The Organists' Toolkit
A Guide for Reluctant Organists

|Further Study| |Repertoire| |Other Pages|

Further Study

You may wish to know more about the background of the organ, or increase your technical capabilities and learn to use the pedals.

Here are two downloadable Organ Tutors from the last century. They may be slightly dated in their approach, but they are sound, solid, and reliable. Even more important; they are out of copyright so they may be downloaded at will and individual pages printed out if you want them.

• John Stainer This book starts with an extended description of the history of the organ and its construction. It's not necessary to read and understand these before trying out the exercises and studies.
• Walter Alcock Similarly, this book also has an opening section about history and construction.
• If you want to know lots more about the stops and best how to use them, Gordon Nevin has written a book just about this subject. Here it is in three parts: Part 1, Part 2, & Part 3.
• There's a lot free information on these American Guild of Organists pages. You might find these very useful if you want to broaden your knowledge.

You may wish to find a teacher. Here are three suggestions:

• Place a request on Organists Online.
• Search on Google.
• Approach The Royal College of Organists Academy. They have a list of accredited teachers across the UK.

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Repertoire

Here is access to just some of the thousands of simple, manuals only organ pieces. All of them are out of copyright, or have permission for further use, and can be downloaded and printed as required.

• César Franck: 59 Pieces;
• César Franck: 5 Pieces;
• William Boyce: 10 Voluntaries Many of these are in several sections which may be played separately;
• Arthur Bird: 10 Pieces;
• The Ecclesiatical Organist: Many short pieces.

There's probably enough here to keep you going for a while.

So far, everything up to here has been free. If you want to buy helpful books or other education aids, you could check out Anne Marsden Thomas on Google

If you  have any questions about these pages, please feel free to contact me: Philip Norman - pkn@pnms.co.uk

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Other Pages

The first page includes information about the organ, manuals, pedals and the mechanics of the instrument.

GO

The second page includes information about actually playing with suggestions for getting round difficulties.

GO

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