He was born in Wöhrden around 1595. His father, the organist David Scheidemann, was in 1604 appointed organist of St Catherine’s church in Hamburg, a city known for its economic strength, and religious, commercial, and artistic freedoms. St Catherine’s subsidised Heinrich’s studies with Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck in Amsterdam between 1611 and 1614. He was one of many German organists who studied in Amsterdam with the renowned teacher nicknamed the “German organist maker”. When Scheidemann returned to Hamburg, he succeeded his father as organist of St Catherine’s, fulfilling these duties until his death in 1663. His friends were the cantor Thomas Selle, and the organists Jacob Praetorius and Matthias Weckmann. His most distinguished student was Johann Adam Reincken, who was also his successor.