Key Weights for organs
  • Earl_GreyEarl_Grey
    Posts: 890
    Is there such a thing as a key weight specifically designed for the organ? Something that would allow the player to hold down a key as in a pedal point without having to couple down to the pedal or where such coupling is not possible?

    I've seen it mentioned a few times in scores, but I have not been able to find such a device. Does any sufficiently heavy object that doesn't damage the keyboard suffice?

    I've known of organist to wedge pencils into the keyboard to accomplish the same think, but this seems at least potentially harmful.
  • eft94530eft94530
    Posts: 1,577
    AGO console specifications
    www.savetheorgan.org/kbase/ago_specs/agoconsole.pdf
    Key weight = 3.25 ounces to 3.75 ounces
    Width of playing surface of natural keys = 7/8 inch to 15/16 inch

    Metal shop scrap
    Marble shop scrap
    Paper weight
    Scale weight ( http://www.grainger.com )

    Hardware store (Ace, Home Depot, etc)
    square head bolt and a few square nuts.
    Thanked by 1Earl_Grey
  • Richard MixRichard Mix
    Posts: 2,767
    The actual weight will vary quite a bit for trackers with couplers. I bought a bag of wooden clothespins at the dollar store and dismantled them into wedges to use for Ligeti's Etude.
    Thanked by 1Earl_Grey
  • dboothe
    Posts: 31
    I've used piano technicians' rubber wedge mutes, such as this.

    dB
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  • Earl_GreyEarl_Grey
    Posts: 890
    All better than pencils.
    Thanked by 1Salieri
  • M. Jackson Osborn
    Posts: 8,365
    A small stone of sufficient weight would certainly have a certain 'character' about it. As for Richard's concern, yes, certain trackers with couplers might require multiple stones. (Then there are those leaden weights that fishermen use to sink their hooks.)
  • Earl_GreyEarl_Grey
    Posts: 890
    The note in question is a sharp (or flat, depending on how you look at it), so the wedge idea would probably work best at least for the piece in question.
  • SalieriSalieri
    Posts: 3,177
    I've only ever used pencils, so these are all good suggestions for me, too.
  • M. Jackson Osborn
    Posts: 8,365
    I rather like someone's suggestion of clothes pin halves. With a little sanding and maybe painted or varnished, they seem 'made for the task'.
  • JesJes
    Posts: 574
    It's been said but yeah pencil, if you can't fit one in then I can recommend using a sloped door stop that's cut the width of the key, I screw a screw into the big end so I have a handle with which to yank it out.
    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/111807980866?lpid=107&chn=ps
    Similar to the piano one but 4 for price of 1!
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,451
    Roll of pennies.
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