Organ question?!

Organ question?

My ten year old wants to learn how to play organ. I do not want to spend 10,000 plus dollars on an organ at his early age. ( he might not like it). can anybody suggest what I should purchase or do?

Most organ instructors prefer a student who is already good at piano - and a student of at least 13 years of age.

Used electronic organs can be had for cheap, but the cheapest only have an octave of pedals, and they're "stubbies" instead of the long wooden slats that classical and gospel players use. Stubbies are a bad thing - they prevent the student from using heel-toe technique and encourage one-leg pedaling.

$50 Hammonds are near impossible to find, but there are reasonbly priced ones: the L and M series are popular, and generally only $200-500 - but they have stubbies. The larger Hammonds: A's, D's, Grands - are substantially more expensive, $1500-2500. And B's, C's, and RT's, prized by jazz, gospel , and rock players, are off the charts, usually $3500-6000, They're actually smaller than the previous group - similarly configured, but no amp or speaker. Makes them easier to lug around.

There are cheap, full-featured organs to be had, though. The Baldwin 500 is not a popular organ - sounds aren't that good, keys and pedals are way too springy - but it's still good for practicing classical repertoire. Big and heavy, though. Other brands in that ballpark include Lowery, Thomas, and Gulbranson. Allen and Rodgers are more expensive and generally better, but older models can be found that are pretty inexpensive.

You could use an electronic keyboard. The lack of pedals will make that a very temporary solution, though. Midi pedals tend to be of the stubby variety, and the ones that aren't will run $1500-3000 just for the pedals.

One last possibility is a reed organ. These tend to be small, old, often only have one manual instead of two, and rarely if ever have pedals, but they are real organs, have a lot of personality, and are usually pretty cheap. And unless they have electric bellows, the kid will get some exercise pumping the bellows pedals while he plays.

Good luck. I'd suggest a heart-to-heart with a local organist - Talk to the AGO (American Guild of Organists) if you don't know one. Lots of local chapters.

We need more organists.

Best,

Jay