Ingmar Krause wrote:

> When choosing an organ, the ease of play should not be important.  My
> reasons are:  If you like your organ, then you will practice, until
> you are able to play all day long if you really have to.  If you
> aren't able to play all day, then I hope you are so reasonable as to
> take some rests in between.  For example, take a little walk and
> watch the other performers, go to the toilet, have something to eat,
> or just take some time talking to the people around your organ.

I wasn't talking about how someone's arm feels after cranking all day.
I'm referring to the cumulative effect on a person's arm and shoulder
after years of cranking.  Cranking is a repetitive movement, and any
repetitive movement can cause damage to the body.  It is not uncommon for
people whose occupations require repetitive movements such as pianists,
drummers, baseball pitchers, to suffer chronic pain which may require
surgery.

I have permanent damage to my right wrist that was caused by repetitive
movement while I was working at a previous job.  The repetitive movement
turned out to be an unnatural, contrary one for my wrist -- but, it was
required for the job.  :-(  When I realized the pain and discomfort this
movement was causing, I initiated changes to make it easier on my hand.
However, it was too little too late.  The damage was already done.  (For
the record, the damage was suffered over a three to four year period.
The repetitive movement was only done for short periods, and not
continuously or all day.  It doesn't take much to cause damage!)

Hand-cranked organs are great fun and I would love to have one myself.
But, I want an organ that is right for my size and my needs.
Purchasing a hand-cranked organ is a major expense, therefore, it makes
sense for a prospective buyer to "try out" an organ not only for sound,
but also for other aspects such as size and ease of cranking.  If you
have short arms, an organ with a large cranking circumference may be
difficult for you.  If you have long arms, a smaller circumference may
be troublesome.  And, if you really desire an organ that has a large,
heavy cranking wheel, then, implement techniques to play and enjoy the
organ without hurting yourself.

We should enjoy the hand-cranked organs, but also use common sense and
precautions.  If your hand/arm/shoulder always hurts after cranking, then
your body is trying to tell you something.

> Are you able to crank left-handed?
> Can you crank in "clock-wise direction" _and_ in "counter
> clock-wise direction?"

Absolutely!  I do many things left-handed, both naturally and also to
protect my right hand from further damage.  However, other people are
strictly right- or left-handed and are unable to do things ambidextrously.

Keep smiling and keep cranking,

Joyce Brite
Player Piano and Mechanical Music Exchange
http://mmd.foxtail.com/Exchange/