organ player, but if I’ m honest there’ s a more fundamental reason. Playing the organ well is very hard if you don’ t have years of experience and muscle memory built up. As someone who started on the keyboard with classical piano, I didn’ t begin to understand the performance nuances an organ part required until I was in my mid-twenties when I first actually laid hands on a Hammond. I quickly realized there was much more to this whole thing than‘ knowing where the notes are’.
Nonetheless, you’ ve probably noticed that organ parts are popping up in a lot of worship music these days and often with parts a bit more complicated than in years past. For a long run there, organs were most often just serving as a pad for U2-inspired worship rock anthems. Now there are more interesting dynamic changes, riffs and interesting chord shapes, and much more of the signature sound of the organ shines through.
This all means there are times where I actually have to decide‘ is the piano part the most important thing for me to bring to this song or should I focus on the organ sound?’ which, though sometimes daunting, does feel unavoidable for certain songs. I bet you’ ll find yourself realizing that same choice is offered you in some upcoming setlist over the next year. My first instinct in these cases, if I’ m honest, is to feel a bit like an imposter. I’ ve never yet felt like I’ m not‘ faking it’ when I choose to focus on a primary organ sound. But the truth is that you can make a big impact by choosing the right sound and sticking to parts that match your level of skill and comfort with the instrument.
You don’ t need to exactly replicate every riff or go find yourself an actual Hammond to bring something of value to your team.
Am I an organist? No. Do I play organ at church sometimes? Yes, but not nearly as well as I know someone else could. And I think me knowing I have a ton of room to grow and still choosing to bring the right sound to the table is something you can choose to do too. It’ s worth giving yourself a bit of room to grow outside your comfort zone.
David Pfaltzgraff Founder and Lead Sound Designer at SundaySounds. com, a site that resources worship keys players and guitarists around the world. David currently resides in Des Moines, IA with his wife and two boys. He enjoys volunteering in his church’ s worship ministry, old synthesizers, and a good super-hero movie.
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108 August 2026 Subscribe for Free...