It's been about 15 years since I've sit down and seriously played the organ. Yanno, the right hand plays one keyboard, the left hand plays another and the feet play the pedal keyboard. I only took a year of organ lessons in college, but it was enough to get the basics and be able to accompany a children's choir on organ as a paid gig later. And do weddings, of course.
So here I am, years later and trying to do a crash course for Christmas Day services, where there will be all of 10 people at each service. Christmas Eve I'm playing organ too, but I decided to wimp out and use the "pinky to pedal" switch for when I'm playing the Great.
Here's the kicker, though. I couldn't find organ shoes in my size (women's 12N) way back when, so I used some leather Daniel Green slippers. Not great, but it was okay. Those slippers are long gone by now, though. I played in stocking feet today for several hours and now my feet hurt. I was also reminded that wearing organ shoes is not only for accuracy, but to protect one's feet. As I was feeling for the right notes, I kept hitting my toes against the sides of the black pedal keys, and OUCH was the result of doing that time and again.
Must practice piano tonight along with getting the notes down for a manuals-only piece I'm playing Christmas Day.
And bake... and bake... and bake some more tonight.
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