Reviews, advice and tutorials
In this Hammond organ blog, I’ve gathered together as much news and practical advice as possible here to help you choose, buy, maintain, restore, gig and record these incredible instruments. In my view, Hammond organs deserve a place in every band and it’s up to us owners to keep that sound alive. In the posts and video below, I try to answer common questions and share a few playing tips that I’ve picked up over the years. I also review new products and try to give a gigging organ player perspective on how they would fit into my rig.
I hope you find this Hammond organ blog helpful. If there’s anything you’d like me to take a look at, just get in touch.
April catch up … How you doing?
Hi folks how are you? Just a quick update on what’s been happening in my life lately and to see how you all are too? I’ve been doing much session work in my studio of late and I must just take a minute to thank Avi Rosnfeld, Tallen Cross, Peter Daltrey, Gabrielle De Val, Atack…
How to play the Hammond organ part to “Highway Star”
By popular demand I am back this week and will continue my thread of Deep Purple and Jon Lord covers, showing you how I play these classic tracks section by section. This week we are looking at the opener, Highway Star! Tricky little fella is this one, and as it’s the first song of the…
How to play Deep Purple’s “Child In Time” on the Hammond organ
Good morning all, for it was morning (and a cold one at that) in my studio today when I recorded a little video for you. After the success of last weeks Burn tutorial I had quite a few requests and one of them was for a tutorial on how to play Child In Time by…
Deep Purple’s Burn – Jon Lord’s Organ Explained
I hope you are all well and good and looking forward to the week ahead? I have had a lot of people request this one over the years and so I thought I would bite the bullet and show you how I (at least!) have tackled this iconic Deep Purple song – BURN! I’ll go…
Interview with Paul Mann
Good morning all! Today I am very pleased to introduce to you Paul Mann. Paul is a renowned conductor of orchestras but you may also know him for his extensive work with Deep Purple and Jon Lord. Throughout this fascinating interview we discus Paul’s life and early career from the Norther Ballet and his conducting…
Nick Foley UK Chats to Marine Lacoste from Unkle Cracker, Corey Hart and Highway Hunters
Hello! This week I am joined by an excellent keyboardist and Hammond Organ Player Marine Lacoste as she takes a rare break back home in Canada. We discuss her musical beginnings, the instruments that she has had and uses regularly and obviously we dive a little deeper into Hammond Organs and the many modifications that…
Interview with Jamie Pipe (Danny Bryant, The Mentulls, Martin Barre)
Hello how are you today? I’m really pleased to be able share this video with you today. Today we meet Jamie Pipe. I have been a fan of him, his talent, hair and age for some time now and this week I finally got the time to have a good sit down with him. Today…
RS2 Leslie Simulator Plugin
Good Morning, I hope that you are well? Today is something different. I was recently asked if I would help out with the (easy side of the) development of a Leslie simulator plugin (vts) that a company called Brother of Mars were developing. Its a sim aimed less at the Jazz world (although not exclusively)…
Hammond C3 Vs Neo Ventilator
Hello, Today I thought that we would take a quick look at the marvellous NEO instruments ventilator effects pedal. But this time with a difference. Using my custom line out connection, we are able to hear this mighty pedal in use with my Hammond C3 for the first time. I’ll take you through the controls…
Interview with Nigel Hopkins Part2!
GMGAGE to you all! Today I was lucky enough to snag a little time with a great keyboard player and musician Nigel Hopkins. Nigel has toured the world with Chris DeBurgh, Bonnie Tyler and more and played a pivotal role in Jon Lord’s classical shows and his celebration concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Over…
Modern Rock Organ: An interview with Andy Gotteri
Hi there, how are your holidays? Late December at time of writing this and I hope all is well with you and yours? Today I am chatting to Hammond and synth player Andy Gotteri, a busy UK musician on the gigging circuit over in Blighty. We deep dive into Hammond Organs as you might expect…
Interview with Jon Lord’s keyboard player: Nigel Hopkins
GMGAGE to you all and Happy Holidays! Today I was lucky enough to snag a little time with a great keyboard player and musician Nigel Hopkins. Nigel has toured the world with Chris DeBurgh, Bonnie Tyler and more and played a pivotal role in Jon Lord’s classical shows and his celebration concert at the Royal…
Hammond organ effects pedals – a deep dive with Greg Lounsberry of Lounsberry Pedals
Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are! Today we spend a pleasant half an hour chatting with Greg Lounsberry, maker of boutique effects pedals for all instruments but particularly for this channel the great ‘Tall and Fat’ and ‘Organ Grinder’ Pedals. The tall and fat is used throughout the USA but Europe…
Hammond Organ Inverse Keys – What do they do?
Have you ever wondered what that octave of black keys with white flats and sharps do? I get asked this all the time and so today decided to record a video showing you exactly what they do. Impress your friends with your insider knowledge! If you have anything you think I would be able to…
Understanding drawbars on a vintage Hammond organ
Good morning, good afternoon and good evening, how are you doing? I’m back from a rough bout of ManFlu ™ and really excited to talk to you! Today, I would like to take is slow and talk in-depth about Hammond Organ drawbars. They are fundamental to achieving your tone. Let me know what you think,…