New website and tutor book target beginner organists

A new tutor book and introductory website have been launched to encourage and support anyone inspired to learn and find out more about the pipe organ.

Fingers and Feet: A Journey to the Organ Bench is a new tutor book created specifically to support learners starting the organ as their very first instrument. It has been developed by the Royal College of Organists (RCO) and the Diocese of Leeds Keyboard Studies Programme, with funding from the Vinehill Trust.

As well as going on sale, the book, along with 34 short accompanying tutorial videos, is being made available as one of the many free resources on the RCO’s new First Stop! website – a major online resource designed to welcome newcomers into the world of the organ.

RCO Chief Executive Sir Andrew Parmley said: “The enthusiastic response to last year’s Play the Organ Year initiative demonstrated yet again the enduring appeal of the organ to musicians, would-be musicians, and music lovers of all ages.

“By creating dedicated print and online resources for those coming fresh to the instrument we are continuing to lower barriers, widen access, and give more people the chance to share the remarkable experiences that the organ offers.”

First Stop! – online gateway to the organ

Created and curated by the RCO, the First Stop! website offers a fresh and accessible starting point for anyone interested in exploring the organ, whether through its music, its cultural history, or the many roles it plays in modern life.

The website features four themed areas tailored to different user needs: teachers, new learners, organists delivering outreach, and anyone simply curious about the instrument. Instead of replicating resources that already exist, First Stop! serves as a carefully structured gateway to the very best content produced and made available by organists and organisations around the world.

Visitors can browse films, interviews, lesson guides, digital learning tools and curated playlists that introduce key themes, repertoire and techniques. A powerful search tool enables users to explore by topic, content type or free text, making the platform a flexible companion for teaching, learning or independent discovery.

Tom Bell, RCO Director North, said: “First Stop! has been created to give anyone — absolutely anyone — a clear and confident first step into the organ world. There is an extraordinary amount of superb material out there, but for a newcomer it can be hard to know where to begin.

“First Stop! solves that problem. It brings the best content together in one welcoming space, organised so that learners, teachers and explorers can find exactly what they need and feel inspired to take the next step.

“In addition, it provides a focus and an ideal platform for projects such as the Fingers and Feet tutor.”

Visitors can explore First Stop! now at www.firststoporgan.com

Fingers and Feet – a major new tutor for beginners

The Fingers and Feet: A Journey to the Organ Bench tutor book was the brainchild of the Diocese of Leeds Keyboard Studies Programme, with support from the RCO, the Diocese of Leeds, and the Vinehill Trust. The content was devised by organists Drew Cantrill-Fenwick and Robin Harrison, and it was edited by Diocese of Leeds organ tutor David Pipe.

Unlike traditional organ tutors — which typically assume prior piano experience — Fingers and Feet is designed specifically for those starting the organ from scratch, including learners with no previous keyboard background. It also comes with a suite of 34 short films that guide learners through posture, movement and first musical steps.

The tutor recognises the potential challenges beginners face when approaching the instrument: multiple manuals, the scale of the pedalboard, and the appearance of complex notation across three staves. Fingers and Feet addresses this with a clear, imaginative and accessible approach rooted in the principle of Sound to Sight — encouraging musical play before notation.

Early lessons focus on the black keys, using the pentatonic scale to build fluency and confidence. Learners encounter pieces in a range of styles — jazz, funk, Baroque and more — while posture, movement and musical independence are introduced through enjoyable, achievable exercises. Duets are built in from the outset, encouraging ensemble music-making and countering the idea that learning the organ must be a solitary experience.

By balancing structured progression with creative exploration, the tutor guides learners to around ABRSM Grade 3 level, establishing solid foundations in technique, musical understanding and confidence.

Editor David Pipe said: “We wanted to create a tutor that feels genuinely welcoming — something that says to a complete beginner: ‘Yes, this instrument is for you.’

“The organ can seem intimidating at first glance, but it shouldn’t be. Fingers and Feet strips away the fear factor, focusing instead on joyful discovery, musical curiosity and physical confidence, with a clear pathway that enables learners to grow naturally as they develop more formal technique.”

The complete tutor has been published through RSCM and is available for purchase via RSCM Music Shop (www.rscmshop.com), and also as a free download – with accompanying tutorial films – on the First Stop! website at www.firststoporgan.com

Supporting a new generation of musicians

Both First Stop! and Fingers and Feet reflect the RCO’s long-term commitment to widening participation, demystifying the instrument, and equipping teachers and players with practical tools to support newcomers.

Sir Andrew Parmley added: “The organ world thrives when new people feel able to take part — whether as players, listeners or enthusiasts.

"These resources – along with new events and programmes such as the successful Organ Explorers strand we’ve added to our Summer Course – are designed to make that journey feel easy, welcoming and exciting. This is about building the future of our musical community.”