The Organ

The organ is an instrument that dates back to the third century B.C. The man credited for this invention is Ctesibius of Alexandria who invented an instrument called the hydraulis, which used wind maintained through water pressure to some pipes. Organs are most likely found in churches and are used during the services. Its divine pitch imitates that of a human voice and creates a beautiful sound that many find pleasing. There are three types of organs, non-piped, electronic, and mechanical organs. Non-piped organs are much like accordions and harmonicas. Electronic organs make electronically produced sounds through speakers. Then the mechanical organs are controlled usually by pinned barrels or book music.

The organ is a keyboard instrument with one or more manuals, and usually a pedal board. Manuals are keyboards you play with your hands and pedal boards are keyboards that people play with their feet. The organ’s sound output is continuous and constant for as long as a key is depressed. It is up to the player to determine how long a key is depressed. A good thing about organs, is that the volume of the organ’s sound does not depend on how hard you strike the keyboard. A person can gently stroke the keys and it does not affect the volume or note that the organ makes. Pianos are very different however. A piano’s volume can be raised and lowered depending on the force you use to strike the keys. There are many types of organs with different purposes including the church organ, concert organ, pipe organs, chamber organs, theatre organs, reed organs, chord organs, electronic organs and more! The pipe organ is the greatest music instrument in size and scope. The pipe organ has not been changed much since the 14th century. That is very impressive for an instrument that is over thousands of years old. The organ has been considered one of the most