Learning to play the Theatre Organ (or Cinema Organ as it is sometimes known) is a both fun and somewhat different experience from perhaps the more commonly seen church/classical organ.
These instruments were originally produced to accompany silent films (in the 1920s and 30s) where perhaps a piano was inadequate and a full orchestra too expensive.

After this era passed a lot of these instruments found new homes in locations such as town halls,
purpose-built venues or sometimes people's homes!

Probably one of the most famous examples of one of these types of instruments is the organ
in the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool, UK.

Unlike a church organ the instruments were designed to try an replicate an orchestra using pipes and often using real instruments for percussion sounds - such as Xylophones, Glockenspiels or even novelty sound effects such as bird or train whistles or even car horns!

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They are great fun to learn to play and quite unique as a keyboard type instrument. You would be able to learn different theatre organ techniques and registration/stop selection (to make different sounds) and you may find you develop your own style of playing as time and lessons progress. One reason being because of the huge variety and combinations of sounds available - rather like an artist's palette!

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It used to be said that in order to learn the organ that it is desirable to be able to play the Piano, or similar instrument, at a Grade 5 standard. However I have happily taught students as complete beginners who have progressed well.

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It is not necessary to either have access to a theatre organ or own an electronic version at home to learn.
A home style electronic organ, such as the type mentioned on the Electronic Organ page, would work
as well! Of course happy to advise on the many options you can go for.

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