My parents own a beautiful Story&Clark reed pump organ. It has two paddles
that swing out on either sides of your knees (while your pumping) that allow
you to push out on them outwards with your knees to engage a base octave
coupler (with the left paddle) or a treble coupler (with the right paddle).
By bowing both of your knees outwards, you engage both simultaneously.

Has any piano maker in the past thought of employing this simple(?) device?
It would seem to me that you can (almost) make a piece played by two hands
sound like a four-hand piece. With players, you can turn a relatively drab
roll into something more. I'd also think that this would be a useful feature
on today's recording-player pianos in that you can use this device to add
depth to your piece as you record it, making it more fully orchestrated
(kinda).

Any thoughts?

- K a r l   B.   E l l i s o n
  New Britain, Ct. U.S.A.
  KBELLISON@aol.com
  http://home.aol.com/KBELLISON