We've created a training system for organists, introducing them to organ registration in a rather backwards way, by giving them the registrations as preset pistons to give them a chance to play classic church organ registrations, then work with them to build on this knowledge and interest them in learning how to register the organ stops themselves.

A lot of organists who have not been trained all too often end up playing the same stops all the time - one reason that people don't enjoy hearing the organ in church.

I mention this here for, though it was designed to educate organists with a brand of organs now in production, more than half of the purchases are by organists playing other brands, including pipe organs. When surveyed, the reason is that they buy them for the music - organ music, especially for manuals can be hard to find. Book 1 has 34 pieces for manuals only - all 4 have about 100 pieces.

Many organists appear to be interested in works that are short to medium length that rely upon their piano background rather than requiring much, if any, pedal technique. The ability to play pedals is important - but not important enough to prevent people with limited time or lack of a teacher from playing the organ.

We have just added a free download of .mp3 files of all 34 pieces for these people, and thought some here might have organists or be organists themselves and would like to hear some of the music to evaluate it.

All the recording is live - there were two organists who did the work. But of the two, I take responsibility for any mistakes you might hear.

www.playingthechurchorgan.com Book 1 is available in English, Portuguese, German and Japanese.