Welcome to the magical realm of organ playing, where your friendly neighborhood pianist suddenly becomes a volunteer organist for church services! Cue the dramatic music! Robert Fielding takes you through a whirlwind of essential tips and tricks in his book, perfect for those brave souls who've volunteered (or been volunteered) to play the organ, all while maintaining a semblance of sanity.
Let's dive right in, shall we? The book kicks off with the absolute basics-because let's face it, not everyone is a born virtuoso. Fielding understands that many volunteers might be more accustomed to tickling the ivories of a piano than wrestling with the weighty expectations of a church organ, which is basically the grandparent of the keyboard instruments. Think of it like stepping into a superhero costume without having any superhero powers. Good luck!
He emphasizes the importance of familiarization. No, folks, not just with the organ pipes that look like they might eat you alive, but with how the whole shebang works-from pulling stops to proper pedal usage. When you're up there in the spotlight, facing a congregation ready to judge your every note, a little pre-service practice goes a long way. Trust me, you don't want the audience questioning your life choices while they're staring at you.
Fielding also delves into the art of selection of music. This is where things get real spicy. You need to pick hymns that not only resonate with the congregation but also fit within your own playing abilities. Spoiler alert: If you can barely play "Chopsticks," trying to tackle "Toccata and Fugue in D minor" might not be the best idea. Just saying!
And what about those nerve-wracking moments when you realize you've completely blanked on the melody mid-hymn? Don't panic! Fielding provides handy tricks for such disasters, including how to gracefully fake your way through and perhaps give an interpretative dance performance to fill the gaps.
Moreover, if you ever longed for advice on striking the right balance between devout spirituality and your tendency to get lost in your own head about whether you locked your car, Robert's got your back. He shares the secret sauce on handling nerves and projecting an aura of calm confidence-because nothing says "I'm here to lead worship" like sweating bullets and looking like you just downed five cups of coffee.
Let's not forget the teamwork element! You're a volunteer, but that doesn't mean you have to navigate this whole church organ fiasco alone. Collaboration with the choir director, soloists, and even your fellow instrumentalists can make a world of difference. Think of it as assembling the Avengers, but instead of saving the world, you're saving the musical experience of Sunday service.
Now, we won't spoil the grand finale of the book, but if you're looking for a survival guide to help you dodge the pitfalls and play with panache, Fielding's got it all laid out for you in a user-friendly fashion. Whether you're trying not to trip over your own feet or want to wow the congregation, this guide has you covered.
In sum, Tutor Book for Volunteer Organists is the indispensable manual for anyone who's trading their piano keys for organ stops. So grab this book, get ready to flex those musical muscles, and may your Sundays be filled with beautiful music instead of organ-related panic attacks!