The AGO’s Committee on Continuing Professional Education (CCPE), formerly the Committee on Educational Resources (CER), has produced teaching materials in both traditional and new media formats. Through the years, the emphasis has been on offering content not otherwise readily available through non-AGO sources.
Lessons for the New Organist
This series of 30 videos, called “Lessons for the New Organist,” teaches basic skills and techniques to beginning organists, particularly pianists who are making a transition to organ playing.
An audio-only version of the “Lessons for the New Organist” is now available from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). For further assistance, contact the NLS Music Section by email, or at 800-424-8567, ext. 2.
See also the lessons arranged by topic:
Lesson 1: A Pianist’s First Steps in Transitioning to the Organ
Lesson 2: The Architecture and Layout of the American Pipe Organ
Lesson 3: Coupling Organ Divisions
Lesson 4: Swell Pedals & Dynamic Expression
Lesson 5: An Introduction to Pedaling & Organ Music Scores
Lesson 6: Families of Organ Tone
Lesson 7: Mixture & Mutation Stops
Lesson 8: Registrations for Contemplative & Jubilant Hymns
Lesson 9: General & Divisional Pistons
Lesson 10: The Crescendo Pedal
Lesson 11: Does the Shoe Fit? Organ Shoes & Bench Height
Lesson 12: The Basics of Pedal Technique
Lesson 13: DIY: Adding Pedals
Lesson 14: DIY: Varying Your Organ Registrations
(See also A Mini-Course in Basic Organ Registration)
Lesson 15: DIY: Using Time Touch to Shape Melody
Lesson 16: DIY: Reharmonizing Your Hymns
Lesson 17: DIY: Key Modulations: When, Why, How
Lesson 18: DIY: Using Registrations to Illustrate Hymn Texts
Lesson 19: Choosing and Using a Pedal Point
Lesson 20: Creative Use of Limited Pedaling in Hymns
Lesson 21: An Introduction to Hymn Meter and the Metrical Index
Lesson 22: Choosing Alternate Hymn Texts and Tunes by Examining Meter
Lesson 23: Adapting Folk and Guitar Music to the Organ
Lesson 24: Bridging Gaps during Communion Services
Lesson 25: Variety in Hymn-Playing, Regardless of Instrument Size
Lesson 26: How to Use MIDI Functions on Organ Consoles
Lesson 27: How to Be an Excellent Substitute Organist
Lesson 28: Getting Around on the Hammond Organ
Lesson 29: Determining Your Pedaling in Organ Literature
Lesson 30: Answers to Some Important Questions
Common Questions about the Organ
These videos were developed by students at Brigham Young University.
Finding the best position at the organ console makes it possible to play the pedals accurately, to operate the expression pedals and other foot controls easily, and to stay reasonably comfortable.
Playing the organ with your feet can seem intimidating. Learn some tips that can help make organ pedaling easier and boost your confidence.
Playing legato (smoothly) on the organ is more difficult than at the piano. Some of the tools for achieving those beautiful, sustained lines at the organ are introduced.
How Do I Save Stop Combinations?
If you’ve wondered how to save a chosen stop combination to a thumb piston or preset, this video is for you.
Creating Soft Solo Combinations at the Organ
Here are some fresh ideas for when your organ piece needs a soft solo sound in one hand.
What does the General Cancel piston do, and what doesn’t it do? This fun, short video has the answers.
OrganTutor Online consists of eleven interactive lessons. The lessons cover Organ Types and Components, Using Console Devices, Pitches, Families, Non-Speaking Stops, Chorus Registration, Solo/Accompaniment Registration, Trio/Duo Registration, and Hymn Registration. Visit the AGO Educational Resources page to learn how to access these lessons.
AGO Educational Resources
The videos below include the AGO Master Series as well as several AGO National Convention workshops.
Catharine Crozier
Master Series I
Watch on YouTube
Marie-Claire Alain
Master Series II
Watch on YouTube
Frederick Swann
Master Series III
Watch on YouTube
Gerre Hancock
Master Series IV
Watch on YouTube
Frederick Hohman
Lessons for the New Organist: see the list above.
Watch on YouTube
William Porter
National Convention 2010
Hymn Tune Improvisations
Watch on YouTube
Workshop Handout
Tom Trenney
National Convention 2012
Improvisation in Service Playing
Watch on YouTube
Faythe Freese
National Convention 2014
Sure-Fire Practice Techniques
Watch on YouTube
Workshop Handout
Pulling Out All the Stops
Watch on YouTube
AGO YouTube Channel
The official video channel of the AGO, featuring great performances, workshops, master lessons, and lectures.