Methods & Instruction Books and Videos

by Jacques van Oortmerssen
This book provides study material, in English, for the development of a thorough and reliable organ technique based on historical principles and tradition, toward the development of expressiveness and stylistic differentiation. A central theme is the ergonometric aspect of organ playing. A major essay, �The Coherence between Musical Expression and Organ Technique,� comprises the first of two parts of the book. The second consists of many technical exercises with comments. This material is primarily intended for those with a relatively advanced keyboard technique.

Bach Tempo Guide - With 200 Practical Exercises

by Clemens von Gleich & Johnann Sonnleitner
From J. S. Bach�s complete instrumental and vocal works, the authors have selected some 200 practical examples which are presented as exercises for students, professionals, and amateurs. Clear explanations and discussions are written engagingly in English. The book also contains a CD of Jacques van Oortmerssen playing works of Bach on several famous historic organs. 176 pages softbound

Historical Organ Techniques and Repertoire: England (1660-1730) ed. Calvert Johnson

An historical survey of organ performance practices and repertoire includes: an introduction surveying a brief history of England, its earliest organs, and the use of the organ in England; playing with "good taste;" English keyboards; and a discography. A significant discussion differentiates organs in the late 16th & early 17th centuries (Elizabethan and Jacobean) compared to those of the Civil War and Commonweath (1642-1660), and The Restoration (1660-1720). Registration is covered from perspectives of sources, solo repertoire, and accompaniment of singers. Posture and hand position are discussed, with emphasis on fingering with further discussion of principal fingers and the correlation between fingering and meter, scale passages, adjacent notes, repeated notes, sequences, substitution, use of thumb and little finger, intervals and chords, suspensions, chains of suspensions, parallel thirds, and voice distribution. There are further instructions on articulation and ornamentation (especially well developed), and rhythm. Study works presented are by Anonymous, John Barrett, John Blow (3 works), Jeremiah Clarke, William Croft (3 works), Handel, Philip Hart, John James, Matthew Locke, Daniel Purcell, Henry Purcell (3 works), John Reading (4 works), Thomas Roseingrave, and John Stanley. 124 pages, illustrated, softbound

Historical Organ Techniques and Repertoire: Italy (1550-1650) ed. Calvert Johnson

An historical survey of organ performance practices and repertoire includes: an introduction surveying a brief history of the nation and of the earliest organs there, liturgical uses, "good taste," the church modes, short-octave bass keyboards, and a discography; types of composition are briefly discussed. A significant discussion differentiates the types of organs, with emphasis on the Northern Italian (Brescian) organ, and histoircal firsts in Italian organ design. Registration is covered from several perspectives including the era, the Mode, and by type of work and function. Posture and hand position are discussed, with emphasis on fingering and the systems of Diruta compared to that of Banchiere, Penna, Bismantova, and A. Scarlatti, with further disucssion of adjacent notes, repeated notes, sequences, substitution, use of thumb and little finger, intervals and chords, suspensions, parallel thirds, and voice distribution. There are further instructions on articulation, ornamentation, and rhythm. Study works presented are by Banchieri, Cavazzoni, Diruta (4 works including 12 Ricercari), Frescobaldi (8 works), Andrea Gabrieli, Giovanni Gabrieli (5 works), Merula, Mortaro, Pasquini, Rossi, A. Scarlatti, and Trabaci. 128 pages, illustrated, softbound

First Improvisation Book by John R. Shannon

ed. Wayne Leupold. A beginning improvisation method for students with 3-4 years of keyboard study. It begins with improvisation on the hymn �Amazing Grace� and proceeds with practical techniques applied to hymn tunes, later advancing to improvised melody. 52 pages

John Brock: Introduction to Organ Playing in the 17th and 18th Century Style

Second edition. (English & German texts) A useful and helpful book to historical performance practices.

Wayne Leupold (ed.): First Organ Book

For a First Encounter with the Organ! Concise and entirely accessible, this excellent book presents an introduction to the organ, a beginning organ method, and a collection of easy organ music. Designed as a primary teaching resouce for the AGO Pipe Organ Encounters, the compositions enable the keyboardist with minimal technique to sound well immediately, after three years of traditional piano study. 97 pages, softbound,

Richard Enright: Fundamentals of Organ Playing

An excellent organ method for the pianist seeking to learn about the organ and its music. Both legato and articulate touches are covered, as well as Pedal technique and hymn playing. Exercises feature works that may be used in practical situations, including many hymn tunes. 93 pages with spiral binding to lay flat on the music rack.

Joyce Jones: King of Instruments: A Short Method

This 72-page, short, easy organ method for pianists "will get them playing as rapidly as possible." Study pieces can be used in church, and hymn playing is emphasized.

Gerre Hancock: Improvising, How to Master the Art

Described by author Gerre Hancock as �an informal workbook, a compendium of very basic ideas that will point the musician in the proper direction on the road to improvisation,� this book treats forms from the scale and hymns to the sonata, canon, trio and fugue, among others. 163 pages, softbound.

Jan Overduin: Improvisation for Organists

With more than 40 years as a church musician in Canada and as a teacher of organ at the university level, Jan Overduin shows that improvisation requires neither a virtuosic command of the instrument nor a magisterial command of music theory. These simple but satisfying, loosely-graded, exercises are aimed at bolstering self-confidence and enable the student to improvise from the start. Various techniques and forms are explored as the lessons progress. 224 pages, spiralbound to sit flat on the music rack.

