What Is Theatre Organ Second / 2nd Touch?

#theatreorgan #christieorgan #cinemaorgan #keyboardskillspro #tomhortonorganist #secondtouch
UK Organist Tom Horton takes you an a guided tour of a theatre (or cinema) organ. Want to know more about these amazing pipe organs? Watch this video to learn more - this is part of series that shows playing hints and tips too!
This short tutorial explains the basics of how second (2nd) touch on a theatre organ works. Recorded at the console of a UK Christie theatre organ installation prior to a Sunday afternoon concert.
=================================================
Many, many thanks for taking time out of your day to watch this video!
• Please support the production of these videos by becoming a patron at •
/ keyboardskillspro
------------------------------------------------------
• Visit and Like my Facebook page •
/ tomhortonmusic
------------------------------------------------------
• Visit my awesome website where you can treat yourself to my new Pianistic music books, CD albums, see events & concerts listings and more! •
www.tomhorton....
------------------------------------------------------
• Please Share, Like & Comment positively on this video •
/ keyboardskillspro
------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy the information presented in this video is provided 'as is', without warranties or guarantees of any kind. 'KeyboardSkillsPro', its presenters and/or authors disclaim any liability in connection with the use of this information. If in doubt please consult a qualified music professional.

[@Michael-xv4zs]

Thank you for your video. I (am a classical organist and) had just found some vintage theater organ music with 2nd-touch markings in it. Suspected but had no idea what it meant until I found your awesome video. What a terrific feature. I am growing increasingly fond of theater organs and organists.

[@KeyboardSkillsPro]

Really pleased you enjoyed the video, Michael. I have about 15 theatre organ videos on my channel so hope you’ll subscribe and take look :) Regards Tom

[@martineyles]

Saves the need to grow a third hand.

[@KeyboardSkillsPro]

😆👍

[@larikipe940]

OMG I LOVE that! I never knew such a thing existed, in all my years of being a professional church organist I have never encountered that feature before. Oh how I wish the new organ in my church had that!

[@KeyboardSkillsPro]

This has been a feature of some traditional pipe organs - I think Kings College, Cambridge has it at one time

[@bryan9587]

Great and informative as always. Thanks so much for this!

[@KeyboardSkillsPro]

Thanks! Tom

[@miAimTIL]

always great to have quick demo of a nice feature. I love using 2nd touch for counter melodies and and in alternating chord sounds.

[@KeyboardSkillsPro]

Yes indeed!

[@redstonulo]

the inventor of the 2nd touch must be some kind of universal big brain. i wish my piano had that.

[@KeyboardSkillsPro]

Robert Hope Jones - en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Hope-Jones

[@redstonulo]

@@KeyboardSkillsPro thanks!

[@redstonulo]

@@KeyboardSkillsPro and i was like woah you answered in

[@KeyboardSkillsPro]

We are very efficient here at KSP :) Do check out my website - www.tomhorton.co.uk where you’ll find a rather nice theatre organ CD album you might enjoy?

[@keithsgulbransen8397]

Tom, many thanks for another fine video. Kindest regards Keith

[@KeyboardSkillsPro]

Thank you, Keith!

[@cyndicorinne]

Second touch is amazing. You’re playing a counter melody along with a melody with the same hand. One hand band.

[@KeyboardSkillsPro]

Yes it is a fun thing to use :)

[@klavier1us]

Nice post, never noticed how " gap toothed" Christie stops are , leaving alot more unoccupied stoprail than other TOs.

[@KeyboardSkillsPro]

Yes it can help with hitting the right stop in performance! Thanks for watching. Tom

[@diamondaxe4133]

Wow I never knew there was such a think lol. Are there many modern "appliance" home organs with this feature?

[@KeyboardSkillsPro]

The only ones that would do it would be Allen theatre organs. It’s not really a features that went across to Home organs although many do have aftertouch. The idea of 2nd touch on a theatre organ as to play counter melodies

[@thetheatreorgan168]

I thought of a new system for an even more flexible second touch The stop tabs can be lowered in 2 steps 0. OFF 1. ACTIVATES WITH FIRST TOUCH AND SECOND TOUCH 2. ACTIVATES WITH SECOND TOUCH ONLY

[@KeyboardSkillsPro]

Interesting suggestion... however there are some systems like this on Theatre Organs already... Wurlitzer pedals have a switch that allows percussion to play on 1st or 2nd touch. Compton's did a similar thing, simply by pressing the bass pedal a little harder it would play the Cymbal or whatever.

[@Kaiveran]

If organs were equipped with Hall-effect continuous sensing keys (like the Lumatone keyboard) you could potentially make each key act as its own crescendo pedal!

[@burnleyize]

Tom, I have GREAT DIFFICULTY playing an instrument with second touch; it feels so weird! I guess I am so used to the definite stop of a piano key, that an organ with second touch feels "spongy" and awkward. I guess if I had daily access to an instrument so equipped that I would get accustomed to it.

[@KeyboardSkillsPro]

It’s a tricky technique to get used to let alone master. I’m ‘ok’ish at it! Yes regular organ playing does help. It works even better if you have great or solo couplers on the theatre organ you’re playing, however adding a Trumpet counter melody is a nice touch. I’m planning to record some counter melody videos later this year! Thanks for watching! Tom

[@jrzzrj]

👍

[@KeyboardSkillsPro]

Many thanks... Tom

[@prodbyFderrick]

2:01

[@KeyboardSkillsPro]

Chord sequence - Bb, Fdim7, Cm7, F7

[@mikejaques6573]

Is it me? or are the English so much nicer and much more willing to help?

[@KeyboardSkillsPro]

We try our best!

[@mikejaques6573]

I would LOVE to visit England I want to see the black pool organ I LOVE the English sound different than here in the US Someday maybe but I love these tips and how toos. I am a banjo player and want to switch to organ. and these videos help so so much

[@KeyboardSkillsPro]

+Mike jaques hope you get to visit one day! Good luck with your organ music learning. Tom