Vidas: Hi guys, this is Vidas.
Ausra: And Ausra. V: Let’s start Episode 230, of #AskVidasAndAusra Podcast. This question was sent by Ronald. He writes: Dear Vidas, The programme that I have thought of studying for the diploma is the following: 1. Buxtehude Prelude and Fugue in D, BuxWV 139 (c. 6 mins) 2. Franck Prelude, Fugue and Variation in B minor , Op.18: no 3 from '6 Pieces' (c.11 mins) 3. Stanford Postlude in D minor: no 6 from '6 Short Preludes and Postludes, 2nd Set, Op 105 (c.5 mins 30 secs) 4. Bach Chorale Prelude "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme", BWV 645 (c 4mins) 5. Jongen Petit Prelude (c. 3 mins) 6. Vierne Symphonie No 1 in D minor, Op.14; 6th movement, Finale (c 6 mins 30 secs) The total programme duration is around 36 mins. I am not young. I am 52, work as a self-employed accountant and also hold a Masters in Environmental Planning and Management which I use in my role as a member of the Maltese Catholic Church Environment Commission. Some 13 years ago I had obtained a Diploma in Music Studies from the University of Malta focusing on organ performance and composition. I still do some composition every now and then. Currently I am finalising a Christmas Carol for SATB and children's choir accompanied by harp and organ. I had studied for the ABRSM grades in piano and organ and obtained distinction in Grades 6-8 in both instruments. I am the organist of a choir in Malta called Jubilate Deo directed by Christopher Muscat. I therefore have frequent occasions to play in church. My challenge now is to stick to a timetable and practice programme in order to sit for the organ diploma. The Total Organist courses are excellent for me because I can brush up all the things that I have already studied since I was young and learn new ones. There are ALWAYS gaps in knowledge which can be excellently filled by the online courses that you provide. Thanks a lot for your interest. V: So, Ausra, Ronald is preparing for the ABRSM diploma, exam, right? A: Yes, true. V: And he has to prepare about 36 minutes of organ program for that. From the pieces that I have mentioned before, in your opinion, what is the most difficult, or some of them. What are the most difficult. A: I would say probably the Vierne Finale from 1st Symphony. V: Mmm-hmm. A: Then of course there might be like couple not so comfortable spots in Bach’s Chorale "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme", BWV 645. Overall it’s not a hard chorale, but those spots where the third voice comes in are harder. V: Mmm-hmm. So it seems that those six pieces are arranged in the order that could be performed as a recital, short recital. A: True. True. Very nice program, I would say. V: Mmm-mmm. You start with Baroque piece, then Romantic piece, and so on. I see the alternation between loud and soft dynamic colors. And fast and slow movements too; that’s a nice variety. A: Yes, I think so, yes. I think that’s a very nice program. V: So, his challenge is of course to stick to a time table, and being able to practice the program, you know, in a timely fashion, that he can prepare for the diploma on time. Of course this is a challenge when you have a short recital program like that. But, do you think that having a goal like this helps? A: Sure. Because it always pushes you forward. V: It’s even better probably than having a goal of playing a recital because it’s an examination. It’s even more, it’s like a competition. A: What about you? Were you worrying more and preparing more than you were preparing a degree recital, or just a regular recital? V: Probably, to me at that time it was a routine work because so many recitals came out, one after another. And we both spent, you know, we were immersed in this study all year round. And yes, it motivated me to not procrastinate and to play every day. What about you, Ausra? Do you like deadlines and due dates. A: No, I hate those. I don’t know, somehow, sometimes it motivates me but sometimes it just kills me. Demotivates. But you know, while preparing for degree recital was always fun and was a lot of pleasure because for a degree recital you would always learn new pieces of music. You would never repeat your old music. V: Of course if you can choose those pieces yourself, then its even more fun, right. They’re yours. A: True. V: So hope that Ronald chose those pieces himself, at least some of them. And he’s eager to learn them. A: True. V: It’s not like a burden to him but he would probably learn them anyway, without even preparing for the diploma. A: True, because it’s classical pieces for any organist. V: And it’s good to have in your repertoire, anyway. A: Sure. Because as you told earlier, some are shorter, some are longer, some are loud, some are soft. Some are virtuosic some are lyric in character. V: And he mentions that he frequently plays in church, so he can play one or two pieces all the time, alternate those and in immerse himself in public performance. A: Yes because you know some would work nicely as preludes or postludes. For example Buxtehude or Vierne. And some would work