Trivia
Changing fashions in the number of manuals
At one time, one octave was divided into a 14 note scale, with different pitches for D♯ and E♭, and for G♯ and A♭. For a time, manuals had seven individual white keys with five individual black keys above, and then two keys known as "split keys" perched above that. The organist would choose whether to play D♯ or E♭, or G♯ or A♭, at the time of the performance, in accordance with tonality.
Musical Instrument Guide : Pipe Organ Contents
Origins
How to Play
How the Instrument is Made
Care and Maintenance
Trivia
- Various sizes, from large-scale to pocket-sized
- Can you tell an expensive instrument from its sound?
- Changing fashions in the number of manuals
- Partial bass range
- Delay between play and sound
- Appreciating the aesthetics of churches
- Pipe organ treasures in Tokyo
- Sound that varies according to where it is heard