Home  Organ Organ Progressions Mastering The Smooth Organ Sound
|
|
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.
Hear And Play Instructional Organ DVDs
|
|
