The Concordia Organ Method

I use this method book for seminary organ students. It is well written and thorough in addressing all aspects of organ technique with appropriate literature for each skill level. It is also reasonably priced, which is important for college students. I highly recommend it.

I'm a very beginning organist tapped as a sub for our church (prior training as a pianist and harpist). I am only about 5 lessons in sans teacher but I'm learning a lot about every aspect of organ playing with this book. The first bit is a lot to digest about the organ itself. I keep going back to it and re-reading and before I continue to the next lesson to glean more that I either didn't understand or wasn't ready for. Each lesson has some exercises and then a piece to play to practice the subject of the lesson. Looking ahead I see many great lessons like hymn playing and improvisation. Obviously the bulk of church playing is all about the liturgy and hymns but I'm not feeling so overwhelmed with this book. Yes, I'm practicing liturgy and hymns but without pedals just yet because I just didn't feel like I knew the proper way. With each lesson I feel more confident with organ technique and I hope with much practice to feel like the pedals are second nature.