At 07:37 PM 11/11/98 -0800, Robert A North wrote:
>Dear Listmates:  I am just getting back into classical organ playing<snip>
 
Congratulations of entering the fold once more.  We need more serious organists.
 
If you've already had good basic education in organ, perhaps starting out
with a method book and some basic but thoughtful repertoire would be a good
"warm-up".  I'd recommend Harold Gleason's "Method of Organ Playing",
available from amazon.com.  In it, there are some good exercises for getting
your hands "back in shape", as well as copious text on various registration
and interpretation issues.
 
I was in the same boat as you not very long ago, and with this method book
and a fairly regimented approach to practice, I was able to get my technique
back fairly quickly, and, in fact, move on.  I'm now playing the Widor 5th
Symphony with not much problem at all (save for some of the ridiculous
reaches that the French seem to like to put us through), which was a
daunting work for me as a young student.
 
The old saw about "practice, practice, practice" can't be repeated enough.
Even if it's a Hammond console, having something to pratice on at home, for
extended periods of time, helps.  Also, practice the piano, if you have one.
You'll love what getting your piano technique in shape again will do for
your romantic organ repertoire!
 
Good luck!
 
DeserTBoB
 
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