Organ Lesson: Bass Lines : Organ Bass Lines: Chromatic Up to I Bounce

This organ bass line in common in upbeat gospel songs. Learn about the role of the organ in gospel music in this free organ lesson video from a church organist.

Expert: Geoffrey Killebrew
Bio: Geoffrey Killebrew is the music director for Grace Christian Center Church in Worcester, Mass. He has been playing the Hammond organ and keyboards for eight years.
Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• organ
• organ lessons
• keyboard instruments

[Virtuenow]

yeah, not up close! I'm glad for the demo. When I watch from a distance I just see them bouncing from a 1 to a 4 or 5 and that's it; or bouncing on the root.

[Virtuenow]

Cool, I've never seen anyone do a heel-toe before!

[NicholasViens]

Thanks for the tips, X to the Z!

[Godserver100]

That's good doc God Bless

[steamrocks]

@jpinhead

If you are going for the two foot system, better to play 1 with left toe, 3 with left heel, and 5 with right toe.

Often with Hammond technique, heel and toe is deliberately NOT used, believe it or not. If the pedals are equipped with sustain, you do not want a legato technique. In many cases the sustain is not used as a 'crutch' to hide inadequate technique, but more to achieve a bass guitar or string bass effect.

Classical pedalling and pop/gospel bass can be different.

[jpinhead]

I watched your video very carefully and even in your demo you missed those progressions alot and the technique you were using is precisely why. Try using your right foot for 3 and 5 by heel 3 and toe 5. I'm not bashing your playing, i'm just trying to help you become a better organist than you already are. Hope this was some help.

[jpinhead]

I'm a classical organist. He's absolutely right with regard to the heel-toe method. You MUST use this technique when playing classical organ. Organs with full pedal boards allow you to use proper technique with the heel-toe method and using 2 feet. The smaller jazz organs with a 1 octave pedal board still allow you to use heel toe, but you only use 1 foot.

[hammondxc3]

I'm trying to figure out why and HOW he is giving instructionals. He sounds like he needs a few himself

[JaeWall]

lol. a couple times...or maybe some MONTHS...thats a big jump.

[DSM1G90]

With a HAMMOND, it works very well - Like to see him try legato pedals technique though...

[TheMadMusicMan]

Not really, not everyone uses the heal toe method. I know a lot of Organ players who don't use heal toe. Granted they're not great pedal players, but still. The Heal-toe is the only way I can walk the bass line.