MI: LIBRARY: INSTRUMENTS: KEYBOARDS: ORGAN

History
Despite how complex organs seem today, they have existed, in various forms, for a long time! The earliest instrument which could be directly related to the organ appeared during the 2nd century, B.C.! This instrument was invented by a Greek engineer in Alexandria, Egypt. It used the force of water to push air into its pipes. 

The earliest instrument which relied on compressed air, was found around the 200’s A.D.. It was constructed in Byzantium (now Istanbul, Turkey). Today, organs are found in churches around the country. Because of its relationship with the church, organs are only regularly found performing orchestral music when it is religious or choral. 

Description
Organs are keyboard instruments which consist of many pipes, each single-pitched, supplied with compressed air by mechanical bellows. Aside from the manuals, or keyboards, which can be used to produce a note, there is also a pedalboard which consists of many pedals that also produce notes. When a key or pedal is pressed, valves are opened and the compressed air is directed into the pipe associated with the key or pedal pressed. 

The many pipes of an organ are categorized mainly as flue pipes and reed pipes. Flue pipes produce the traditional, flute-like, organ sound. The reed pipes produce more colorful tones like trumpets, oboes, or clarinets. 

Organs also have a large collection of switches which include stops, thumb pistons, and foot pistons. Stops block air from entering a chosen pipe/s, thus producing a wide array of sounds. Pistons control preset combinations of stops which save the musician time in that he/she no longer has to manually pull out every stop repeatedly. Foot pistons are hit with the foot and control the pipes played by the pedal board. Thumb pistons are hit with the thumb and control the pipes related to the manuals.

Organ Variations
Harmonium: Harmoniums, also known as reed organs, bellows are pumped using pedals. It has often been used in churches which had no pipe organ, because it was smaller. It has a relative whose haunting sound pairs well with the haunting sounds of many instruments from India, and for that reason it is often played in India.

Electric organ: The electric organ uses a mix of mechanical and electrical components to create either the traditional organ sound, or something completely different. The electric organ was first developed in the United States during the 1930’s. A test conducted at Chicago University showed blindfolded experts could not distinguish between a $75,000 organ and one of the original Hammond electric organs! Electric organs can play virtually the entire audible spectrum and compared to the organ, are incredibly small.

Electronic organ: Unlike the electric organ, which uses electrical and mechanical mechanisms, this instrument runs entirely on simple electric circuits. It appears to be a electronic keyboard but it’s reedy sound will eliminate that thought. Like the electric organ, it can play virtually the entire audible spectrum, and since it’s 1937 development, it has been popular with many types of musicians.

Comments

Great website! But as an organist, I must point out: the paragraph under "description" says "organs are keyboard instruments which consist of many pipes." This is kind of misleading, though you sort-of clear it up by listing the harmonium, electric and electronic organs. No doubt, the pipe organ is the queen, alas, not many organists get a chance to play one.

Comments

Great website! But as an organist, I must point out: the paragraph under "description" says "organs are keyboard instruments which consist of many pipes." This is kind of misleading, though you sort-of clear it up by listing the harmonium, electric and electronic organs. No doubt, the pipe organ is the queen, alas, not many organists get a chance to play one.

Comments

I'm seeking information on a electric reed organ, "Orgatron" made by the Everett Piano Company. It's quite clear that Hammond Organ company takes center stage on this subject. However, the little information I have found about the orgatron is, for one, the inventor, ?-------, of the Orgatron was the first to develope this style of organ. He then sold his design to Wolitzer Organ company who was then taken over by Hammond. Any additional info on the subject would be appritiated. Loren.

Comments

I saw a request for "orgatron" information. Dad was an organ repairman for many years. Among his many organ servicing books is one for the Orgatron by Everett. Model STM-1. Copyright 1937 by Everett Piano Co. I am still going through his things. Big job. Should I put that book up for auction? Any ideas? Faith