Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast episode 745! This question was sent by Dawn who is our Total Organist program member and she wants to know how can she improve fingering in general without using annotated scores?Here you will find all my scores: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/category/arrangeme/?q=Secrets+of+Organ+Playing&aff_id=454957You can support this channel by becoming a member here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO4K3_6QVJI_HlI5PCFQqtg/joinIf you like what I do, you can buy me some coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/organduoPayPal: https://PayPal.Me/VPinkeviciusWe support Ukraine: https://www.blue-yellow.lt/enMy Hauptwerk setup: https://www.organduo.lt/tools.htmlTotal Organist - the most comprehensive organ training program online: https://www.organduo.lt/total-organistSecrets of Organ Playing - When You Practice, Miracles Happen! https://organduo.ltListen to my organ playing on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ckKPIvTWucoN3CZwGodCO?si=YWy7_0HqRvaZwBcovL-RKg#secretsoforganplaying #vidaspinkevicius #ausramotuzaite

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast episode 744! This question was sent by our good friend James Flores from Australia and who shared some of his feedback on our recent episode talking how much to practice on the organ per day. He writes:"This was a very insightful podcast. For me it's also about deadlines. I think I may have covered this in a video of my own in the past too. The challenge I'm facing now is not about how much to practice, but about how to find joy and motivation in organ playing again."Here you will find all my scores: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/category/arrangeme/?q=Secrets+of+Organ+Playing&aff_id=454957You can support this channel by becoming a member here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO4K3_6QVJI_HlI5PCFQqtg/joinIf you like what I do, you can buy me some coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/organduoPayPal: https://PayPal.Me/VPinkeviciusWe support Ukraine: https://www.blue-yellow.lt/enMy Hauptwerk setup: https://www.organduo.lt/tools.htmlTotal Organist - the most comprehensive organ training program online: https://www.organduo.lt/total-organistSecrets of Organ Playing - When You Practice, Miracles Happen! https://organduo.ltListen to my organ playing on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ckKPIvTWucoN3CZwGodCO?si=YWy7_0HqRvaZwBcovL-RKg#secretsoforganplaying #vidaspinkevicius #ausramotuzaite

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast episode 743! This question was sent by David and he writes:Hello Vidas,Thank you for your wonderful advice and tips you give on ‘Secrets of Organ Playing’! I look forward to the articles and appreciate them very much.I have also played the pipe organ for many years and have gone through the Canadian Royal Conservatory of Music program. Since getting married over 30 years ago and raising a large family and being a homemaker, my time with music was more spent with our children learning different musical instruments rather than on the organ. Now that they are grown, I am an organist in our church - I really enjoy it! I find you cover many aspects of organ playing very thoroughly in your articles and look forward to your new coaching program! I think the dream I have for playing is how to improvise and transpose hymns with ease. I am wondering how a person can do it with confidence and professionally. That is the only part of my training that was not encouraged and I feel very insecure with how to go about it.Thank you!TreenaAlberta, CanadaHere you will find all my scores: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/category/arrangeme/?q=Secrets+of+Organ+Playing&aff_id=454957You can support this channel by becoming a member here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO4K3_6QVJI_HlI5PCFQqtg/joinIf you like what I do, you can buy me some coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/organduoPayPal: https://PayPal.Me/VPinkeviciusWe support Ukraine: https://www.blue-yellow.lt/enMy Hauptwerk setup: https://www.organduo.lt/tools.htmlTotal Organist - the most comprehensive organ training program online: https://www.organduo.lt/total-organistSecrets of Organ Playing - When You Practice, Miracles Happen! https://organduo.ltListen to my organ playing on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ckKPIvTWucoN3CZwGodCO?si=YWy7_0HqRvaZwBcovL-RKg#secretsoforganplaying #vidaspinkevicius #ausramotuzaite

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast episode 742! Today Ausra and I will talk about an important aspect of organ playing - how much should you practice? Hope you will enjoy it!Here you will find all my scores: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/category/arrangeme/?q=Secrets+of+Organ+Playing&aff_id=454957You can support this channel by becoming a member here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO4K3_6QVJI_HlI5PCFQqtg/joinIf you like what I do, you can buy me some coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/organduoPayPal: https://PayPal.Me/VPinkeviciusWe support Ukraine: https://www.blue-yellow.lt/enMy Hauptwerk setup: https://www.organduo.lt/tools.htmlTotal Organist - the most comprehensive organ training program online: https://www.organduo.lt/total-organistSecrets of Organ Playing - When You Practice, Miracles Happen! https://organduo.ltListen to my organ playing on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ckKPIvTWucoN3CZwGodCO?si=YWy7_0HqRvaZwBcovL-RKg#secretsoforganplaying #vidaspinkevicius #ausramotuzaite

