This probably belongs to a separate “Organ” thread, and if the moderators feel inclined to move all the organ posts to another thread, that would be OK with me. But until they do, I just can’t resist joining in this discussion.
I’m a pianist who started taking organ lessons about two years ago. I take my lessons on the best pipe organ in the city, designed by my teacher, and used for any major organ concert in the area.
I practice on the great pipe organ at my parish, and I also practice on an electronic organ at a Lutheran church.
The electronic organ is definitely kinder to the beginning organist! The electronic organ stops playing when I take my fingers off the keys or my foots off the pedal.
The pipe organ is like playing a wind or brass instrument, because you have to allow for the air to pass through the pipe and deliver the sound and then die out. So it’s a lot harder for a pianist trying to learn organ.
Also, that swell box makes noise on a pipe organ, because it’s a real box with doors that open and close. But the “swell box” in the electronic organ is electronic, so I never hear the sound of the box opening and closing–much kinder, as I said above.
As for getting this post back on the topic, the thing we all need to remember is that pipe organs nowadays are powered electronically. No one has to pump bellows to keep the pipe organ going. So those people who were born out of their proper time who want to pick and choose which “modern conveniences” to eliminate need to keep that in mind. We have enough trouble finding organists. How much worse would it be if we also had to find bellows pumpers? Maybe we could advertise at the local fitness center or gym (a NEW cardo workout that will whip those glutes and thighs into shape, and at the same time, fulfil your Mass obligation!).
I think that perhaps we all need to turn down our “it bothers me” meter when we attend Mass–and I’m including myself in that exhortation. I’m guessing that the people in countries where Catholics are persecuted and arrested for practicing their faith would look at us in disbelief (and probably disgust) if we tell them what bothers us about our Masses. I’ve seen people on CAF post that “it bothers them” when people drape their arms over the back of the pews during Mass. Or that “it bothers them” when people wear flip flops or tennis shoes instead of dress shoes. Oh, brother! I’m guessing that some people overseas would answer the question, “What bothers me during Mass?” by saying, “It bothers me when government-sanctioned soldiers march into our Mass and shoot people.”
You should win a prize for this post. It made my day, even my week"
