Are We Learning Too Many Organ Pieces at Once? (SOPP794)

How many organ pieces should you be practicing at once? It’s a question every organist—from beginners to professionals—faces. In this episode, we dive into the balance of juggling multiple repertoires, the "three levels of difficulty" strategy suggested by James Flores, and how to manage your practice schedule based on upcoming recitals. We also share some personal stories from our time at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and discuss when it might be time to abandon a piece that isn't working.

Whether you're an amateur organist or a full-time professional, finding your "sweet spot" is key to avoiding burnout and making real progress.

00:00 How many pieces are you working on?
01:10 The impact of concert schedules
02:08 Refreshing old repertoire (Widor’s Toccata)
03:52 The temptation of learning new pieces
05:08 Language learning vs. Organ repertoire
07:50 The three levels of difficulty strategy
10:11 Amateur vs. Professional requirements
11:15 The story of the "One Hymn Semester"
12:50 Coordination and physical limitations
14:02 Juggling multiple programs like Philip Leger
16:15 Digital vs. Paper scores
17:35 Knowing when to limit yourself
19:23 Tell us your current repertoire!

Secrets of Organ Playing - When You Practice, Miracles Happen!

Originally published on YouTube by Secrets of Organ Playing.