How to Play the Organ

Organs are fun to play, and they're a relatively easy instrument to learn, especially if you begin by learning basic notes. Later, when you become more advanced, you'll add foot pedals and change the sound with the stops. With a little practice, you'll soon be playing lovely music on your organ.

Instructions

1

Learn the notes and how to read music by purchasing a beginner book with the note names labeled on the notes. The black keys come in groups of two and three; find a group of two and slide your finger off the one on the left, down to the left onto the white key. This is the "C" key.

2

Label the keys starting with the "C" from left to right as "A," "B," "C," "D," "E," "F," "G," "A," "B," then "C" again and keep repeating. Play the notes in order to get a feel for the keys; an organ is different from a piano because it doesn't have a sustaining pedal so you have to practice making your notes flow smoothly.

3

Purchase organ shoes so your feet don't slip when you're playing the pedals. Practice moving your feet up and down the pedals with your heels on the white notes and your toes on the black.

4

Practice simple pieces using your hands and your feet at the same time. You don't need formal music for this, just make your own sounds and experiment with the feel.

5

Play some music by learning the notes for your hands, then learning the notes for your feet. Finally, put them together so you play everything at once.

6

Have fun with the stops. Play your piece using different sounds and switch sounds quickly while you are playing.

7

Get formal lessons if you feel this is something you want to pursue. Often church organists and colleges offer lessons.

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Organs are fun to play, and they're a relatively easy instrument to learn, especially if you begin by learning basic notes. Later, when you become more advanced, you'll add foot pedals and change the sound with the stops. With a little practice, you'll soon be playing lovely music on your organ.

Instructions

1

Learn the notes and how to read music by purchasing a beginner book with the note names labeled on the notes. The black keys come in groups of two and three; find a group of two and slide your finger off the one on the left, down to the left onto the white key. This is the "C" key.

2

Label the keys starting with the "C" from left to right as "A," "B," "C," "D," "E," "F," "G," "A," "B," then "C" again and keep repeating. Play the notes in order to get a feel for the keys; an organ is different from a piano because it doesn't have a sustaining pedal so you have to practice making your notes flow smoothly.

3

Purchase organ shoes so your feet don't slip when you're playing the pedals. Practice moving your feet up and down the pedals with your heels on the white notes and your toes on the black.

4

Practice simple pieces using your hands and your feet at the same time. You don't need formal music for this, just make your own sounds and experiment with the feel.

5

Play some music by learning the notes for your hands, then learning the notes for your feet. Finally, put them together so you play everything at once.

6

Have fun with the stops. Play your piece using different sounds and switch sounds quickly while you are playing.

7

Get formal lessons if you feel this is something you want to pursue. Often church organists and colleges offer lessons.