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast episode 741! This question was sent by David and he writes:Hello Vidas,Thank you for the email. I am happy to answer the two questions. My dream is to learn how to play pieces that I love or that are "standard repertoire" with confidence and good technique.Three things holding me back are better technique, better ways to learn a piece and playing faster. Most challenging are fingering a piece and ornamentations.I hope this helps.DavidHere you will find all my scores: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/category/arrangeme/?q=Secrets+of+Organ+Playing&aff_id=454957You can support this channel by becoming a member here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO4K3_6QVJI_HlI5PCFQqtg/joinIf you like what I do, you can buy me some coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/organduoPayPal: https://PayPal.Me/VPinkeviciusWe support Ukraine: https://www.blue-yellow.lt/enMy Hauptwerk setup: https://www.organduo.lt/tools.htmlTotal Organist - the most comprehensive organ training program online: https://www.organduo.lt/total-organistSecrets of Organ Playing - When You Practice, Miracles Happen! https://organduo.ltListen to my organ playing on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ckKPIvTWucoN3CZwGodCO?si=YWy7_0HqRvaZwBcovL-RKg#secretsoforganplaying #vidaspinkevicius #ausramotuzaite

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast episode 740! This question was sent by Jeovane and he writes:Hello Vidas, could you help me with a question? What is the significance, in registrations, of Grand choeur, grand jeu and plein jeu? I learned that plein jeu is the combination of all the founds and mixtures; grand jeu the combination of all principals, mixtures and reeds; and grand choeur a organ tutti. Is this correct?Find out more: https://organduo.lt

Let's start episode 739 of Secrets of Organ Playing podcast. This question was sent by Tamsin Jones and she writes:My organ teacher taught me various ways to orient myself and to find notes while playing the pedals, such as finding the gaps between black keys or brushing up or down to the next note. However, my intuition is telling me that at some point I need to begin playing mainly by internalised knowledge of where the notes are; in other words, the techniques are starting to feel like training wheels that I'd need to jettison in order to play faster and more fluently. Could I please have your thoughts on this topic?During those 10000 hours you have to make decisions about what to focus on. I watch videos of concert organists and they don't seem to be playing by feel, but rather by spatial awareness. However, perhaps they're using touch in a highly efficient way that's not detectable by camera. If it's by spatial awareness, when does a player make the change and is it something that can be practised toward? If by feel, how does one increase efficiency?Hope you will enjoy the conversation between Ausra and me!Here you will find all my scores: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/category/arrangeme/?q=Secrets+of+Organ+Playing&aff_id=454957You can support this channel by becoming a member here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO4K3_6QVJI_HlI5PCFQqtg/joinIf you like what I do, you can buy me some coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/organduoPayPal: https://PayPal.Me/VPinkeviciusWe support Ukraine: https://www.blue-yellow.lt/enMy Hauptwerk setup: https://www.organduo.lt/tools.htmlTotal Organist - the most comprehensive organ training program online: https://www.organduo.lt/total-organistSecrets of Organ Playing - When You Practice, Miracles Happen! https://organduo.ltListen to my organ playing on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ckKPIvTWucoN3CZwGodCO?si=YWy7_0HqRvaZwBcovL-RKg

Let's start episode 738 of Secrets of Organ Playing podcast. This question was sent by Jeovane and he asks: Did the Soviets allow sacred music? This question reminds me of Arvo Part’s Credo, banned for "political provocation". Hope you will enjoy the conversation!

Let's start episode 737 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Kathrin and she writes: Do you also compose for others, after their wishes? Do you get such requests sometimes? For what instruments do you compose beside the organ or piano? Hope you will enjoy it!

