The Organ Forum

I always wear a watch since it has all my phone numbers and addresses on it as well as being a stop-watch and countdown timers all of which I use frequently. Obviously if you always wear something you don't notice it and it has no effect on my playing. If I took it off I'd probably feel something was missing and that would be distracting.

Rob

There is a story about Virgil Fox putting up a console camera and a screen in a (Belgian?) church, in advance of his concert. Apparently the organ was in a rear gallery, and people had been clamoring to watch him play.

The elderly organist came in to play the service on a hot summer day, not knowing that everything he did... was now visible to the congregation.

He removed his toupée, dentures, and most of his clothing before starting his nice Prelude.

Interesting thread! 

It's never really worried me. I wear a watch all the time, except in bed or in the pool! Wedding rings have been present for 30 years, but have always been simple and narrow. I was once in a relationship with a German girl and we wore rings on the 4th finger of the right hand - that did feel odd and I had to take it off for playing.

As for removing wallets etc, I suppose I did if I was wearing a tux, but a slimmed down wallet (there was never that much money in it anyway) usually fitted in a suit without ruining the line or being uncomfortable. Better than having it stolen from a dressing room, as happened to a souple of colleagues.

Andy

chchaisson:

Poor Virgil Fox if that did happen...

Oh no - it wasn't Fox - it was the local organist that got caught unawares!  (I edited my post to reflect that).

Choirmaster:

I used to hate wearing cassock and surplice at the organ. When you are the larger size as I am, it feels like wearing a tent and bits of it always gets in the way of the pistons or the stops.  On one occasion my surplice got caught on a stop and got ripped.

How dramatic!    I imagine you rising from the bench at the end of a Toccata, clothing entirely in shreds - wow! 

I'm actually trying to envisage how that might have happened, exactly.    Oh - don't tell me you are an "arm flapper" when you play?   

Actually, I know you are not - I've seen videos of your playing, and you appear quite calm and collected. 

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one to empty pockets before playing!

The wedding ring has never been a problem for me (and, for that matter, no teacher has advised me against wearing a ring while playing); neither has the watch (which I wear on my right wrist).  The only problem with the watch is when the sleeve covers it and I can't expose it while playing.

All the best!

DR 

That reminds me...

I have a habit of looking at the church clock when I'm finishing up my Prelude.  It is located at the far end of the aisle, and is rather tiny.

Since my eyesight is not great to begin with I probably squint and scowl a bit whenever I try to make out the time...

Probably not a very attractive presentation to the congregation!    Hmm... maybe it is time for me to consider wearing a watch!

I can just hear a kid asking his parents:  who is that mean-looking guy that always scowls at everyone? 

Havoc:

Don't wear anything anytime because I cannot stand it. No watch, no rings, no nosering, no earrings, no wallet in backpocket, nothing

Wearing nothing?!!!!  Now, that's a novel concept.  You at least need a nose ring so you can tie it to the 32' stop that speaks on CCCC only!  I do empathize, though.

Michael

soubasse32:

I'm actually trying to envisage how that might have happened, exactly.    Oh - don't tell me you are an "arm flapper" when you play? 

You remind me of a friend in college.  He was about 6'6", and thin as a bean pole.  Somehow in his development years, he had developed the idea that if he bowed to the piano (or organ) once per phrase, it made it more musical.  Looked like a great blue heron about to take flight!  I had to sit with my eyes closed in order to enjoy any of his music.

In his defense, though, he was the only one (besides my theory professor I wrote the assignment for) who recognized Three Blind Mice when I played it for church one Sunday AM in the summer.  Attendance was down, there were only about 1,500 there.  My theory professor was LIVID!  She promised that if I EVER DID THAT AGAIN, I'd be expelled.  Must've been because the service was broadcast live, but I didn't think the prelude counted.

Michael

myorgan:

Wearing nothing?!!!!  Now, that's a novel concept.

Not quite - Monty Python may have started the trend:

Oops - duplicate post.

I'm sure you all didn't really need to see that twice. 

Actually that organist is NOT naked. Appears to be wearing a collar and necktie.   Quite appropriate for those formal musical events, I'd say.

At church, though, I feel just about that "exposed" with the console up front, no rail around me, my profile clearly visible. Used to make me nervous, but I'm accustomed to it now.

Like you, Souby, I squint at the clock on the back wall from time to time. Maybe a nearer timepiece would help.

And I do wear a wristwatch, but for some reason take my time from the clock on the wall. Perhaps because the other worship leaders are looking at it too and we all need to be in sync.

John

SimonS:

I always wear a watch, but the comment about rings interest me. I'm getting married in September and I was fitted for a wedding ring this week. It felt pretty weird to have something on my fingers, and I found myself wondering if it will be odd while playing. I suppose I'll get used to it.

How do we feel about cuff-link shirts while playing. I must admit I occasionally find them distracting.
 

I got married on April 12th. Played my first service since getting back yesterday. Yes it feels weird. I didn't make any mistakes I would blame on the ring (although I made normal mistakes ;)). I'm sure I'll get used to it and feel weird playing without it at some point.

I wear a watch to church only. Not any other time. I prop it up on the console so I can see the time but I'm not wearing it. 

soubasse32:

I'm sure you all didn't really need to see that twice. 

I'm not sure we didn't want to see it once!

Otherwise, interesting thread.  I've always worn a watch while playing, never thought to take it off.  For some reason when playing a service I consult it more often than the clock on the console, which I don't always trust.

As for other jewelry, I have a ring on my right hand and an earing in my left ear.  I've never heard that rings affect one's technique, but as for the earing, the church ladies will just have to deal with it!