Lessons for the New Organist is a 30-video series by the American Guild of Organists (AGO) designed to help intermediate pianists transition to the pipe organ in worship settings.
Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons offer a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing, showcasing different instruments and worship spaces. Whether you’re new to the organ or refining your skills, this series is an essential learning resource.
Commissioned by the AGO’s Committee on Continuing Professional Education (CCPE), the series is authored and presented by concert organist Frederick Hohman, with guidance from Dr. Don Cook and Dr. Sharon Hettinger.
Considering a move from piano to organ? Let Fred Hohman guide you as you embark on this exciting musical journey.
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This short film is part of a 30-part series by the American Guild of Organists (AGO). Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
Join Fred Hohman for the second in his series of films for pianists making the transition to the organ.
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This short film is part of a 30-part series by the American Guild of Organists (AGO). Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
Fred Hohman turns his attention to organ registration and coupling manuals in the third of his series of films for new organists.
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This short film is part of a 30-part series by the American Guild of Organists (AGO). Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
While the organ’s grandeur is in plain view, Fred Hohman delves into the hidden controls that remain unseen by most and unveils the secrets below the console.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
The series shifts focus to organ music scores for the first time, and Fred Hohman also takes an in-depth look at pedalboards in this short film.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
Fred Hohman takes previous learnings about organ stops in his previous films to the next level.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
How do you find a mixture on a pipe organ? Join Fred Hohman in this lesson for new organists as he explains more.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
Fred Hohman explores how to balance stops to support a congregation, focusing on the unique needs of different hymns.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
Fred Hohman focusses on general and divisional pistons in Lesson 9 of his series for new organists.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
Mainly found on American organs, Fred Hohman demonstrates the crescendo pedal and how it works in episode 10 of his 30-part series for new organists.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
Fred Hohman shares tips on choosing the right organ shoes and maintaining a comfortable playing posture in this short film.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
Fred Hohman explores how new organists can develop a fluid pedal technique in this short but insightful lesson.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
This episode examines how a new church organist can develop into a confident leader in hymn playing.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
In this episode, Fred Hohman explains how to vary registrations to give your hymn playing more texture, make it more compelling and support congregational singing.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
Fred Hohman returns to the basics as he highlights why organists should always sing a hymn before attempting to translate it onto the organ.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
Fred Hohman explains how small harmonisation adjustments on the organ can enhance hymn singing in this short film.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
Fred Hohman explores when, why, and how a modulation passage can transform the feel and mood of a piece, shaping the emotional journey of a composition.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
Want to reharmonise a piece of music to better reflect the text painting and emphasise its message? This short film shows you how.
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The AGO’s Committee on Continuing Professional Education created a series of 30 videos, called “Lessons for the New Organist,” to teach basic skills and techniques to beginning organists, including pianists who are making a transition to organ-playing.
Some hymns are more suited to pedal points than others. In this short film, Fred Hohman demonstrates when and how to use them most effectively.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
Fred Hohman demonstrates how pedal summarisation can change the texture and style of hymn playing, along with other techniques.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
Explore how hymn structures and syllable patterns create endless possibilities for pairing texts and tunes.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
Learn how to pair hymn texts with alternate tunes using the metrical index for fresh, fitting musical combinations.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
This short film explores how to adapt hymns in a folk style for the organ, with tips on arpeggiation, dynamic textures, and rhythmic clarity.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
The reception of Communion during a Mass can vary in length, but what do you do when you need to extend the music beyond the hymn?
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
This film explores creative ways to bring variety and richness to hymn playing on a two-manual pipe organ.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
Discover how MIDI technology can enhance the traditional pipe organ, allowing organists to blend classic sounds with modern digital tones.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
This film offers practical advice for substitute organists, covering key questions to ask, console etiquette, and adapting to unfamiliar settings.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
Curious about the Hammond organ? Watch Fred Hohman’s short film as he explores the essentials of navigating this iconic instrument!
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
Explore the art of organ pedalling annotation. This short film covers the use of toe and heel symbols, planning for smooth transitions, comfort and expressive phrasing.
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This playlist features 30 short films by the American Guild of Organists. Presented by Fred Hohman, it is specifically designed for pianists transitioning to the organ. Whether you’re new to the instrument or looking to refine your skills, this series offers a structured, hands-on approach to organ playing. Filmed in diverse venues across Michigan and Indiana, the lessons showcase a variety of instruments and worship spaces, making it the perfect learning resource for pianists eager to expand their musical repertoire and master the organ.
