I have too many keyboard instruments in my home already, so naturally, last year I acquired another one. The pecuniary outcome of quite a few months’ overtime at the day job was handed over to David Mason of Viscount Organs, and in return, a 2-manual, 31-stop, 30-note radiating concave pedalboard practice organ arrived at my London terraced home a few weeks later. And I can’t remember feeling so chuffed since the day I bought my first car with my own money, after years of making do with Dad’s cast-offs.
The instrument isn’t one of Viscount’s largest, by any means, but my house isn’t that large either, and finding space for it was not without sacrifice. A dining table and chairs were evicted from the front bay window to make room for it. Duncan is now slightly disgruntled, on his visits, at having to eat supper off a small coffee table, sitting on a piano stool: but he has to suffer for my art. And anyway, with The Beast (D’s nickname for the instrument, not mine) filling the window, you no longer have the view of the dustbins.
Playing Bach with bare feet in your dressing gown, in a warm room, a cup of coffee to hand, is a simple pleasure, but one all organists will understand, most of whom have spent years struggling against the forces of darkness to maintain a regular church practice slot. Frequently made miserable by church heating (lack of), church lighting (lack of), the wretched car, and the British weather, the final straw is arriving at the practice church to be met with “Oh, but I thought you KNEW the school orchestra was going to rehearse here this afternoon! Can you come back tomorrow?”
No more of that. Now, quite apart from the dizzy hedonism of it all, I am getting A LOT more done. If the ‘competence is 10,000 hours of practice’ theory holds true, then I’m beetling towards competence at a steady clip.
An essential civility towards both neighbours and guests is playing with headphones on, rather than filling the street with hours of merry hymnody. So D can sit and peacefully read the Times to the accompaniment of a slight clacking from the other end of the room – which is me, in headphones, lost in Nun Danket on full organ.
Viscount Organs are based in Oxfordshire, England. Contact David Mason: 01869 247 333 enquiries@viscountorgans.net
David gives a behind the scenes account of projects, travels, recording sessions, as well as help with choosing a practice organ in the Viscount blog, and runs an entertaining Facebook page.
If like me you are an enthusiastic Twitterer, you can find them @ViscountOrgans
And if you buy a Viscount organ, you get free membership of the Royal College of Organists for a year, thrown in.
Brill! Mine is an Allen Protege, and the delights you mention all true!
I have a ‘pre-owned’ Johannus Opus 5 in our very small 2 bed modern terraced home but it has transformed my playing opportunities. I’m 68 and no longer have a car. I starting learning 5 years ago and, having passed Grades 2 and 3 organ also 5 Theory (each with Distinction, not that I’m boasting if course). My parish church lets me play for the Wed service and as this is something I’ve wanted to do since a child it’s really us amazing! Working on Grade 5 now – little chance of 10, 000 hours I think!
Yes. Yes. Yes. You sum-up brilliantly the joy(s) of having a home practice instrument.
Another Viscount owner here.
SKE’s ‘Nun’ through headphones? Hope you’re being careful.
The very one!
Thanks for this. Oh, how I envy you, Morwenna! Between the ages of 20 and 30 I used to spend long hours practising on church organs.
Then foolishly I gave up, but never my love of organ music, and like you, Bach in particular.
I play the piano occasionally. Now living alone and with a small third bedroom I am tempted to buy a practice organ such as yours? But am worried that it’s physical dimensions might detract from the tjrilling experience I once had from my church playing days
I would be really grateful to hear your views ‘re your practice organ and any advice you could tender a rusty organist
Many thanks,
Herbs Morhsn
An electronic organ can never be quite so thrilling as the real thing! But I’ve found the joy of being able to play Bach’s organ music whenever I feel like it is a huge plus, and my playing has improved enormously because the opportunity to practise (even for just 10 minutes) is always there. It does dominate the room, no doubt about it! – but for me it’s worth it. If you are currently living alone, and therefore don’t have to persuade someone else that it’s a GOOD THING 🙂 and have a third bedroom to put it in, I would say you have no excuses not to indulge yourself. All best wishes Morwenna
I love to play barefoot too!! Enjoy the feel of the pedals under my bare feet! After I am on the bench, I wipe Johnsons baby powder on my soles. I can slide around just like I have stockings on. You should try it! It’s great! Please let me know if you try it.
OK I will but not sure what my new husband will think if he catches me doing it! 🙂
Hi again, Not sure why it matters what your husband thinks. If he asks, just tell him it is helpful in playing the pedals. Maybe he enjoys watching you pedal like my husband does. Let me know how you like it, and if not, well barefoot playing is still the best, dont you think? I just feel so connected to the organ as one, feeling the wooden pedals directly under my bare feet!
I’ve been blessed to have a full size Allen in my home for the past 10 years. I used to practice regularly at the church but not daily as I am doing now. The added benefit is the extra hours are spent practicing to pass an American Guild of Organists certification exam. Not sure I would have attempted it if i couldn’t practice every day… and my mounds of music don’t have to be toted around! I love to play into the early hours of the morning if I’m restless. Lucky to live in a house where i don’t disturb neighbors. I can really crank that thing up! So fun!
My secret wish is an instrument like this at home. But I live in a flat in an old house without sound insulation and nighbours underneath my creaking old wooden floors. I fear that severe pedal exercise – the mechanical rattle of the pedals – would drive my poor neighbours mad. So I am still searching solutions
Hi,
How small is your organ that it could be put into a window of a terraced house, I’d love to know! What are its dimensions including the pedals? And what is the model’s name? Can I also ask whether it is a good idea to hire instead since a beginner has little knowledge?
Thanks for your views.
Hi Tess – The organ in the photos is a Viscount Cadet Compact 31, and it measures approximately 125cms wide and with the pedal board it measures about 120cms deep. Most of the manufacturers give the dimensions of each instrument on their websites, somewhere, so it’s not too difficult to take a tape measure and work out if something fits or not! Hiring is a possibility, though I took the route of going to the showrooms and trying out different instruments. In my experience you are allowed to play to your heart’s content and nobody tries high-pressure sales techniques, so you can take your time over your decision.
Does the pedal board fold up so it takes up less floor space? That’s what I’m looking for.
No it doesn’t James. Anyone know if this exists?
Maybe should be: “…feeling so CHIFFED…”! 🙂
In the states, sorry I don’t know chuffed. However I once played on an Allen electronic (30+ years ago), and I could simply play the “chiff stop.” Electronics and digital have come a long way since then.
This looks like a lovely project. Rock on!…and I hope the pandemic hasn’t left you too chuffed.
BTW, I work for an organ control system supplier, and I look at your project with keen professional interest. If you had a moment I’d love to ask a few questions about your VPO system.
‘Ciao for now!
🙂
‘Being chuffed’ is an term from the North of England where I come from, often expressed as ‘well I’m dead chuffed about that’. Dead meaning very. Oh dear. The more I explain it the worse it gets.
A good chiff on an organ stop however, is undoubtedly a good thing, particularly if you are an early music enthusiast.
I had the chance to try out some digital church organs in a music shop.
Just as great (well, almost……) as playing on a real pipe organ!
I played on a few different brands but all sounded convincing.
So much better than the old electronic organs from years back.