[MusicTlk] Transitioning from piano to pipe organ

[Seyoon Choi]

Dan,

Thank you for all your advice; very helpful. This is a fairly recent interest / gig I’m wanting to go into, nothing collegial or graduate program of a sort. I've learned to play many piano pieces by ear, having a perfect pitch comes in advantage like that.

That said, it sounds like the complexities of the organ scores may challenge me to learn Braille music once in for all. My teacher is well connected with American Guild of Organists, and the organist at the church I attended played for well over forty years at the cathedral.

This is a hobby I look forward to getting into.

Seyoon
 
Seyoon Choi, MSW
Board Member | National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
Chair | Technology Committee
schoi at nfbmo.org
(314) 650-8306

> On May 7, 2025, at 3:13 PM, dan.tevelde at comcast.net wrote:
> 
> Hello Seyoon,
> 
> I have played the pipe organ for many years and have a master's degree from Northwestern University. I don't work in the music field anymore but I have a digital practice organ at home. You can absolutely learn to play the organ. Here are some things to consider.
> 
> You didn't say who offered to give you lessons so I don't know what the teacher requires. Usually if a person wants to take organ lessons at a college or university, they will be required to take a piano proficiency exam. The examiner may ask the student to play pieces like a simple two-part invention by Bach or some other easy piano piece. I hope you can read Braille music. There are numerous organ scores available from the National Library Service for the Blind though some scores may be available in older print editions or be written in Braille music formats which are obsolete. I would make sure that your potential teacher is connected with the American Guild of Organists. This organization sets standards for organ pedagogy and specifications for organ building. I would make sure that you learn to play an organ using an AGO standard console. There are many professional blind organists but I don't know any in the U.S. I can suggest workarounds you can use to play the instrument and manipulate stops and other controls. If you want to work as a professional organist, the challenges you may run into include getting access to Braille music and working with other musicians including a choir director. Most of the blind organists I am familiar with were successful either because they also conducted the choir while they were playing, or they worked in a church with no choir. Blind musicians can participate in ensemble playing with sighted musicians. I know a cellist who plays with a symphony orchestra. I would be glad to help you in ay way I can. I would be happy to talk with you and your potential organ teacher to answer any questions. If you would like, send me an e-mail. I hope you take advantage of this opportunity.
> 
> Dan
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: MusicTlk <musictlk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Seyoon Choi via MusicTlk
> Sent: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 1:22 PM
> To: MusicTlk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Seyoon Choi <schoi at nfbmo.org>
> Subject: [MusicTlk] Transitioning from piano to pipe organ
> 
> Hello friends!
> 
> I=E2=80=99m curious to know if anyone here plays a pipe organ. I was offere= d the opportunity for lessons, but am doing some initial research on my own=  to help me learn the instrument non-visually and what worked well. I=E2=80= =99ve been a piano player for well over 15 years, so I have experience in t= hat department.
> 
> Looking forward to hearing from you all.
> Seyoon
> Sent from my iPhone
> --=20
> 
> 
> 
> The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members=20 and all blind people in the United States. We know that blindness is not=20 the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the=
> =20
> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles=20 between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination,=
> =20
> and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.
> 
> 
> =20
> <https://nfbmo.org/>
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-- 



The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members 
and all blind people in the United States. We know that blindness is not 
the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the 
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles 
between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination, 
and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.


 
<https://nfbmo.org/>