Organ Lessons.
Amazing Teachers.

The organ is often referred to as the king of all instruments because it possesses an impressive range and is capable of producing sounds so enormous they might be considered glorious (in church music) or monstrous (in an old horror movie). There are a variety of different types of organs including the cathedral, pipe, church, orchestral, theater, and electric organ. Organ designs can include up to seven keyboards, and they're all capable of producing different ranges of pitch and volume. Whichever type of organ you choose to play, learning to play the organ will be both fun and rewarding. 

Why Learn to Play Organ? 

If you already know how to play the piano, learning to play organ is easy! Organs, especially large cathedral style organs, can look like complex, challenging instruments, but at their most basic level, they're all about keyboarding. If you're already comfortable playing piano, you'll find it much easier to navigate the multiple keyboards and pedals on an organ. 

Playing organ also provides many professional opportunities for aspiring musicians. Since the instrument is largely used in public arenas, there are several positions for organists throughout today's cities. By learning to play organ, you'll be able to land gigs in churches, local theaters, concert halls, and sporting events. 

The Best Way to Learn Organ and What You'll Study in Organ Classes

Although you can find plenty of free organ classes online, studying with a private tutor is by far the best way to learn organ. A private instructor will customize organ lessons to your individual abilities and interests. For example, course content differs greatly for someone focused on worship music, rather than baroque pieces. Teaching styles and methods are also vastly different in organ lessons for children than in organ classes for adults. 

Sample Curriculum for Beginner Organ Lessons

If you have little to no experience playing organ, then beginner lessons are for you. Many organ teachers recommend that beginner organ students start out learning by first taking piano lessons, which enables students to become acquainted with the keyboard and get comfortable reading music. For these students, learning to play organ is all about learning organ technique. If you've had no previous musical experience, however, don't worry; you can still learn to play the organ. Just be sure your organ tutor accepts students who do not already play the piano. Beginner lessons might cover some of the following topics:

• Proper posture and hand position
• Organ anatomy and operation
• 12 major scales
• Simple organ songs
• Musical notation and music theory

Sample Curriculum for Intermediate Organ Classes

Students familiar with the basics of playing organ are ready for intermediate lessons. You'll build upon your basic knowledge and learn new skills to widen the variety of organ music you're able to play. Your teacher might choose to cover the following topics:

• Harmonic and melodic minor scales
• Pentatonic scales
• Chord progressions
• Rhythm patterns
• Pedal exercises

Sample Curriculum for Advanced Organ Lessons

In advanced lessons, students learn to hone their organ playing skills. While improving your sight-reading ability, you'll acquire new techniques and gain confidence in developing your own personal style. What you'll learn in advanced lessons is highly dependent on your individual interests, but your instructor might choose to cover some of the following topics: 

• Baroque and modern techniques
• Practice different styles like classical, contemporary, rock, gospel, and hymnals
• Organ shouts
• Squabbling
• Audition coaching and performance preparation

The Fast Way to Find a Private Organ Teacher

With TakeLessons, finding a private organ tutor is easy! A quick search will direct you to teachers who offer private organ lessons both in person and online. The cost of organ classes varies, but most teachers charge a time-based rate. Before selecting your tutor, we recommend reading several teacher profiles and reviews left by other students like you. Also, be sure the organ teacher you choose is familiar with the same type of organ you'll be playing and the style of music you're interested in learning. With private organ lessons, you'll be on your way to rocking stadiums and moving congregations in no time!