Muscular Awareness and Organ Performance

UPDATE 6/30: This workshop is cancelled due to illness.

Understanding the anatomical and physiological aspects of organ playing will enhance a performer’s ability to use their body in a logical way to create beautiful musical lines and gestures.  If an organist can analyze the muscular needs of a piece, they will be able to practice and perform more efficiently without wasting effort.  This lecture will focus on the main muscular demands of organ playing by referring to various parts of the body and their role in the following topics: (1) balance; sitting on the bench; (2) arm placement, finger and arm technique and (3) leg placement and pedal technique. Finally, specific organ pieces will be studied to illustrate their specific musculature demands and usage and how to analyze them for practice and performance.