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20-note Crank Organ Scale
By Nicholas Simons

Kent Zacherl asks [100225 MMDigest] how the 20-note scale is broken
down, other than the bass notes.  The usual split between the melody and
accompaniment sections is that there are 11 melody notes.  Of course,
with such a limited scale it is usual for melodies to encroach well
below the 11th note (counting from the highest) so there is no real
defined split.

Small organs have just a single rank of 20 pipes, whereas larger organs
may have multiple ranks throughout the scale.  I know of people who
have made their own organs, and arrange their own music, who have
multiple complete ranks of pipes which give a very effective rendition
of classical music.  Most commercial organ builders, however, stick to
an 11 note melody where multiple ranks are involved.

Nicholas Simons, GB



(Message sent Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:40:50 -0000 , from time zone +0000.)

Key Words in Subject:  20-note, Crank, Organ, Scale