[ Art Reblitz wrote in 121028 MMDigest:

> The Wurlitzer 150 band organ scale is written as if the organ were
> in the key of C.  The 150 organ actually plays one whole step lower,
> so each note marked C in the scale actually sounds B-flat.
>
> This is similar to the hand-played B-flat clarinet and trumpet,
> which play notes [sounding] a whole step lower than the notes
> written on the music manuscript.

Wow!  Art, I had no idea the 150 scale was B-flat "pretending" to be
in C.  That means I have my organ tuned a whole step sharp from where
it would otherwise be.  At this point I can't think of any reason to
change it just for the sake of doing so, since it took me months to
voice the pipes for its current pitch.  If I lower it now that would
probably change everything  and I'd have to mess around with voicing
again.

Actually I tune it about 20 cents flat of C [concert pitch] because
it seemed slightly better, but this may now explain why.  I have never
been told or seen anything written about this; why would Wurlitzer do
something so silly?

Rob Goodale
Las Vegas, Nevada

 [ See "Instructions for Tuning Military Band Organs" at
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Gallery/Tech/tuningWurOrgan.html 
 [ -- Robbie