SOPP543: Being an organist and pianist, I spend a lot of time alone with little insight from other people

Vidas: Hi, guys, this is Vidas.

Ausra: And Ausra
 
V: Let’s start episode 543, of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by several people. And maybe even answers to our community on Basecamp, members of Total Organist, where I asked them:
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‘How do you like Total Organist so far?’
 
The first to reply, Jeremy. He wrote:
Jeremy: I enjoy that there is a place that I can find encouragement. Being an organist and pianist, I spend a lot of time alone with little insight from other people. That occasional "Boost" makes the days sometimes more manageable, and I like that people post the same problems that I am having. We are not alone!
 
Vidas: I wrote:
I also enjoy seeing people supporting each other. It's one thing for me to connect with everybody through email but it's an entirely different level to give like-minded people an opportunity to connect to each other.
 
Ruth jumped in, in the conversation:
Ruth: I enjoy the diversity of persons who write in Total Organist. I am learning a great deal from their writing and experiences. I appreciate the energy and work that all of you are putting into your organ practice. Of course, you inspire me!
 
Vidas: I wrote to her:
This diversity is enormous! From amateurs to concert organists, from elderly to young, from underprivileged societies to developed countries. We all are different and have different needs but also share some of the commonalities also and are able to speak the same organ language.

V: What can you add, Ausra, to this conversation?
 
A: Well, it’s inspiring to read it.
 
V: Mmm-hmm. Imagine if you are a Total Organist student, Ausra. What would you say?
 
A: Well, probably something similar to all of those.
 
V: Starting with, which side struck you the most, first?
 
A: Well, while reading all of these responses, actually the thought that came into my mind, was, all these supporting groups, in general in life. Like you have Alcoholics Anonymous and other groups like that. I’m not wanting to compare organists with alcoholics but it just came into my mind.
 
V: Mmm-hmm.
 
A: So and groups like this, I think it’s nice to be in your own community that people share similar ideas and share the same and similar problems. Then you feel not alone and you can solve your problems much more easier.
 
V: You know, but there is another side of this. Not all of the people want to get involved, right? Some are very, I don’t know, shy or maybe introvert or maybe they prefer to solve their problems on their own. Like when somebody signs up for Total Organist, I immediately add their email list to the group of Basecamp channel, right. So that they could sign in and jump in and take advantage of all those support that we give to each other. But a lot of people choose not to, right? You can see what kind of people respond, and there is a certain group which are very active right, which is very active. But another portion of our community is not active. So why do you think is that?
 
A: I think that everybody probably enjoys in general social media, so all these Facebook and Twitter and all that kind of stuff….
 
V: Mmm-hmm.
 
A: and Basecamp, actually reminds to some people of that, I think. And maybe somebody don’t want to join because of this.
 
V: Mmm-hmm.
 
A: Mentioned before this AA group, yes?
 
V: Mmm-hmm.
 
A: I think there are much more drinking people. And not everybody attends those group meeting.
 
V: Mmm-hmm.
 
A: Much(?) to everybody it helps, not everybody, so maybe this is something similar.
 
V: Right. I would probably go to such group if I had a problem with this. Would you?
 
A: I don’t know. I just know about these all groups from the movies that I watch, because so often there are like especially in the comedies.
 
V: You know, we, you and I, we’re, we have different personality types probably. I prefer speaking my mind out loud in public for example, right? And in to some degree you prefer to speak either to yourself or among ourselves, right?
 
A: Um, yes, that’s right.
 
V: So I think, I suspect people similar to you would find some of your advice also helpful by listening to our conversation right now, because you are different than me, right? People can relate to me who are extroverts let’s say, right? And people who are introverts can relate to you more.
 
A: Yes, because extroverts they get energized while talking with other people and sharing their ideas and taking their ideas back. But introverts, we just get tired and exhausted after conversing with somebody.
 
V: Of course, we have to keep in mind that in my days, there is not so much talking involved outside my online activities, right?
 
A: True.
 
V: For as for you, you spend a lot of hours talking in school.
 
A: Yes, a few hours a day, at least. So after speaking for so many hours you just want to be quiet. And in general I think the organ is an instrument for introverts, not for extroverts.
 
V: You think so?
 
A: I think so. I strongly believe so. Even if you think most of the times in church, organ is not standing up in front. We standing back in the balcony, on the balcony.
 
V: You this, hearing you makes me a little sad because what should I do? I have to options now: quit playing the organ or become introvert, right?
 
A: I don’t think you can do either of these two things.
 
V: What can you suggest? Please, O master, teach me!
 
A: Stop making fun out of me. But in general, I think in general organist is alone. So and maybe because you are an extrovert as you imagine yourself, that’s why you need all the social media and to put you on the Facebook on a regular basis.
 
V: Mmm-hmm.
 
A: But that’s okay.
 
V: I have the right to exist you mean.
 
A: True.
 
V: (Laughs). Even I have the right to exist. Good! Um, so, yeah, whatever your needs are, I think Total Organist can be of use to you. Whether you decide to join Basecamp channel and stay active in there, replying to daily questions about your activities, about what you’ve been working on, what things you find inspiring, or what things are you struggling with. Those questions you get frequently. But you can also be an introvert like Ausra says and enjoy observing other people, reading perhaps, but not getting involved. Ausra, we don’t know exactly who’s reading, right?
 
A: Yeah.
 
V: We only know who’s responding.
 
A: True.
 
V: Maybe, yes, let’s speculate that a portion, at least a significant portion of people not actively involved in conversation, are listeners, readers, right?
 
A: That’s a possibility.
 
V: That’s right. Look at our email subscribers, right? We have thousands of subscribers but we don’t get thousands of messages everyday, right? So majority of people are reading, and passively participating, not asking questions, for example, every day. They might send questions from time to time. So yes, I haven’t thought about that, that some people enjoy observing other people.
 
A: That’s right.
 
V: Mmm. Nice. Alright guys. Please send us more of your questions. We love helping you grow. Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, doesn’t matter. Our goal is to help you reach your dreams, not complain. And remember, when you practice…
 
A: Miracles happen!