very nicely as, I don’t know, elevation pieces, or communion pieces. For example, you know, he could play Franck’s Preludes, Fugue and Variation, like in three different methods for, let’s say communion. Do preludes in one mass and then fugue in another mass and variation in another mass. Because he has such a soft, nice, I would say sad character. It’s used I think in communion main very well, although it’s a three piece. V: Ronald writes that he’s a self-employed accountant. So being self-employed of course might add you flexibility in your day. You can work whenever you want, basically. But it also adds you pressure, right? Because you have to find the work yourself. Risk. A: True. V: More risk. A: So, more freedom but more pressure, probably. V: Mmm-hmm. With freedom of course, it’s a good thing because he can then prioritize his time and say that, let’s say, this diploma preparation on the organ, is important for him. A: True. V: And do it first thing in the morning, let’s say. I don’t know if he has an access to a keyboard at the home. Because probably he is not at church all day long. A: Yes. V: It could be. It’s better to have an instrument at hand, even without pedals. Right Ausra? A: Yes! That’s true. It’s always nice to have an access to an instrument, at any time. V: You wake up early in the morning, and you do the thing that’s the most important to you first, creatively, let’s say. A: Yes, and your neighbors are so happy about that, yes? If you live, for example in an apartment building. V: In this case, sometimes people have electronic keyboards, with headphones, right Ausra? A: True. V: Do you like electronic keyboards? A: No, and you know that. So what are you asking me? V: Because other people don't know. A: I think they who listen carefully to all our podcasts, they know my opinion about real things. V: I see. That’s why we bought a mechanical action pipe organ which only has two stops, at home. A: Yes. V: But’s it real, instead of, you know, electronic version with three or five manuals. A: True. But it’s still costs much more to have mechanical instrument. V: And it lasts longer. A: True. V: With decent, probably, care and maintenance. Anyway, so, the challenge is of course to Ronald is to get motivated every single day, to sit on the organ bench. But since he has a goal, it’s already built-in. Motivation is built-in. A: I think, thinking about the diploma that he will receive after he accomplishes this program. I think he (it) should be well motivation for him. V: Yeah. Maybe this diploma will help him find a decent church position. A: Yes. I think that’s what he is looking forward for. V: Or maybe his current church position will elevate him to a higher level of income, maybe. If the church officials recognize this diploma. A: True. V: In Malta. A: True. V: Okay. What would you suggest for Ronald in terms of scheduling and being able to know if he is on track with his program? You know, step by step? A: Well, of course, I would start learning from harder pieces. Such as Vierne, Bach, probably Buxtehude, Franck, and you know to learn text first and then to progress further things. Musical things. V: I would probably also suggest calculating lines of organ music that he has to learn, and the days that he has to be ready. And he has to prepare probably two months before the date. Don’t you think? A: No, at least a month before, at the very least. V: A month is very risky, for non-professionals. Risky! But two months would give him plenty of time to improve his current level. So, for him would be good to calculate the lines and divide those lines in days. And then he will know how many lines he has to learn per day. A: True. But you know, but just counting the lines wouldn’t do the same, because some lines can be very easy but some can be really hard. V: It’s an average, I think. It’s, at the end it will average out, and, as you say, some things are easy, some things difficult. So on average, it will be okay. Thank you guys. This was Vidas. A: And Ausra. V: Please send us more of your questions. This is really fun to help you grow. And remember, when you practice... A: Miracles happen!
Comments
Some of my Total Organist students have been asking me to arrange the material inside the program according to the levels of difficulty (Beginner, Basic, Intermediate, and Advancement).
Finally a few days ago I had enough time to do it and yesterday I made a video where you can look inside the program. My hope is now you'll have a better idea of how to navigate and will never be at a loss of which type of organ training material do you need to study. Check it out here Today I wanted to let our subscribers know that until January 2nd you can buy any of our practice scores and training programs for half price.
Discount code Christmas2017 is applied automatically at the checkout in our Secrets of Organ Playing Store. Total Organist is half price also! Happy practicing! The Annunciation (Organ Improvisation) Wow! It seems like just a couple of months have just passed since the beginnings of Secrets of Organ Playing.
