Organ (music)

The organ is one of the oldest musical instruments in the western musical tradition, with a rich history connected with the Christian religion and civic ceremony. Its sound output is continuous rather than decaying, i.e., the sound continues for as long as a key is depressed and does not depend on how hard the key is struck-?as is the case with a (velocity sensitive) piano--, and does not automatically decay quickly, like the harpsichord, and clavichord. However, some modern electronic organs have the capacity for velocity sensitivity. Many organs do not have aftertouch (pressure sensitivity) and so do not respond to how hard a key is held down.

Related Topics:
Musical instrument - Velocity sensitive - Piano - Harpsichord - Clavichord - Pressure sensitivity

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Organs range in size from a single, short keyboard to large instruments intended to play a full range of repertoire which typically have three or four manuals and may have as many as seven, plus a two-and-a-half octave pedalboard.

Related Topics:
Manual - Pedalboard

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Most classical music for the organ is written on three staves; the upper two for the manuals and the lower one for the pedals. The bar lines are broken between the lowest two staves.

Related Topics:
Classical music - Staves - Bar lines

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