Chord Organ
  • bhcordovabhcordova
    Posts: 1,152
    A friend just gave me a Magnum Chord Organ. Anyone know anything about these?
    Thanked by 1cesarfranck
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,933
    There were plenty of them around back in the seventies. They were home "toys" for people who either didn't play or coudn't. The theory behind them was you could learn to pick out favorite melodies with your right hand and play the accompanying chords with your left. I haven't seen one of them in years.
    Thanked by 2bhcordova cesarfranck
  • bhcordovabhcordova
    Posts: 1,152
    This one works. So how do you know which chords to use?
  • Liam
    Posts: 4,942
    Magnus, I suspect, rather than Magnum.
    Thanked by 1cesarfranck
  • a_f_hawkins
    Posts: 3,370
    I see you can buy a simulacrum of these! https://soundiron.com/products/magnus the 'manual ' goes into detail about everything except the keyboard!

    There were several different models. Here is a demo of one type .
    Thanked by 1bhcordova
  • noel jones, aagonoel jones, aago
    Posts: 6,605
    Google search Magnus chord organ music

    You will find a lot of music and some teaching books as well!

    I grew up wanting one of these.
    Thanked by 2madorganist bhcordova
  • Jeffrey Quick
    Posts: 2,045
    How do you know which chords to use?

    Your Genuine Magnus™ Music will tell you.
    Or guitar-chord music.
    Or you can do harmonic analysis.
    Or just play what sounds good

    A friend had one when I was a kid. Great fun. Definitely built for 3-chord music though; you won't be playing Reger or Vierne on one.
    Thanked by 1bhcordova
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,933
    Wonder if does "The Lost Chord?"
    Thanked by 1Carol
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