6 years ago I posted a number of articles on EzineArticles and started teaching people from all over the world about all things organ playing helping them to achieve their dreams. Soon afterwards, I began posting my articles on this blog which was initially created as a platform for Ausra's and my organ duet activities. Later Ausra joined this blog too and her expertise and good will helped tremendously. Long story short, now we have podcasts, organ training materials too many too count, Total Organist membership program and recently have started our channel on Musicoin, a platform built on the revolutionary blockchain technology dedicated to treating musicians fairly. If it wasn't for our readers and students we wouldn't be here today still posting, still teaching and still helping you. Passion alone can only lead you so far. Thank you so much for your support. People often ask me how can I do so many things and where does my energy come from? Well, I guess the answer is rather simple. I don't go to meetings, I don't surf social media and I tend to act first and apologize later. In short - over time I built a habit of doing things which other organists are afraid of doing. This alone saves me at least 4 hours a day and gives me endless energy and motivation. Time flies by so quickly and my Death Clock says I have 12909 days left so I have to make them count. I hope you'll do the same. Thanks for being part of this journey! Please send us your questions - we love helping you grow. And remember, when you practice, miracles happen. Ausra and I are very excited to announce that our 5th e-book is finally ready. "I'M A SLOW LEARNER" (And Other Answers From #AskVidasAndAusra Podcast) People who find our podcast helpful, will also enjoy having all these transcripts in one place for future reference. This e-book is available here for a low introductory pricing of 2.99 USD until November 8. All our other e-books in one collection are located here. Please let us know what will be #1 thing from our advice you will apply in your organ practice this week. This training is free for Total Organist students. Would you like to learn to play Introduction-Choral by Leon Boellmann from his Suite Gothique, Op. 25?
If so, this PDF score with complete fingering and pedaling will save you many hours and and help you practice efficiently with legato articulation. 2 pages. Free for Total Organist students Join Ausra as she cracks the harmony of the beloved Doxology (Old Hundredth) hymn "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow" and Lobe den Herren (Praise to the Lord, the Almighty) for Victoria during one of her lessons together. MP3 trainings. The sheet with the hymn harmonization in 4 parts is also provided. 50% discount until September 6. Free for TOTAL ORGANIST students.
Just a quick announcement that our 3rd e-book is finally ready:
"I Have Forgotten the Basics" (And Other Answers From #AskVidasAndAusra Podcast, Vol. 3) We dedicate it to all our students who have forgotten the basics but still continue to practice. It's free for Total Organist students and everyone else can get it for a low introductory price of $4.99 until August 30. When you read it, please let us know what is #1 advice you will apply in your organ practice this week. PS If you find this e-book helpful, you might enjoy our other e-books here.
Vidas: We’re starting Episode 51 of #AskVidasAndAusra podcast. And today’s question was sent by Liesel, and she asks this question: “How do I cancel Total Organist if it’s not for me? I want to do the trial version. Is there a cancellation page to go to?” So, this is a question about Total Organist, right, Ausra?
Ausra: That’s right, yes, and I think you might answer it very well. Vidas: Okay, since I’m kind of more familiar with dashboards and the inside layout of this membership program, I'll go first. A lot of people sometimes want to do a trial version first. For 30 days they can try out any of our programs, and then only after that decide if they’re ready to commit, to stay and practice longer. In general, Ausra, how do you think is it convenient for people to have a trial version? Ausra: Sure, I think so too. That way, you can be sure if you really need it. Vidas: Yeah, and sometimes you don’t know if this program is for you or not, you just have to try. And not even for one week, it might be short for a few days to really get a grasp and feeling of the benefits, right? How long does it take to feel the benefits, when you start practicing? Ausra: Well I think at least 2 weeks. Vidas: 2 weeks? Ausra: Or even more. Vidas: Or even more, right? So, when people start practicing and signing up for different programs inside of Total Organist, here’s what happens: So, when you sign in, you see the dashboard, with all the different practice courses and training programs listed. And if it’s a normal practice score with pedaling and fingering written in, you simply click and download the score and start practicing--that’s it. There’s nothing else to do. But if it’s like a long-term program, where you get weekly trainings, then you need to sometimes sign up to get emails from us every week. And when clicking on this link of a particular program that you like, you