OrganTutor Organ 101

by Don Cook. An interactive, multi-media, computer-based resource for classical and traditional sacred organ instruction. OrganTutor serves as a �teaching assistant� for basic organ playing in 62 lessons, making use of old technologies and the new technology of your computer. Movies and/or sound examples are included in most lessons. The sound examples may either play through the speakers of your computer or through a MIDI interface to the organ. You�ll need a Power Mac or Pentium with PC at least 16 MB RAM, sound card with MIDI interface, and CD-ROM 4x or better. The �Tutor� is an aid to instruction and not a replacement for an organ instructor. Dr. Cook is organ instructor at Brigham Young University. Includes software and instruction book.

Roger E. Davis: The Organist�s Manual

Scholarly and user-friendly, this method has much to offer the beginner and the experienced professional. Included are sections on manual technique, pedal technique, interpretation, and useful appendices: hymn playing, a well-illustrated and clearly-written description of the organ, a glossary, and suggestions for further reading. Exercises and examples are practical, interesting, and drawn from established organ literature. Extensive and very helpful sections address principles of fingering and ornamentation. Sixty-six compositions are progressively arranged according to difficulty in a superb anthology by 42 composers representing a broad variety of styles and periods. Registration suggestions are provided for each work. A thoughtful selection of hymn tunes for study completes this highly recommended and versatile book. Hardbound, 209 pages.

George Ritchie & George Stauffer: Organ Technique: Modern & Early

by George Ritchie & George Stauffer

This book instructs in legato technique based on 19th-century methods and in early, articulated technique appropriate for music composed before 1750. Musical examples include published literature as well as exercises. A substantial section concerns "other aspects of organ playing:" relating design of the organ to the literature composed for it, ornamentation, late 20th-century music, accompaniment and service playing. 382 pages, spiralbound

James Engel: An Introduction to Organ Registration

The author builds a foundation for understanding the classification of organ stops both by pitch (16', 8', 4', etc.) and by timbre (principal, flute, string, reed, etc.). He also deals with mechanical devices such as swell shutters, tremulants, crescendo pedal, etc. An appendix shows the shape of each type of organ pipe. The concepts presented are applied to specific musical examples.

David M. Cherwien: Let the People Sing!

A Keyboardist�s Creative and Practical Guide to Engaging God�s People in Meaningful Song by David M. Cherwien. Useful to the most and least experienced church organists and everybody in-between, this practical manual is an extended masterclass in leading congregational singing from the keyboard. Many good observations and suggestions are followed with plentiful examples, creating a manual that you will return to again and again if you seek to improve your performance as an accompanist and the congregation�s role as singers. 179 pp.

Clarence Dickinson: Technique and Art of Organ Playing

a method first published in 1922.

Flor Peeters: Little Organ Book

for beginners in organ playing, includes graded exercises on well-known hymns

Joyce Jones: Pedal Mastery for Organ

a method book for pedal study with technique clearly explained and reinforced with exercises, many taken from standard organ works

L. Nilson: A System of Technical Studies in Pedal Playing

A classic from 1904 still highly recommended by teachers and ideal for self-improvement.

Freeing the Caged Bird: Developing Well-Coordinated, Injury-Preventive Piano Technique

by Barbara Lister-Sink, an internationally recognized pioneer in teaching injury-preventive keyboard technique. She shows, with anatomist Glenna Batson, how the body works best with the keyboard. Lister-Sink then demonstrates a step-by-step approach to injury-free technique. In this professional video, slow-motion analysis of playing at all levels demonstrates how music and technique can be freed from physical obstacles. Excellent resource for teachers and players. VHS 150 minutes.

Edward H. Meyer: Eight Easy Preludes & Canons for Organ

for organists in their first and second semesters. Es ist ein Ros, Fortunatus New, Freu dich sehr, In Babilone, Lord Revive Us, Picardy, Puer nobis nascitur, Rhosymedre

Richard Hudson: Trios for Organ, Vol. 1

Includes 23 original works providing practice in short trio forms including Inventions in c, E, F, G, a, d, A and Canon, Musette, Echo, Pastorale, Gigue, Aria, Sinfonia, Siciliano, Waltz

Richard Hudson: Trios for Organ, Vol. 2

supplements volume 1 and includes 23 original works: Overture, Recitative and Aria, Toccata, Musical Clock, Trumpet Tune, and Inventions in D, B-flat, E-flat, G, b, A-flat, F.

John Barr: The Tune Factory for Organ

A 5-part suite, each introducing a different family of organ sounds, for demonstrating the organ for preschool through lower elementary school students. Provided with material for narration, simple music for a second organist, all based on familiar nursery rhymes. 16pp.

The Really Little Organ Book

edited by Allan Mahnke, who writes of these very simple hymn settings "play them as written, abbreviate, or extend them. Flexibility is the key. Many can be played fast or slow, loud or soft. It depends on how you use them." Aurelia, Converse, Dennis, Detroit, Donne secours, Engelberg, Evan, Gelobt sei Gott, Gethsemane, Gott der Vater wohn uns bei, Iste Confessor, Italian Hymn, Lobe den Herren, Lobt Gott ihr Christen, Meinen Jesum Lass ich nicht (Ulrich), Midden in de Dood, O Jesu Christe, O filii et filiae, Omnie die, Picardy, Pilot, Ratisbon, St. Denio, Song 13, Southwell, Stephanos, Tender Thought, Toplady, Torshov.

Easiest Hymns in Trio Style, Vol. 1

are arranged by Wayne Leupold to provide simplified versions of hymn tunes to be played on manuals and pedal. They may be used for teaching as well as for congregational accompaniment. Included are Sch�nster Herr Jesu/St. Elizabeth, Stuttgart, Olivet, Dix, Old Hundredth (Doxology), Grosser Gott, Meineke (Gloria Patri), Lobe den Herren, Italian Hymn/Moscow, Nun Danket, Nicaea, Hymn to Joy, Hyfrydol, Aurelia, Lasst uns erfreuen.

Julius Schneider: Complete Pedal Studies, op. 48 & 67