Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast

This question was sent by May. She’s our Total Organist student. And he writes: Hi Vidas, I read from your post that you classify BWV 565 as advanced level. Actually, which part of this piece do you think is the most challenging? I personally find the fast passage towards the end (especially that part to be played by hands only with alternate hands. I find it very difficult to play each note evenly and clearly. Is this the most difficult part of this piece in your mind? What do you suggest I can do to improve my playing of such fast passages? Vidas: Do you like playing Hanon exercises, Bach Inventions and Sinfonias? May: Thanks Vidas! I wish I played more technical exercises before. The fact is, my piano teachers never instructed me to do so in the past (when I was a teenager). My piano at home is now awfully out of tune. I seldom play it ever since I started learning organ. To be honest I would rather spend time on compositions that require pedals. I always choose compositions that require more hands-feet coordination and less manual techniques. This doesn't mean I do not want to improve my manual skills. I just don't want to spend too much time on manual only pieces like Bach's inventions and sinfonias. I have little knowledge of Hanon exercises. How many of exercises does it have and how many shall I work on? I assume I'll have to practice them on the piano... Thanks again, May Vidas: How about Bach's Orgelbuchlein? How many chorales have you mastered from this collection? May: Hi Vidas, With the Orgelbuchlein, here's the list of pieces I have played in the Church and that I am fairly comfortable with. BWV 609, 610, 621, 623, 625, 627(verses 1,2,3), 631, 636 Below is the list that I believe I have mastered. BWV 599, 602, 605, 606, 613, 626, 630, 639. I am quite comfortable with BWV 659 and 645. ​ V: By the way, 659 is Nun komm from Eighteen Great Chorales, the first one, and 645 is "Wachet auf" from Schubler collection. May: I have been playing them in Church during the advent season in the past few years. Any advice from you will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, May Vidas: And I finished my writing to her like this: Thanks May! There are 45 chorale preludes in this collection. It's worth mastering them all. Also the Schubler chorales. Do one per week. In fact, you can record one piece every week for our Secrets of Organ Playing Contest. This would quadruple your results.