- This article or section should be merged with Pipe organ
The organ is a type of keyboard musical instrument, distinctive because the sound is not produced by a percussion action, as on a piano or celesta, or by means of vibrating strings, as on the harpsichord. Instead, organs produce sound by means of flowing air (see pipe organ) or various electrical/electronical devices (see electronic organ).
Variants
Pipe organs Pipe organs may be broadly divided into three categories: - The classical organ found primarily in houses of worship is optimized for liturgical purposes such as congregational singing, and is probably what comes immediately to the mind of most people when the term "pipe organ" is mentioned. It is this instrument that is sometimes called the "king of instruments" in that, when played by a capable performer, richer and more complex music can be produced than with any other single instrument.
- The symphonic organ which flourished during the first third of the twentieth century in town halls and other secular public venues (particularly in the United States and the UK) is a variation of the classical organ that is intended for the performance of orchestral transcriptions--serious orchestral works scored for pipe organ.
- Finally, the theatre organ (or as it is known in the UK and Australia, the cinema organ) was originally designed to replace orchestras or instrumental ensembles that accompanied early silent movies with a single performer.
Electrical/electronical organs There are also various electrically operated and electronic organs, such as the Hammond organ, first developed in the 1930s. While the Hammond was of imitative intent, it has developed something of a cult following and is at its best when used to produce a sound of its own rather than an attempt at a pipe-organ-like sound. The Hammond B3 model is an important instrument in jazz, and in particular was the central instrument in soul jazz.
Other significant electronic organs that are imitative of real pipe organs are sold today by companies such as Allen and Rodgers. These companies also feature electronic instruments that incorporate small groups of real wind blown pipers, adding to the effect of a more natural tone and ensemble. Electronic organs have sometimes suffered from poor installations where harsh electronic tone, or sheer high volume levels discourage listeners and performers alike. Done well, electronic instruments can be convincing replications of their wind based predecessors.
During the period from the 1940s through approximately the 1970s, a variety of more modest self-contained electronic home organs from a variety of manufacturers were popular forms of home entertainment. These instruments often simplified the traditional organ stops into imitative voicings such as "trumpet" and "marimba" and as technology progressed they increasingly included automated features such as one-touch chords, electronic rhythm and accompaniment devices, and even built-in tape players. These were intended to make playing complete, layered "one-man band" arrangements extremely easy, especially for those not necessarily trained as organists. While a few such instruments are still sold today, their popularity has waned greatly, and many of their functions have been incorporated into more modern and inexpensive portable keyboards. The Lowrey line of home organs is the epitome of this type of instrument.
In the '60s and '70s, a type of simple, portable electronic organ called the combo organ was popular, especially with pop and rock bands, and was a signature sound in the pop music of the period (e.g. The Doors, Iron Butterfly). The most popular combo organs were manufactured by Farfisa and Vox.
Electric organs figure prominently in rock and gospel.
Similar instruments Other instruments which are played from a reservoir of gas and have separate tone-producing mechanisms for each pitch include: - the accordion and concertina, in which the bellows is operated by the squeezing action of the instrumentalist;
- the melodeon, a reed instrument with an air reservior and a foot operated bellows, popular in the USA in the mid 19th century;
- the Harmonium or parlor organ, a reed instrument usually with many stops and two foot-operated bellows which the instrumentalist operates alternately;
- the steam calliope, being essentially a pipe organ operated on steam rather than air;
- the band organ, essentially a pipe organ, but instead of a keyboard, mechanical means are used to play a prepared song.
- the barrel organ made famous by the organ grinder in its portable form, and relatively invisible in its larger form because it was then often fitted out with keyboards to give the option for totally a human performance
- various sorts of novelty instruments operating on the same principles.
Other wind instruments that have no reservoir of gas but use a separate tone-producing mechanism for each pitch - the harmonica, where the musician effectively blows directly onto the reeds;
- the pan-pipes
Other wind instruments that are played from a reservoir of gas but do not use a separate tone-producing mechanism for each pitch
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