Playing with imagination

Why one performance of an organ piece seems lively and full of passion while another is simply boring? Why when one organist plays, you don't seem to notice the passing of time while in another case, you keep asking: "When it's going to end?"

It takes of course imagination to give the music that you play life. It takes something more that playing melodies, rhythms, and harmonies of the piece.

What can you do to play more than the written notes on the page? To evoke emotions, to transport your listeners some place else?

First of all, let me say this: no organist who is busy trying to create meaning in music that he or she plays is going to ever achieve it.

All you need to worry about is that you yourself be transported by the music. This is done of course by feeling immense gratitude.

For every moment that you play.

When you truly do this, the listeners who are worthy of your impact will be taken care of by themselves.

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Ausra's Harmony Exercise:

Practice ascending transposing sequence in D major in major 2nds. Chords: V-V7-I (see example below).
Do you have a question about harmony for Ausra? You can reach her by email.

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