Organ Music is Music to Your Ears
May 5th, 2011
Organs have been used for centuries in a variety of music types. They are most recognizable for their use in church music, but have been featured in a variety of other venues as well. Organs provided the mood music for silent films in the early 20th century, are used in ball parks around the country to help rally the fans, and are regularly used in horror films. An organ is similar in appearance to a piano; however mastering an organ can be far more difficult as the player uses both hands and feet to produce the music. An organ solo was even featured on the rock hit, “Ina-Gadda-Da-Vida” by Iron Butterfly.
Organs can provide a full-bodied sound all by themselves but can also be use to accompany either a solo or choir. When recording an organ performance, techniques such as artificial double tracking, or adt for short, can be used to increase the fullness of the sound even further, making a few voices sound like a complete choir with dozens of members.
Organs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, to accommodate the many ways in which this instrument can be used. Whether the organ is a pipe, digital, or pipe-combination, the organ will provide an audience with a unique music experience.