enter your name and email address, and our newsletter subscription service MailChimp will deliver the emails automatically to you. So that’s another side of this subscription. You either download scores automatically right now, or you get emails later, week by week. So another thing to worry about is, how do you cancel, right? Ausra: Yes, that was the question about… Vidas: That was the original question. And you can cancel very simply. There are 2 ways to cancel. One way, you simply write an email to us, and we can do this for you; but make sure you write this email before the month ends. Ausra: Yes. Vidas: So that, you know, you won’t be charged. Or, the second way, is you have to go to your PayPal account, and find the recurring payments section. The recurring payments section means that’s the place where your subscriptions--monthly or weekly subscriptions--are managed from. And if you subscribe to several online services, you will see several of them listed. If Total Organist is the only subscription you’re currently subscribed to, then click on Total Organist and then you can simply click “Cancel”...and then you have to confirm, I think, and then you click “OK” and that’s it. You won’t be charged. Do you think, Ausra, that it’s an easy enough way for people to understand how to try out our membership program Total Organist, without committing to it first? Ausra: Well I hope so. It’s, I think, comfortable enough way to try out. Vidas: You know, sometimes people cancel in advance--and this is really, you know, very simple to do--and sometimes people write several reasons why they do this. (You don’t have to do that, by the way, you don’t have to explain, you simply write to us, “I want to cancel,” and that’s it, no strings attached.) But sometimes they feel the need to explain, and sometimes they say that...it’s so much information, right? There are hundreds of programs and thousands of exercises in this Total Organist membership program, and it’s really the most comprehensive online organ training program that we know of, currently. And the problem with this, Ausra, is obviously, information overload. Ausra: It could be. Some people are scared of that. Vidas: Right? That’s why I usually advise students, right away when they log in to their member area, they would read the welcome paragraph. And I really advise not signing up for more programs than they could handle, because there is no benefit of just simply downloading materials or signing up for longer programs, if you never intend to finish them, right? Ausra: Yes, so just be reasonable Vidas: Yeah. Ausra: Know what you are able to do. Vidas: Our experience tells us that people usually can manage a couple of courses at a time. Ausra: Sure. Vidas: So you’re free to do everything you want; there is no limitation. But make sure you don’t bite more than you can chew. Ausra: Definitely. Vidas: Because we want you to succeed with this. We want you to reap multiple benefits, right? What’s the point of taking those courses if you don’t practice them, if you don’t apply them to your practice? It’s in your best interest and in our best interest, too; it’s a win-win situation, because when people succeed, they write nice emails to us, right? Ausra: Yes. Vidas: And that’s extremely rewarding. And sometimes people who cancel Total Organist program, they write nice emails to us at that time, too. So at this point, a few weeks ago, one student cancelled; she wanted to cancel the Total Organist membership program; but she felt so grateful to us that she even asked us to give her a way to donate. To make a “donate” button or something. She felt so grateful because of the benefits that she received from our trainings and of course daily podcasts as well. Here's a simple way to donate to us, by the way, if you want to. Ausra: Yes, that was very nice of her to send us this kind letter. Vidas: Even though she would not be continuing Total Organist. Wonderful. So please be responsible, but if you want just to try out, you can do this very easily, and cancel ahead of time before the month ends--either in your PayPal profile when you find your recurring payments dashboard, or simply writing a message to us, and we can do this for you very easily. Thanks, guys, this was Vidas. Ausra: And Ausra. Vidas: And remember, when you practice… Ausra: Miracles happen. By Ausra Motuzaite-Pinkeviciene (get free updates of new posts here)
Over the last 6 weeks I've been busy helping Victoria analyse 3 pieces - Ich ruf zu dir, BWV 639 from the Orgelbuchlein by J.S. Bach, Menuet in G Major, BWV Anh. 114 and Menuet in G Minor, BWV Anh. 115 from the Notebook of Anna Magdalena Bach. Today I'm very excited to announce that all these 3 audio trainings with PDF scores are available for you too: Deciphering Ich ruf zu dir Deciphering Menuet in G Major Deciphering Menuet in G Minor 50 % discount is valid until July 5. Free for Total Organist students. |
DON'T MISS A THING! FREE UPDATES BY EMAIL.Thank you!You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Authors
Drs. Vidas Pinkevicius and Ausra Motuzaite-Pinkeviciene Organists of Vilnius University , creators of Secrets of Organ Playing. Our Hauptwerk Setup:
Categories
All
Archives
May 2024
|