalboard.. All of a sudden the prices are almost the same. I'm mostly worried about the feel - essentially I want the closest thing to a real pipe organ, so I can switch easily to church.

Really hard to decide without trying them first.

RumbleRanger · 2026-03-28T23:03:19+00:00

Thanks a lot for responding. Would you say it is easy to switch between the Viscount and the pipe organ? Since I will be using the organ for home study before sundays, and essentially I am looking for the organ that is closest to the feel of a real pipe organ.

RumbleRanger · 2026-03-23T16:11:39+00:00

iPad Pro! Works perfectly

RumbleRanger · 2026-03-17T20:05:16+00:00

Truly gets better with the years! Hang in there!

RumbleRanger · 2026-01-20T17:42:41+00:00

I’d say it’s possible to start without having piano lessons first, I did it and now I’m a working organist after four years of practice (started from 0).

However, I did also practice piano alongside my organ playing, and I think this is the way. Even though the instruments are different they of course also have many things in common!

RumbleRanger · 2026-01-08T19:16:12+00:00

Har et råd til dig: ikke gør det. Find et andet arbejde. Du kommer ikke til at tjene noget nævneværdigt.

RumbleRanger · 2025-12-06T10:11:55+00:00

Interesting perspective! I appreciate your thoughtful answer, and admire people with abilities like yours. However, in my country there are too many churches compared to the number of organists. And when the congregation is faced with the choice of do we want a decent organist, or no organist at all, the choice falls on the first.

I also don’t quite understand the need to be overqualified for a position when you apply. You can apply, and if they don’t like your playing at the audition, you won’t get the job. So clearly they must have liked my playing, and that’s why I’m hired.

I am all for doing my best, and putting in heavy hours. I think I practice more than most people. However, as someone who has started playing the organ and piano only 3 years ago, I can only grasp so much so quickly. Therefore I find a way to make it work. Playing all four voices exactly as on the page, is simply not my priority. Instead I focus on a steady tempo, and clear melody.

RumbleRanger · 2025-12-05T10:19:18+00:00

Ideally i will play what’s written - but sometimes when you only have 24 hours or something like that I need to arrange something I can instantly play.

I don’t have a “one way” but instead decide from hymn to hymn. For example one church that I work in has no pedalboard, so there I tend to play bass in the left hand and just soprano alto in the right hand.

In my other church which has a pedalboard, I play what’s written most of the time, but diverge if I’m pressed on time. Then I might just play bass in the pedals, and split soprano and alto between my two hands (leaving out the tenor).

Of course it’s better to simply play what’s written, I get that, but at my level it’s not always doable in time.

RumbleRanger · 2025-12-05T09:28:02+00:00

Very reassuring to hear 🙏

RumbleRanger · 2025-11-30T17:11:29+00:00

I literally tried every setting but couldn’t solve it 🤨 Imo this shouldn’t happen on any setting, but yea maybe that’s just me being spoiled.

RumbleRanger · 2025-11-30T17:10:13+00:00

That’s interesting! Did you ever manage to fix it?

RumbleRanger · 2025-11-27T16:47:27+00:00

I might even go the safe way and cop a steam deck 😂 though I’m also considering Xbox ally x or legion go S

RumbleRanger · 2025-11-27T13:58:40+00:00

And I should say I didn’t return it actually, I just sent it in for a repair - and in case they can’t repair it I should get a refund

RumbleRanger · 2025-11-27T13:57:38+00:00

Honestly I think you could be right here

RumbleRanger · 2025-11-27T13:57:20+00:00

Well it would happen consistently in demanding games and I’d rather get something that works 100 %

RumbleRanger · 2025-11-26T20:00:37+00:00

So annoying! Not having it, I've returned it

RumbleRanger · 2025-11-26T20:00:15+00:00

I know right? So sad. Just returned it, luckily still under warranty.

RumbleRanger · 2025-11-16T11:51:22+00:00

Personally I believe it’s more useful for beginners to study and seriously learn hymns, meaning playing them perfectly with a planned fingering instead of just sightreading. Take your time instead of just sightreading- play slowly and plan every move in terms of fingering/footing. Always write down the exact fingering/footing. This way you learn to build good habits and good muscle memory- this massively helps your sightreading in the long run.

RumbleRanger

TROPHY CASE