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October 29, 2006
Pipe Dreams
I have passed St. Salvator's Chapel countless times on my walks up and down North Street. It stands directly east from the Old Union Building where my office is, but has remained shrouded in mystery as its gates are rarely open. The initials P and H are woven into the fabric of the cobblestones directly in front of the chapel, marking the spot where Patrick Hamilton became the first matyr of the Scottish Reformation at the age of 24.
The other day I got to see inside this jewel of a chapel for the first time. The University Organist took me and one other in at the side entrance and up the steep, round, wooden staircase at the very back of the church. He was introducing us to the organ on which I will be having my lessons.
It is a magnificent instrument, made up of some 3,000 pipes, not too many years old, with four manuals (keyboards). The first time I climbed up on the bench, looked down at the row of pedals at my feet and the hundreds of keys in front of me I felt myself at the start of a journey I couldn't wait to begin.
A minute into that journey I was completely overwhelmed. I mean, can it be that difficult to add feet to what my fingers can already do so easily? Let's just say I fumbled through the first exercise with little precision and even less grace.
Vange, this one's for you!
| By j and b | 10:15 PM
Comments
Hey Bry,
If you feel overwhelmed, at least be glad it is an instrument that is worthy of your effort. The RP organ is, well, not that exciting to learn on. My favorite part is when I want to be creative and play two different stops, but then the notes cancel out because most of the stops share pipes, and they have to fight for dominance. Then the foot pedals are so out of tune, I usually ignore their existence. Have fun.
Nicky
Posted by: nicky lewin at November 8, 2006 03:18 AM
Cool beans!
Posted by: Jeannette at November 1, 2006 10:43 PM
Hey, Bry... Betsy and I want to know how you weave cobblestones. Is there a special Loom School of Cobblestonery? Is that a major industry in Scotland? There is none such on the Continent. Maybe you could export it! I'm sure there is a huge demand in Las Cruces!!!
Posted by: Sister Kari at November 1, 2006 06:44 PM
Bry- thrilled that you're getting to learn to play! Maybe you'll give us a wee sample of what you've learned when we come next month...
Posted by: abigail at November 1, 2006 05:36 PM
Wow Bry! That's an amazing opportunity to learn on such a gorgeously complex instrument! Enjoy! :) AKH
Posted by: Amy at October 31, 2006 06:06 PM
Way to go, Bry! I think organists are dancers at heart. You're such an amazing pianist, I'm sure you'll conquer the organ in no time.
Posted by: RT at October 30, 2006 08:09 PM
Welcome to the world of heel and toe!!
Posted by: Vange at October 30, 2006 02:06 AM