Best Books to Use for teaching children (Aged 9+) to play Organ
  • Jamie
    Posts: 40
    I was wondering if anyone knew what the best book would be for starting kids off on the organ. This information would be very handy; I was hoping some people could advise me of any good books I could use to teach.

    Thanks!
  • futurefatherz
    Posts: 36
    Flor Peeters's Little Organ Book is what I started with. Basic skills with piano (proficiency with a few of Bach's 2-part inventions at least) should be a prerequisite.
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,979
    I highly recommend the Peeters book. It is still in print and not expensive.
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,482
    It's a stupid point, because it should be obvious, but:
    -A good hymnal.
    --Particularly if the hymnal at their own church can qualify as "good."
  • futurefatherz
    Posts: 36
    Agreed, Adam.
    That said, so many churches, so few good hymnals...
  • kevinfkevinf
    Posts: 1,191
    Wayne Leupold editions has a wonderful series for beginning organists. And,yes, piano proficiency is necessary.
  • noel jones, aagonoel jones, aago
    Posts: 6,611
    Adam.

    Hymnals are not meant to be played. Project underway to solve that problem. Have put off posting about this, but will soon.

  • Padster
    Posts: 40
    Don't start on hymns, they are more complicated than one thinks. Try David Sanger's Play the Organ, or Angela's Pieces by Janette Cooper. Of course, it is usually necessary to start on the piano first to gain basic keyboard ability. Hymns are the last thing a raw beginner should be attempting.

    Best wishes,
    Padster
  • BruceL
    Posts: 1,072
    I mean, I would probably get them the Davis "The Organist's Manual", even though there may be some things they won't use for a while. The Wayne Leupold stuff is good, just irks me that they are shoddy with their bindings/cover quality.
  • WendiWendi
    Posts: 638
    We're using the Peeters book. Currently, among the other students there are one 11 year old, one 12 year old and two thirteen year olds in the organ program...and one painfully slow adult (me.)
  • Marc Cerisier
    Posts: 537
    I mean, I would probably get them the Davis "The Organist's Manual", even though there may be some things they won't use for a while. The Wayne Leupold stuff is good, just irks me that they are shoddy with their bindings/cover quality.


    This is what I use for all organ students. It doesn't try to teach them--that's the teacher's job. It just provides the resources a teacher needs to teach. It also will serve the student well for basic repertoire for years to come. I even pull my tattered copy out for some pieces.
    Thanked by 1BruceL
Add a Comment