Transitioning From Pianist to Organist: What You Should Know

Hi Joseph,

This is a wonderful and very informative article. I agree completely with your premises here. I have been a part-time church organist for churches in my area for many years. I am also a member of the American Guild of Organists and have been a board member for my local chapter.

I began organ study when I was 14. My teacher, though, would not let me begin with her until I had gained proficiency on the piano first. The piano is the most versatile of the keyboard instruments, which is why all organ and harpsichord performance majors are required to audition first on the piano with required literature from each major musical period. In almost all university schools of music and also conservatories, I believe it is a must that not only piano majors have piano proficiency (obviously), but those who wish to major in organ or harpsichord performance need to have a background in piano. Piano study is foundational.

That is why it is more likely that you will find more organists who play the piano well as opposed to pianists who play the organ well. That said, I know at my university and many others, all piano majors and harpsichord majors are required to do some study on the organ as well. Outside of academics, though, probably this is not the case.

Also, your advice for pianists to learn organ is solid. It indeed gives them more opportunities to perform and make a living. It also provides them the opportunity to practice improvisation and hone those skills. Professional organists, particularly concert/recital caliber organists, are great improvisors. This is the one musical discipline, instrument, and area of performance where improvisation has continued to flourish. An organist must be able to improvise. Much can be learned from the organ world about improvisation.