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Organ music course for kids?
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Ok, this may be a touch OT, but I’m not sure where else to ask.
A while ago, we got a wonderful Yamaha Organ for free off of Freecycle. It is actually identical to the one my family had when I was a teenager, and although I’m out of practice, I do know how to play it. When we got it, one of my dh’s requirements for us to make room for it in our very small house, was that I would teach the children to play it. (Me teach them – no formal lessons…. they are doing Suzuki violin already for formal training.)
So, here is my problem. Although I do have some books for the organ, including a couple of different courses – they are all adult based. (2 came with the organ, and another is from my church). The music wouldn’t engage kids at all. None of the music stores I’ve checked here have any organ course books at all. Anyone know of a good child-based organ method that I can buy books from?
Also – anyone know how to handle the pedals for kids? They wouldn’t be able to reach. I have seen pedal extenders mentioned on a Suzuki Organ site, but can’t find anywhere where/how to buy them or how much they would be etc…. and not sure if other KIDS organ courses use pedals right off.
(oh, and I don’t feel confident enough to try to teach Suzuki organ to them…..)
Fascinating question to ponder. I’ve taught only piano, so I’ve been mulling over similarities and differences since reading your post. My first thought was, “I wonder if Alfred’s has an organ course too.” Of course, they don’t, but they did have this little book that looked like an interesting possibility: Little Organ Book for Beginners in Organ Playing. I’m not sure whether it starts at teaching the notes and keys or what. But maybe it will get you started.
My first thought on the pedals would be to hold off until the children can reach them easier. Or, I guess you could teach them to play standing up.
Hi Sonya! hm – playing an organ standing up would be VERY difficult… lol. You play with one foot on the pedals, and one foot on the volume pedal. (quite advanced players have both feet working the pedals, with adjusting the volume with the one foot for dynamics in between playing notes with it…. but that is with players that are also playing with both hands, but occasionally changing the sound of the organ (the stops) with one of the hands without missing notes… You have to be quite an acrobat to be an advanced player!
The book you found looks like it is for adults, as the covor mentions hymns. I do have beginner books – just not something that would have music that would interest kids….
Wish I could remember what was done about pedals when I took organ at age 3! I know Suzuki organ has them using pedals – but you need to buy pedal extenders and I don’t know where or how much it would likely be….. (Suzuki Organ has only existed for a few years, and I think is pretty much only 1 teacher, and she is in Europe…)
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