Let's start episode 736 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Alessandro and he writes: I am writing to you to ask for advice about my situation as a passionate organist with health problems. I suffer from diabetes, therefore I have problems with the pedalboard to find the notes due to the decrease of the sense of position, typical of the disease. I also have vision problems with difficulty reading the three staves at the same time. I had built in the past, a good repertoire, even done some recitals. Now I feel like I have lost everything. I was already a slow learner, now it takes me a long time to study a piece. In a month I would like to show a friend the first movement of the Eb major Trio Sonata, and the Dorian Toccata by Bach, but the effort and the mistakes are so many, and, if I think that I mastered these pieces, I get discouraged and go days without practicing. I would almost like to start studying (or revising) the organ from scratch because I really like it a lot. I wanted to ask you if you have any advice or any of your courses to propose to me, that would help me rebuild a repertoire gradually and with confidence. (Years ago I completed your course about first sight reading). Thank you for your attention. Greetings Alessandro

Let's start episode 735 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Dawn and she asks: Ausra, ​is your technique for composing the same as Vidas? Hope you will enjoy this conversation! Find out more at https://organduo.lt

Let's start episode 734 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Kathrin and she writes: That's a really interesting topic. Can I add a few questions? - Level 1 - 2 - 3 method sounds plausible. But for me, when a piece really looks like level 1, after practicing for a while, it turns out, it's at least level 2. I never found level 1 pieces. What would you suggest? - First I have to prepare my services. It costs me a lot of time to remember pre- and postludes. When I don't play a piece for a few weeks, I have forgotten it. So I don't have much time to learn new pieces. Do you have a method not to forget pieces anymore? If you liked this conversation, you can buy us some coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/organduo

Let's start episode 733 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Ann and she writes: I have a related problem. I also have been working on the E flat trio sonata, and have absolutely loved working on it/playing it. But I played it in a recital recently (one movement) and I played it badly, even though it is great when I play by myself. When I started playing, my hands were actually shaking. This is the second recital this has happened to me in, the first was a Guilmant Finale. I play the piano relatively frequently in public and have never had shaking hands. But when playing the organ, which I've taken up again in the last couple of years after many years off) – the shaking hands and the fear of messing up. I can't take a permanent church job to get in more frequent public playing because of schedule issues. Should I just give up playing in public, or is there a fix for this? Get more organ playing advice at https://organduo.lt

Let's start episode 732 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. These questions were sent by Rien and Benas and they write: Maybe you could answer this question in a podcast (referring to Benas): with some pieces you “feel” while practicing that everything comes together. And if you are there, you stay there. Even if you don’t play the piece for a while, it still flows (maybe with some light practice) out of your hands in the right way, while other pieces don’t seem to “stick”. What’s the reason? Not enough practice, wrong practice routines? Or just a mismatch between the piece and performer? Benas: Hi, Rien, that's a very interesting topic You've touched upon - yes, I think some pieces are just inherently "mismatched" with the performer (I've had quite a few when I was learning piano in music school), but after a while I tried revisiting them and often found that the issue was the skill level required to play as well as understand the piece. But some of them just can't seem to be done right no matter how hard You try yet they flow in other performers' hands and feet beautifully - maybe they could offer insight into how they perceive the piece? It surely would be interesting to know all the factors that go into "matching" the performer and the piece of music. Rien: it would be nice if Ausra and Vidas make a Podcast over it. I myself struggle with Toccatas (my brain seems to have troubles with repeating patterns) and with pieces with lots of accidentals. That’s the reason I still haven’t published “Priere de Notre Dame” by Boellmann. There are lots of accidentals in it. So I prefer a piece written in 5 flats over a piece in F full with accidentals. But why? I think that’s interesting… If you liked this conversation, you can buy us a coffee at https://buymeacoffee.com/organduo

Let's start episode 731 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Dan and he writes: Interesting podcast episode here, on pedal technique, Vidas. You talk about putting hands on the bench during pedal solos. I’ll often do this, as I’m not playing anything in the manuals. Would you say this is a good thing to do, technically speaking? Or would you advise organists that you’re working with, to keep their hands on the manuals, so they can be ready for when manual parts come back in? Speaking of playing baroque music with toes only, with the Toccata, from BWV 564, and the pedal solo that it has in it, how would you play the part that has triplets in it, as smooth as possible? This is a bit in that pedal solo in that toccata that I've always not gotten as smooth as I’d like it to be, and as smooth as I’ve heard organists generally play it. Find out more at https://organduo.lt

