Upgrading to Better Organ Shoes
  • francis
    Posts: 10,668
    OK

    I have done worn out my shoes... (too much Bach? Nah... I'd buy 100 pair to keep playing his works)

    They are an old pair of Organmasters... was never really impressed with them, although mine have to be 20 years old or more. Perhaps they are better made these days.

    Now thinking of getting some higher heel narrow tip dance shoes... anyone have any recommendations on the subject?
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,933
    Organmasters are not better these days, in my opinion. I think they have gone down a bit in more recent times. I don't believe they are made in the U.S. any more. This from someone who has 4 pairs of them. There is another company https://www.tictactoes.com/dance/organist_choose.htm that makes organ and dance shoes.

    Hope you are not one of those organists looking for Virgil Fox/Diane Bish rhinestone shoes. Those Bach players do love attention.
  • francis
    Posts: 10,668
    Charles... I am going for studded, programmable laser spot lights that match pulse with the dancing on the keys! Just wait for when I post the Jig Fugue on Youtube...

    https://youtu.be/Rd8afvGsYow?t=97
    Thanked by 3CharlesW CHGiffen PhilipPowell
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,933
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya7Pop9QoUo
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • francis
    Posts: 10,668
    one of my favs for the jig on a flentrop

    perfect tempo to hear the voices and the harmony... (often played by others too fast)

    https://youtu.be/nOP_0YRHbZo
    Thanked by 2CharlesW CHGiffen
  • francis
    Posts: 10,668
    what about these shoes?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRc-EzKxGWk
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,933
    Now those shoes are flashy. I agree, Francis. Those works are often played too fast.
  • Carol
    Posts: 847
    This really shows how tempo matters. These also show the impact of the actual instrument on how a piece sounds, even to an unsophisticated ear.

    I vote for sequins on the heels.
    Thanked by 2francis CharlesW
  • francis
    Posts: 10,668
    Well, I am no Cameron to be sure, but I think he wears this particular style for flexibility and accuracy in playing the pedals. The sequins simply because his feet have earned him the extravagance.

    Does anyone else have any comments on shoe recommendations?
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 2,721
    I think organ masters and tic tac toes are essentially the same. No, they aren’t the be all end all in construction quality, but they are the right tool for the job and have more significant heels (for men anyway) than other generic dance shoes.
  • Chris Garton-Zavesky
    Posts: 6,902
    Francis,

    Is this an amusement, especially with those glow-in-the-dark monstrosities, or is this a serious inquiry?
  • francis
    Posts: 10,668
    I need new organ shoes. Charles derailed the serious nature of my inquiry and I fell for it.
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,933
    Francis, I told you about Tic Tac Toes. I saw a pair of them a fellow organist has and they seemed better made than Organmasters. This has been a few years ago so I hope the quality is still the same.

    Your feet gliding across the pedals in those rhinestones would be something for the congregation to remember.

    Happy Pi day!
    Thanked by 1francis
  • OrganistRob320OrganistRob320
    Posts: 156
    Currently I've been using these for about three years and enjoy them much better than any OrganMaster or TicTac I've ever owned. https://us.movedancewear.com/ray-rose-mens-slip-on-ballroom-shoe-black-p4484/

    These also look promising https://www.avriel.com/organ-shoes/slip-on-organ-shoe/prod_57.html?fbclid=IwAR3VDtJFLCeg2-u6JnqHve0-9aGR6iWMg_ondq-aFP1PGPl-jpgyMQSWj1o

    Thanked by 2CharlesW ServiamScores
  • TCJ
    Posts: 966
    I've had my Organmaster shoes for about 14 years now. They're worn, but still usable. It's hard to compare them because they are the only type of organ shoe I've had. They are made in China, I think, so that is one mark against them. At least they aren't slip-on though! I refuse to buy anything that doesn't tie.
  • francis
    Posts: 10,668
    like the look of these

    https://www.avriel.com/organ-shoes/organ-shoe-lace-up-oxford/prod_228.html
    Thanked by 2CharlesW RedPop4
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,933
    I like them, too. Looks like the heel may be a bit higher than some other brands. I like those slip-ons OrganistRob320 listed the link for. I seemed to constantly have to re-tie my oxfords because they inevitably would loosen during use.
  • RedPop4
    Posts: 49
    Francis, those look really nice.
    I haven't had organ shoes in 20+ years and I am researching before I spend my money. My last pair were actually a pair of Capezio flats.

    Thank you all for the current information, at this point I am considering either the TicTacToe or the Avriel.
  • francis
    Posts: 10,668
    Just ordered the Avriel Oxford ties. Will keep yall updated on how they perform. Thanks everyone for their input, (and fun jokes and tangents... sometimes the jokes are better than the OP.) (PS... I will let you know if I apply sequins once I brush up the jig fugue and post it on YT.)
    Thanked by 2CharlesW Carol
  • 32ContraBombarde32ContraBombarde
    Posts: 131
    My alter ego highly recommends Timberland steel toes. ;-)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01ues6tKsiU
    Thanked by 4PhilipPowell CharlesW RedPop4 Earl_Grey
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,933
    In my younger days, I played in Hush Puppies for years. Around college age I got a new organ teacher who pushed wearing Organ Masters. I think you can play in nearly anything if you want to.
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