Street organ
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[edit] Description
A Street organ is a mechanical organ designed to play in the street. The operator of a street organ is called an organ grinder.
The two main types are the smaller German style and the larger Dutch street organ.
In the UK, street organ is often used to refer to a mechanically played piano like instrument. This is incorrect, and such instruments are called a Barrel piano.
[edit] German style street organ
German style street organs are usually operated by a music roll or pinned barrel.
 A street organ player in Vienna, Austria. |
 A street organ player in Warnemünde, Germany. |
 A street organ player in Mexico City just off the Zócalo or main plaza. |
[edit] Dutch street organ
Dutch street organs (unlike the simple street organ) are large organs that play book music. They may be equipped with pipes, horns and even percussion instruments. As originally built the organ was operated by the 'organ grinder' turning a large handle to operate both the blower and the card feed machanism. Almost all examples in Holland have now been converted to belt drive from a small battery powered motor, allowing the organ grinder to collect money.
Slightly smaller than the semi-trailer-sized fairground organ the Dutch street organ is nevertheless able to produce enough volume to be heard easily on a busy street corner. Modern Dutch street organs are frequently trailer mounted, and sized for towing behind a pickup or other light truck. Some have a small engine on the front of the chassis allowing them to be self propelled.
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
- Fairground organ : an organ that plays on a fairground
- Dance organ : an organ that plays in a dance hall, ball room or cafe
- Barrel organ : a mechanical organ operated by a pinned barrel rather than a Music Roll or Book music
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