12 things we learned in Salakas

By Vidas Pinkevicius (get free updates of new posts here)

Last Sunday, October 9, Vilnius University organ studio "Unda Maris" went to Salakas (about 145 km north east of Vilnius) for a concert in the impressive neo-gothic church (2 manual organ by Bruno Goebel from 1914).

Here are some things we learned:

1. It's pointless to worry about the swell pedal when your pedal technique needs brushing up.
2. Laugh while you can when the combination system is stuck.
3. 16' in the manual isn't a good idea for accompanying women's voices.
4. Pentatonic mode can still scare people.
5. Pneumatic action slows everything down, if you let it.
6. Pedal Posaune is the best stop.
7. One should learn some basic chords and their inversions.
8. We want to slow down too much in cadences.
9. If I could learn to read music in a week, I'd do it.
10. How hard is it to keep a steady pulse?
11. Hanon exercises can be helpful.
12. Never try to correct you mistakes when playing organ in public.

​BONUS: Rain and more rain the whole day will not ruin your experience. We had an awesome time.

Every 10 concerts you get a little break-through as you learn more and more about yourself, your music, and your instrument.

I hope yours is coming up soon.