How to play the organ like a PRO! 😎

[noelbolingbroke-kent]

What better place for Ben to make his inspiring 50th video since Alvediston, the church that changed his life, than a remote Dorset church with Georgian box pews and a distant sea view? As previously mentioned, being one of Ben’s YouTube family is to have won one of the best prizes in life’s lottery.

[PianoWanderings]

You ARE inspiring people. At least, you are inspiring me. I am a pianist, asked to learn to play a church organ… with four manuals and pedals. It’s overwhelming, but your playing (and your story) inspire me. I’m persevering.

[kesmarn]

This was a lot to pack into 24 minutes, Ben! From clattering and jolly Strauss to charming Elgar, to hints to guide the next generation of church organists, to a solemn rendition of J S Bach's "Erbarme dich mein herre Gott." (I just had to research the translation of the lyrics for that one; well worth a glance: ) I gather that this was written for Good Friday.
Erbarme dich, mein Gott,
Have mercy, my God,
Um meiner Zähren Willen!
for the sake of my tears!
Schaue hier, Herz und Auge
Look here, heart and eyes
Weint vor dir bitterlich.
weep bitterly before you.
Erbarme dich, erbarme dich!
Have mercy, have mercy!

Finally, I was happy to hear this sentence: "I'm a full-time film maker now." Indeed you are! Which doesn't detract in the slightest from the fact that you're still the Salisbury Organist. A bit bruised and nettle-stung by Mother Nature recently, but unbroken! 🙂 Thanks so much!

[anthonysmith]

You haven’t finished an episode until you’ve read at least some of the comments. Refreshing and heartwarming!

[johnjankiewicz]

I never thought that I would become a pipe organ groupie but here I am looking forward to each Sunday! E Power Biggs would be pleased with you. Thank you Mr. Maton.

[PhilomenaNesci]

Thank you for this tutorial, Ben! I’ve been playing organ for a Traditional Catholic church for seven years, since I was thirteen years old, and “Father Hear the Prayer we Offer” is one of the songs in our chapel’s hymnal. I started off as a pianist, taking the place of our old church organist who moved out of state (here in America). To help me learn the ropes, my father introduced me to instructional videos put out by the American Guild of Organists. Those were valuable to my learning, as is your diligent work. The organ we use at my chapel is a 30 year old digital Allen, and the majority of the stops are principals and flutes. We also have tone cards (more colorful instrumentation to choose from), which can provide two additional stops to any manual (Great, Swell, or Pedal). I’ve been trying to find ways to be adventurous and create pleasant and effective blends of sound with these tone cards as of late, so this video you’ve produced is of great help to me! I am going to try to emulate the different moods you presented in each verse this coming Sunday, and observe why and how each works well.
The digital organ is a blessing for me, because without it, I might have had to simply play on a digital piano with an organ preset. At least in this way, I have been able to learn to use the pedals for the feet and how stops/pipe lengths work. But nothing can truly replicate the beauty of that airy, echoing sound coming from real pipes. I had the joy of being allowed to play a short hymn on a very small four-stop pipe organ about a year ago and fell in love with the feeling of it. In the town I live, many churches are closing down, and with them, some of their beautiful historical pipe organs have been dismantled. It’s such a shame that these things happen. Even here in America, old pipe organs tend to be forgotten. For that, I deeply admire your mission to restore an appreciation for the old churches and pipe organs within them. As someone who too loves history, I also love to hear the stories you tell about the churches, the woods, and the surrounding countryside. Your playing is wonderful! Thank you Ben Maton!

[Revdrwilliam]

Nothing quite compared to an rural english pipe organ. Ben you show it's beauty phenomenally!!!
🎼🎶🎹

[marthawatson]

Thank you Ben for a very inspiring lesson on playing the Church Pipe Organ. Unfortunately, many of us do not have the priviledge of playing Old Village Church Organs. I love when you choose to take us to the Old Churches surrounded by cemeteries and serene countryside. Thank you for playing Bach!

[jandrewscali]

Absolutely love your channel. Former organ student. Now and then church organist. Wonderful to find a community of organ lovers!

[DJBoise]

Thank you for bringing such beautiful music into our lives.

[KenG]

Ben, you look so dapper when you dress up. A perfect English gentleman. 👍

[gingram]

The educational aspect of this video was so interesting! Thank you.

[arcticwolf]

Played by a pro indeed, and this organ has a beautiful tone.

[SeanNCraleigh]

I really enjoy your video presentations. Beautiful scenery, love the English countryside. You have a great voice and seem to be a natural story-teller. I am a life long retired church organist living in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. In my first church job as organist while still in high school, I played a tracker instrument similar to many of the British village organs. I appreciate your passion for filming these organ treasures and helping their preservation. I have contributed several times to your PayPal link. Best wishes for all of your endeavors and I will continue to enjoy your work. ..Gene

[angelagrayston]

Absolutely phenomenal and inspiring: even the country walks and church architecture.

[raymondo]

Excellent episode. i learned a lot. it's fortunate the church has people taking care of it - the interior is totally special - probably unique.

[helenslade]

Having been a bit late to the party, I am catching up on missed videos. Wow! This was a real roller coaster ride. Our own organist often plays the Elgar piece, but i think he would struggle with that fabulous Sortie. You are inspiring Ben. I have even been coaxed back to playing my very elementary stuff on my Yamaha piano. I've discovered that a simple piece, played more or less competently, is just as much of joy to play, and better than trying something too difficult! Thank you for your wonderful channel.

[davidwelch]

Might I suggest that mechanical noise is not always bad? As part of a documentary film crew, many years ago, I once had to record an organist playing a piece of Spanish 'battle music' on an organ that had a fine set of trumpet pipes. The church was little used, cold and damp. The wooden stops were swollen by the damp and it took a great deal of physical effort to move them, this was a two handed job for an assistant.. When they did move they reached the end of their travel with resounding bangs that echoed round the church. As a sound recordist I first thought that this was a disaster but I soon changed my mind when I realised that this banging effectively gave the organ a built in cannon effect. . . The rousing music with the trumpet pipes sounding like military bugle calls and the additional unasked for cannon fire I found very pleasing. I don't know if anybody else perceived the additional sound effects as I did but it remains as a joyful memory for me.

[alisonhughes]

That was really interesting. I will have a much greater appreciation of the skills of church organists now.

[MrSweelinck]

This was a new hymn to me; I'm not sure it's published in any American hymn books. "Father, Hear the Prayer We Offer" - Ralph Vaughn Williams arrangement, but lyric by Love Maria Willis (1824-1908). From Hookset New Hampshire, near where I grew up. Of course I had to transcribe it and plan on using it as service music next week; this is a lovely piece. I appreciate your ongoing work, the stories of the parish churches and the instruments that are there!