Mastering The Smooth Organ Sound

Many times over I have been asked, "If I learn to play the piano, won't I know how to play the organ?"  Although your knowledge of music theory is transferable, the style of playing is definitely not.  A visual comparison of these two instruments implies vast differences.  The piano has 88 weighted keys and most pianists only use the sustain pedal, while the organ has a large assortment of features:  buttons, knobs, switches, drawbars, two sets of 61 keys (manuals), two sets of reversed key presets, a swell (volume) pedal and two octaves of pedals. One of these main differences is the organ's lack of a sustain pedal.  Because of this, the organist must master legato (smooth) playing.  Here are some exercises to help you develop legato playing: Play each of the following chords with the right hand for four beats, moving smoothly from one chord to the next. C E G D F A E G B F A C G B D A C E B D F C E G These are the triads in the key of C Major.  Play this sequence up and down one octace.  Because you don't have a sustain pedal, your fingers will have to 'spider' from chord to chord.  Try to find finger combinations that comfortably allow you to change chords quickly and smoothly. Now add the root in the left hand: Left Hand / Right Hand C / C E G D / D F A E / E G B F / F A C G / G B D A / A C E B / B D F C / C E G You will learn quickly that the role of the left hand changes dramatically on the organ.  To get a full sound, you will need to develop your left hand chording.  Many pianists are only comfortable playing octaves, fifths or sevenths in their left hand.  Practice the same chords, but with just the left hand.  When you are comfortable with that, then play the same chords in both hands up and down one octave. Now add the bass pedals with the left foot: Left Foot / Left Hand / Right Hand C / C E G / C E G D / D F A / D F A E / E G B / E G B F / F A C / F A C G / G B D / G B D A / A C E / A C E B / B D F / B D F C / C E G / C E G The key to the pedals is using the 'heel to toe' technique.  Start with toe on C, then as you release the note, use your heel to play D.  Continue this pattern up and down the first octave of the pedal board.  You will want to practice the left foot along very slowly before practicing the chords at the same time. Once you have mastered this series of chords, surprise, there are 11 other keys you should practice this in!  But this is only the beginning.  You can practice these same chords in their inversions.  You should also work on this with seventh chords.  Once you have exhausted these suggestions, come up with variations of your own.