Commentary for Teachers

5 Hands & Feet

This is a typical 3-manuals and pedals console.  If it is detached from the organ, it is linked to the organ by electric cables.  If it is integrated into the organ case, the keys, pedals and stops are likely to be connected to the organ mechanism through a complex system of levers.

In a three-manual organ, the Great is always the middle manual.  In a two-manual organ the Great is the lower manual.  The stops for the Great are usually on the right hand side of the console.

The Swell manual is always above the Great manual.  The stops for the Swell are usually on the left hand side of the console.

♪ Add captions and arrows to show the manual and the stops for the Choir Organ.

The manual for the Choir Organ is the lowest one.  The stops are on the right hand side next to those for the Great.

♪ Think of some reasons why it is useful to have more than one manual.

Two or more manuals allow a:

•  quick change of tone or loudness.

•  contrast of tone between the manuals

•  tune to be played with a different tone from an accompaniment

♪ Give some reasons why it is useful to have several different stops for each manual.

The selection of different stops provides a variety of tone and loudness.