Welcome to episode 730 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast! This question was sent by Benas, our student at Vilnius University organ studio "Unda Maris" and he writes: After learning to play Bach's Trio Sonata in Eb major, I found myself reluctant to try and explore the rest of the Trio sonatas. What could I try to overcome this fear? Last year, I played Bach's Trio Sonata in E-flat major (BWV 525) at Vilnius University Unda Maris Studio Recital in winter. I found the entire learning process extremely difficult compared to any other piece I tried to learn. Usually, when I am learning to play any piece of music, at some point I get a certain feeling that it's all going to come together eventually and that has been a good predictor of whether I will perform it well in the concert. However, with this piece, I could not feel that at all and my concert performance was really not up to my liking, making an underwhelming result after practicing it for about a year (although I must admit, the practice schedule was not very rigorous). As a result - I am really reluctant to try to learn the rest of the Trio Sonatas. However, at some point in life, I would still like to learn them. Any tips to overcome this "fear" and strategies for my next practice sessions? Many thanks!!! More information: https://organduo.lt

Let's start episode SOPP729 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Nick and he writes: Hi there! Been following your site for a while (and even bought a few pieces). I just recently stepped up to learn organ for my church – it’s a Catholic traditional Latin church, so I’m being asked to play hymns, interludes, and to accompany chant when I can. It’s been a while since I’ve been at the keyboard – so I’ve started myself over in theory books (currently in book 4 of a 10 book series) and am doing my best to start to learn pedals. I’ve been working with a local teacher here who is a concert organist and we’ve been going through the New Oxford Organ Method book along with Flor Peeters’ Little Organ Book. I recently saw that you all have the total organist course and I’m interested – however I also don’t want to make the mistake of grabbing too many resources. I’m emailing to get some insight into the course – is there a way it would be able to help me develop my skills faster than where I’m at now? Or, would there be a course or two that you’d recommend for purchase that would help me? Thanks for a great website – I’ve been enjoying the content so far (and used your Laetare Sunday prelude before Mass this year – so thank you for that!) God bless, Nick

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast No. 728! It's Vidas and usually we do these conversations with Ausra but today I’m delighted to speak with a very special guest—someone whose music has brought inspiration, beauty, and calm to listeners and performers around the world. Dr. James Michael Stevens, joining us from Nashville, Tennessee, is a remarkably prolific composer, pianist, and educator. He currently serves as the Dean of the School of Music at Welch College, and his creative output is nothing short of astonishing. With thousands of published compositions, Dr. Stevens has developed a signature style that blends lyrical grace, spiritual depth, and heartfelt simplicity. Many of his works, especially his meditative piano pieces, have become favorites among church musicians, educators, and recording artists alike. His music resonates deeply with people looking for comfort, peace, and emotional honesty—and more recently, it has also found a home in the repertoires of organists. In this episode, we’ll explore how James approaches composition and stays so remarkably productive. We’ll discuss how he balances creative flow with discipline, what inspires the emotional tone of his music, and how sacred themes guide his writing. We’ll also talk about his experiences in music education, the challenges and rewards of publishing, and what advice he would give to aspiring composers and church musicians today. Enjoy the conversation! James Michael Stevens Website: https://www.jamesmichaelstevens.com/welcome.html All music at Sheet Music Plus: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/category/arrangeme/?q=James+M+Stevens+Music+ASCAP?&aff_id=605733 Organ Solo Music at Sheet Music Plus: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/category/instruments/piano-and-keyboard/organ/organ-solo/?prefn1=artists_composers&prefv1=James+Michael+Stevens Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7oMHPMTAKVFtskAXuQ4u1k?si=vk9WqmheTUWEfnAAJpUGIAJames Michael Stevens

Let's start episode 727 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Gene and he writes: My question is tempo, on BWV 624: Hilf Gott, dass mir's gelinge by J.S. Bach. I'm amazed that I can play it pretty well, and it sounds pretty good on my funny, little house organ. Fluit 4, on the triplets and to Pedal. Cantus on Principal 8. I can play it @75, metronome, mostly. Soon, I will be able to do it, start-to-finish. Of course, I listen to people on YouTube playing it much faster. Is this an embarrassingly slow tempo? What should be a goal?

Welcome to episode 726 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast! This question was sent by Tamsin and she writes: I have a technical question that you might be able to shed some light on. When playing Baroque repertoire I usually use all-toes technique. I would like to ask if you find foot-crossing and other elements of all-toes technique easier to perform on a straight pedal board than on a radial pedal board since the distance does not change. Put another way, do you think that radiating pedal boards suit heel-and-toe technique better? Many thanks and warm regards, Tamsin